“Discerning music lovers have long known that Watkins is not only an artist and entertainer of the very top drawer but also, bafflingly, an all too well-kept secret. Being so individual his style is hard to define -– I would file him as the missing link between Paulo Conte and Howling Wolf.”- Nick Lowe
Everyone who has seen Nick Lowe, Van Morrison, Paul McCartney, or Mark Knopfler in recent years may not have known it, but they have enjoyed the musicianship of keyboard/accordian player Geraint Watkins.
Geraint appeared in the classic line-up for the 'Carl Perkins - Rockabilly Sessions' alongside Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Dave Edmunds, Lee Rocker, Slim Jim, Roseanne Cash and others!
Geraint has played his R&B/jump style piano and Creole-flavored accordian with some of the great names in popular music, both live and as a session player for nearly 30 years. Despite a career that would make even the most road-weary rock veterans blush, his ability to make the simplest musical statement into a moment of top class entertainment still manages to baffle even his closest associates.
Geraint Meurig Vaughan Watkins was born in Abertridwr, South Wales in February 1951. After serving time back in the early seventies at Portsmouth Art College, music beckoned and in the next few years, he was a member of noted British bands Juice on the Loose and Red Beans & Rice. Session work followed: recording and playing live with Dave Edmunds (on six albums) and on many others from Dr. Feelgood, Rory Gallagher, and John Wesley Harding to Tom Jones and John Martyn.
In addition to session work in the eighties, Geraint played accordian and keyboards with the somewhat infamous pub band, The Balham Alligators. The band was together 15 years and released 5 albums and also helped to keep the music of Louisiana alive in London's pubs.
Geraint has been a big part of Nick Lowe's recent solo work, contributing his soulful piano and organ to his trilogy of The Impossible Bird, Dig My Mood and The Convincer. He's also been a part of Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings and Morrison's studio and live band.
Geraint made a notable record in the late 70's. Called "Watkins and The Dominators" and produced by Andy Fairweather Low, it's never been on CD and is something of a collectors item. After a long gap Geraint has released 2 other records before the current "In A Bad Mood". 1997 "Watkins Bold As Love" (Bluefive) and 2004 "Dial W For Watkins" (Proper/YepRoc).
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