Jack Ingram - Live: Wherever You Are

Jack Ingram is one of the top names in Texas country, and it's about time he did up a live recording. Mostly recorded live at the legendary Gruene Hall in Gruene, Texas (there are a couple of studio tracks, which Jack himself introduces at the top of the disc), "Live: Wherever You Are" captures the spirit of this modern-day Texas outlaw, from high-spirited hard charging Americana to pure country ballads, Ingram knows how to deliver.

Them Texas boys sure know how to entertain a music lover. Yee haw, grab your boots and head out to the honky-tonk, 'cause we got us a bone fide country singer here in Jack Ingram. Ingram was described by Waylon Jennings as "an incredible talent," and hoss, you know if Waylon said a good word about someone, he meant it.

The "live" disc actually starts with Jack welcoming the listener and explaining that the opening title cut is actually a studio recording and what it's about. It's about as close to mainstream as Ingram is likely to get, a nod to today's love of love songs and power ballads, something I actually expect to hear on corporate radio (it's already getting play on CMT and GAC), especially if "big dog" Toby Keith is pushing it. I have to say for myself it's the live recordings that make this disc for me, though. I could get tired of "Wherever You Are" real quick, although it's of course better fare than your standard Lonestar/Flatts junk. Once you get to Gruene Hall and the electric feel of the live audience, coupled with Jack's rough-edged delivery, it's all uphill.

Ingram's also given me with this disc my newest favorite "anti-status-quo" song with "Happy Happy, Country Country," a rollicking tune about how country fans today don't want to be sad, they don't want to hear about bad stuff, so give 'em "happy happy, country country." It's a hoot. Ingram hosts a weekly radio show on Dallas' "99.5 The Wolf," which is also broadcast on XM Satellite channel 12.