Biography

Profile

For more than 25 years he has been a full-time orchestral musician, has conducted orchestras and taught violin and viola. Yet two years ago, Phil Walton added rock-music, and last year he released his debut CD 'Reason to Live'. During the Sixties and Seventies he concentrated on clas

sical music, while the music of the Beatles, the Kinks, the Beach Boys, Free, Led Zeppelin and Yes played in the background. In later years these bands became more important, as well as the Police, Steely Dan, Talking Heads and Frank Zappa. Combining his classical training and interests with his broad taste in popular music, it was only a matter of time, before he would seek to express himself in popular genres.

Why, after all this, has he turned to rockmusic? The answer is - communication. Always looking for ways to express himself, he has combined his composing and interest in poetry to produce an album which continually searches, adapting many styles yet finding its own style. ... Phil does not compromise, and he is not concerned with music which has instant appeal, but with music which might last. As Keith Hannaleck says, ‘I am willing to bet if you hear this CD the first time you will begin to think how different it is yet appealing, something that could continually grow on you, that is how it worked for me.’

His debut album "Reason to live" 'is a gratifying album to listen to, while relaxing in your favourite

chair. It has plenty of memorable moments, to which you’ll be coming back often.' (Prog-Nose Review) It was produced to showcase his songs, yet many have responded favourably to his voice ... 'The final product has become a fresh, inspiring album, with a very nice sound... Especially Phil’s voice gives this album it’s character, reminding me a lot of Jim Morrison from "The Doors".' (Prog-Nose)

Phil created the entire album at home. It is a solo album in the full sense of the word, in which everything (including mixing and mastering) was done at his computer, layer upon layer, track by track, until he was ready to send the CD for printing.

Phil could be described as an outsider. His album does not attempt to be popular, though it deserves an audience. He is prepared to take risks, and he treats his listener with respect. He has been described as 'a true poet and sage of our time', and his music as 'music for thinking ones by the one who thinks'.

As a young 50 year old, it is interesting to know that he shared the same educational background with three other musicians of his generation --- he was at the same school as Sting and Neil Tennant (Pet Shop Boys), and was at university with John Hackett (brother of ex-Genesis Steve Hackett, and now a recording artist in his own right).

A new album is well on the way, and Phil hopes to be releasing it by the end of the year.

Lyrics
Check out the lyrics for "Reason to live": click Lyrics to open.
If you do not have a PDF viewer, click here for Mac, and here for Windows.

Poetry
Phil has also written poetry over the years, and the collection of his poetry can be viewed on his Poetry page.

Music in Print

As a classically trained musician he has composed a number of orchestral and instrumental works. Scores can be viewed on the Music in Print page. It is also possible to listen to extracts from his orchestral music. The recordings are not by a 'live' orchestra but a virtual orchestra, using vst instruments. These extracts show a style which is essentially harmonic, though with a fondness for some dissonance, and would be suitable for film.