Album Review: Vince Gill’s ‘Down To My Last Bad Habit’

From the opening grooves of “Reasons For The Tears I Cry,” you can tell that this is going to be a fun record to listen to.

Written by Chuck Dauphin
Album Review: Vince Gill’s ‘Down To My Last Bad Habit’
Vince Gill; Artist publicity photo

Vince Gill is in a unique position these days. The singer could very well coast on his legendary laurels, and sing “When I Call Your Name” from now until eternity. And, to be certain, there’s not a Gill concert performance that doesn’t include that 1990 classic.

However, the true characteristic of any artist is that of being creative – and on this, Down To My Last Bad Habit, Gill’s first dabble into Contemporary Country in five years, he creates some of the most intriguing and emotional music of his career – after three decades, which is a pretty amazing feat. At age 58, “Sweet Pea” – as George Jones called him – is still singing as great as he ever has been. In fact, the singer tips the hat to the “Possum” on the song that is the most traditional sounding here – “Sad One Comin’ On (A Song For George Jones).”

Vince Gill

From the opening grooves of “Reasons For The Tears I Cry,” you can tell that this is going to be a fun record to listen to. The tones of the album are intoxicating, and that trend continues through such tracks as the grooving title cut and “Take Me Down,” which features the unmistakable harmonies of Little Big Town.

But, this is a Vince Gill record, after all… so one can expect some breathtaking ballad work, and the Hall of Famer delivers on cuts such as the sweet-yet-sad lyrical content of “Like My Daddy Did,” the heartbroken grief of “One More Mistake I Made,” as well as the unabashed anguish of “I Can’t Go There,” which might be one of the most gripping performances of his storied career. Throw in the romantic side of the singer – balanced by “My Favorite Movie” and “I’ll Still Be Waiting For You,” which features rising power vocalist Cam – and you’ve got a record that very well might be one of his most balanced musical offerings of the past twenty years!