Geraint Watkins

For so many years a keystone of the bands of Nick Lowe, Van Morrison, Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings, Dave Edmunds and countless more, Geraint Watkins is also a revered creator of his own sublime music, much of which has already been perfectly captured in a handful of solo albums. Born in Wales, Watkins was a member of noted British bands Juice on the Loose and Red Beans & Rice and following a move to London with the latter, he soon found himself on the “Be Stiff Route 78” tour. Shortly afterwards in 1979, Andy Fairweather Low produced Watkins’ first album for the Vertigo label. Session work for producer Stuart Coleman followed which led to a regular spot for Geraint in Shakin’ Stevens’ band before going on to record and play live with Dave Edmunds and many others including Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Rory Gallagher, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Stray Cats, Carl Perkins, John Wesley Harding, Tom Jones and John Martyn. Geraint also played accordion and keyboards with infamous British pub band, The Balham Alligators for fifteen years keeping the music of Louisiana alive in London's pubs and setting the bar impossibly high for those in their wake on the Americana trail. ‍With RUSH OF BLOOD, his newest, Watkins found a new and unlikely collaborator in the form of Simon Ratcliffe of Basement Jaxx to push his boundaries even further. This unique aggregation - aided by some master musicians has produced what will surely come to be regarded as the finest yet of his solo projects.