Review: Phil Gates – Blues +
Phil Gates – Blues +
Format: CD – Digital / Label: Independent
Release: 2024
Text: Pascal Wilhelm
Phil Gates is a busy man. Very busy. Artist, writer, engineer, (co-) producer, session guitarist, technical consultant, live sound engineer, recording techniques instructor, the list goes on.
‘Blues+’ contains twelve songs and must be Phil’s ninth record already. Born in Chicago Illinois into a musical family, he started playing musical instruments when he was eight years old. He performed all over the world in small clubs and bigger venues.
Phil’s style is reminiscent of Buddy Guy, mixed with jazz, fusion (listen to I Love To Play and Hit Me With Your Groove), New Orleans, and the Chicago, Delta, and Mississippi blues styles. He worked with some of blues and jazz’s greatest performers; Buddy Guy, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert King, Dizzie Gillespie, Wynton and Branford Marsalis, Bobby “Blue” Bland, and many others.
What to say about Blues+? Not much. The work is produced well, there are songs with lyrics and instrumentals, all with Phil’s guitar playing in a leading role. Lyrically and vocally, I must say this is not very strong work. Phil’s voice is a bit dull and his lyrics tend to be superficial.
Perhaps this is a collection of songs that did not make it to earlier records? (there are also some fade-outs on this record that are cut abruptly). I don’t know. To be honest, his accomplishments as a supporter of music exceed the artistic ability he displays on this record (i.e. writing songs that have meaning). Not a record I would play more than once. Sorry, Phil.
Tracks:
01. Atmosphere
02. Talk Along The Way
03. Mystery To Me
04. Slow And Steady
05. I Love To Play
06. Hit Me With Your Groove
07. This Kinda Woman
08. This Is The Grind
09. Oooh Yeah
10. Stupid Things I’ve Done
11. I’m Not Your Pet
12. Out In The Fields
Website: http://www.philgates.com/