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t-cat  09/28/2000          
Jack Ingram
Artist Review
It is as simple as this......if you like music that will bring you to a higher level, buy every one of Jack's albums. Clearly, we all have found a great singer/performer/songwriter in Mr. Ingram. Along with Beatupford band, the music these guys continue to put out is astounding. Jack brings definately carries his own in the world of music and the opportunity to see him live should NOT be missed. Definately check out his "Live at Adair's" and "Unleashed Live" with the brothers Robison! You will not be sorry that you did, only that you waited this long to find out about these guys! t-cat
Greg Gardner [email protected]  09/25/2000          
Jack Ingram
Artist Review
Jack is the Real Deal!!! I have opened several shows for jack and I am still in awe every time I see him. Jack's albums are great, with hey you being my favorite, but you can't possibly capture the energy Jack has on an album. He is totally different live. Energy packed show that keeps your attenetion from begging to end. Jack is also one of the nicest guys on the circut. Always sincerely complimentary, genuine, and humble. Jack gives you a sence of ease, instantly befriending, and coming across so genuine and sincere. I will say I "get it". I know why Jack is getting so popular, and I am proud to tell everyone that I am a HUGE fan of Jack Ingrams!
Lil'Tex  09/12/2000          
Jack Ingram
Artist Review
Hey You is a glossary of superior sounds. Want to know what a snare should sound like on an upbeat rocker? Listen to Mustang Burn. How about a soulful slide guitar on a slow ballad? Try Inna from Mexico. The craftsmanship found in the instrumentation and production is exemplarily and especially rare in an “outlaw-Texas-insurgent-country movement” record. One listen reveals that this record is the work of seasoned veterans with deep musical roots and uncanny ears for good tone. And the songs… The boy does have the songs to boot. From beer-soaked two-steppers like Anymore Good Loving to the folk-pop gone country Hey You, Ingram’s writing style displays a wide range of influences. Inna From Mexico could have come straight out of Guy Clark’s catalog, while the chord changes in Work This Out suggest a Beatle’s cd or two could be found spinning in Ingram’s van as he logs all those traveling hours across the nation. And the boy does tour… Ingram and his band (part musicians, part truck-drivers) average 85,000 miles per year around the US. Discontented to merely stay in Texas and soak up the milk money (i.e. Pat Green, Cory Morrow), Ingram takes his road show where it belongs—on the road. How he cultivates markets in traditionally non-country environments such as Minneapolis, MN or Portland, OR forces a head scratch or two, but he seems to make it break even while he grows his market. Void of a college anthem such as Road Goes On Forever or Pissin in the Wind, and without any real Nashville push on radio (and without a million-seller wife) Ingram’s out-of-Texas exploits are avant-garde. But revolution is nothing revolutionary to Ingram. Back in 1996, Ingram pulled himself out of the dead end college-circuit stigma and was courted by Warner Brothers. The Houston native finally inked a deal with MCA imprint Rising Tide and, in April of 1997, released Livin’ or Dyin’. Co-produced by Steve Earle and Ray Kennedy, Ingram’s first entry into the national scene garnered the upstart much praise and expectation, neither of which seemed to translate into big record sales. The critic’s darling for the most part, Ingram spent the next year explaining how his music was not “alt-country” but country, and how today’s popped-down version of country is what’s alt-country. Nevertheless, the hard-core “alt” fans boxed Ingram as an Earle clone riding on college antics, while the pop-country camp labeled him as insurgent and too brash for today’s listeners. Despite radio’s unwillingness to take a chance on Ingram, Livin’ or Dyin’s close found Ingram to be living, as Rising Tide renewed his option for another record. In February of 1998, as Ingram and his Beat Up Ford Band were hard at work with preproduction for his next record with would-be producer Emory Gordy, Jr., word came down that Rising Tide was closed. Seagram’s takeover of Universal (MCA’s parent company) caused ripples through the music world, one of which sank Rising Tide’s (and therefore Ingram’s) ship before it ever left the dry dock. But this boy can swim on his own… Out of the 13 artists on the roster, only three still perform today. Ingram would continue to tour nationally on his own while Nashville’s cards were reshuffled. Touring without a record wasn’t easy, and it wasn’t until the September ‘99 release of Hey You that redemption would come. Perhaps due to the success of Ingram’s initial breakthrough into the national scene combined with radio’s decaying market share, several record companies began casting their eyes towards the Lone Star State in hopes of cornering the market on roots country rebel types. Two such artists lead Jack to their Lucky Dog label, and Hey You is the result. HEY YOU slams shut the door opened by critics who called Ingram’s Livin’ or Dyin’ effort a frat boy gone Nashville fluke that’s success can only be attributed to producer Steve Earle. Though a bit too polite, especially compared to his over-the-edge raucous road show, Ingram’s Hey You deserves a slot on your cd player. And 10 years from now, after some record label finally realizes what they have, you’ll be saying, “I knew Ingram way back when.” --Lil’Tex
Craig Olson  07/12/2000          
Jack Ingram
Artist Review
I hate to say it,but the hambone is pretty bad..What does he think he is,some rebelious alternative country critic...the next time I read one of his little articles will be way too soon..By the way the "Hey You CD" is a must...if you like PG,CM,OT,RC..(Pat,Cory,Owen,Roger)
Lisa  06/21/2000          
Jack Ingram
Artist Review
Jack is one of the freshest sounding guys on the alt country scene. He is a great songwriter and performer. His band, especially the incredible guitarist, are the best.
