Linda Watkins & Godfrey

A musical pairing that is really taking people by surprise. The elegantly understated bass playing of Godfrey Yeomans is coupled with Linda's original material to create a very entertaining and musically interesting performance.

 So, just who is this quiet mild mannered bass player?

 Godfrey Yeomans

 
Godfrey first became interested in making music at about the age of 15. He had just started work and saved up enough money to buy an ancient drum kit, however, I’m sure it must have been a great relief to his parents and neighbours when he soon switched to something still in the rhythm section but with a volume control – the electric bass. The reason for this change was that some friends had formed a band but they already had a drummer and were looking for a bass player – all he had to do was get a bass and he was in! - and then learn to play it of course! I wonder how many bass players have a similar story? – taking it up because no-one else wanted to, but he has have never regretted it for a moment – he just loves the instrument, eventually taking up the double bass, currently playing an electric version, the electric upright.

Playing in local bands around Bucks and Beds and then, during the ‘blues boom’ of the late sixties, moving to London to become a professional player, he joined a band called Skywyne. They were quite well known on the blues circuit and became a regular support band at the legendary Marquee Club, opening shows for many of the big names of the day. The band also backed American blues artist Eddie Boyd on a UK tour as well as building a following in their own right. When this band split he found himself living back with his parents looking for a ‘proper’ job to pay his way until he could get back to London, but before he knew it real life caught up with him - marriage, mortgage, family and a job that became a career. It was to be quite a few years before he picked up the bass again.

And thank goodness he did!

For a while he was with folk-rock band Penda’s Fen until an unfortunate combination of geographical relocations  made it virtually impossible to get everyone together at any one time so it was decided to put the project on hold. But it was just at this moment that Godfrey and Linda met and discovered a mutual interest in original music and thus was launched a partnership dedicated to sharing our music and having fun doing it!

If you want to hear our music check out the calendar page for our next gig - or just imagine Godfrey on bass providing superb harmonies like a second voice - or sometimes driving the rhythm along with rock precision - then changing mood with silky smooth bluesy tones......Ahhhhh I'm in heaven!