Live Wherever You Are (CD - 2006)

Personnel: Brent Mason (guitar); Steven Sheehan, Biff Watson (acoustic guitar); Troy Lancaster (electric guitar, sitar); Jens Pinkernell (electric guitar); Larry Franklin (mandolin); Joe Spivey (fiddle); Michael Rojas (piano, organ); Bukka Allen (piano); Matt Rollings (keyboards); Tommy Harden, Paul Leim, Pete Coatney (drums); Danielle Peck, Russell Terrell (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Jamie Tate; Jared Tuten.

Recording information: The Love Shack, Nashville, TN (2005); The Rukkus Room, Nashville, TN (2005).

Photographers: Gary Miller; Cambria Lyn Harkey; Carl Dunn; Tony Baker & His Orchestra.

One of the first releases on Toby Keith's Big Machine imprint, 2006's LIVE WHEREVER YOU ARE presents Texan country-rocker Jack Ingram in concert on his home turf. Backed by his Beat Up Ford Band, Ingram charges through raucous tunes (the witty "How Many Days" and the hot-rod narrative "Mustang Burn"), but also slows things down on a number of songs, most notably the wistful "Biloxi" and the gentle "Good Night Moon."

As on past outings, Ingram often sounds like a more accessible (read: less political) version of Steve Earle, with his slightly raspy voice and charming honky-tonk swagger evident throughout the set. WHEREVER YOU ARE also includes two studio tracks, the uplifting title song and the stomping "Love You," making the disc more than just a pure concert document. Given the strong performances and the added push from Keith's label, it's likely that this album will win Ingram the hard-fought legion of new fans he deserves. minimize