Jack Ingram

Jack Ingram

Zilker Park, Sept, 25

Near the end of his performance, after he'd introduced his band and made a little dig at the Kenny Chesneys of the world, Jack Ingram announced, "I play country music." This caused a few spit takes among the purists in the crowd as during the previous 50 minutes Ingram and band made a noise closer to the Rolling Stones than Willie Nelson. Of course Ingram can label himself as he pleases, but save for a twangy guitar lick here and there, this was a rock show from beginning to end; the long hair, tattoos, and wrap around shades of his band, plus the booming beats and the swaggering guitar solos served opposed his claim. As a songwriter, Ingram, who now calls Austin home, has progressed over the years. The funkified "Keep On Keepin' On" and anthemic "One Thing" from his last studio LP, Electric, along with the standout guitar histrionics of Chris Masterson, kept things feverish to match the day. He even dedicated the rockin' "Mustang Burn" to Robert Earl Keen, adding a touch of humor. Ingram gave an honest effort to engage the audience, which couldn't quite rouse itself above the combination of heat and country music cloaked in a heavy blanket of rock.