Pat Green - Songs We Wish We'd Written II Review

Pat Green was once the King of the Texas/Red Dirt music scene, and if "Songs We Wish We'd Written, Part II" is any indication, he's making a bid to re-claim his crown. The Waco native was maligned by the sub-genre's fans for the supposed sin of "selling out" to Nashville - something that actually paved the way for other Texas artists.

Green followed up the 2001 "Songs We Wish We'd Written" - a collaboration with fellow Texas Tech alum Cory Morrow - with this strong effort of 10 songs that features covers of an eclectic mix of rock - Collective Soul's The World I Know and Tom Petty's Even The Losers, folk/gospel such as "Streets of Galilee" and more....full text Songs We Wish We’d Written II is an entertaining album that showcases many of Pat’s favorite songs and songwriters. While the tracks are drawn from a very diverse group of originals, Pat re-interprets them here to incorporate his unique vision. Songs like “Jesus On A Greyhound” (written by Glen Ballard and Shelby Lynne) carry the unmistakable sound that Pat’s fans have come to know. It’s evident that Pat loves these songs, and his energy shines through as he both honors the originals and adds his own voice.
Like the first edition, II features a very diverse group of songs and writers. Liz Rose (“If It Weren’t For You,” written with Walt Wilkins), Tom Petty (“Even the Losers”) and rock band Collective Soul’s Ed Roland (“The World I Know,” with Brian Ross Childress) all grace the liner notes. And while artists like Tom Petty and Collective Soul aren’t generally thought of as country, Pat’s unique take on this set has the effect of bringing the tracks together to sound like a “Pat Green record.” Case in point; the re-worked version of “Even The Losers” opens with a vocal/piano intro and fiddle fills before gradually transforming into a more faithful version of Tom Petty’s original by the two-minute mark....full text It’s no secret that Pat Green has more than his share of fans. It’s also no secret that he has his share of haters. Whatever you think of him, I believe there’s something everyone can appreciate his new collection of music on “Songs We Wish We’d Written II”.

Pat Green is an icon in the Texas music world. His heavy influence on today’s artists trying to pound out a career working the bars and dance halls in the Lone Star State is undeniable. The gritty, no nonsense, down home lyrics that came from Green in his early years of success have been copied time and again by his contemporaries. So when Pat releases yet another CD of his favorite cover songs, there is a group that is listening very intently....full text They completely reshape Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ mid-tempo rocker “Even the Losers” into a slow-burning piano ballad. While Warren Haynes’ “Soulshine” has been cut by two bands he’s associated with—The Allman Brothers Band and Gov’t Mule—Pat turns in a particularly soulful performance on the tune, aided by Monte Montgomery on vocals and some blistering guitar licks.

Occasionally, the original artist is invited to help re-record a tune. Pat pairs with Collective Soul lead singer Ed Roland for a stripped-down, country-tinged version of the band’s “The World I Know,” and trades lines with Aaron Lee Tasjan on Aaron’s “Streets of Galilee.”

Pat and Cory round out the album with honorable takes on songs from fellow Texas songwriters Joe Ely (“All Just to Get to You”), Jon Randall (“Austin”) and Lyle Lovett (“If I Had a Boat”)....full text