Phil Gates
Bio
PHIL GATES ~ ADDICTED TO THE BLUES
STREET DATE: APRIL 27, 2010
SETAG MUSIC
DISTRIBUTED BY CD BABY
Though the word “funk” originally had odiferous origins, eventually the term became a high compliment for the “real thing,” as well as a form of syncopated dance music growing out of R&B. Guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Phil Gates is as real and funky as it gets, as amply demonstrated on his new release, Addicted To The Blues. Just as significantly, he is a totally hip blues cat, savvy in cutting edge recording technology and the latest online social networking.
Gates was born to the blues in a musical family in Chicago on April 21, 1962. By the third grade he was playing violin, clarinet and drums before following at age 12 in the guitar-picking footsteps of his older brother. Buddy Guy, Albert King and sixties rock guitar heroes like Jimi Hendrix and Santana fueled his desire, as did jazz. Gates served in the Air Force 1980-85, working with high tech electronics and was also selected as guitarist the USAF “Tops in Blue” World Tour that performed at Superbowl XIX. From 1986-89 he was a sound engineer at a Texas jazz club, while a move to Los Angeles in 1989 to work in the aerospace industry afforded him the opportunity to produce and do session work. He released Party Time in 2000, Secret Passage in 2002, This Side of Mein 2005, created the film score for My Normal Lifein 2006 and released Should I?in 2008. He also found time to write FAQ: Recording the Guitarfor music book publisher Mel Bay in 2005.
Gates wrote all 12 original tunes on his new disk while also contributing keyboards, bass and programming drums. “Get Around to Me” sets the table early with a sassy funk groove over which Gates leaps about nimbly on his guitar after exuding pure attitude in his suave vocal, tossing out lines like “got a text from you this afternoon.” In “Sexy Little Cool” he rocks the shuffle blues, using his distinctive gritty delivery to express his ardor that is intensified by his slithery slide guitar. A country two-beat powers the hypnotic locomotive chug of “Evening Train,” a classic blues theme about “getting home” that Gates steams up with fleet, twisting guitar lines. On his lusty tribute to “My Babe” he glides over the swinging shuffle beat before pouring out a liquid gold guitar solo. “Funkin’” down hard on the “one” in “Everyday,” he provides bass, organ and scratch guitar under his inspirational message of “You’ve gotta be better, you’ve got to be strong.”
The strutting title track finds Gates unequivocally expressing his “addiction” to the blues in startling graphic terms. He then changes pace to an unusual half-time feel on the churning slow blues of “You Should’ve Listened.” “I Never Knew” swings harder than Count Basie ever imagined as Gates slyly tells an ex-girlfriend, “I never knew things could be so good since you’ve been gone.” He turns the clock back with the 8-bar R&B of “Used Me Up,” his snaky slide guitar making a timeless statement. The toe-tapping instrumental “Road Shufflin’” spotlights his exceedingly tasty guitar work that always avoids gratuitous flash. Nonetheless, on “End of Time” he cuts loose with stunning fire and precision on the stomping shuffle. In contrast, “The Wisdom” closes the disk with a New Orleans second-line strut as Gates movingly pays tribute to his dearly departed family and friends.
The blues is a rich heritage that celebrates life in all of its glory and complexity. Phil Gates brings a fresh perspective and voice to America’s greatest native art form with the determination and talent to move it forward as a vital, living cultural treasure.
Dave Rubin, staff Writer, Guitar Edge Magazine
TRACK NOTES
Get Around To Me
A man wonders when his girlfriend will finally have time for him and the relationship. Matt Forger who has engineered on projects with Michael Jackson and many others mixed this song.
Sexy Little Cool
This is a shuffle song about a man who is completely involved with a girl who has this incredibly irresistible vibe; a “Sexy Little Cool”. I dig playing slide guitar, so I got to get some in here.
Evening Train
It’s about a factory worker who was glad to have the work, but equally glad to leave work everyday. I used to do audio post, so the train sample I had on hand. A train style blues with a western touch.
