|
06/03/09 The Largo Los Angeles, CA 06/05/09 Artscenter Carrboro, NC 06/06/09 Handlebar Greenville, SC 06/07/09 Chuck Mathena Princeton, WV 06/08/09 Kentucky Theatre Lexington,KY 06/11/09 Grey Eagle Tavern Asheville, NC 06/12/09 Melting Point, Athens, GG 06/13/09 Bonnaroo Fest Manchester,TN 06/18/09 Anthology Lounge San Diego, CA 06/21/09 Telluride Festival Telluride, CO 06/25/09 Little Room Los Angeles, CA 09/06/09 Strawberry Bluegrass Yosemite, CA Discography
|
Prior to releasing her debut self-titled album, Sara Watkins was cutting her teeth as the fiddler in the progressive bluegrass group, Nickel Creek. Bluegrass fans will probably know Nickel Creek as somewhat of a 'family' band, having siblings Sara & Sean Watkins and father/son Scott & Chris Thile (the band is primarily known as a trio, as Scott is an on/off bass player for the band) who often tries and incorporate more alternative modern bands like Weezer or Coldplay into their own original bluegrassy songs.
As Nickel Creek is currently on hiatus, Sara Watkins decided to branch off in her first solo effort, available now on Nonesuch Records (incidentally, the record label was responsible for more modern alt-country sound, such as the wildly popular The Black Keys and Wilco album).
So what do I think of her album? Well, let's just say there are some fiddles on it. Like, a lot of fiddles. Luckily, having been listening to too many indie-bands (guitars/bass/drums combo), I do welcome such a characteristic weepy grassy sound.
Half of the album are covers, more like unusual standards, while the other half are original Watkins song. The Watkins songs are usually slow brew songs, a little quieter. Her songs feels like they are mostly about friends ("My Friend") & family & religion ("Give Me Jesus").
All these songs features the fiddle in at least some capacity, but the ultimate fiddle vs mandolin song is "Freiderick". Although there are no vocals on the song, the fiddle seems to be is the voice on the song.
Filling inbetween the original songs are covers. I especially enjoyed her version of "Too Much", turning the more rough bluesy rock Davíd Garza song into a more country-pop love song (Garza's original version can be found on Overdub from 2001). Her version is both refreshing and upbeat, plus the electric guitar on the song is a nice touch.
The other contemporary is "Pony" by Tom Waits, from his 2004 album, Mule Variations. While one expects to hear his scratchy old-man's vocals on this minimalist song, Watkins actually made the song more... I don't know, beautiful? This is because her voice is too sweet and smooth (like Scarlett Johansson's Waits cover album), but it's unfair to compare anyone to the truly unique Tom Waits.
Although the covers range from contemporary to old-fashion country tunes (Jimmie Rodgers' "Any Old Time") feels uneven, especially from pop-style songs to rootsy songs, I think bluegrass fans will find something to like about this album. It's also especially a must-buy if you're already a Nickel Creek fan. You can currently catch her touring under her artist name or as fiddler in her various "families" like Watkins Family Hour, Fiction Family (Switchfoot!), and Works Progress Administration.
As Nickel Creek is currently on hiatus, Sara Watkins decided to branch off in her first solo effort, available now on Nonesuch Records (incidentally, the record label was responsible for more modern alt-country sound, such as the wildly popular The Black Keys and Wilco album).
So what do I think of her album? Well, let's just say there are some fiddles on it. Like, a lot of fiddles. Luckily, having been listening to too many indie-bands (guitars/bass/drums combo), I do welcome such a characteristic weepy grassy sound.
Half of the album are covers, more like unusual standards, while the other half are original Watkins song. The Watkins songs are usually slow brew songs, a little quieter. Her songs feels like they are mostly about friends ("My Friend") & family & religion ("Give Me Jesus").
All these songs features the fiddle in at least some capacity, but the ultimate fiddle vs mandolin song is "Freiderick". Although there are no vocals on the song, the fiddle seems to be is the voice on the song.
Filling inbetween the original songs are covers. I especially enjoyed her version of "Too Much", turning the more rough bluesy rock Davíd Garza song into a more country-pop love song (Garza's original version can be found on Overdub from 2001). Her version is both refreshing and upbeat, plus the electric guitar on the song is a nice touch.
The other contemporary is "Pony" by Tom Waits, from his 2004 album, Mule Variations. While one expects to hear his scratchy old-man's vocals on this minimalist song, Watkins actually made the song more... I don't know, beautiful? This is because her voice is too sweet and smooth (like Scarlett Johansson's Waits cover album), but it's unfair to compare anyone to the truly unique Tom Waits.
Although the covers range from contemporary to old-fashion country tunes (Jimmie Rodgers' "Any Old Time") feels uneven, especially from pop-style songs to rootsy songs, I think bluegrass fans will find something to like about this album. It's also especially a must-buy if you're already a Nickel Creek fan. You can currently catch her touring under her artist name or as fiddler in her various "families" like Watkins Family Hour, Fiction Family (Switchfoot!), and Works Progress Administration.
05/29/2009 00:57:38 ♥ vu (
) ♥ sarawatkins.com ♥ myspace.com/sarawatkinssolo ♥ nickelcreek.com
