“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-flavoured 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 Dominator, produced by Andy Fairweather Lowe which has never been released on CD. Geraint took time out for two solo albums that have built a loyal audience - 'Watkins Bold As Love' in 1997 (Bluefive) and 'Dial 'W' For Watkins' in 2004 (Proper). Now with ‘In A Bad Mood’ and more recently the Deluxe Expanded Edition of 'In A Bad Mood' (5 bonus tracks) it's time for his exceptional music which covers blues, jazz, folk and rock, to be listened to attentively and appreciated.
Must say I never heard of you. Until I saw you performing last week 'Champion' on the Belgian TV in 'Later with Jools Holland'. Fell in love with that song right away and bought the whole album on emusic.
Thanks for add Geraint , will be in The Grand in Swansea on Monday November 9th to catch you with Bill Wyman"s Rhythm Kings . Hope to see you for a drink .
I hear that mosquitoes hate marmite... I always eat plenty of it when I go on holiday. But then if you love mosquitoes, you need not worry about liking marmite right!?
"When nations grow old, the Arts grow cold, And Commerce settles on every tree". William Blake. On Art And Artists (1800). World hasn't changed then? Peace, Rich
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