by Nickel Creek List Price:$18.00 Our Price:$9.00 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Product Details
Media: Audio CD
Release Date: Tuesday, March 21, 2000
Label: Sugarhill [Country]
Average Customer Review: 0 Based on 0 reviews.
Sales Rank: 334
Tracks
1.
Robin and Marian
2.
Fox
3.
Pastures New
4.
Hand Song
5.
Cuckoo's Nest
6.
Sweet Afton
7.
When You Come Back Down
8.
Reasons Why
9.
House of Tom Bombadil
10.
Out of the Woods
11.
Lighthouse's Tale
12.
Ode to a Butterfly
13.
Cuckoo's Nest
14.
Lighthouse's Tale
Editorial Review
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
Top Customer Reviews
Rating:
4 Talent thy name is Nickel Creek
Though I am not a fan of country music, I have found myself a great fan of bluegrass music especially Alison Krauss and Union Station's bluegrass. So after watching the video for The Lighthouse's Tale on CMT, I just knew this band had something special. Lo and behold I came to amazon and discovered that Alison Krauss produced this album. I was surprised to say the least. I decided to buy the album and give it a try since I love AKUS so much. Well much to my surprise I found this to be a tremendous record. Though Alison and her music will always be first in my heart when it comes to contemporary bluegrass, Nickel Creek has found a place too! Their "newgrass" combines contemporary bluegrass with folksy singing and a definite Celtic sound. Though I think the vocals don't compare to Alison Krauss's (like that's even possible) I do like Chris Thile's mellow voice and hope he continues to be the main lead singer of this group. What really sets this album apart from AKUS is that they are equal if not better at instrumental music than AKUS. Ode to Butterfly has some definite Celtic undertones and how could anyone not love In The House of Tom Bombadil? They is a layering of music in that song that is phenomenal!Ultimately, I think Nickel Creek is great for music because they are young and will attract young listeners to bluegrass - a great, genre of music. They will never be as good as Alison Krauss and Union Station because Alison's voice is not of this world but instrumentally, these kids can go head to head with AKUS any time. They rock!
Rating:
5 I Won't Leave Home Without It!
I can't say enough good things about "Nickel Creek". I stumbled across them accidently while watching a Christmas special on CMT and didn't even wait to preview the CD, I just went right out, bought it, and I love it! As soon as I heard "Reasons Why" and "The Lighthouse's Tale", I was hooked. Of course "Out of the Woods", with it's harmony and awesome instrumental ending and "When you Come Back Down" are also incredible, and don't forget a kleenex when you here "The Hand Song". I've already gathered a group of friends and family to see them in concert and I can't wait! I'm also a huge fan of Alison Krauss & Union Station (Alison Krauss produced this album) and I'm sure that Sara, Sean and Chris of Nickel Creek will see the same success as them. Do yourself a favor and buy this CD. You, and everyone who will want to borrow it, will love it!
Rating:
5 Excellent display of acoustic music !!!
I must say I am not a fan of blue grass or country music. This Nickel Creek doesn't even sound country to me and I'm from Texas. I see them more in the category of Traditional Folk music along with Gaelic Storm and Fairport Convention. The music they play almost reminds me of music I heard in a pub in Australia. It also reminds me of when I was a teenager and I would go to the Rennaisance Fair with my friends and we would just celebrate a simple life not thinking of school, church, politics, and the negative things of teen youth.
Rating:
5 If My Hunch is Correct...
Sometimes you need to step back away from a picture or view to truely understand and absorb it's depth and scope. What the members of Nickel Creek have accomplished with their "debut?" album is nothing short of impressive. Their genre-bending talent has managed to paint a musical "picture" that forces the listener to move him/herself to different vantage points to catch all the subtlety and nuances within it. This is the telling mark of a true master of his/her craft. I generally have favored rock, pop, and metal over the last twenty years of listening to music. I have in my CD collection approx. 1000 CDs of every genre of music imaginable. With all these choices there has only been four groups or individual musicians that have moved me on a truely transendental level when I first heard them. They were U2, Dave Matthews Band, (old) Metallica, and Charlette Church (Yeah, I know, that's a pretty ecclectic group). Like these aforementioned artists Nickel Creek has that certain "something" and have become the fifth group to add to my "Whoa, who was that!" list. They have a unique quality that evades a good concrete description. It is intangible and hard for me to put my finger on...but it is there...floating around within this groups collective talent. Perhaps it is their youth that makes it so amazing? Maybe it is the haunting and provocative depth their lyrics pry into on "A Lighthouse's Tale". Could it be the harmonies they manage to create vocally? I don't know for sure what it is but whatever it is... I like it. It's kind of like that feeling you get on a Saturday morning in the Autumn with a hot cup of coffee. If my hunch is correct like it has been four times before these young musicians are on their way to much greener pastures. For now though I will have to wait till they come back to down to the Philadelphia Folk Festival (if they do) to catch them live. They sure are a mighty fine band-o, band-o, band-o....
