Track Listing

1. Measure Of A Man
2. Hold On
3. Lips Of An Angel
4. Wherever You Are
5. Love You
6. Easy As 1, 2, 3 (Part II)
7. Ava Adele
8. Make A Wish (Coming Home Again)
9. Great Divide
10. Don't Want To Hurt
11. Maybe She'll Get Lonely
12. All I Can Do

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #19244 in Music
• Released on: 2007-03-27
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced

Amazon.com
Like Keith Urban, Texan Jack Ingram flaunts a studied blond scruffiness that initially telegraphs he might rely more on sex appeal than music. But also like the Australian guitarzan, Ingram knows how to deliver the goods. His average-guy voice positions him more on the rocking side of country, and proves a perfect vehicle for the kickoff song, Radney Foster and Gordie Sampson's rootsy "Measure of a Man," which dovetails a rebel Steve Earle stance with a declaration of the changing power of love. The formulaic pop of "Wherever You Are," Ingram's #1 single--reprised like the bubblegummy "Love You" from an earlier album--is standard-issue Nashville, as is "featuring" Sheryl Crow on "Hold On," but then burying her vocals in the mix. But Ingram makes up for such transgressions with his deliciously lubricated cover of Hinder's "Lips of an Angel" and with his own finely-drawn songs of family (the folkish "Ava Adele") and the Lone Star landscape that produced him ("Great Divide"). The question is whether Ingram wants to be a star or an artist. His label, Big Machine, is trying to let him be both. But that can only last so long. --Alanna Nash

Billboard Magazine Online, March 25, 2007
While his last album, "Live Wherever You Are," went a long way in making Jack Ingram a star outside his native Texas, "This Is It" will likely advance his rise even further. The Radney Foster and Gordie Sampson-penned coming of age story "Measure of a Man," Ingram's turn on the Hinder hit "Lips of an Angel"--arguably better than the original--and the poignant Sheryl Crow-featuring lamentation "Hold On" are among the album's highlights. "Great Divide" paints a stark portrait of West Texas living and is one of six songs that Ingram wrote or co-wrote. His first No. 1 single, "Wherever You Are," and the hilarious breakup song "Love You" were the only two studio tracks on Ingram's last outing, and both also appear on this set. --Ken Tucker

The Associated Press, March 23, 2007
Music Review: Jack Ingram reaches mainstream with "This Is It" but retains original sound BYLINE: By MICHAEL McCALL, For The Associated Press

Jack Ingram, "This Is It" (Big Machine)

Jack Ingram has finally crossed over, and deservedly so, from alt-country to mainstream Nashville. Famous in Texas for more than a decade, the charismatic singer-songwriter busted out nationally in 2006 with his first No. 1 country hit, "Wherever You Are," and a successful follow-up, "Love You."

His new album reflects the shift, too. He smooths some edges on "This Is It," but fortunately he hangs onto his knack for provocative lyrics, personal angles and catchy, tightly written tunes.

"This Is It" only sounds calculated on its first single, an unnecessary cover of the rock band Hinder's recent hit ballad, "Lips of an Angel." Ingram imposes his gravelly twang onto the challenging vocal arrangement, but otherwise does little to make it his own. He also tacks on last year's hits, "Wherever You Are" and "Love You," since they originally came out on an album that featured mostly live tracks.

But the best songs "Great Divide" and "Measure of a Man" feature mature, gutsy lyrics that reflect truths from the world Ingram lives in. Moreover, fine songs like "Don't Want to Hurt" and "Easy as 1, 2, 3 (Part II)" add a fresh energy to contemporary country that's as progressive as new sounds being brought to the genre by Keith Urban and Tim McGraw.

Customer Reviews

Great Jack
I enjoy Jack's music since it is not the usual stuff coming out of Nashville. This is a good sample of his music. He is a great entertainer also.

Ingram definitely has talent
I finally put this cd in the player and I have to say that it is enjoyable from start to finish. It is upbeat and a good one to work to or to drive down the road with. He repeats a couple of his hit songs (Love You, Wherever You Are) from his previous cd, but that's ok... they don't seem out of place at all. I hope more people give this cd a chance and give Ingram the push he needs to move up in the country scene.

Jack is a sexy guy with great talent.
Jack Ingram's first studio album in a few years is excellent. "This is It" is a solid collection of Ingram's signature "red-dirt" country songs; herein Jack Ingram displays his virtuoso guitar skill and his never-failing vocal abilities.

1) Measure of a Man - This song is about Jack coming to terms with his father leaving the family. The music video features a Kristofferson look-a-like. My favorite moment is 2:25 minutes into the song: he sings the chorus over an acoustic guitar.

2) Hold On - This song is inspirational and features Sheryl Crowe's vocals. I'll let the song speak for itself: "Hold on to dancin' in the rain."

3) Lips of an Angel - When Jack Ingram covered the Hinder hit, he was much derided for doing so. However, I prefer his vocals over the gravelly Hinder singing. The added country instrumentation takes a hardcore rock song into better dimensions. When he was on CMT Top 20 he said his kids like Gwent Stefani, and they particularly like him to sing "Hollaback Girl" rather than his own songs - he can make any song great.

4) Wherever You Are - Jack Ingram's 2005 Country #1 is a road-song about a man on a quest to find his girl. The video (included on this disc) was on CMT's Sexiest Videos list for obvious reasons and the Top20 Countdown. Great vocals.

5) Love You - This is a fun, playful song that replaces f**k with love. Jack Ingram gives the listener a 2:45 minute great time. The video is also on the disc, and features a Paris Hilton look-a-like destroying what she thinks is Jack's truck while he and his band preform. This should have been a #1.

6) Easy as 1, 2, 3 (Part II) - This is my favorite song from the album because it's so upbeat and hopeful. It evokes a slight bluegrass feel. This will make you "feel better" as that's what the song is about.

7) Ava Adele - This ballad about Jack's daughter reflects the proud fatherhood he recently discussed on CMT Top 20 with Lance Smith (as a side-note he said Ava always covers his mouth when he tries singing it to her). The partial spoken/sung lyrics evoke Johnny Cash's style.

8) Make a Wish (Coming Home Again) - I enjoy Jack Ingram's guitar playing on this song, because as he sings about electric lights, his strumming evokes lightning imagery. Another good road song, with a catchy hook that will be in your head. The song's message is very positive.

9) Great Divide - Jack sings about West Texas and how he will always enjoy the unchanging ways of the people. Another great road song.

10) Don't Want To Hurt - I love the thumping bass-line in this song; it reminds me of Little Big Town. The message is very relatable.

11) Maybe She'll Get Lonely - Jack Ingram croons about the need for a woman and wants her to want him.

12) All I Can Do - This is a great way to end the CD. The use of trumpets evokes a post-Katrina "Big Easy" feel.

The CD booklet is actually a poster with Jack on it. He's currently on tour with Brad Paisely, Taylor Swift and Kellie Pickler and I hear they like to play practical jokes.