With
such an abundance of talent from one artist, you'd think it would be easy to write a
review about Pat James but to be honest, it's actually harder. How do I put into words how
much Pat's music affects me as I'm sure if affects others. I almost feel like I'm writing
about a legend, where all of the best has already been said by those with more skill than
myself. While the witticisms aren't flowing through my brain and into my keyboard, Pat's
music is filling my senses with each song that plays as I contemplate my
"strategy". I've come to the conclusion that talking about Pat James isn't about
"strategy", it's simply honesty and heartfelt praise and most of all, the honor
I feel for the opportunity to introduce you to a young man that is going to be around for
years to come. Nothing can hold back or pull the plug on a talent such as Pat's... it's a
force bigger than the "suits" who decide who will or won't be a
"Star". Pat is already a star in his own right. You only need to listen to his
music to understand that.
You'll find that even his
songwriting is as epic as that of the legends. Pat's wish is to "put the 'Western'
back into country music". His songs alone could accomplish that task, but it's far
more enhanced by his rendition of each song as the notes and words flow (seemingly)
effortlessly from him. "Country music is a way of life to me, it's not a fashion or
fad, " says Pat.
You see, Pat was born and raised in Arizona. He doesn't just sing
"western", he IS western. Like George Strait, that hat is on his head for a
reason.. he is the real deal.. he's an artist AND a cowboy!
Pat has two albums. The
first, "Some Like It Country" (2001) is filled with 14 tracks, all but two
written by Pat James himself. He not only wrote and sang the songs, his mastering of both
the acoustic and electric guitar is heard in each one and he also produced the CD. The
music is flawlessly melded with James' voice, always complimenting, never overtaking it.
Pat is working with top notch musicians which bring to life each instrument, acoustic
guitar, fiddle, steel guitar, electric guitar, piano and drums. All form together as one
to make a magical background of harmony and help bring each song to life in it's own
right.
Pat's latest CD,
"It's My Life" pretty much sums it up... filled with 14 songs; 4 written
by Pat James and the rest written and/or recorded by his heroes in country music and
while you know each song and who sang it, you'll feel the influence they held in
during his youth and his way of life but you'll only hear "PAT" singing the
songs. While my talent as a wordsmith is lacking to say the least, I'm sure you get the
point... if you don't, just listen to, "It's My Life" and you'll understand it
quite clearly. Take notice on the song made famous by one of my heroes, Gene Watson,
"Farewell Party" (written by Lawton Williams). Though I don't create full
song clips, I wanted you to hear Pat's style and moreover, his vocal range so I made two
clips. The main part of the song and then, the "finale"! If you don't hear
anything else, you've got to hear that! You may also notice that I made far more song
clips than my norm... it was simply too difficult to chose only 5 out of 14 songs on each
CD, so there are 11 clips from each below for your enjoyment. One of the songs not
featured (and it was a tough choice) is "Something" by the late great George
Harrison (of the Beatles). Pat took this already lovely pop love song and made it the
purest of pure country love ballads. It just goes to show, you can't really predict what
will come from Pat James next, but you can be sure it'll be country all the way!
Pat has become a local
country hero to many in Arizona, Texas, even Las Vegas as well as other parts of the US,
but moreover, he has garnered a huge following in Europe. in 2004 and 2005 he has been the
headliner prestigious country music festivals in France, Germany and Italy. Bringing it
back home, he's also performed at the Planet Hollywood in Paris and Amarillo, TX
and the '04 &'05 Coors Cowboy Roundup Rodeo Ranch and at Grahams Central
Station. He has been voted "The Best Country & Western Saloon
Vocalist" by the True West Magazine staff and readers in the "2003
Best of the West" special issue. He also has been voted the "Best Western
Singer" by the High Sonoran Style Magazine staff and readers.
I can sit here forever and
try to be more clever in my presentation of Pat's music but I've always gone by one rule
of thumb. "The proof is in the pudding"! Dive in and take a big bite of Pat
James... you'll be an "instant" fan!
Final thoughts ... if
you're with some HUGE record label and have read this review and listened to Pat's music
and don't try to sign him up... you'll regret it later. Thanks to Circle Cross Music (An
Indie label that knows talent when they hear it) I don't regret a thing because I own both
of his CDs and I can play them over and over... and Circle Cross Music is reapin' it's
rewards. It is you, the record labels that will lose.. the way you've lost on so many
other great talents. Learn from from your history rather than repeat your mistakes. This
ain't no hat act.. Pat James is the real deal... he's what real country music fans are
starving for and he's.... "My Kind of Country"
