Mindylu Watkins is from Peoria, Illinois, and holds a BM in Vocal Performance from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She moved to San Francisco after college to pursue her singing career and was successful with the bands and musicians she worked with in the Bay Area. Following 9/11, Watkins realized she was too far away from home and ventured back to her hometown. When she returned to Peoria, she went back to school at Bradley University to get her BME and has been teaching music for the past 17 years. She currently has a private studio of music students, where she teaches guitar, vocals, piano and ukulele, focusing on performance. Writing her own music has always been a passion. Fortunately, Watkins’ friend, Dave Schools, gave her name to John Keane. Yes, THAT John Keane (who worked with R.E.M. way back in the day right up through the band’s later years, post Bill Berry – sorry, longtime fan here who probably knows way too much about them). Keane has an extension list of engineering, mixing and playing instrument credits to his name, working with some of the biggest names in music, such as Indigo Girls, Billy Bragg, Widespread Panic, Rickie Lee Jones, Cowboy Junkies, Vic Chestnut, among many others. Keane, by the way, performs and sings on some of the songs here, too.
Tuesday’s Child was recorded, mixed and mastered in Athens, Georgia at John Keane Studios, by the man himself, John Keane. For Watkins, she states that she has a hard time describing herself or her music. Every song has a different sound from her point of view, with harmonies being heavily present. A lot of songs were written based on challenges given to her by Mr. Dave Schools. Write a funny song, write a lullaby, write a love song......etc. Many of the songs are about the grieving process and a lifetime of losing loved ones. The recording process was broken up into three different recording sessions. She says that working with John Keane was truly an honor and a blessing and she’s excited to start recording album #2. After years of dreaming about releasing her debut album, it’s finally come to fruition, and you’ll find it right here on Divide and Conquer. The opening track “Nine-Volt Battery” has got a nice beat to it – strong, and clear. Musical styles felt to me like a mix of alt-country rock, singer-songwriter echoes from the ‘70s and jangle pop. Watkins’ voice reminds me a bit of Linda Ronstadt’s. Next up is “Uncrazy” and this one has some nice acoustic work – honest, with a traditional, dusty folk-rock feel. The backbeat / bass guitar sound, with its “tum-tum-tum” rhythm, reminds me of some Johnny Cash tune during his ‘90s recordings. Watkins’ voice really shines in this number as well! “Beautiful Child of God” written by Jerry Wayne Joseph is a sweet and tender tune, which features, I think, a mandolin. This song is about a relationship between God, and a child’s guardian angels “up there in heaven” also features some pedal steel guitar and a gentle, waltzing beat. Style-wise, this one felt to me like a no-nonsense, country song. The album’s title track “Tuesday’s Child” has some extra percussion added to it and an electric lead guitar. Stylistically, this tune had a lighter feel but rocked out hard. Optimistic in its message, something about it reminded me of Joni Mitchell’s work. Perhaps it was the song’s melody, its short duration and heartfelt message. On “Goodnight, August” Watkins’ work turns more soulful and introspective. She thinks back to her time as a child when August meant the end of summer with September following. But in this tune, she sings about how that month “took my daddy away” as she forces herself “to just move on.” She also offers some words of caution too – “Spend your time with those you love the most; someday your lover won’t be there” and “Listen to the music / When you feel compromised / Take a picture; it may be the last blue sky you see.” “Chasing Lyric” is an upbeat rocking song, that features lyrics about finding your own truth and something sacred within yourself. Ultimately, it’s both a collective and timeless song about freedom. The next tune “Interstate Soul” feature some great sounds coming from the lead guitar and mandolin, with the acoustic keeping a steady rhythm. The beat is light, and the song’s style is refreshing. Lyrically, Watkins’ sings about her experiences on the road, San Francisco “still having her heart” and staying up all night. I liked this one a lot for its melancholic nature and beautiful vocal harmonies. “Thoughts and Prayers” has the pedal steel as one its main instruments. Lyrically, this tune gets political – but you won’t find Watkins getting pushy with any group or individual here. She sings “I don’t care who you choose to love / I don’t care which God you pray to up above” and “It’s a sad situation / when the leaders of our nation can’t be trusted.” “Grace Again” gives the listener a fantastic mix of folk rock, jangle pop and soulful singer/songwriter spirit. Watkins offers herself helpful reminders of the past in this reflective tune – “Don’t take yourself so seriously / when will I start listening to his grace again?” and “Slow my mind / I think too much / Wasting my time with faith in blind, dumb luck.” I felt she really touched upon the classic style of singer/songwriters from the early ‘70s folkish rock movement. Last up is “Fly Away” and it features a unique playing style, instrument arrangement and sound, with great warm tones all around. The lyrics suggest someone needing to leave, to “break away from all the pain and heartache.” My guess is that this track is about suicide – “And I pray that the family you left behind / can find some healing and peace of mind” and “You had to get away, break away, fly away / from all the pain and heartache that never goes away.” Overall, a stellar debut with fantastic songwriting from this Illinois native.
1 Comment
Betsy Bladel
6/30/2022 05:50:02 pm
Fabulous! Want the CD now!
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