I found this song completely by accident. I was very interested in soul and R&B from the 60s and 70s, listening to artists like the Temptations, Spinners, Al Green, Withers, Main Ingredient, and Sly & The Family Stone. I found Clarence Carter while searching up “Patches,” thinking it was an Al Green song (I have no idea what I was thinking). Once Patches came up, I saw Carter as the artist and decided to give it try. And I listened.
Patches was written by General Johnson from the Chairmen of the Board, Clarence Carter made a version of the song which was in many ways preferable to the original. Listen to the original song by General Johnson on YouTube. I don’t want to compare too much, as I quite like Johnson’s original Patches.
I don’t usually bring up lyrics, but Patches tells a great story, and I recommend you read to really understand the atmosphere and emotions. But, before you take a listen to Carter’s Patches, please use earbuds or over-ear headphones, I really insist. In order to understand many of the notes I will share, you will require headphones with stereo-capabilities. Here is Carter’s Patches on YouTube.
I honestly feel this song is too beautiful to write about, but we shall go on. Carter’s Patches is very well produced and sounds great (at least on Spotify and YouTube). Although Carter’s voice might not be the finest, it tells the story so well, the listener is deeply impacted. While Carter sings the verses, the singers produce almost lamenting phrases which surprisingly work and aren’t too distracting. Then, during the second-half of the chorus (“Patches, I’m depending on you son”), Carter and the singers melt together into an incredibly emotional and satisfying sound. Carter uses strings, brass, vocals, crisp drums, and flowing lyrics in the chorus that absolutely drip of umami. You can hear what I’m talking about at 0:32, 1:16, and 2:15. Also, listen to the flourish the strings play at 1:15 right before the chorus, I love small details like that.
The choice of instruments in Carter’s Patches are absolute genius concealed in a three minute song. I feel they are what truly made this song worthy of a Grammy. Now listen carefully and identify the different instruments and their locations (left or right).
To hear for yourself, I suggest listening to the entire song with only the left side, then repeat on the right side. I believe that it is this division that makes Patches so damn good. Now that you have actively identified the instruments, listen again normally, and take in Carter’s incredible single, Patches.
