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Jack Klatt It Ain't the Same Review by Gary Hill There is quite a bit of variety on this set. There are a few constants, though. One of those is the retro nature of the music. This feels like something that could have been released on the 1970s. Another constant is the accessible songwriting and solid performances. Beyond that, this ranges from country to folk and rock. Different elements dominate on different songs. There are tunes here that call to mind various artists from Eric Clapton to The Beatles and Gordon Lightfoot. All in all, this is quite effective throughout. This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) in Music Street Journal: 2020 Volume 4. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2020.

Track by Track Review

I'll Never Let You Down A soft rock groove with a real classic sound opens the set. The vocals bring an almost jazzy, old school contemporary music texture. Some guitar bits add some hints of country. This is an intriguing cut that has a real timeless quality to it.

Looking For Love There are hints of Beatles-like sounds on this thing. It's very much a soft rock tune with angles that lean toward folk music. The guitar again lends some country to the mix. I like this number better than the opener, but both songs are strong.

World Shaker Blues and country merge on this tune. This reminds me quite a bit of Eric Clapton's earlier stuff. This is very much the kind of thing that would have been at home on the 1970s.

Ramblin' Kind Now, this takes us into an almost complete country mode. The vocals are perhaps more folk based, though. I dig the retro Americana vibe on this.

It Ain't The Same A slow guitar line brings in another country music based number. While there is an old-school contemporary music element at play, this is arguably one of the most purely country numbers on the disc.

Caught In The Middle A dramatic, but still sedate, folk music groove brings this into being. The guitar fills lend some of that country angle. This is so tasty. It has some great blues rock in the mix. The electric guitar solo is a killer. The whole tune is one of the highlights of the set. It's magic.

Highway Lines Now, this is even more country based than the title track was. It's a good tune that has a real retro vibe to it.

Prove My Love This cut is an old-school 1950s styled rock and roller. It's a bit of variety and a classy cut.

Tinted In Blue Here we get a country rock tune that has a vintage sound to it. It's not far removed from the kind of thing Gordon Lightfoot often did. This is an accessible and energetic tune that is one of the highlights here. The powered up rocking instrumental section later is on fire.

Tomorrow Another energized tune, this has a lot of jazz in it. It's also retro-based.

Love Me Lonely This ballad has country, folk and more in the mix. I suppose it's mostly a country ballad. It gets more worked up as it goes along.

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