Geraint Watkins Explained

Geraint Watkins
Landscape:yes
Birth Name:Geraint Meurig Vaughan Watkins
Birth Date:5 February 1951
Birth Place:Swansea, Wales
Origin:Abertridwr, Wales
Years Active:1970s–present
Current Member Of:The Balham Alligators

Geraint Meurig Vaughan Watkins (born 5 February 1951) is a Welsh singer, songwriter, rock and roll pianist and accordionist. He has backed many notable artists, including Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, Van Morrison, Mark Knopfler, Paul McCartney, Roy St. John, Shakin' Stevens and most recently Status Quo. He has also pursued a solo career and issued a number of albums under his own name, the most recent of which, Rush of Blood, was released in September 2019.[1]

Biography

Watkins was born in Abertridwr, near Caerphilly, South Wales.[2] [3]

After time in the early 1970s at Portsmouth Art College, he returned to Cardiff and played with Red Beans And Rice and Juice on the Loose. The band, Red Beans And Rice, attracted attention and moved to London to further their career.[4] When they disbanded Watkins played solo performances in London's pubs and with various bands, such as Southside United (with which he recorded an album),[5] the Cable Layers, Klondike Pete and the Huskies, the band of Southend's, Micky Jupp on the 'Be Stiff Route 78' tour. He went on to record an album, Geraint Watkins & The Dominators (1979), produced by Andy Fairweather Low. Session work followed: producer Stuart Colman recruited him for what became hit records for Shakin' Stevens, also he was recording and/or performing with Dr. Feelgood, Rory Gallagher, Andy Fairweather Low, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, The Blues Band, Box of Frogs, Stray Cats, Carl Perkins, Crazy Cavan and the Rhythm Rockers and Eric Clapton amongst others. He was a member of the star-studded Willie & the Poor Boys alongside Bill Wyman and other Rolling Stones, taking lead vocals on two numbers. In 1980, he also released a solo single on Stiff Records under the pseudonym Otis Watkins.[6]

In between sessions, the 1980s and beyond found Watkins playing accordion and piano with The Balham Alligators, a band, of which he was a founding member, that has helped to keep the music of Louisiana alive in London's pubs. Throughout the 1980s he also was a mainstay in Dave Edmunds's band, both recording and touring with him. Between 1984 and 1989 Watkins played piano and accordion on five records of the Dutch band Normaal. He contributed vocals, piano and accordion to Klondike Pete and the Huskies' 1981 album "Some of the Fellers" and appears, as Lightning Wanson G, on their 2010 album "Who Axed You". In recent years Watkins has found time to work with Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings; contributing to Nick Lowe albums, The Impossible Bird (1994), Dig My Mood (1998), The Convincer (2001), Untouched Takeaway (2004) and At My Age (2007); and to Van Morrison albums, Back on Top (1999), Down the Road (2002), Pay the Devil (2006) and Keep It Simple (2008).

As well as the early vinyl LP with The Dominators, Watkins has released five solo albums: Watkins – Bold As Love (1997), Dial W For Watkins (2004), In A Bad Mood (2008), Moustique (2014) and Rush of Blood (2019). AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine said of Dial W For Watkins, "It's slight on the surface  - the love songs are sweet and short, there are lots of ragged edges and lots of jokes  - but that's its appeal: it's warm, friendly, engaging music, perfect for a relaxing evening at home with old friends."[7] Kerry Doole of Exclaim! called it "an unassuming but delightful effort."[8] Jason MacNeil of PopMatters suggested that Watkins' proficiency in a multitude of music genres "is what makes this album so bloody special."[9]

Billboard contributor Paul Sexton wrote that In a Bad Mood "displays Watkins' love for vintage R&B but also has more surprising sorties into chanson and cajun."[10] Sexton ranked it as the number one album of 2008 on his year-end list; Billboard deputy global editor Tom Ferguson listed the album at number two.[11]

In 2009 and 2011, Watkins toured with Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings as keyboard and accordion player and singer. He toured with Peter Green & Friends as a keyboard player in 2010. Watkins also toured with, and opened for, Nick Lowe, as a keyboardist.[12]

In 2014 he played accordion on Status Quo's Aquostic (Stripped Bare) album. This was also featured, on 22 October 2014, as a live concert from the Roundhouse on BBC Radio 2 and on BBC television via the red button. Watkins played with the band on the subsequent UK tour. In September 2016 he performed, as part of the Aquostic line-up, at BBC Radio 2's Live in Hyde Park from Hyde Park, London.[13]

As a songwriter, Geraint had had his compositions covered by Don McLean, Pokey LaFarge,[14] Dave Edmunds,[15] NRBQ, Pearl Harbor,[16] and the Holmes Brothers[17] amongst others.

