California-based singer-songwriter Patrick Ames released a new single, “Rubber & Glue,” not long ago, featuring the talents of Jon Ireson and Chana, and Mikaela Matthews.
Compared to his two previous singles, “Essential Workers” and “Second Wave,” the new song is upbeat, playful, and straightforward.
According to Patrick, “For this ‘Rubber & Glue,’ I recorded by mic’ing to the studio amp and then laying over the vocals. For some reason, it got a little swampy, as in Mississippi river blues, which Jon Ireson, our producer, bassist, and acoustic guitarist, managed to save and embellish. The swampiness saves the song from going too close to pop. Dare I say Muscle Shoals. Chana and Mikaela recorded separate sessions, as I watched on Zoom with comments and direction. Chana has the high spots on this one with her Yeah, Yeah voice. Instant classic.”
Back in 1968, when he was 14 years old, Patrick started writing songs, followed by making a stab at touring, which didn’t pan out. So he went in to book publishing and, much later, almost three decades later one day he bought his son a guitar and amp. As Patrick explains, He didn’t like it. I loved it. I cranked it up and played with abandon. And then it all came back, in spades.”
Nowadays, he lives in a vineyard in Napa, where he writes, records, and serenades the grapevines.
“Rubber & Glue” opens on sleazy guitars exuding swampy blues colors, as the simple rhythm infuses the tune with persuasive smoldering coloration. Radiant, high-pitched backing vocals give the tune wicked longing textures as the lyrics narrate being stuck on the object of Patrick’s affection.
“I like to move around /But lately I have found / You got the kind of face / Makes me stay in one place / I’m rubber, you’re glue / And I’m stuck on you / I drift around and I sing / You sit down to chat / I’m busy until I fall asleep / Maybe you can help me with that / I’m rubber, you’re glue / And I’m stuck on you.”
Stripped-down to the bare essentials, “Rubber & Glue” hits a sweet spot with its boggy savors and the evocative voice of Patrick Ames.
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