www.vh1.com  04/12/2000          
Hey You
Album Review
If you're familiar with country-rocker Jack Ingram, you probably already have this disc and don't need much convincin'. For the rest of you, a little background is in order. Ingram taught himself how to play some Willie Nelson songs at the age of 18 while earning a psychology degree at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. He soon landed himself a gig at a local honky-tonk called Adair's, and after a year of roof-raising Tuesday nights, he was the talk of the town (his third album was recorded at the roadhouse in 1995). The qualities that tickled Ingram's initial audience are stronger than ever on this fifth outing. The singer's work is rooted in Texas songwriters Jerry Jeff Walker, Robert Earl Keen and particularly Steve Earle (who produced 1997's Livin' or Dyin'). His raucous tunes are glamour-free vignettes packed with details. This new batch, some of them co-written with fellow mavericks Jim Lauderdale and Todd Snider, includes a handful of rollicking ain't-love-grand songs, a reckless tale of revenge ("Mustang Burn"), and a classic scene-setting opening line: "We've got to fight just to find something to talk about." But it's not all toe-tapping sport. Ingram also pens a smoldering letter to a dad who forsakes his family "for the fun down in Biloxi," and a heart-rending portrait of "Inna from Mexico," whose friends back home aren't quite clued in regarding the true cost of freedom. Whatever the mood, Ingram's well-oiled group, the Beat Up Ford Band, provides a comfy ride for his gritty, gleeful voice - together, they bump along real nice. "Hey you/Are you listening to me," he sings on the Buddy Holly-ish title track. You should be. Lend an ear. LOU PAPINEAU
www.fallout-magazine.com  04/12/2000          
Hey You
Album Review
Newcomer Jack Ingram made waves with the critics and fans on his 1997 debut Livin' Or Dyin'. Now Ingram's back with another collection of tunes informed by his wide array of respectable country influences. This Texan has been working his ass off for a number of years touring and trying to gain recognition in a genre that is becoming increasingly watered down and, well, lame. Ingram is trying to raise the flag of good country, and he's doing a fine job. Ingram and his band have found the perfect mixture of honky-tonk country and the few rock elements that inform the style. Listen to "Barbie Doll." There's a tinge of growl in his usually tempered vocal delivery. The band jukes it up and you can almost see some guys on a chicken wire protected stage just getting down. Let's not overlook the in your face lyrics that go along with it. "Mustang Burn" lets the band find a easy yet propelling groove while Ingram tells a tale of watching a friend's car go up in flames. The irony and humor are almost lost in the way that the tune ambles on and in Ingram's delivery. As opposed to the kitchy country tunes that are polluting the airwaves (like that ridiculous hit "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy") the song is not some one trick novelty. Ingram and his Beat Up Ford Band call on the influence of Merle Haggard for "Work This Out." The acoustic guitar work here borders on sounding like a mandolin. It's some beautiful guitar work. The heavyweights of country are again referenced in the grooving "Anymore Good Loving." This is country as it should be done; there's that rolling rhythm, some thoughtful steel guitar and a stick in your head melody. If other artists practiced this same sort of country, I might actually turn my dial on to the country station. In a similar vein are tunes like "Feel Like I'm Falling In Love" and "How Many Days." I really enjoy the feel of the title track, although it seems a bit plain on the surface. There's a rambling drum track that gives it all the motion needed to move you down the road. There are also little sprinkles of twinkling guitar and Ingram's smooth vocal. Let's not leave out the tender aspect of what Ingram can do. The album wouldn't be complete without a tender ballad like "Inna From Mexico," which he delivers without being sappy. Don't let the pretty boy image fool ya. Jack Ingram is a contender in the honky-tonk inspired country that he purveys. His brand is not twangy or whiney; it's purely based on good songwriting and a strong presentation. This is an album that folks who usually stay away from country music can and will appreciate. I bet they just crank it out live, as the songs lend themselves to getting that live rush of energy. It's records like this that really make you mad about the genre-fication of things. It's these preconceived notions that will probably, unfortunately, keep Jack Ingram slightly underground, like a Steve Earle or a Dwight Yoakam, and that's fine, because not everybody will "get it." Hey Jack-I get it. -tom topkoff


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