Watkins maintains his own Facebook page, where he frequently posts intimate musical performances.[18]

A solo studio album, Rush of Blood, recorded in collaboration with Basement Jaxx's Simon Ratcliffe as producer, was released in 2019.[19]

Albums

Dick Lovejoy's Original Southside United Volume 1

Italic Title:no
Dick Lovejoy's Original Southside United Volume 1
Type:studio
Artist:Dick Lovejoy's Original Southside United
Released:1998
Recorded:1984
Genre:Rhythm & Blues
Length:1 hr 17 mins 42 secs
Label:Ab-Fab
Producer:Barry Durdant-Hollamby

Track listing[20]

  1. "Flip Flop and Fly"
  2. "In the Dark"
  3. "Don't Lie to Me"
  4. "Oh What a Price #1"
  5. "Softly Softly #2"
  6. "Ain't No Love"
  7. "Put the Blame on Me"
  8. "Something on Your Mind"
  9. "Heart to Heart"
  10. "Ain't Nobody's Business"
  11. "Bring It On Home"
  12. "Love Letters"
  13. "Who Will Your Next Fool Be"
  14. "Blues Bug"
  15. "It Hurts Me Too"
  16. "Can't Get the Stuff"
  17. "Southside Skank – Outro"

Personnel

Production credits

Geraint Watkins & the Dominators

Italic Title:no
Geraint Watkins & the Dominators
Type:studio
Artist:Geraint Watkins & the Dominators
Released:1979
Label:Vertigo Records, reissued 2018 Jungle Records
Producer:Andy Fairweather-Low

Track listing

  1. "Man Smart Woman Smarter"
  2. "Casting My Spell"
  3. "In The Night"
  4. "Grow Too Old"
  5. "Blue Moon of Kentucky"
  6. "Gotta Find My Baby"
  7. "Paralysed"
  8. "Nobody"
  9. "Deep in the Heart of Texas"
  10. "Don't You Just Know It"
  11. "If Walls Could Talk"
  12. "My Baby Left Me"
  13. "Cakewalk into Town"

Personnel

Production credits

Bold as Love

Italic Title:no
Bold as Love
Type:studio
Artist:Geraint Watkins
Released:1997
Genre:Blues
Pop
Rock
Label:Bluefive, reissued 2018 Jungle Records
Producer:Neil Brockbank
Bobby Irwin

Track listing

  1. "My Happy Day"
  2. "I Love Being in Love"
  3. "It's A Wonderful Life"
  4. "Don't Stop"
  5. "Sweetheart"
  6. "Don't Knock It"
  7. "Honey Honey"
  8. "It's Over"
  9. "It's A Beautiful Day"
  10. "Oobee Doobee Eyes"
  11. "Big Bad Dog"
  12. "Mr Blue"
  13. "It's A Wonderful Life (again)"

Personnel

Production credits

The Official Bootleg

Italic Title:no
The Official Bootleg
Type:live
Artist:Geraint Watkins
Released:2001
Recorded:1988
Label:MUSIPA

Track listing

  1. "Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens"
  2. "Old Shep"
  3. "Georgia"
  4. "The Jealous Kind"
  5. "Chicken Shack"
  6. "Mess Around"
  7. "Flip Flop And Fly"
  8. "Ain't Nobody's Business"
  9. "Carless Love"
  10. "Stardust"

Personnel

The Bootleg after the Bootleg

Italic Title:no
The Bootleg after the Bootleg
Type:live
Artist:Geraint Watkins
Released:2001
Recorded:1988
Genre:Blues
Pop
Rock
Label:MUSIPA

Track listing

  1. "Heroes and Villains"
  2. "Ruby"
  3. "Secret Love"
  4. "Love Letters"
  5. "Happy Day"
  6. "Wonderful Live"
  7. "Nature Boy"
  8. "Yesterday"
  9. "Who's Kissing Her Now" (1st version)
  10. "Stardust" (new version)
  11. "Carless Love" (new version)
  12. "Who's Kissing Her Now" (2nd version)
  13. "Georgia" (new 1st version)"
  14. "Yo Yo"
  15. "You've Changed"
  16. "Balham High Road"
  17. "Mess Around"
  18. "Old Shep"
  19. "Pennies From Heaven"
  20. "Diddy Wah Diddy"
  21. "Nobody Here But Us Chickens" (new version)
  22. "Georgia" (new 2nd version)

Personnel

Dial 'W' for Watkins

Italic Title:no
Dial 'W' For Watkins
Type:studio
Artist:Geraint Watkins
Released:2004
Genre:Blues
Rock
Label:Yep Roc Records
Proper Records
Producer:Neil Brockbank & Warent Atkins
Next Title:In A Bad Mood

