The Key
Over a decade of amiable and entertaining hits, Vince Gill has occasionally emitted flashes of greatness. OnThe Key, he  finally opens up and taps his full artistic potential with a complete  collection of stunningly powerful songs. Using spare instrumentation,  and working amid a foundation of bluegrass and barroom country sounds,  the recently divorced Gill concentrates on simply stated yet deeply  felt songs about betrayal, loss, and the prospects of opening a bruised  heart to another lover. Working with a variety of female harmony  partners--including Patty Loveless, Alison Krauss, Shelby Lynne, and  Sara Evans--Gill brings out the aching beauty of his tenor by settling  into gorgeous melodies laid out with unadorned authority. By daring to  bare his innermost feelings, he's achieved the greatness he's hinted at  through the years.--Michael McCall