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 as part of Micky Jupp’s band. Shortly afterwards in 1979, Andy Fairweather Low produced Watkins’ first album for the Vertigo label. Session work for producer Stuart Colman followed which led to him joining Shakin’ Stevens’ band before going on to record and play live with Dave Edmunds and many others including Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Mark Knopfler, Dr. Feelgood, Rory Gallagher, The Blues Band, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Stray Cats, Carl Perkins, John Wesley Harding, Tom Jones, Roger Daltrey and John Martyn, to name a few.
As a soulful sideman of choice since his tenure with Red Beans and Rice and Shakin’ Stevens, Geraint Watkins had always been in demand to play in the top division. And yet, in addition to his touring and recording with Nick Lowe, Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings and Van Morrison, he somehow managed to keep The Balham Alligators stomping for fifteen years too. In the midst of all of these commitments and with Watkins’ eye-popping vocals and accordion at the front, The Balham Alligators somehow held together for fifteen wild years, keeping the music of Louisiana alive in London's pubs and setting the bar impossibly high for those in their wake.
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, and – subject to availability - he occasionally performs this material with his band, The Mosquitoes.
The recordings on this album were performed live to sold-out shows in 2023 in Cardiff and London where Watkins is joined by the Mosquitoes du jour featuring Martin Winning (sax and clarinet), Oliver Darling (guitar/vocals), Paul Riley (bass) and Malcolm Mills (drums)…with guest Bob Loveday (fiddle).
The 10" vinyl limited edition is the perfect format for such timeless music, however, for those so inclined, it is also available on digital formats as of 7th March, 2025.
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 as part of Micky Jupp’s band. Shortly afterwards in 1979, Andy Fairweather Low produced Watkins’ first album for the Vertigo label. Session work for producer Stuart Colman followed which led to him joining Shakin’ Stevens’ band before going on to record and play live with Dave Edmunds and many others including Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Mark Knopfler, Dr. Feelgood, Rory Gallagher, The Blues Band, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Stray Cats, Carl Perkins, John Wesley Harding, Tom Jones, Roger Daltrey and John Martyn, to name a few.
As a soulful sideman of choice since his tenure with Red Beans and Rice and Shakin’ Stevens, Geraint Watkins had always been in demand to play in the top division. And yet, in addition to his touring and recording with Nick Lowe, Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings and Van Morrison, he somehow managed to keep The Balham Alligators stomping for fifteen years too. In the midst of all of these commitments and with Watkins’ eye-popping vocals and accordion at the front, The Balham Alligators somehow held together for fifteen wild years, keeping the music of Louisiana alive in London's pubs and setting the bar impossibly high for those in their wake.
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, and – subject to availability - he occasionally performs this material with his band, The Mosquitoes.
The recordings on this album were performed live to sold-out shows in 2023 in Cardiff and London where Watkins is joined by the Mosquitoes du jour featuring Martin Winning (sax and clarinet), Oliver Darling (guitar/vocals), Paul Riley (bass) and Malcolm Mills (drums)…with guest Bob Loveday (fiddle).
The 10" vinyl limited edition is the perfect format for such timeless music, however, for those so inclined, it is also available on digital formats as of 7th March, 2025.
Available in:
Vinyl and Digital Download
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