Okay, all you punks can stop reading now or if you’re adventurous and open-minded you can keep going. Your choice. Whatever you decide, I was never much (ok, not at all) a fan of Nickel Creek, but damn do I love this Sara Watkins album. It all makes me wonder WTF is wrong with me? A lot, I know, but I digress. Anyhow, Sara Watkins’ self-titled solo debut (out now on Nonesuch) is fantastic. Her vocals range from delicately floating to down-home sultry and are the perfect match for her fiddling and the instrumentation that accompanies it. Really, I’m not sure why I like this so much. It is a little country, a little bluegrass, a little pop, a little blues, a little rock, and a whole lot of awesome. I’m not saying this is radio-friendly country-pop though. There is a depth to this that it feels more like something WXRT might play and something that might appeal to more than just bluegrass fans and country music fans; people like me. It’s a summer afternoon album that makes me wish it was hot, sunny, and humid. It makes me wish I was lying in the tall grass looking up at the bluest sky and the whitest puffy clouds with my sweetheart… and listening to this album. Really, this could be one of my favorite releases so far in 2009.
MP3 | Sara Watkins – Long Hot Summer Days Sara Watkins
MP3 | Sara Watkins – Freiderick Sara Watkins
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dude, feel the same way about nickel creek. dig a few of their songs, but never an entire record. this on the other hand is absolutely lovely, i was never a punk so i feel ok saying that. you know that john paul jones produced it? everyone should give it a chance…
ditto!
Oh yeah. John Paul Jones produced this record. It is gorgeous.
Well, I absolutely love Nickel Creek’s intricate bluegrass (on their s/t, especially) so I’m definitely excited to hear this. Cheers!
OK – Sara Watkins solo record. If I had to list my favorite bands, bands like Minor Threat and Superchunk would top the list. That said, I do listen to ALL types of music. This CD is incredible! I saw Nickel Creek on their final (?) tour and loved it. When I heard Sara was doing a solo record, I couldn’t wait to hear what she would come up with. This really is a great record and I agree, one of the best of 2009. Thanks for listening!