Steven Bates

The release of "Play It Pretty For Atlantis", by rock guitarist phenom, Steven Bates has been generating calls at the station for weeks. From the killer dueling guitars, to memorable lyrics like “if it were the last piece of real estate, I wouldn’t want to live inside your head”, this album is a major crowd pleaser.

Standing on the shoulders of his first two albums, Bates has reached a new level of perfection: the balance between gritty, hard-core rock and polished musical anthem. Each song takes you by surprise and makes you think, “this is my favorite song” -- until the next one starts to play. Although each song can easily stand on its own, "Play It Pretty
For Atlantis" is a total work, thoughtfully written, played and ordered. From the opening song “Ally Tonight” to the dreamy “Swimming To Jordan”, Bates’s poetic lyrics, solid voice and astounding guitar, give rock and roll fans a reason to get up and dance.

Bates’s remarkable third album features guest appearances from heavy hitter Gene Parsons (The Byrds & The Flying Burrito Brothers) on pedal steel guitar, Ralph Humphrey (Frank Zappa) on drums and Grammy nominated producer, Bill Bottrell (Sheryl Crow, Michael Jackson & Tom Petty) on accustic 12-string and electric rhythm guitars. And if that lineup isn’t impressive enough, regular band members include David Hayes (Van Morrisson, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes & Jessie Colin Young) on bass, James Preston (Sons of Champlin & Sheryl Crow) plays drums, plus custom guitar craftsman, Roger Fritz (Shelby Lynne) jams on slide guitar and dobro. - KOZT Local Licks Show

The evening began with a solo set from Steven Bates on acoustic guitar, who at first struck me as a woodsy version of James Blunt mixed with the voice of Bob Dylan. As the crowd packed in, Bates utilized a strong catalog of covers to raise the temperature on a damp Monday night. Launching into a strong rendition of The Beatles' "A Day in the Life," Bates evoked some Phish-y thoughts and a sing-along from the eclectic and equally colorful crowd. Bates also showed off his mandolin skills with a heartfelt rendition of Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds" that immediately had this Widespread Panic fan thinking of John Bell and the Marley raps he peppers throughout versions of "Stop-Go." - JamBase