“Agony & Ecstasy” is yet another classic album from Phil Bates. It is not NAKED II and stands head and shoulders on it’s own merits.

Different in many ways to NAKED with a fantastic mixture of both Phil’s and other great artists songs. This I feel is the beauty of Phil’s mega talent, you get the very best of both worlds. At just over 70 minutes long. This album comes highly recommended and it’s difficult to see how anything could be improved.

The production by Phil has fully ensured there is no over production and Phil’s own sympathetic production style brings to the fore the very best sounds for both vocals and instruments which are brought fully to the front with superb clarity.

So here goes with a track by track review:-

THAT’S THE WAY THE FEELING TAKES YOU

The album’s opener is a re-working of a the first single by Phil’s old band Trickster from 1976. For anyone who has not heard that track it doesn’t really matter as this version is so very different. A nice opener for the album with excellent vocals and some classic guitar playing from Phil.

EVIL WOMAN

Some ELO fans seem to be not best pleased with how Phil arranges classic ELO tunes. This in my opinion is never the case, and I feel Jeff Lynne’s songs are so good they lend themselves to different treatments. Phil excels here with a great version.

I WILL FOLLOW

Probably my second favourite track on the album. Beautiful acoustic guitar followed with a vocal which complements this haunting love song which reminds me of another song which I’m dammed if I can pinpoint. Hell, if this track was released and had Radio Two airplay (yes I am of that age!!) it would be a massive hit, but there again the British public wouldn’t allow that would they?

THE AGONY & THE ECSTASY

The title track is my favourite track on the album and is an absolute classic. Opening quietly and building slowly, whilst always holding your interest with a nice drum backbeat.

SUPERSTITION

Stevie Wonder’s classic “Superstition” veering at the end into “Sir Duke” is given a totally different and more laid back feel with a subtle funky bass by the underrated Mark Knight.

WAITING ON GOD (SINGING ROSIE)

An instrumental track with a distinctive Mark Knopler/Celtic influenced feel. In fact if you heard this on the radio without knowing who it was you would think it WAS Mark Knopler. This track is a melody that Phil and Jo’s daughter Rosie started to sing one evening during a family music session. It’s a beautiful, beautiful piece of inspirational music.

DRAGGIN ME DOWN

Nice piano intro leading into a nicely upbeat, but laid back at the same time song with a an Evil Woman’ish piano feel, accompanied by some beautiful harmonium and mandolin. This track gets straight into your head and won’t let go.

I DON’T WANT TO BE ALONE WITH MYSELF TONIGHT

This is an incredibly beautiful yet sad song which is self explanatory. The keyboard string arrangement along with Phil’s beautiful vocals will have everyone reaching for the tissues (well perhaps not the male fans!)

SHE’S A WOMAN

For anyone to tackle a Beatles song in my opinion is brave, very brave indeed, because most people can’t pull it off. People who try and imitate the great Lennon and McCartney generally fail so miserably. Phil doesn’t fall into the trap here and this working is done so differently from the original with it’s exceptional bluesy guitar riffs that it’s a classic in it’s own right.

SEEDS OF MY DESTRUCTION

I don’t think Phil could sow the seeds of his own destruction if he tried! Another quite sad and depressing song perhaps even downright miserable song. But is nonetheless a poignant and beautiful ballad.

THE BEAUTY OF SMALL THINGS

Another track from Phil which seems similar to another track which you can’t ever remember!! The keyboards are the backbeat here and the unusual chorus line get into your head immediately. Listen closely to the lyrics and we will all learn something.

GROUNDED

A strange concept that Phil would like everyone to take their shoes and socks off and make contact with the earth. (Some of us do this all the time Phil, it’s depends on how much you’ve had to drink!!). Just a short but relevant track at a little over one minute long.

JEALOUSY

Frankie Miller’s classic song is given a an equally classic treatment by Phil here. This song is an underrated gem and the bluesy guitar playing and sympathetic and stunning vocals are just an absolute delight.

GOTTA GO HOME

This track is a another gem, hell all the tracks are gems. I actually first heard this track live before hearing the album version. Both versions work equally well. Phil has turned what would be a filler track for most people into a haunting little sing-a-long effort which takes some shifting from your brain once it is lodged in there.

MEASURE OF THE MAN (THE BALLAD OF THE WISE EARED MAN)

Phil regards this track as one of his own favourites and quite rightly so. Completed just days before the album was finished. The beautiful vocals explain the message superbly, no-one should be too judgmental, everyone is fallible. Phil’s mandolin playing is absolutely faultless and stunningly beautiful.

JUST FELL IN LOVE

Perhaps the lightest track on the album but with some great blues guitar licks.

DANCING ON THE EDGE OF A KNIFE (WORLD BEAT)

As Phil explains in the album liner notes the influences for this song are drawn from everywhere and nowhere with Phil having a rant about his pet hates i.e. MTV, Coca-Cola and McDonalds and how they contribute towards the deterioration of individual cultures as the world seems to be wilfully hurling towards some sort of global junk culture. Yes Phil I think that’s just about spot on! The intro has an Egyptian feel and has a hectic slamming you from all sides mentality which reminds me remotely of Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start The Fire”, background vocals by Jo Bates perfectly complement the song almost like a cross between Hey Jude and Walk Like An Egyptian. Maybe I’m biased but I believe that if Phil Bates was an American he would have a recording deal and would be a major world superstar. Perhaps when this album sees a more general release in the spring rather than the limited release seen here of just 250, more people will have the opportunity to hear this criminally underrated man’s fine musical array of finely crafted songs. On the evidence of this album the move away from ELO Part 2 shows that Phil has fine judgement.

This review by Alan Heath first appeared in 'King Of The Universe' Fanzine in 1998.