When I Call Your Name

Amazon.com essential recording
Vince Gill's 1989 MCA debut album (following a couple of unsuccessful efforts on RCA) was produced by Tony Brown, whom Gill had met 10 years previously when both were members of Emmylou Harris's Hot Band. With its hair-raising harmony vocals by Gill and Patty Loveless, the mournful title track proved to be the breakthrough hit Gill had been waiting for. The album includes another lovely ballad called "Never Knew Lonely," as well as a duet with Reba McEntire on "Oklahoma Swing," which has since evolved into a guitar rave-up in Gill's live sets. --Rick Mitchell

Tracks:

Never Alone
Sight For Sore Eyes
Oh Girl (You Know Where To Find Me)
Oklahoma Swing
When I Call Your Name
Ridin' The Rodeo
Never Knew Lonely
We Won't Dance
We Could Have Been
Rita Ballou

Amazon.com essential recording

Vince Gill's 1989 MCA debut album (following a couple of unsuccessful efforts on RCA) was produced by Tony Brown, whom Gill had met 10 years previously when both were members of Emmylou Harris's Hot Band. With its hair-raising harmony vocals by Gill and Patty Loveless, the mournful title track proved to be the breakthrough hit Gill had been waiting for. The album includes another lovely ballad called "Never Knew Lonely," as well as a duet with Reba McEntire on "Oklahoma Swing," which has since evolved into a guitar rave-up in Gill's live sets. --Rick Mitchell

Customer Reviews:

When I Call Your Name - Vince Gill.......2007-01-04

A must for lovers of C&W music and especially of Vince Gill

My first modern country favorite. Just fabulous!.......2005-01-31

Prior to this album my exposure to country music had been Bob Wills, Flatt & Sgruggs, Hank Williams and other classics. New York didn't have much country on the radio in the 50's and 60's. I had no idea at all what was out there.

Then in 1990 I bought this album at a friend's recommendation, and what a pleasurable bolt of lightning it was! I sat staring at my speakers, saying things like, "How long has music this good been around?" I played it constantly -- and still do -- and rapidly did catch-up buying and listening to modern country music. By now I have quite a good collection, but this one still stands near the very top.

A classic country album, a great musical album, brilliant singing, playing and arranging. Even if you're like I was and know nothing about country music, this disc is likely to make you an avid fan. I don't see how anyone from any musical background can fail to be thrilled by these songs.

I agree with the Amazon reviewer: this is an "essential" recording. Enjoy!

First album for MCA remains a classic.......2004-02-09

Vince had been part of the music scene since the seventies but met with only limited success prior to the release of this album and the singles from it. The result was that, for a few years, Vince Gill became one of the hottest names in country music. Vince has a distinctive, high tenor voice, which he uses to good effect on this collection. He is also a great songwriter, as he shows on the first seven tracks here, all of which he wrote or co-wrote.

Four major country hits can be found here, these being Never alone, Never knew lonely, When I call your name (the song that made everybody take notice of Vince) and Oklahoma swing. The first three are excellent ballads while the fourth is an outstanding up-tempo duet with Reba McEntire. As I write this, Oklahoma swing is not available anywhere else so it alone makes this album a worthwhile purchase. The other three hits can all be found on Souvenirs, a compilation that I've already reviewed. Souvenirs contains a different duet with Reba, The heart won't lie, but although I enjoy both, I prefer Oklahoma swing.

Two more great up-tempo songs are included - Riding the rodeo and a cover of Guy Clark's Rita Ballou. We won't dance is a lovely mid-tempo song. Sight for sore eyes, Oh girl and We could have been are all wonderful ballads.

Every track here is a gem. It's not difficult to work out why this album made Vince Gill into a major country star.

What a voice!.......2000-12-06

Vince's breakthrough album is terrific. The hauntingly beautiful 'When I call your name' has to be one of the loveliest songs written. My other favourites on the album are 'Never knew lonely' and 'We won't dance'. His gorgeous tenor is so suited to the songs about lost love. You can hear the sadness in every word. A must for all lovers of good music.