Phil Bates

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

Phil Bates

Oktober 9th, 8:45 pm

I have found my latest obsession. Finnish folk trio, Mojna. Wonderful, wonderful music. Very inspirational for me.My previous trio obsessions have been Taksim, The Secret Trio, all occupying different areas of music, but very inspirational, and a real holiday away from pop, rock, blues.Very necessary for a musician as long in the tooth as me?Very strangely, all trios feature clarinet, which was never one of my favourite instruments …..apart from absolutely loving ‘Stranger on the shore’ from good old Acker Bilk.I have quite a few instrumental pieces of music, most of which I have never recorded, but my last year might see them recorded and released alongside my other stuff.This is a bit (a lot) more difficult now with the state of my fingers and hands, but I will attempt to record these pieces, even though I only expect to sell about 10 copies of the CD 😂😂But if you’re into weird Finnish folk music, check out Mojna. A new album out tomorrow, the 10th ❤️🙏😄☯️ ... See MoreSee Less