Rating:
5 So Many "Reasons Why" This CD rocks
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.
Rating:
4 The Kids are All Right
From the opening licks of "Ode to a Butterfly," the instrumental talents of the Watkins siblings and Chris Thile are obvious. Chris Thile's mandolin playing is a wonder (I look forward to listening to his solo CD), but it does not undercut the work of Sara (fiddle) and Sean (guitar and mandolin) Watkins, and while each is capable of ripping off jaw-dropping solos, they often take more of a chamber-music ensemble approach to the instrumentals that works wonderfully.Bluegrass is the common thread in this effort, but there is a certain classical cum folk feel to this collection as well(check out "Robin and Marian" and "Sweet Afton", the latter being a Robert Burns poem set to music). I stopped shy of 5 stars because of the vocals - not that they aren't expertly (even beautifully) rendered, bht I found a lack of "drive" to the singing that's normally associated with a bluegrass-styled recording (put another way, it's closer to Peter,Paul and Mary than, say, the best of Allison Krauss and Union Station). But that's a personal observation, and should not prevent those who love acoustic music from purchasing this impressive collection. I can't wait for the next one.
Rating:
5 Wow! Amazing!!!
These kids can play! Their performance at the BlueBird Cafe in Nashville is what inspired me to make this purchase. Normally, I just surf past CMT, but their lively performance and fresh sound demanded that I stop and give them a listen. Thile makes the mandolin sing on the dramatic instrumental "Ode to a Butterfly" and on their arrangement of the Traditional "The Fox". The originals "The Lighthouse's Tale", "Sweet Afton" are very well written songs, musically and lyrically. "The Hand Song" brought me to tears, the first time I heard it...the lyrics were so moving.I can hear the Celtic, Classical influences as well as modern-day folk music cleverly intertwined into their own unique bluegrass style. Be sure to add this one to your collection, especially if this is going to be your first Nickel Creek CD.
Rating:
5 One of the most stunning debut albums of any genre
Nickel Creek has described their music as "contemporary Bluegrass", and that title fits as well as any single title, but their musical abilities and material choices transcend any easy classification.At a young age Sara Watkins demonstrates one of the most pleasant female voices on the "Country" side of the house, not to mention that she could fiddle Charley Daniel's Devil (the one that went down to Georgia) right into the ground.Sara's brother Sean is a gifted vocalist and an ambitiously talented guitarist. He also contributes to the group as a composer.Rounding out the trio is Chris Thile on mandolin and vocals. I read a review of a performance given by Nickel Creek in Chicago about a year ago, and the reviewer described Mr. Thile as a "Force of Nature". Christ Thile is not just "talented" or "gifted". He has one of those rare talents that is as stunning as a thunderbolt. A true prodigy, he won the national mandolin championship at age 12 and recorded an album of virtuoso instrumental music shortly thereafter - MUCH of the music written by the pre-teenager himself. Chris has grown as a composer and instrumentalist since then, and has added "swooningly good vocalist" to his resume as well. Get this CD and take a listen to Chris on "The Fox" or "The Lighthouse's Tale". Mixed in with these stunning vocals and soaring harmonies (the mark of producer Alison Krauss can be heard throughout) are original instrumental pieces that are as lively as an Irish jig, as complex as a Beethoven symphony, and as full of fresh inventiveness as music could be. All of the solos are stunning, and when Nickel Creek goes into harmony mode it boggles the mind. Then, when your mind has been boggled as much as you think it could BE boggled, Chris Thile goes off on a solo spree with notes that come as fast as a machine gun, yet ringing as clear as a bell. He is every bit the virtuoso on mandolin as, say an Eddie Van Halen or Eric Johnson or Al DiMeola or Mark O'Connor. What will Nickel Creek be in a few years when they're all 30? I can't wait to find out.
