Sara Watkins

Sara Watkins | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 7, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Nonesuch
• ASIN: B001L5J5CW
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,358 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #63 in Music > Country > Bluegrass > Contemporary

Editorial Reviews

Sara Watkins's self-titled debut, eagerly anticipated by the significant fan base she's built after nearly two decades as fiddle player and
vocalist for Grammy Award-winning trio Nickel Creek, boasts an easygoing virtuosity. The youthful Watkins, who joined Nickel Creek
when she was barely in her teens, displays formidable skill as a multi - instrumentalist, playing the guitar and ukelele as well as the fiddle,
and is just as versatile, and breathtakingly mature, as a singer. Watkins incorporates folk, country, gospel, and pop into her 14-song set,
produced by former Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones and recorded in Los Angeles and Nashville. She's joined by a wide range of old friends and longtime heroes, including alt-country duo Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers keyboardist Benmont Tench, and Elvis Costello drummer Pete Thomas; colleagues from the bluegrass world like Tim O' Brien, Punch Brothers Chris
Eldridge, Ronnie McCoury, and Rayna Gellert; and Nickel Creek band-mates Chris Thile and Sean Watkins.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Lovely Album April 13, 2009

By E. C Goodstein

Format:Audio CD

It is true that much of this album is on the quiet side-- but there's a lot there if you delve. Not as experimental as her Nickel Creek bandmate Chris Thile's solos-- and if her voice bears comparison to Alison Kraus, there's a different, somewhat 'bluer' aspect, kinship with Gillian Welch (who guests here). The most striking tracks for me are the sad and gorgeous 'Pony' by Tom Waits (almost an update of 'Old Paint,' but with some kind of modern twists), the lovingly rendered simple Gospel of 'Give Me Jesus,'the spare, beautiful ballad closer 'Where Will You Be,' and the Celtic drone in the short but powerful 'Bygones.' A few are more pop, and nice more upbeat renderings of 'Long Hot Summer Day' and 'Any Old Time." Though I like 'em, I wish the instrumentals were a little more expansive/experimental--
but effective interludes in the context of the whole album. I also like the layered (if mostly unplugged), subtle accompaniment. The gentle 'acoustic' sheen may make the album seem very slight: for me though it definitely rewards repeated listens, revealing much each time.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This makes sense April 15, 2009

By Tim Roberts

Format:Audio CD

Nickel Creek's appeal was a youthful, fresh, crisp, clean approach to both folk and bluegrass. They did each style well. Sara's style leans far to the folk side and the quality is as good as ever. The foot stomping rhythms are there at times, but the more delicate vocals and fiddle work are the centerpiece. The album's melodies are complex, addictive, and exceed what any artist should be able to produce for their first solo album. The album is peppered with hooks, yet full of depth. Every song on the album feels new and more original than your typical folk album. Sara Watkins' album pulls off the same thing Nickel Creek did for bluegrass, a broader appeal, a fresh sound, and a new perspective on what young singer-songwriters can do.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice debut effort August 14, 2009

By R. Kyle TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

Like many fans, I was pretty broken up when Nickel Creek stopped playing together. When I heard Sara Watkins had a CD coming, I was pretty certain I was going to get it.

The CD's a little quieter than I'd hoped for, yet, there are some brilliant spots. Love the bluesy spiritual feel of "Long Hot Summer Day." "Pony" almost brought me to tears. Then again, what can I say--it's Tom Waits. "Lord Won't you Help Me" is a great road song and it's good to hear Watkins with Gillian Welch.

If you're a fan of Nickel Creek and just want a fix, getting Sara Watkins' CD isn't such a bad idea. If you enjoy bluesy-roots music, you're also going to like this collection.

Rebecca Kyle, August 2009