By 1994, Vince Gill was a bona fide country superstar. His recordings had sold into the millions and his tours were sellouts around the globe. He was ubiquitous on the radio as well. Producer Tony Brown took an even heavier hand on Gill’s recordings, even though Gill’s own songs dominated his records. The tightrope walk between a handsome tender country-pop balladeer and the rootsy rocking honky tonk guitar picker was beginning to fall on the side of the ballads. It was working on the charts, but some of Gill’s older fans — those familiar with his multifaceted talent — began to grow weary of him playing it so safe. There are only three uptempo cuts on When Love Finds You: the tough rockabilly swagger that is at the heart of “South Side of Dixie,” the honky tonk shuffle “What the Cowgirls Do,” and the midtempo country-rocker “You Better Think Twice.” The rest are ballads — every last one of them — but there are a few real gems, including the opener, “Whenever You Come Around,” and the stunning title track. – Thom Jurek
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