My Babe
A song about a woman very close to me in my life, and how good that feels. This song is inspired by the early blues Greats in a short style, pocket groove song. Used my old 1971 Fender Strat on this one.
Everyday
This is about our job to continually make things in our lives better. Our relationships, dreams, jobs, you name it. It couldn’t hurt. I had fun with a little wah pedal on this one, and funk styled guitar lines.
Addicted To The Blues
In the vernacular of an addicted person (not autobiographically), I discuss my unending desire to play the blues. A fun little play on word song to explain my passion for the blues.
You Should’ve Listened
A relationship song about the unevenness relationships can have, and one person’s journey to share wisdom, but is rebuffed. The witnessing of the results of not taking advice is the context.
I Never Knew
Hindsight after a relationship can not only just let us know our mistakes, but also to realize how our conditions may have actually changed for the better after a particularly dark event.
Used Me Up
Sometimes in a bad relationship, you can get “Used Up”. You have no more emotion, or energy left. Sometimes the only answer is to walk away. It was also another way to get to play some slide guitar again.
Road Shufflin’
About 2:26 into the song, I was switching pickup positions on my 30 year old guitar. You can hear this little glitch in the track. I re-recorded a take, but that first pass had such a vibe. So I left it in.
End Of Time
This is a Texas Shuffle love song. No wishy-washy-temporary-might-be love here. This one is till the “End Of Time”. I like Texas shuffles, though I try not to do too many. I like to mix it up.
The Wisdom
I often reflect on all of the sage advice that I’d been given by some great people I’ve known that are no longer living, and would more than likely still say if they were still alive.
ADDITIONAL ONLINE PRESENCE
Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Phil-Gates-Band/58411729739
Reverbnation fan page: http://www.reverbnation.com/philgatesband
Live Blues World page: http://www.livebluesworld.com/profile/PhilGates
YOUTUBE
“Robin Hood, Where are you now?” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ze8bbqchXd4
"I'm Lost" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4myKGGWVPQ
"Messin' with the Kid" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cs1Zz1G7pY4
SIGNIFICANT DATES
April 30 @ 8 p.m. - Opening for John Mayall at the Brixton, Redondo Beach, CA
June 26, 7:10 – 8:40 p.m. - Monterey Bay Blues Festival
July 3 - Gossau Blues Fest, Gossau, Switzerland
THE BUZZ
Featured on SongwritersVantage.com with his song “I Never Knew.”
March 2010 CD Baby top ten for West Coast Blues - #3 and #4 - songs from Addicted To The Blues
Addicted To The Blues charted in Reverbnation’s Top Ten for SoCal Blues.
“...Sweetly gritty vocals…. Blistering guitar with blues expression, distinction, and great stage presence. I predict a bright future for this young charismatic bluesman.” Dorothy Hill, Blues Source
“Phil may be one of the best kept secrets of the region.” Linda Heidtke, Southland Blues Magazine
“Phil Gates is an impressive presence…. The crowd rewarded him with a much deserved standing ovation” Pete Sardon, Southland Blues Magazine
“Highlights of my two days of running from club to club, included the explosive sets by the Phil Gates Band.” Art Tipaldi, BluesWax
Phil Gates’ iTunes App
This free app has music, video, pictures and exclusive data for Phil Gates’ fans and blues lovers the world over. Keep up on his Facebook and twitter posts right from the app. Listen to music, and Phil will pop in exclusive videos, behind the scenes shots, unreleased material, and a weekly audio and or video message to stay connected. You can tweet back, post your own comments, and have fun with it! On the web at http://itunes.apple.com/app/phil-gates/id362260702?mt=8 or just go to the iTunes store and search Phil Gates.
Publicist & Radio: Betsie Brown, Blind Raccoon, 901.278.6850, betsie@blindraccoon.com
Booking: DCT Productions, 323.633.0631, booking@philgates.com
Phil can be reached by email at music@philgates.com
Visit philgates.com/video to see more videos!