A buddy just brought this over yesterday. I've listened to discs one and two, so far. I've always admired Vince Gill's voice and guitar playing, but I have to say I'm pretty blown away by the consistent quality of the songwriting. And, needless to say, the playing is also first-rate throughout, with a wonderful array of guest singers and players. This is an excellent collection of music.
That being said, I feel that the overall sound is actually a bit too slick. I also hear lots of Pro-Tools stuff going on, I think. Drum tracks in particular are a bit too perfect (and the kick drum and toms sound to me like they were triggered after the fact).
Also, on disc two there are some weird-ass piano sounds, even on the Diana Krall track (too closely mic'd and not natural sounding). I'm being picky here, but I'm a professional musician, and that's just how I'm hearing it.
For a more natural sounding recording in a similar vein (country, bluesy, jazzy, poppy), check out the newest Big Al Anderson CD--great stuff, too. He was the guitarist in NRBQ and is now doing his own thing (he also co-wrote some of the tunes on the Vince Gill discs).
That being said, I feel that the overall sound is actually a bit too slick. I also hear lots of Pro-Tools stuff going on, I think. Drum tracks in particular are a bit too perfect (and the kick drum and toms sound to me like they were triggered after the fact).
Also, on disc two there are some weird-ass piano sounds, even on the Diana Krall track (too closely mic'd and not natural sounding). I'm being picky here, but I'm a professional musician, and that's just how I'm hearing it.
For a more natural sounding recording in a similar vein (country, bluesy, jazzy, poppy), check out the newest Big Al Anderson CD--great stuff, too. He was the guitarist in NRBQ and is now doing his own thing (he also co-wrote some of the tunes on the Vince Gill discs).