Jack Horton breathes new life into a classic with "Operator"

Jack Horton, a singer-songwriter and classically trained pianist, in his latest release, "Imperfections," makes an audacious and heart-rendering jump away from his usual original material to reinterpret an old favorite. With sweeping orchestration and emotional depth guaranteed to make it uniquely his own, revered gem by Jim Croce, "Operator," pens the primary centerpiece of Horton's new EP.

This decision is far from straightforward for a musician like Horton, whose storytelling typically arises from personal songwriting. He has carried this belief with him musically throughout the previous years. "I don't believe musicians should do a cover of another artist's song unless they bring something new to it, not necessarily "better," just different," Horton said, and this tune's version makes that belief stunningly clear.

Croce's original 1972 acoustic style is replaced by an emotional world swathed in timpani, strings, and a variety of symphonic embellishments led by piano melodies. The reimagined "Operator" is grand and intimate, extending the song's emotional tentacles while maintaining its thoughtful heart. It is not about outshining the original but transformation as a form of tribute. From the piano bars in Tokyo to the boardrooms of law and tech, the singer's progression from small-town Oregon to his home life bleeds into his performance, and you may hear the appreciative quality in every key.

This is the artist's love note to one of music's greatest storytellers. More than that, it reminds us of what Jack Horton does best, openness and expertise in creating music that connects on a fundamentally human level. With "Operator," Jack Horton demonstrates that rediscovering a tune may be a statement of admiration and reinvention, further asserting his place as one of today's most thoughtful musical voices.

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