About Me
Bare Bones - New cd with Chris and Julie, acapella stuff we put together when preparing for the Rejoice the Voice workshops this year. £11 + £2 for post and packing. Click this button here.
Headrest - First album done without a record company deal - who needs 'em? Brilliant stuff, very proud of this and put together with lovely Mark Creswell. A few tracks are on this myspace page but click the button below and I'll send you a copy of the whole cd. £10 for the cd +£2 for post and packing
Hear more and buy other songs on iTunes
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Helen Watson is a unique performer whose versatile voice and idiosyncratic songs are a welcome change in the world of singer-songwriters. Her music crosses the boundaries between blues, soul, jazz and folk.
Helen began performing on the folk circuit during the late 'sixties. She was one half of a soul duo; the renowned blues band LOOSE LIPS; a member of the Manchester quartet WELL KNIT FRAMES; and was a backing singer with CARMEL on an extensive world tour. Helen's unique style earned her an enviable reputation and much session work, which in the early 80's led to an interest in her songwriting and a subsequent recording contract with EMI.
Helen's first album Blue Slipper was produced in Los Angeles by the legendary Glyn Johns; musicians included Albert Lee, Little Feat and Bernie Leadon. Helen toured Europe with Joe Cocker. Her second EMI album - The Weather Inside was also produced by Glyn Johns and featured a powerful duet with Andy Fairweather-Low on Hanging Out The Washing.
In the early 1990's Helen was a member of the acclaimed vocal ensemble HELL BENT HEAVEN BOUND with Christine Collister, Barb Jungr and Michael Parker. They toured Europe, America and Canada. Helen soon formed her own band and the female supergroup DAPHNE'S FLIGHT - with Christine Collister, Melanie Harrold, Julie Matthews and Chris While. This later ensemble released their powerful eponymous album in 1995.
1995 also saw the release of Notes On Desire the magnificent debut from the Helen Watson Band. During the latter part of the 'nineties Helen co-produced CHRISTINE COLLISTER's Blue Aconite, and began recording her own beautifully stunning trilogy of albums for the Fledg'ling label - Somersault (1996), Doffing (1999) and Lifesize (2002).
Somersault - a stunning collection of Helen's original songs - was co-produced by fellow Daphne's Flight member Julie Matthews, with guest appearances from Chris While, Howard Lees, Christine Collister, Chris Leslie and Julie Matthews.
Doffing is a beautiful tip of the hat to some of Helen's favourite songs and songwriters. Among the extraordinary range of material are sublime readings of Bruce Springsteen's Ain't Got You, Robert Parker Jnr.'s Barefootin, Junior Parker's Mystery Train and Billy Strayhorn's Lush Life.
Helen's solo album Lifesize is possibly the very best in acoustic folk-soul from Britain. The album is a stunning collection of Helen's magically understated songs - beguiling songs of hope, intriguing songs of love lost and new love found, and exquisite pastoral vignettes. Guests on the album include longtime cohorts - Howard Lees, Julie Matthews, Chris While and Kellie While.
Helen continues to contribute to albums by Christine Collister, Julie Matthews and Chris While. Her vocals can also be heard on the latest duet album Western Wall from EMMYLOU HARRIS and LINDA RONSTADT. 2002 sees Helen contribute to ASHLEY HUTCHINGS' Street Cries and Shining Bright - the LAL and MIKE WATERSON tribute collection. On the latter Helen and Heather Greenbank perform a stunning ready of Lal's Shine accompanied by a string quintet conducted by the legendary ROBERT KIRBY.
Helen recently contributed a song to Ashley Hutchings' 'Street Cries' Topic TSCD 535. The album has some powerful rewrites of traditional songs, placing their stories in the contemporary world. Helen sings 'Salford Girls' in a faintly rockabilly arrangement.
Helen and Heather Greenbank have recorded a splendid version of a previously unrecorded song by Lal Waterson for a new collection of songs written by Mike and Lal Waterson. In 1972 they recorded an extraordinary collection of their own songs - 'Bright Phoebus' for Bill Leader's legendary Trailer label. Thirty years later an all-star tribute called 'Shining Bright' Topic TSCD 519 will be released early in July. Contributors include Linda Thompson, Martin Carthy, Christy Moore, Richard Thompson and Billy Bragg. Helen and Heather recorded 'Shine' with a stunning string arrangement by Robert Kirby (arranger to the stars - Nick Drake, the Strawbs, Elvis Costello and Paul Weller among many others).
In 2006, Helen began working with with SNAKE DAVIS to create 'BURDEN OF PARADISE'. This project sees sax player Snake teaming up with the great singer Helen Watson. Helen and Snake first worked together in the 80s when Snake played on Helen s album Blue Slipper which also featured Albert Lee and members of Little Feat). They also toured Europe with Joe Cocker. This new project crosses the boundaries between jazz, blues and soul and includes Dave Bowie (double bass) and Mark Creswell (guitar) from The Suspicions.
Teaming up with Mark in Leeds and Ilkley, Helen has now finished her first album in 6 years. Headrest has 6 new songs co-written by Mark and Helen. There's a new version of "The last thing I need" which was first heard on "Notes on Desire" and songs by Steve Earle and Ron Sexsmith among others.
Headrest is a hard album to classify by genre as there's blues, ballads, dance, rock, country and more. You can hear a few of the tracks here on myspace and we'll be changing them now and again.
Meanwhile you can get the album by clicking the "Buy Now" button above- it's £12 including post and packing - or for the bargain price of £10 at the gigs. Headrest will soon be available in online music stores.
Further details can be found at www.bluemoonmusic.co.uk
or from Jil Barke at Blue Moon Music 016973 42779
