Phil Bates

Phil Bates

November 17th, 9:49 pm

youtu.be/7w2p_VGi-S0?si=YLWW82Lyb62iMvPTMy song ‘Empty Rooms’, written after our girls, Rosie and Sarah, had moved out of our home and gone out into the world❤️I had broken my ankle at this time, and played the gig with Tina at Middleton Hall sitting down.I was in some pain from the ankle, but in far more pain living in our home without them there. I was also very emotional during the performance.This was perhaps the first ‘live’ performance, having only recently written it while I was immobile, hence the irritating reading of the lyrics, something I dislike doing.But I wanted to play it for people. A real song from the heart ❤️☯️🙏 ... See MoreSee Less

Phil Bates - Empty Rooms

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A brand new Phil Bates song, written recently while convalescing from a broken leg. Played live for the first time at Phil & Tina McBain's annual Christmas S...

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Phil Bates

Oktober 26th, 10:23 pm

Last solo gig for a while last night in the rather posh village of Compton Chamberlayne, near Salisbury. Another really nice one, though. A lovely, warm audience that was a pleasure to play to.Nearly didn’t make this one because of feeling absolutely awful on Friday and fearing that things would deteriorate further on gig day. Fortunately, I didn’t feel any worse and I could sing, so Jo and I made our way down there.It was really worth it, even with nearly 6 hours driving, there and back, through rainy weather.I thank everyone who came along and helped make it such a great night.These village hall gigs have been largely great and very rewarding. Great credit to Ian Gibbons for coming up with the idea and booking the gigs😄My main guitar decided to fall apart on Friday night, and denied all attempts to be put back together, well, the electrics anyway. So I had to play on my second guitar which is harder to play. This resulted in me having to abandon ‘She’s a woman’ three quarters of the way through because of severe cramp. My left hand just seized up and would not move for a while.I finished off OK, but cramp was being battled all the way to the end of the set. Did a bit of acoustic rock and roll for them to dance to. It always goes down well.But a thoroughly enjoyable gig …..followed by a thoroughly knackered Sunday😂😂 At least I got an hour back at 2.00 am Sunday, though 😄❤️🙏☯️ ... See MoreSee Less

Phil Bates

Oktober 20th, 10:55 am

Seriously thinking about what I will record to celebrate my ‘retirement’.There will probably be 2 or 3 different projects, but I am growing more strongly in favour of a return to the ‘Naked’ idea. This time it would just be my guitar and my voice, plus a few effects, but really musically naked this time. Working title ‘Stark, b*****k Naked’ maybe 😂😂I need to record these songs, old and new, as soon as possible, while I still have reasonable (if diminishing) use of my hands, that is, before they seize up altogether.I think I might also record some of my ‘manglings’ of ELO, Beatles, and other classic songs I have played in my set over the years, just for old times sake.If anyone has any thoughts on possible repertoire for these projects, please feel free. I may not take a blind bit of notice, but then again, I may ….😂😂 ... See MoreSee Less