Darren Watson New CD and Launch Parties
11.10.10
[press release]
Darren Watson is holding a couple of parties, at Wellington's Ruby Lounge on Thursday 21 October, and another at Parnell's Juice Bar at The Windsor on Saturday 23 October, to promote the release of his long-awaited new album, Saint Hilda's Faithless Boy, on Red Rocks Records.
It's Watson's fourth solo album in a career that goes all the way back to his days as leader of Kiwi blues outfit Chicago Smoke Shop in the late '80s. With national tours alongside Robert Cray, George Thorogood, & Koko Taylor, and nationwide radio hits like Mind On My Sleeve, So Glad, and Another Man, Smoke Shop broke house attendance records all over the country. Since leaving the band in the early '90s Watson has established a reputation as one our most original blues voices – as a blues singer/songwriter/guitarist he is almost without peer.
Watson has been busy lately, performing regularly around the country, and working on the new material that makes up Saint Hilda's Faithless Boy. A recent highlight was winning the prestigious International Songwriting Competition in 2008, a competition judged by Tom Waits, John Mayall, and Muddy Water's alumni James Cotton from over 15,000 entries worldwide. And this year he placed on the podium again!
Watson's group, the aptly named Real Deal Blues Band includes ex-Chicago Smoke Shop drummer Richard Te One Jr. partnered with ex-Southside Of Bombay bassist Elliotte Fuimaono. On piano, organ, and accordian is Wellington r&b stalwart, and Windy City Struggler, Alan Norman.
Together they make a beautiful and formidable sound – you'd be hard-pressed to find a more entertaining and original take on the blues anywhere.
Darren Watson - Saint Hilda's Faithless Boy Tour
Thursday 21 October
Ruby Lounge, Wellington
Saturday 23 October
Juice Bar at The Windsor, Auckland
