Phil Bates

Phil Bates

Juli 24th, 4:39 pm

I have decided to make my old solo albums available on Bandcamp at some point before I finish. They will also be available on Rosaria Music.Just doing a bit of tarting up and re-equalising the masters. I did record them on pretty basic and (now) ancient technology, so there is a limit to what I can achieve, but listening again to ‘Port in a storm’, I am struck by how beautiful Mik Kaminski’s violin part is.Mik and I have had our differences at times, but when he wants to play, he has something special. I thank him for his playing on this song that is so special to me and to other people ❤️😄☯️🙏There is quite a lot of material, so it will take some time, but I will get there. ... See MoreSee Less

Phil Bates

Juli 7th, 9:51 pm

Hello all. It has been a while since I talked to you.Been busy in Germany, much travelling and juggling of EU days to stay legal.But some great rest and recuperation in Bad Sooden Allendorf, now officially my favourite place in Germany, Berlin, and Semliner See.Just want to let those who are interested know that I am stepping back from the music business next year - 2025.My ELO band will finish at the end of next year, and my solo gigs also.I have already severely cut back on 2024/2025 solo gigs because of problems with my ability to play guitar, especially acoustic, because of growingly arthritic hands.I am calling time on my 55 year music career. It is time, I am tired, in pain, and I find I don’t love playing music any more.I have had a great life, some great experiences, met many wonderful people, and achieved my ambition to largely make my living out of playing, performing, producing, writing, teaching music. I have no regrets.Thank you, those who have supported me and said nice things about my efforts. I will miss meeting you all again.Peace and love 😄🙏❤️☯️ ... See MoreSee Less

Phil Bates

Mai 5th, 11:45 pm

A man could get a complex😂😂Three projects I was involved with, all from around the same period, i.e. the early 1990s, have decided to become active again.‘The Gladiators’ TV show, ‘Moment of Truth’ from ELO Part2, and now album number 2 from Atlantic. What do they all have in common? Let’s think …. chin scratching ….pondering …. 🤔 …..Ah yes, I have it. I am not involved in ANY of them 😂😂The most hilarious of these is the Atlantic album, which I have heard a little of, and was immediately dragged screaming back in time 30 years (yes, it has been that long) to the sometimes tortuous experience of writing lyrics and melodys (i.e. pretty much the whole song) on top of several already existing ‘backing tracks’, which were often pretty boring.Not only this, I sang the whole thing, arranged a lot of the harmonies, played some guitar, replaced several bass guitar tracks, and some keyboards, alongside co-producing, and then bringing my friend, Colin Thurston (he of HumanLeague,DuranDuran,Bowie fame) to mix the album.And yet, I read that my partner in crime, Simon Harrison, wrote the material for the ‘Power’ album seemingly alone.Still, I am not bitter, and I wish him well with his new album. But I do dislike people who tell lies and obfuscate in an attempt at self-aggrandisement.Anyone who watched ‘League of Gentlemen’ and the great Les McQueen will know what is coming next - ‘it’s a shit business’ 😂😂😂😂 ... See MoreSee Less