Geraint Watkins

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, with a new album Rush of Blood released in September 2019.[1]

Geraint Watkins
Watkins in 2012
Background information
Birth nameGeraint Meurig Vaughan Watkins
Born (1951-02-05) 5 February 1951
Swansea, Wales
OriginAbertridwr, Wales
GenresPub rock, rock, blues
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter
InstrumentsOrgan
Piano
Guitar
Accordion
Percussion
Years active1970s–present
Associated actsNick Lowe
Dave Edmunds
The Balham Alligators
Slim Chance
Status Quo

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.[4] 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.

Inbetween 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.[4] 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 four solo albums Watkins - Bold As Love (1997), Dial W For Watkins (2004), In A Bad Mood (2008) and Moustique (2014). 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."[6] Kerry Doole of Exclaim! called it "an unassuming but delightful effort."[7] Jason MacNeil of PopMatters suggested that Watkins' proficiency in a multitude of music genres "is what makes this album so bloody special."[8]

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."[9] 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.[10]

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.[11]

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. 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.[12]

As a songwriter, Geraint had had his compositions covered by Don McLean, Pokey LaFarge,[13] Dave Edmunds,[14] NRBQ, Pearl Harbor,[15] and the Holmes Brothers[16] amongst others.

Watkins maintains his own Facebook page, where he frequently posts intimate musical performances.[17]

In 2019, it was announced that a new solo studio album, Rush of Blood, recorded in collaboration with Basement Jaxx's Simon Ratcliffe as producer, was scheduled for release in September.[18]

Albums

Dick Lovejoy's Original Southside United Volume 1
Dick Lovejoy's Original Southside United Volume 1
Studio album by
Dick Lovejoy's Original Southside United
Released1998
Recorded1984
GenreRhythm & Blues
Length1 hr 17 mins 42 secs
LabelAb-Fab
ProducerBarry Durdant-Hollamby

Track listing[19]

  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

  • Geraint Watkins - Piano & Vocals
  • Len Davies - Bass Guitar
  • Jon Eldred - Trumpet
  • Malcolm Hine - Slide Guitar
  • Brendan Hoban - Guitar
  • Matt Irvine - Bass Guitar
  • Dick Lovejoy - Drums & Voice-overs
  • Andy Macdonald - Baritone Sax
  • Lou Martin - Hammond Organ
  • Frank Mead - Alto Sax
  • John Newey - Timbales
  • Nick Payne - Tenor & Alto Sax
  • Nick Pentelow - Tenor Sax
  • Jimmy Roche - Guitar
  • Jamie Rowan - Piano & Vocals
  • Stevie Smith - Harmonica & Vocals
  • Roger Sutton - Bass Guitar
  • Pete Thomas - Tenor Sax
  • Steve Waller - Guitar & Vocals
  • Diz Watson - Piano & Vocals
  • Diana Wood - Vocals

Production credits

  • Produced by Barry Durdant-Hollamby
  • Recorded at The Vineyard, South London

Geraint Watkins & the Dominators
Geraint Watkins & the Dominators
Studio album by
Geraint Watkins & the Dominators
Released1979
LabelVertigo Records, reissued 2018 Jungle Records
ProducerAndy 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

  • Geraint Watkins - vocals, piano, organ, electric piano, accordion, percussion
  • Andy Fairweather Low - drums, bass, vocals, moog bass, percussion, acoustic guitar
  • Mickey Gee - guitar, vocals, backing vocals, percussion, acoustic guitar
  • John David - bass, vocals, percussion, backing vocals
  • Dave Charles - drums, backing vocals
  • Steve Gregory - saxophones, backing vocals
  • Buddy Beadle - saxophones, backing vocals
  • Henry Spinetti - drums, backing vocals

Production credits

  • A Booga Rooga production - Andy Fairweather-Low
  • Engineered by Dave Charles
  • Recorded at the Old Mill Rockfield also at Rockfield Studios
  • Mixed at Rockfield Studios

Bold as Love
Bold as Love
Studio album by
Geraint Watkins
Released1997
GenreBlues
Pop
Rock
LabelBluefive, reissued 2018 Jungle Records
ProducerNeil 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

  • Geraint Watkins - vocals, guitar, keyboards, piano
  • Nick Lowe - bass guitar, acoustic guitar - track 11
  • Robert Trehern - drums
  • Nick Pentelow - horns
  • Bob Loveday - violin - track 3
  • Steve Donnelly - acoustic guitar - tracks 3-4
  • Peter Glenister - additional guitar - track 4

Production credits

  • Produced by Neil Brockbank, Bobby Irwin
  • Recorded at The Bonaparte Rooms - Twickenham, RAK studios and Balham
  • Mixed at The Bonaparte Rooms and Alaska Studios

