Post by cofi on Apr 15, 2008 16:05:55 GMT
Geraint Watkins
Geraint Watkins is better known as a rock 'n' roll pianist and accordionist backing artistes such as; Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, Van Morrison, Mark Knopfler, Paul McCartney and Shakin' Stevens.
Career
After serving his time back 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, when they disbanded Watkins remained. He played solo performances in London's pubs and with various bands, such as the Cable Layers, 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: recording and/or performing with Dr. Feelgood, Rory Gallagher, Andy Fairweather Low, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Crazy Cavan & The Rhythm Rockers, The Blues Band, Box Of Frogs (featuring ex-Yardbirds) Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page, The Stray Cats, Carl Perkins, Eric Clapton amongst others.
The 1980s and beyond found Watkins playing accordion and piano with The Balham Alligators, a band that has helped to keep the music of Louisiana alive in London´s pubs, of which he is a founding member. In recent years Watkins has found time to work with Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings and 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).
Album
Geraint Watkins & The Dominators
Track listing
"Man Smart Woman Smarter"
"Casting My Spell"
"In The Night"
"Grow Too Old"
"Blue Moon of Kentucky"
"Gotta Find My Baby"
"Paralysed"
"Nobody"
"Deep In The Heart of Texas"
"Don´t You Just Know It"
"If Walls Could Talk"
"My Baby Left Me"
"Cakewalk Into Town"
Personnel
Geraint Watkins (vocals, piano, organ, electric piano, accordion, percussion)
Andy Fairweather Low (drums, bass, vocals, moog bass, percussion, acoustic guitar)
Micky 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)
I've got this album, It's bloody excellent, i think he never really got the recognision he deserved, if ever you get a chance to get this album, buy it, It's good music, and one that should be in your albums collection
Geraint Watkins is better known as a rock 'n' roll pianist and accordionist backing artistes such as; Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, Van Morrison, Mark Knopfler, Paul McCartney and Shakin' Stevens.
Career
After serving his time back 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, when they disbanded Watkins remained. He played solo performances in London's pubs and with various bands, such as the Cable Layers, 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: recording and/or performing with Dr. Feelgood, Rory Gallagher, Andy Fairweather Low, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Crazy Cavan & The Rhythm Rockers, The Blues Band, Box Of Frogs (featuring ex-Yardbirds) Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page, The Stray Cats, Carl Perkins, Eric Clapton amongst others.
The 1980s and beyond found Watkins playing accordion and piano with The Balham Alligators, a band that has helped to keep the music of Louisiana alive in London´s pubs, of which he is a founding member. In recent years Watkins has found time to work with Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings and 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).
Album
Geraint Watkins & The Dominators
Track listing
"Man Smart Woman Smarter"
"Casting My Spell"
"In The Night"
"Grow Too Old"
"Blue Moon of Kentucky"
"Gotta Find My Baby"
"Paralysed"
"Nobody"
"Deep In The Heart of Texas"
"Don´t You Just Know It"
"If Walls Could Talk"
"My Baby Left Me"
"Cakewalk Into Town"
Personnel
Geraint Watkins (vocals, piano, organ, electric piano, accordion, percussion)
Andy Fairweather Low (drums, bass, vocals, moog bass, percussion, acoustic guitar)
Micky 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)
I've got this album, It's bloody excellent, i think he never really got the recognision he deserved, if ever you get a chance to get this album, buy it, It's good music, and one that should be in your albums collection