Geraint Watkins

Infobox musical artist
Name = Geraint Watkins


Img_capt =
Img_size =
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Geraint Meurig Vaughan Watkins
Alias =
Born = Birth date and age|1951|2|5|df=yes
Died =
Origin = Abertridwr, Wales
Instrument = Organ
Piano
Guitar
Accordion
Vocals
Percussion
Genre = Pub Rock
Rock
Blues
Occupation = Musician
Singer
Songwriter
Years_active = 1970s - present
Label =
Associated_acts = Nick Lowe
Dave Edmunds
The Balham Alligators
URL =

Geraint Watkins (born Geraint Meurig Vaughan Watkins, 5 February 1951, Abertridwr, near Caerphilly, Wales) is a rock and roll pianist and accordionist backing artistes such as; Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, Van Morrison, Mark Knopfler, Paul McCartney and Shakin' Stevens. He has also issued a number of albums under his own name, the latest being 'In A Bad Mood'.

Career

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. When they disbanded Watkins 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, The Blues Band, Box Of Frogs, The Stray Cats, Carl Perkins and 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. Throughout the 1980s he also was a mainstay in Dave Edmunds's band, both recording and touring with him. 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 an early vinyl LP with The Dominators, Watkins has released three solo albums 'Watkins - Bold As Love' (1997), 'Dial W For Watkins' (2004) and now 'In A Bad Mood' (2008). Geraint WAtkins & The Goldtop Group play Dingwalls, Camden, London NW1 to support the new album on Weds 29th October. As on the album, included in the full band are various other ex-Van Morrison players: Johnny Scott, Kate St. John, Bobby Irwin, Matt Holland and Martin Winning, plus Matt Radford, Trevor Myers and Nick Lowe; with support from James Blood Ulmer.

Albums

Geraint Watkins & the Dominators

Infobox Album
Name = Geraint Watkins & the Dominators
Type = studio
Artist = Geraint Watkins & the Dominators


Released = 1979
Recorded =
Genre =
Length =
Label = Vertigo Records
Producer = Andy Fairweather Low
Reviews =
Last album =
This album =
Next album =

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

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

Infobox Album
Name = Bold as Love
Type = studio
Artist = Geraint Watkins


Released = 1997
Recorded =
Genre = Blues
Pop
Rock
Length =
Label = Bluefive
Producer = Neil Brockbank
Bobby Irwin
Reviews =
Last album =
This album =
Next album =

Track listing
#"My Happy Day"
#"I Love Being In Love"
#"It's A Wonderful Life"
#"Don't Stop"
#"Sweetheart"
#"Don't Knock It"
#"Honey Honey"
#"It's Over"
#"It's A Beautiful Day"
#"Oobee Doobee Eyes"
#"Big Bad Dog"
#"Mr Blue"
#"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

Infobox Album
Name = The Official Bootleg
Type = live
Artist = Geraint Watkins


Released = 2001
Recorded = 1988
Genre =
Length =
Label = MUSIPA
Producer =
Reviews =
Last album =
This album =
Next album =

Track listing
#"Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens"
#"Old Shep"
#"Georgia"
#"The Jealous Kind"
#"Chicken Shack"
#"Mess Around"
#"Flip Flop And Fly"
#"Ain't Nobody's Business"
#"Carless Love"
#"Stardust"

Personnel
*Geraint Watkins - piano, vocals

The Bootleg after the Bootleg

Infobox Album
Name = The Bootleg after the Bootleg
Type = live
Artist = Geraint Watkins


Released = 2001
Recorded = 1988
Genre = Blues
Pop
Rock
Length =
Label = MUSIPA
Producer =
Reviews =
Last album =
This album =
Next album =

Track listing
#"Heroes And Villains"
#"Ruby"
#"Secret Love"
#"Love Letters"
#"Happy Day"
#"Wonderful Live"
#"Nature Boy"
#"Yesterday"
#"Who's Kissing Her Now" (1st version)
#"Stardust" (new version)
#"Carless Love" (new version)
#"Who's Kissing Her Now" (2nd version)
#"Georgia" (new 1st version)"
#"Yo Yo"
#"You've Changed"
#"Balham High Road"
#"Mess Around"
#"Old Shep"
#"Pennies From Heaven"
#"Diddy Wah Diddy"
#"Nobody Here But Us Chickens" (new version)
#"Georgia" (new 2nd version)

Personnel
*Geraint Watkins - piano, vocals

Dial 'W' for Watkins

Infobox Album
Name = Dial 'W' For Watkins
Type = studio
Artist = Geraint Watkins


Released = 2004
Recorded =
Genre = Blues
Rock
Length =
Label = Yep Roc Records
Proper Records
Producer = Neil Brockbank & Warent Atkins
Reviews =
Last album =
This album = Dial 'W' For Watkins
Next album = In A Bad MoodTrack listing
#"Two Rocks"
#"Turn That Chicken Down"
#"Be My Love"
#"Blessed With Happiness"
#"The Whole Night Through"
#"Cold War"
#"Heroes And Villains"
#"Soldier of Love"
#"I Will"
#"I'm Just Crazy About You"
#"Bring Me The Head of My So Called Lover"
#"Heaven"
#"Only A Rose"
#"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
*Neil Brockbank - organ, bass guitar
*Matt Radford - upright bass
*Sterling Roswell - percussion

In A Bad Mood

Infobox Album
Name = In A Bad Mood
Type = studio
Artist = Geraint Watkins


Released = 2008
Recorded = 2005-2008
Genre = Blues
Rock
Length =
Label = Goldtop Recordings
Producer = Neil Brockbank & Geraint Watkins
Reviews =
Last album = "Dial W for Watkins
This album = In A Bad Mood
Next album = Track listing
#"Easy To Say (Bon Temps Rouler)"
#"Champion"
#"Unto You"
#"Fools Like Me"
#"Champion"
#"My Love"
#"Bourgeoise"
#"History"
#"Jenni"
#"Heart of the City"
#"Catch On"
#"At Last"

Production Credits
*Produced by Neil Brockbank & 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 - Rythmn guitar
*Matt Holland - Fluget Horn, Trumpet
*Andy Wood - Trombone
*Trevor Myers - Euphonium and Trombone
*Martin Winning - Clarinet
*Katherine Johnstone - Backing vocals

References

* George Martin, "Making Music: The Guide to Writing, Performing & Recording - Page 189", W. Morrow, 1983, ISBN 0688014658