Track listing

  1. "Two Rocks"
  2. "Turn That Chicken Down"
  3. "Be My Love"
  4. "Blessed With Happiness"
  5. "The Whole Night Through"
  6. "Cold War"
  7. "Heroes And Villains"
  8. "Soldier of Love"
  9. "I Will"
  10. "I'm Just Crazy About You"
  11. "Bring Me The Head of My So Called Lover"
  12. "Heaven"
  13. "Only A Rose"
  14. "Go West"

Production Credits

Personnel

In a Bad Mood

Italic Title:no
In a Bad Mood
Type:studio
Artist:Geraint Watkins
Released:2008
Recorded:2005–2008
Genre:Blues
Rock
Label:Goldtop Recordings
Producer:Neil Brockbank and Geraint Watkins
Prev Title:"Dial W for Watkins
Next Title:Rush of Blood

Track listing

[21]

  1. "Easy To Say (Bon Temps Rouler)"
  2. "Champion"
  3. "Unto You"
  4. "Fools Like Me"
  5. "Chagrin"
  6. "My Love"
  7. "Bourgeoise"
  8. "History"
  9. "Jenni"
  10. "Heart of the City"
  11. "Catch On"
  12. "At Last"

Production credits

Personnel

Rush of Blood

Italic Title:no
Rush of Blood
Type:studio
Artist:Geraint Watkins
Released:2019
Genre:Blues
Rock
Label:The Last Music Company
Producer:Simon Ratcliffe and Geraint Watkins
Prev Title:In a Bad Mood

Track listing

  1. "Rush of Blood"
  2. "Hold Back"
  3. "Heart of Stone"
  4. "Middle of the Night"
  5. "Heaven Only Knows"
  6. "On the Nside"
  7. "On My Mind"
  8. "I Got the Blues"
  9. "Reason to Live"
  10. "Another Day Over"
  11. "Another Day Over (Reprise)"
  12. "Wherever There's Love" (bonus track)

Notes

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Press Release: Geraint Watkins – Rush of Blood . 1 December 2019 . 19 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200919115724/https://www.lastmusic.co.uk/news/geraint-watkins-readies-rush-of-blood-for-worldwide-release . dead .
  2. Web site: Geraint Watkins. Rockabillyhall.com. 22 January 2017.
  3. Web site: Geraint Watkins – Biography & History . AllMusic. 22 January 2017.
  4. Larkin, Colin (1998) The Virgin Encyclopedia of Country Music, Virgin Books,, p. 26
  5. "The Southside Story" Web site: Southside United . 2013-05-04 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130728060846/http://southsideunited.co.uk/index.php . 28 July 2013 .
  6. https://www.45cat.com/artist/otis-watkins Otis Watkins
  7. Web site: Erlewine. Stephen Thomas. Dial W For Watkins – Geraint Watkins. AllMusic. 15 July 2011.
  8. Web site: Doole. Kerry. Geraint Watkins – Dial W For Watkins – Reviews – Folk & Country. Exclaim!. September 2004. 15 July 2011.
  9. Web site: MacNeil. Jason. Geraint Watkins – Dial W For Watkins. PopMatters. 6 December 2004. 15 July 2011.
  10. Sexton. Paul. 29 November 1998. Mood Music. Billboard. 120. 48. 39. 0006-2510. 15 July 2011.
  11. Web site: 2008 Billboard Critics Top 10s. Billboard. 15 July 2011.
  12. Web site: Schultz. Blaine. Nick Lowe w/ Geraint Watkins @ The Pabst Theater. Shepherd Express. 7 October 2010. 15 July 2011. 2 October 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111002200524/http://www.expressmilwaukee.com/article-12473-nick-lowe-w-geraint-watkins-a-the-pabst-theater.html. dead.
  13. Web site: Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park – Status Quo. BBC. 11 September 2016. 11 September 2016.
  14. Web site: Pokey LaFarge on Geraint Watkins: The Blues Kitchen Presents... [Interview & Live Session]]. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/eyukX0R2Edo. 2021-12-12 . live. 21 March 2018. YouTube.
  15. Web site: Dave Edmunds-Deep in the Heart of Texas. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/Do3HnfK5Uy4. 2021-12-12 . live. 14 July 2012. YouTube.
  16. Web site: Cowboys & Indians – Pearl Harbour. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/mI5urjPxBu8. 2021-12-12 . live. 19 September 2009. YouTube.
  17. Web site: The Holmes Brothers: 'Soldier of Love,' Live on Soundcheck. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/lazhw8fMdpc. 2021-12-12 . live. 25 April 2014. YouTube.
  18. Web site: Geraint Watkins. Facebook. 11 June 2019.
  19. Web site: The Last Music Company, Ltd.. Lastmusic.co.uk.
  20. "Southside United Vol 1" http://www.southsideunited.co.uk/orderform.php
  21. Web site: Geraint Watkins. jungle-records.net. 22 January 2017.

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