Nickel Creek

Nickel Creek | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 21, 2000)
• Original Release Date: March 21, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sugarhill
• ASIN: B00004NK9T
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (273 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,559 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #1 in Music > Indie Music > Folk > Contemporary Folk
  • #11 in Music > Indie Music > Country > Bluegrass
  • #21 in Music > Indie Music > Country > General

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

San Diego is not exactly known as a hotbed of contemporary bluegrass music, but then again, Nickel Creek are a far cry from most bluegrass bands you've ever heard. On their Alison Krauss-produced debut, they serve up a lilting, ethereal fusion of bluegrass, Celtic, modern folk, and even classical influences, offering exquisite harmonies that would be more at home at a Crosby, Stills & Nash tribute than at a musical salute to the late Bill Monroe. Yet it makes for delightful listening, all the same. The three principals (Sara Watkins on fiddle and vocals; her brother Sean Watkins on guitar, mandolin, and vocals; and Chris Thile on mandolin, banjo, bouzouki, and vocals) are either barely out of their teens or still in them. Individually and as a band, they've already won a slew of awards and notoriety on their respective instruments. The three prodigies (joined by Thile's dad, Scott, on bass) really strut their eclectic hot licks on a few soaring, skittering instrumentals, but even more impressive are Nickel Creek's graceful, heartfelt harmonies on the many lovely ballads. Hot licks, when you get right down to it, are a dime a dozen; this sort of pluperfect tunefulness is a much rarer thing. --Bob Allen

Product Description

The CD cover artwork for this release has changed, and your copy may be delivered with either the old or new cover art. Nothing else about the CD has changed.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

92 of 94 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Diamonds, All The Way! June 23, 2000

By Douglas A. Cote

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

My wife and I happened, by chance, to see and hear Nickel Creek's "Reasons Why" video on CMT. I was immediately struck by the Alison Krauss influence, only to find out after purchasing the CD here at Amazon, that she produced this lush musical garden. I only had to hear that one song to know that I'd enjoy their other works, but I simply was not prepared for the treasure chest that this CD actually is. Songs like The Lighthouse's Tale, When You Come Back Down and of course Reasons Why, are definite standouts, though frankly it's difficult to say that about any song on this CD, because they are all so wonderful. My personal favorite, though, is The Hand Song. My son is autistic. This song brings me to tears each and every time I hear it, because it reflects so clearly the picture of his personality. The innocence and love that are portrayed in this song are a mirror image of him and I thank Nickel Creek for this wonderful portrayal. Buy this CD, you'll not regret it.

67 of 70 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Wow - What a find! May 15, 2000

By Eddie Finn

Format:Audio CD

Rushed out to buy this after hearing the band on Prairie Home Companion- this is a wonderful CD. Excellent musicianship, all acoustic, crystal-clear vocals and beautiful vocal harmonies. Produced by Alison Krauss, this state-of-the-art recording might just be the best bluegrass recording I've heard so far this year. The Krauss / Union Station influence is evident, but Nickel Creek avoids the temptation to copycat the producer by performing several touching originals and tossing in a few fret-burning instrumentals (with a surprising celtic feel to them) for good measure. Doesn't get much better than this.

45 of 48 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure Pleasure March 27, 2000

By "-momo-"

Format:Audio CD

I received my copy of Nickel Creek's self-titled CD in the mail a few days ago, and I've been unable to stop listening to it ever since. The talent of these three young musicians is, in a word, stunning. Prepare to be continually astounded by rapid-fire instrument solos and rock-steady vocal harmonies, all done with an accomplished ease that belies their tender ages.

If you're a hardcore bluegrass fan, rest assured that Nickel Creek can execute "old standard" stylings along with the very best of the genre. Chris Thile's lightning fast mandolin and Sean Watkins' fluid guitar solos are reminiscent of Dan Tyminski and Ricky Scaggs respectively, but these prodigies go way beyond mere stylistic reproduction: Chris and Sean introduce beautiful and jaw-droppingly difficult arpeggios smacking more of Bela Fleck and Phish rather than Flatt & Scruggs - in fact, Nickel Creek tosses Celtic, Jazz, and Maritime influences into the mix that seems just as natural as it is refreshing. The song-writing is incredibly good (in particular: The Lighthouse Tale and Reasons Why), and the harmonies will give your goosebumps even more goosebumps.

I was lucky enough to get this CD the day before seeing Alison Krauss and Union Station at the beautiful Chicago Theatre. Imagine my surprise to read the following in the liner notes in very small print: "Produced by Alison Krauss." Somehow, it all makes perfect sense.

Get this CD now. You'll be able to tell others that you knew all about them before they were famous - these kids are that good.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars So Many "Reasons Why" This CD rocks March 12, 2002

By "uga_kid"

Format:Audio CD

Three weeks ago, I walked into Target to buy a new pen. I found myself in the entertainment section and saw the video for "The Lighthouse Tale". I was instantly hooked. In the past three weeks, the only times that this CD has left my car CD player were so that I could listen to it in my portable player as I walk around campus. Words cannot describe how incredible this CD is. I listen to it all the way through and its hard to pick a track that I don't like. The vocals are gorgeous, the instrumentals absolutely incredible. The thing that I love about Nickel Creek is that when you hear them, its easy to feel how much fun they're having doing what they love. Its hard to classify Nickel Creek; the twang of fiddle and mandolin make it easiest to lump it into bluegrass/country , but its so much more than that. The group defies pigeonholing and I think even transcends many genres of music. Its like Allison Krauss said: "Its just Nickel Creek music." You don't have to be into a certain type of music to like this CD; as an alternative/rock listener, I can attest to that. All you have to do is like good, heartfelt music. Buy this CD, its definitely one of the best of the last few years.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Have For Fans of Any Genre September 25, 2000

By James Schulze

Format:Audio CD

Light, crisp playing and simple, heart-breaking vocals make this CD one of the most amazing albums I have ever heard. What differeniates this album from others of it's kind are it's playing with different music styles. It goes from straight finger-picking bluegrass to folk to Celtic, and yet flows perfectly from start to finish. In addition, unlike so much bluegrass, these pieces aren't there to show off the talent of the players. Even during the faster peices, the players are perfectly in sync and create melodies and harmonies that breathe with life and vitality. I can't recommend this album enough. A sense of charm and beauty flows throughout this entire album. Nickel Creek has a new life-long fan.

Finally, how can anyone possibly criticize this album on the basis of it "not being bluegrass?" Who cares!? It's amazing music! Thank *God* they don't fit into a mold. That's what makes the music so incredible...