Jack Ingram,
Live Wherever You Are



Label: Big Machine Records

(3 out of 5)

Since it's been four years since his last studio album, diehard fans may be willing to celebrate anything new from Jack Ingram. Live Wherever You Are provides some relief, but its three original songs (two studio, one live) are wrapped around resequenced cuts from 2004's Live at Gruene Hall: Happy Happy.

This inaugural release from Big Machine Records — co-owned by Toby Keith — is clearly meant to re-introduce Ingram to a national audience. The three live albums between the last studio album — 2002's Electric — and this one were released by regional (Live at Billy Bob's Texas on Smith Music) or private labels (Live at Gruene Hall and Acoustic Motel on Ingram's own Ram Records).

The repackaged goods aren't necessarily a bad thing. "Biloxi" (listen) and "Goodnight Moon" (listen) are particularly strong, as is Ingram's cover of "Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line" (listen). But, again, those are already available on Live at Gruene Hall.

The new cuts are alright. "Wherever You Are" (listen) is a catchy if repetitive tune with a radio-friendly, mainstream country sound. "Love You" (listen) features cloying wordplay that amuses initially, but loses its luster over repeated listenings. Oh, and there's also a spoken-word track to introduce the album — as if that wouldn't get old.

Besides the new studio tracks, there's also a live cut from a taping of CMT's Outlaws. Featuring new label-mate Danielle Peters on backing vocals, "Never Knocked Me Down" (listen) better represents Ingram's trademark sound, and it's a nice complement to the other live tracks.

Live Wherever You Are is a good introduction for the newly converted, but ardent fans certainly won't be happy happy until Ingram's next studio album.

February 16, 2006