The Best Singles of 2009: Jack Ingram - "Seeing Stars"

It took Jack nearly a decade but the Texan became a mainstream country star a couple of years ago and while he's scored hits with uptempo fare, he hasn't yet gotten a ballad like this up the charts.  While not yet a hit, the single is nonetheless one of '09's best.

Seeing Stars should not be a good song.  By writes it should be a mediocre pop ballad, sung by The Fray or One Republic to highlight and episode of Grey Anatomy or a Jennifer Anniston film.  The lyrics, though pleasant, are fairly generic.  The melody is pleasant, but nothing spectacular.  In another, more probably world, this song would have become the follow up to You Found Me and had been just as quickly forgotten.  Fortunately, for this song it was written by Jack Ingram and Chris Tompkins, one of whom has a record deal and a friendship with Patty Griffin and this song became one of the most memorable songs of 2009.

                Jack Ingram has made a mane for himself in recent years for making safe and milquetoast country music.  Seeing Stars threatens to continue that trend, but it is saved by a pair of exceptional vocals.  Ingram steps up his game vocally and gives a genuine and heartfelt rendering.  While it is a softer and prettier side of his voice than most of his old fans would probably prefer, Ingram does manage to find a sweetness that fits the spirit of the song.  And to his credit, he eschews the bombastic vocal fireworks that most of his peers would use in a similar situation.  When Patty Griffin comes in, she does steal the show with her gossamer soft harmonies.  However, she only soars because she is anchored to his stunning performance.  Like a pair of perfectly matched dancers, they play to each other’s strengths and life each other continually higher. 

                Patty Griffin makes everything better.  It is her gift and one that she has only recently been allowed to share with country music’s mainstream.  While artists from Martina McBride to the Dixie Chicks have covered her, 2009 has found her the favored harmony lady to some of country’s leading men.  While she is climbing the charts with Jack Ingram, Griffin also shows up in a duet on Dierks Bentley’s new album.   And a Patty Griffin music trend is something everyone can get behind.

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