Artist: Jack Johnson

For fans of: Ben Harper, Matt Costa and Donavon Frankenreiter

Key tracks: “Belle/Banana Pancakes,” “Constellations” and “Home”

Jack Johnson is back with a brand-new live CD titled “En Concert,” featuring songs recorded around the world in Paris, Barcelona, Honolulu and San Francisco from the 2008 Sleep Through the Static Tour. But calling “En Concert” simply a live CD doesn’t give it enough credit.

“En Concert” is a true celebration of Hawaiian-born Jack Johnson’s music catalogue including songs from previous full-length releases such as 2005’s “In Between Dreams.”

Some of its tracks feature two-song compilations like the opening “Belle/Banana Pancakes” and closing “Angel/Better Together.”

The album’s diversity and song selection is nothing short of stellar. Jack Johnson, along with his full band, delivers excitement and new life into old favorites such as “Sitting, Waiting, Wishing” and “Do You Remember?” all while keeping the mellow vibe with “Times Like These” and “Home.”

After listening to “Constellations,” which features Pearl Jam front man Eddie Vedder, I was quite surprised at how great Johnson’s vocals truly are. Keeping up with Vedder’s pipes is no easy task, and he matched and complemented Vedder exceptionally well.

What sets Jack Johnson apart in mainstream music is his seemingly always-positive attitude that keeps him in a genre that remains mostly untouched and unthreatened.

With the times as rough as they are for many people, Jack Johnson can make you believe in hope, love and better times with just a verse.