Tim McGraw and Faith Hill - Soul 2 Soul II
at Xcel Energy Center
May 20, 2006

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The ensuing moments featured a video montage of McGraw and Hill -- hugging, laughing and obviously loving each other. Despite that video bridge between their separate sets, their lavishly staged Soul 2 Soul Tour II -- their first road collaboration since 2000 -- seemed to emphasize how different as artists this husband and wife are.

Hill, 38, proved what a bravura voice she has. McGraw, 39, again proved that his voice is as plain as his blue jeans and T-shirt. But he had superior songs by far; he's been super-smart at picking tunes that tug at heartstrings. Her stuff was decidedly poppy, more about impressive vocalizing and overwrought arrangements than compelling storytelling or deep, revelatory emotions. And their energy seemed out of sync: She seemed hyperactive compared with the way he traversed the stage in slow motion.

Indeed, Hill's stage skills have improved dramatically since 2000, even though she didn't look like her usual glam self. Instead, she opted for an unfussy hairdo and an expensive casual look (running shoes, not heels this time): She almost looked more like Katharine Ross in "The Graduate."

For their encore together, McGraw-Hill finally seemed like a marriage, not a business. During Marty Robbins' "Shotgun Rider," as they stood with their backs touching, he playfully grabbed her leg when she wasn't looking. For their hit "It's Your Love" and the oddly chosen cover of Bob Marley's "No Woman, No Cry," they finally faced each other -- but stood 30 yards apart. The gulf was gone, though, for the closing face-to-face, hand-holding, kiss-at-the-end "I Need You." So I guess I won't need to read the tabloids, after all.

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill - Soul 2 Soul IIat Xcel Energy CenterMay 20, 2006

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill - Soul 2 Soul II
at Xcel Energy Center
May 20, 2006