The Official Bootleg
The Official Bootleg
Live album by
Geraint Watkins
Released2001
Recorded1988
LabelMUSIPA

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

  • Geraint Watkins - piano, vocals

The Bootleg after the Bootleg
The Bootleg after the Bootleg
Live album by
Geraint Watkins
Released2001
Recorded1988
GenreBlues
Pop
Rock
LabelMUSIPA

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

  • Geraint Watkins - piano, vocals

Dial 'W' for Watkins
Dial 'W' For Watkins
Studio album by
Geraint Watkins
Released2004
GenreBlues
Rock
LabelYep Roc Records
Proper Records
ProducerNeil Brockbank & Warent Atkins
Geraint Watkins chronology
Dial 'W' For Watkins 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

  • Produced by Neil Brockbank & Warent Atkins

Personnel

  • Geraint Watkins - vocals, guitar, keyboards, piano
  • Nick Lowe - bass guitar, vocals
  • Steve Donnelly - acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar
  • Robert Trehern - drums, drum loops, vocals
  • Peter Glenister - organ, bass guitar
  • Matt Radford - upright bass
  • Sterling Roswell - percussion

In a Bad Mood
In a Bad Mood
Studio album by
Geraint Watkins
Released2008
Recorded2005-2008
GenreBlues
Rock
LabelGoldtop Recordings
ProducerNeil Brockbank and Geraint Watkins
Geraint Watkins chronology
"Dial W for Watkins In a Bad Mood Rush of Blood

Track listing

[20]

  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
  • Produced by Neil Brockbank and Geraint Watkins

Personnel
  • Geraint Watkins - vocals, guitar, organ, piano
  • Nick Lowe - rhythm guitar
  • Steve Donnelly - lead guitar
  • Robert Trehern - drums
  • Matt Radford - vertical bass
  • Johnny Scott - rhythm guitar
  • Matt Holland - flugelhorn, trumpet
  • Andy Wood - trombone
  • Trevor Myers - euphonium, trombone
  • Martin Winning - clarinet
  • Katherine Johnstone - backing vocals

Rush of Blood
Rush of Blood
Studio album by
Geraint Watkins
Released2019
GenreBlues
Rock
LabelThe Last Music Company
ProducerSimon Ratcliffe and Geraint Watkins
Geraint Watkins chronology
In a Bad Mood Rush of Blood

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
  • George Martin, Making Music: The Guide to Writing, Performing & Recording - Page 189, W. Morrow, 1983, ISBN 0-688-01465-8
  • Pianist Geraint Watkins: 'Dial W' Pianist Geraint Watkins: 'Dial W'] by David Greenberger at National Public Radio

References
  2. "Geraint Watkins". Rockabillyhall.com. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
  3. "Geraint Watkins - Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
  4. Larkin, Colin (1998) The Virgin Encyclopedia of Country Music, Virgin Books, ISBN 0-7535-0236-4, p. 26
  5. "The Southside Story" "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 28 July 2013. Retrieved 4 May 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Dial W For Watkins - Geraint Watkins". Allmusic. Retrieved 15 July 2011.
  7. Doole, Kerry (September 2004). "Geraint Watkins - Dial W For Watkins - Reviews - Folk & Country". Exclaim!. Retrieved 15 July 2011.
  8. MacNeil, Jason (6 December 2004). "Geraint Watkins - Dial W For Watkins". PopMatters. Retrieved 15 July 2011.
  9. Sexton, Paul (29 November 1998). "Mood Music". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 120 (48): 39. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 15 July 2011.
  10. "2008 Billboard Critics Top 10s". Billboard. Retrieved 15 July 2011.
  11. Schultz, Blaine (7 October 2010). "Nick Lowe w/ Geraint Watkins @ The Pabst Theater". Shepherd Express. Retrieved 15 July 2011.
  12. "Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park - Status Quo". bbc.co.uk. 11 September 2016. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
  13. "Pokey LaFarge on Geraint Watkins: The Blues Kitchen Presents... [Interview & Live Session]". 21 March 2018 – via YouTube.
  14. "Dave Edmunds-Deep In The Heart Of Texas". 14 July 2012 – via YouTube.
  15. "Cowboys & Indians - Pearl Harbour". 19 September 2009 – via YouTube.
  16. "The Holmes Brothers: 'Soldier Of Love,' Live On Soundcheck". 25 April 2014 – via YouTube.
  17. "Geraint Watkins". Facebook.com. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
  18. "The Last Music Company, Ltd". Lastmusic.co.uk.
  19. "Southside United Vol 1" http://www.southsideunited.co.uk/orderform.php Archived 28 July 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  20. "Geraint Watkins". jungle-records.net. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
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