" It’s an approach that might have begun with Muddy Waters’ consciously de-amplified Folk Singer album in the 60s, and with nowhere to hide you can only carry it off you’ve really got the goods, which Watson absolutely has. "
Nick Bollinger (Radio New Zealand)
Getting Sober For The End Of The World (Album 2020)
2020's self-recorded and produced album Getting Sober For The End Of The World was nominated for a Best Folk Artist Tui at the 2021 Aotearoa Music Awards.
The album features the same acoustic band as Too Many Millionaires with the addition of Mavis Staples guitarist Rick Holmstrom bringing his huge electric sounds to a song.
Physical:
CD from Bandcamp
Download:
Bandcamp, Apple, Qobuz
Streaming:
Qobuz, Apple
Too Many Millionaires
(Album 2018)
With it's title track penned by Kiwi blues songwriting legend Bill Lake, Too Many Millionaires is a live-in-the-studio tour de force. It features Watson's polyrhythmic fingerpicking and passionate vocals backed by a killer acoustic band that includes Steve Moodie on double bass, Dayle Jeyyman on piano, Delia Shany on percussion and the soulful, toneful harmonica maetsro Terry Casey.
Physical:
Out of stock
Download:
Bandcamp, Apple, Qobuz
Streaming:
Qobuz, Apple
Saint Hilda's Faithless Boy
(Album 2010)
"New Zealand's Darren Watson has crafted a beautiful album in Saint Hilda's Faithless Boy ."
Blues Revue Magazine (USA)
"This is world class. We are lucky to have him. More people should know that."
Simon Sweetman - Stuff (NZ)
Physical:
Out of stock
Download:
Bandcamp, Apple, Qobuz
Streaming:
Qobuz, Apple
King Size
(Album 2002)
King Size was Darren's breakthrough album as a solo artist. It features some of his favourite classic blues covers and some of his own tunes that have gone on to become Kiwi blues standards, such as Big Water, and Black Cadillac.
King Size was nominated Best Roots Album at the 2002 New Zealand Music Awards.
Physical:
Out of stock
Download:
Bandcamp
Streaming:
NA