Two year ago when a supposed ‘new name’ Jack Ingram won the Academy of Country Music award for Best New Male Vocalist many people new it was not quite true.
The fact was that to thousands of people in the audience in the Vegas emporium , the ‘new’ meant that for years previous, he had been playing theatres, clubs, and stadiums.
To them the ‘new’ mantle was fairly old hat.
Hard core country fans had already tasted his music for more than a decade, with many relating to the fact that he was of the generation who could easily follow in the footsteps of Waylon Jennings,Willie Nelson and a few other country music heroes.
Now his album entitled ‘Big Dreams and High Hopes’ released a couple of month ago can validate and amplify those thoughts to many who take a listen.
Containing eleven tracks he sails through some of the best modern sounds around complimented with an edge of some of the aforementioned heroes.
From the hard driving up tempo tracks though to the melodic ballad he laces his unique stamp on each offering.
Special guests Patty Griffin and Dierks Bentley join forces on two tracks.
Highlights tracks for me include the opening ‘Free’ which is in the Top Fifty Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart at the present time and the former ‘Barefoot and Crazy’ track which gave him a radio smash hit and summer soundtrack last year.
Add added feature of the CD includes videos of the ‘Barefoot and Crazy’ track along with ‘That’s A Man’.
It’s a great release from not such a new name.
Let’s hope this offering brings him to the attention of a newer audience here in Britain who will gave him ‘higher hopes’ to compliment his ‘big dreams’.
Jack Ingram Big Dreams and High Hopes Humphead/Big Machine Records
Click below for a preview listen