Rating:
5 Best album of the year.
I bought this one a whim after reading excellent reviews and desperately needing new music. When I got home, I had no idea what I was going to be listening to. I plugged in my headphones and was immediately smitten with Nickel Creek and their sound, and listened to it non-stop for weeks on end. What a great buy! I'm definitely not a bluegrass/country (besides loving Gillian Welch) music fan, but I love this CD. What can I say that already hasn't been said? It's wonderful, traditional music that's infused with just enough pop to make it accessible. The voacls are spectacular and at times, haunting. The songs are **so** well written and well executed that every single time I listen to them I hear something new I didn't notice before. Inormally don't like instrumentals on CDs, but those on this album are just as listenable and remarkable as the songs with vocals. These are wonderful musicians who came together to form what I would describe as the perfect band, and I cannot wait until their next album. If you are a pop fan hesitant to buy this because you aren't sure if it will be too much of a diversion from your normal preferred sound, don't be. This album is a welcome diversion from all the creepy bubblegum pop and scary rap-rock hybrids making the rounds on the charts. I can only hope that more people discover Nickel Creek, and make their sound a standard.I would also check out Chris Thile's solo CD "Not All Who Wander" if you enjoy Nickel Creek- I consider it Nickel Creek's unoffocial follow up until I can get my hands on their next release. It's very similar in sound.
Rating:
5 If you like Alison Krauss...
Like Alison Krauss? Then trust her taste! From the folkier, more mellow end of the bluegrass spectrum comes this debut album from a bother-sister pair and their friend and fellow musician Chris, produced and distributed by Krauss. Like Krauss, Nickel Creek's members are bluegrass prodigies, each a master of his/her own instrument or instruments (Bass, Fiddle, Mandolin, Banjo, Guitar) and each with both a strong sense of harmony and the clear sweet voice to carry out their strong musical ideas and ideals. As an added bonus, someone here has a sense of poetry -- the lyrics are catchy and poignant, perceptive and mature. The result is a well-produced tour de force, rejuvenating bluegrass for a new generation without watering it down. The harmonies on this debut are tight, the melodies are light but complex. Where some bands of any genre are "best" with a certain type of song (sad or happy, ballad vs. playfulness), the strength rising from the stellar combination of skills in Nickel Creek results in an overall strong but also incredibly diverse CD: Fun subjects such as childhood songs are treated with appropriate bounciness and levity (The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night) while the oft-serious subjects, from young people dying at war (Hand Song) to solitude and lovers' death (The Lighthouse Song), are treated with a serious of craft and an appropriateness of lyric never nearing morbidity or moroseness. No, it's not country. But it is sweet, fluid, well-crafted songsmithing and interpretations from a trio of young, energetic musicians not to be missed. Few if any low points, a stellar choice of songs and styles make for a CD you'll listen to all day long, in a variety of moods. Get two copies -- one for you and one for your best friend or lover -- they'll thank you for it!
Rating:
5 Absolutely Enchanting!
I'm taken to a new world each time I put this CD in my CD player. Beautiful bluegrass music mixed with heartfelt lyrics makes this CD a total masterpiece.The first song I ever heard from Nickel Creek was the The Lighthouse's Tale. Absolutely beautiful! such an emotional song!Out of the Woods, Sweet Afton, Reasons Why, The Fox, and When You Come Back Down are the songs I love with the unbelieveable lyrics and background bluegrass music.Ode To a Butterfly, House of Tom Bombaldi, Cuckoo's Nest, Robin and Marian, and Pasture's New have beautiful music.. This is one of the best bluegrass CDs out there.This trio is magnificent. This CD is a must have. I recommend this to anyone. This CD just takes me to a different place. A peaceful place filled with beauty.
Rating:
5 Excellent
This album truly is excellent. The maturity of these young musicians really shows through, especially in their composing abilities. It is an excellent alternative to the pop trash thats been dominant for too long.The amazing vocal capabilities of the group are evident on The Lighthouse's Tale-which by now youv'e probably heard(if you haven't, you need to)-and others including The Hand Song and Sweet Afton. The group really connects and you can hear distinct emotion.But the best part of the CD, in my opinion, is the instrumental genius of Chris Thile, and Sarah&Sean Watkins. Thile's mandolin licks fly all throughout Ode to a Butterfly and The House of Tom Bombadil. All the while, Sarah and Sean play beautifly on the entire album on fiddle and guitar respectively.The album really is full of simply brilliant music. It is a good primer for straight-up Bluegrass as it has significant celtic and pop influences. My favorite songs are:The Lighthouse's Tale, The House of Tom Bombadil, The Hand Song, Sweet Afton, and The Fox; but all of the songs are excellent and worth really listening to.I also recomend Chris Thile's solo album Not All Who Wander are Lost. If you like Nickel Creek, you should definately check this one out too.
Rating:
5 Uncommon Talent
It's not often that I find a CD that I simply can't grow tired of playing. I first heard Nickel Creek on "Prairie Home Companion" nearly a year ago and was amazed. I couldn't forget them and finally requested the CD for my birthday. It hasn't left the car's stereo since.From soaring melodies to short solos that showcase individual talents, it's not often that you hear arrangements this tight and polished. Not a fan of bluegrass? Folk music? Acoustic instrumentals? You will be when it's this accessable, yet subtly complex. My grandmother cooked this way; outstanding meals that made you automatically reach for seconds, yet all the more enjoyable if you took the time to chew and digest what she was offering. Grams had 75 years of cooking experience behind her apron. What else is this trio going to accomplish before they can buy their first beer?
