Customer Reviews

Dial W for Watkins

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My introduction to Geriant Watkins was as the opening act for Nick Lowe's current tour. What a find! This was the best pairing with Lowe I have ever seen. I bought this CD right at the show because I wanted to have this music around. Watkins has been around on work by others that I have long listened to, like Lowe and Dave Edmunds. But I find I can't get enough of this CD now. It fits many moods with its pulsing rhythms and charming and sometimes clever lyrics. It's just plain likable music, original and somehow familiar at the same time. Watkins' keys are fantastic, though they were even better in concert.

Professor Longhair? Jerry Lee Lewis? Fats Domino? Who is this Welshman who sounds like Roy Orbison except when he sounds like Nick Drake? Geraint (GARE ent) Watkins has played with Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, Van Morrison and Paul McCartney on a regular basis. Nick Lowe is currently touring to promote this album (no kidding). Watkins is an accomplished accordionist and keyboard player who also plays a demon slide guitar and alternates between the tenderest of love songs ("Only a Rose" "Two Rocks") and the rowdiest of Beale Street R&B ("Turn that Chicken Down").

No-one sounds quite like this man or mixes so many styles and genres so freely. If you're familiar with him you haven't read this review--you've already ordered the CD. If you're not familiar with him, take a chance (for less than $20 we're not talking a big chance, are we?) on hearing something you'll never hear on the radio that will make you grin all night.

Wow. This release has everything. Good soul music. Tunes such as 'Blessed With Happiness', 'Soldier of Love' and 'Bring me the head..' are stunners. What a cover (Louis Prima style) of Brian Wilson's 'Heroes and Villians'! If you like Nick Lowe's recent work - this is a must have. Geraint has played on Nicks last three records and Nick and band return the favor. Soul record of the year! Give it a try. Works well on my radio show, "Sound Of Music".

I have been aware of Geraint Watkins for over 20 years as a band member and session player on albums by Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, Bill Wyman (Willie & the Poor Boys), and others. I knew he was a great keyboard player, and the times I have seen him in concert footage show he is a talented entertainer as well. None of this guarantees that his solo efforts would be worth much, though--but this cd verifies that Watkins is much more than a talented sideman. He is a raging artist finely in tune with a spectrum of musical genres. He more than handles his own in comparison to Lowe, Edmunds, etc. If you dig those guys, you will love this album. Dial 'W' for Watkins jumps to a top position on my playlist. Anything he has or will put out is instantly on my 'must buy' list.

Geraint Watkins has been in the music game for a while. I saw him promoting his new CD (he opened for Nick Lowe) in Boston recently and his talent blew me away. He's got a voice that slays -- gutsy, low and yet tender and kind. He plays the piano impressively and effortlessly...bluesy sounds of years ago all over. But I didn't come to write a review of the performance...

The CD is really great. I've been listening to it a lot since I picked it up at the show. Emotional, funny, loving, resentful, tounge-in-cheek, and oh so familiar. This CD puts me in a good mood. Before I know it I'm boppin' and singin' along. My Fave is "Go West" (no, not the song done by the Village People/Pet Shop Boys) I've been whistling it for days. Other highlights include "Soldier of Love," "Heroes and Villains" (skibbity dooooo!) and "Heaven."

If you like Nick Lowe, then these songs will feel very familiar -- similar song writing, old-time beats and impeccable music. (Added Bonus: Nick plays and sings backup on most of these songs!)