Geraint Watkins & The Mosquitoes / How Askew @ Cluny2 – Nov 2025
From an opening tune, the acclaimed Welsh multi-musician Geraint Watkins set his cards on the table with “Deep in the Heart of Texas”, as it was going to be a unique show of new vintage music & great humour. Albeit with a different piano chair …. AND Geraint’s song choices from a list by his chair (BTW not a set list) included his very own easy – paced adventure song “Go West” alongside the awesome tune he did for BBC Later ”Easy To Say “Bon Temps Rouler” to the slow jazzy /soul delight of a ditty “ Heaven Only Knows the answer”
Old R&B classics such as “Woolly Bully” and “Cest la Vie “ and “Johnny Be Good” were exceptionally good covers added with his red hot London based band and the experience of working with Dylan, Nick Lowe , Dr Feelgood, Van Morrison, among others, one wonders why the Jumpin Hot Club wasn’t packed to the rafters as it was a loss to me. Adding his throw away fun anecdotes’ all evening & a master craftsman at his very best, what more did you need ? The eerie Rock N Roll composition “Rush of Blood “ was probably my favourite song all night “ The earth may tremble and shake, I get a rush of blood to my head when your near “ .With a wry smile he said looking at his list “oh doesn’t matter , I will soon be dead “ , anyway for any young people out there , we will all soon be dead” !!! Special mention to the Mosquitoes, Malcolm on drums, Paul on Bass and guitarist Oliver Darling who did sterling work as well as Oliver joining in on lead vocals during the evening .
Support came from How Askew on dobro guitar and country blues decent he was too and following a great exhibition to mark the Jumpin Hot Club’s 40 year anniversary this evening felt more like an early Xmas present and a continuation of those celebrations !
Is Geraint the best song writing piano player in England , well according to Bob Dylan he is, and you know, I think so too, A most entertaining and truly exceptional gig .
Juan Fitzgerald (pics/review)