Review: Beverly Guitar Watkins ‘In Paris’

By Mike O’Cull

The late Beverly “Guitar” Watkins (1939-2019) was the hottest blues-slinging Southern grandma ever and quite possibly still is, judging by her new live release In Paris. The record, her first and only live effort, comes out March 18th, 2022 thanks to Music Maker Foundation and contains ten smoking tracks captured before an enthusiastic crowd in the City of Lights back in 2012. Watkins throws down on the gig with a beast of a band that includes guitarist Albert White (Elvin Bishop, Clarence Carter, Ben E. King, Ray Charles, Joe Tex), keyboardist Eddie Tigner (Ink Spots), and trombonist Lil Joe Burton (Tex, Bobby Womack, Otis Clay, B.B. King).

Watkins was a dynamic, often acrobatic performer known for her tough guitar style, growling vocals, and undeniable presence. In Paris lets us hear Watkins going full-throttle for the blues and for the people, providing the kind of experience that just can’t be replicated. She was a one-of-kind, one-night-only musician with the power to reach a crowd and bend them to her will.

Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Watkins began playing guitar for regional legend Piano Red in 1959 while she was still a senior in high school. She toured with Red until the band broke up in 1965 and went on to work with stars including James Brown, B.B. King, and Ray Charles. As time went on, Watkins became a headliner, releasing  her debut solo album Back In Business when she was 60, earning a W.C. Handy Blues Award nomination, opening a 42-date tour for Taj Mahal, and performing at Lincoln Center. She played a bare-knuckle style of music she called “railroad smokin’ blues,” frequently delivered with her guitar behind her head, flat on her back, or sliding on her knees. She was a fierce participant in the blues community who will never be replaced.

Watkins starts the show with the solidly funky “Baghdad Blues,” a mid-tempo number that’s warmly welcomed by the folks in attendance. She takes her time building her intensity, using her voice and clean Fender guitar tone to wake up the people and get them on her side. Even without video, you can feel her electricity take over the room and get all eyes and ears focused on the stage. She kicks the funk up a few levels with the James Brown-influenced “Do The Breakdown.” The band and horn section put it down behind her and the whole bunch has the Parisian audience jamming right where they want them.

“Melody Cruise” shifts gears into a soft and slick 50s rock and roll feel that lets Beverly show off the smoother aspects of her guitar and vocal skills. She pulls back and sings this cut in a sweet and lowdown style that gives people a moment to breathe after all the funk they’ve just been through. Watkins doesn’t let them rest too long, however, and immediately launches into a revved-up version of Ray Charles’ eternally cool “What’d I Say.” This is where she really starts to hammer the crowd, taking them into a straight-ahead twist groove, call-and-response sections, and edgy guitar solos over explosive beats. You can feel the place going up for grabs, everyone there fully in the grasp of the musicians in front of them.

Watkins and her band channel the magic of the past on the flag-waver “Sugar Baby Swing,” which is named after one of her main guitars. It’s an uptempo jump blues that’s mostly instrumental and tremendously entertaining. You can hear the crowd urging the players on, totally committed to the party by now, and most likely thinking about calling in sick to work the next day because nobody’s leaving until this gig is done.

By the time Watkins hits the all-out closer “Get Out On The Floor,” the great city of Paris has been thoroughly rocked, driven to the brink, and left a joyous, sweaty mess. Beverly “Guitar” Watkins delivered all the old-school, off-the-floor power that the room could handle and, for a moment, the world was a happy place. In Paris is a testament to the vibrant artist she was and the lessons these tracks will teach the next generation of blues artists. Turn it up and dance!

Pre-order link Beverly “Guitar” Watkins In Paris 

Listen to “Do The Breakdown”

Website Beverly “Guitar” Watkins 

Watch Beverly Guitar Watkins