Clarence Carter vs. Jerry Reed | Head 2 Head 🗣️

In the 47^th edition of Head 🗣️ 2 Head 🗣️ (2022), Clarence Carter and Jerry Reed contend for the best rendition of “Patches.” 

Welcome to Head 2 Head! On Head 🗣️ 2 Head 🗣️, we pit at least two musicians singing the same song together, comparing their performances.  Then, after much deliberation, we deliver a verdict of which performance was the best, or at least, subjectively, which performance moved us more.  In the 47^th edition of head 🗣️2 head 🗣️ (2022), 🎙 Clarence Carter and 🎙 Jerry Reed contend for the best rendition of 🎵 “Patches”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

1. Clarence Carter, “Patches”

💿 Patches • 🏷 Atlantic • 🗓 1970

“I was born and raised down in Alabama / On a farm way back up in the woods / I was so ragged the folks used to call me ‘Patches.’” With those lines, so begins the soul gem, 🎵 “Patches”.  The definitive version of “Patches” was released in 1970 by blind soul musician, 🎙 Clarence Carter.  Although he’s responsible for the 🏆 Grammy-nominated version, which peaked at no. 4 on the pop charts, “Patches” was written by 🎼 ✍ General Johnson and 🎼 ✍ Ron Dunbar.  Carter, and his brilliant delivery of the spoken word portions, as well as his soulfulness on the sung portions, truly makes “Patches” the classic it is.  

The songwriting is impeccable on “Patches” – pitch perfect.  The record depicts a family struggling to survive – working hard and doing the best that they can.  ‘Patches’ himself becomes the breadwinner, the head of the family, following the death of his father.  In addition to doing the things expected of a child, Patches also doubles as the man of the house.  The chorus truly hits home because there are so many families that experience some version of this. 

“Patches, I’m depending on you, son 

To pull the family through 

My son, it’s all left up to you.” 

All told, Carter feels like the perfect artist to sing 🎵 “Patches”, period.  Added to the awesome songwriting and Carter’s exceptional performance is terrific production work. Like much of the soul of the 70s, Clarence has a picturesque, ear-catching backdrop to work with (horns, strings, and backing vocals, especially).  Could anybody give Mr. Carter a run for his money? Well…

Appears in 🔻:

• Clarence Carter, “Patches”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 112 (2022)

2. Jerry Reed, “Patches”

💿 The Man With the Golden Thumb • 🏷 Sony Music Entertainment • 📅 1982

It is safe to say that 🎙 Clarence Carter did a bang-up job covering 🎵 “Patches”.  Hard to believe that he did not originally record it despite making it a hit.  Carter wouldn’t be the only musician to cover it, however. Late country musician 🎙 Jerry Reed (1937 – 2008) delivers his own rousing rendition of “Patches.”  His version appears on his 1982 album, 💿 The Man With the Golden Thumb.

Reed sings “Patches” beautifully; that is an understatement.  His vocal tone is stunning.  His performance can be described as both assertive and confident. A record that fits both the country and soul books sensationally, Reed delivers the goods with this countrified take. Like Carter, Reed infuses plenty of personality in this song that narrativizes becoming the head of the household far too young (“‘Patches, I’m depending on you, son / To pull the family through / My son, it’s all left up to you’”).  Beyond delivering incredible authenticity while singing, the music is excellent.  The Reed version of “Patches” features marvelous orchestration, similar to the Carter version – the strings, harmonica, and backing vocals stand out.  One of the biggest contrasts to the Carter version are rhythmic changes to the tune, namely during the chorus.

The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️ 

🎙 Clarence Carter or 🎙 Jerry Reed?  Honestly, BOTH musicians do a fabulous job with the 🎼 ✍ General Johnson and 🎼 ✍ Ron Dunbar classic.  Reed countrifies “Patches” more, while Carter walks the fine line of soul and country crossover – country soul! All told, give Mr. Carter the edge – he is responsible for making 🎵 “Patches” a top-five hit on the pop charts.  Furthermore, he was, deservingly, nominated for a 🏆 Grammy. Congratulations Clarence – you are this Head 🗣️ 2 Head 🗣️ champ!

Clarence Carter vs. Jimmy Reed: Head 2 Head 🗣️ No. 47 (2022) [📷: Brent Faulkner, Kool Shooters, Layers, Mario Aranda, The Musical Hype, Pexels, Pixabay, RODNAE Productions, Valentin Tikhonov]