Rating:
5 A New Genre
I happened to tune in to "A Prairie Home Companion" one Saturday evening. Nickel Creek was the featured guest group. The two songs I heard prompted me to buy this CD. Being a longtime acoustic fan, the mandolin, guitar, fiddle, and vocals on those songs piqued my interest.When I first listened to the album, I was a little puzzled. I thought I'd hear a young newgrass sound. What I experienced was totally unexpected. The more I listened, the more I was drawn in. But I could not categorize the sound. "Pastures New" was reminiscent of a Strength in Numbers session. "Reasons Why" echoed Shawn Colvin's style . "Out of the Woods" brought to mind Enya's melodies.I heard strains of Natalie Merchant and Newgrass Revival. All the vocal arrangements glowed with Alison Krauss' gentle hand.I was relieved when I heard Alison Krauss' ( the producer) assessment of Nickel Creek's Style: "The only way I can describe the group's style is, it's 'Nickel Creek music'." I wasn't the only one having difficulty pigeon-holing their style. It's a new genre. I tried listing all of the "fusion" elements, but couldn't get a comprehensive list. Thile's ethereal mandolin, Sean Watkin's contrapuntal guitar, and Sara Watkin's lilting yet emphatic fiddle will mesmerize you. The tight vocals will capture.Check out their videos on CMTV! Chris Thile's earlier CD's are virtuoso mandolin!
Rating:
5 talent teeming over
Like most of the other reviewers, I was blown away by these young musicians! I heard them play on Prairie Home Companion some time ago, then I was lucky to see them perform live with Glen Phillips recently. Each of the 'kids' of Nickel Creek can hold his or her own, but it's together when they most brightly shine. As a string musician myself, I found their playing flawless, distinctive and crystal clear. All three are strong enough to find success as solo musicians, but I hope they keep laying down these tight tunes as a group for years to come.I am not generally a fan of country music, but it doesn't matter because Nickel Creek's style is in a class of its own -- outside of country, bluegrass or folk rock. And as a singer, too, I can't find fault with any of their vocals either, as some others have voiced criticism with here. All three have great tone, clarity and pitch. I could only dream of having the talent embodied here. This is a thoroughly enjoyable CD that is a welcome and refreshing departure from the cookie-cutter sounds of today's generic pop radio circuit.
Rating:
5 Enchanted and Wild
Wow. This record is amazing. Nickel Creek's brand-new self titled album is a phenomenal blend of jaw-dropping instrumentals and engaging, powerful vocals. Perfectly balanced harmonies rise and fall with Out of the Woods, a pensive and haunting track that will stay with you long after the CD player has been turned off! Another highlight is Reasons Why, whose intriguing lyrics, crystal clear vocals, and simple, yet rich arrangement warrant your player to be put on "repeat" for some time. Of the instrumentals, Robin and Marion and House of Tom Bombadil stand out, with lighting fast action from the fretboards, and melodic, captivating harmonies. Nickel Creek has a fresh and original style with something for everyone, and is an absolute necessity for any lover of music!
Rating:
5 Acoustic Music at its Finest
Like others, I first encountered Nickel Creek via a video on Country Music Television. I've long been a fan of acoustic music focused on tight harmonies, quality musicianship, and heartfelt emotion. This can surface under the categories of folk, country, bluegrass, or whatever. Nickel Creek is not easy to slot, but is very easy to listen to. The 3 artists are instrumentally exceptional, vocally evocative, and write much of their own stuff. The CD contains a mix of soulful ballads, unique stories, and traditional songs done with a flair that will keep even the most jaded interested. How often do you hear a song in which the "narrator" is a tall building with a light on the top - and find that the lyrics and music make the song incredibly compelling? "The Lighthouse" is just the first of a number of welcome surprises waiting for a first time listener. And you won't stop there - the CD demands listening over and over. Perhaps one of the stronger indicators of how wide a net this music casts is that my 18-year-old has hijacked my copy and I'm having trouble getting it back! Don't be put off by whatever label you hear associated with Nickel Creek. Give them a listen. You'll be glad you did.
Rating:
5 A beautiful sound....
Okay, I live in Nashville and I'm not a country or bluegrass fan. With that said, there are a few artists that have grabbed my attention and this group is one of them. With a simple, beautiful sound, the young people of "Nickel Creek" create a cd that has a dreamy, haunting feel to it. Produced by Allison Krauss, the marvel who has brought bluegrass to the attention of the American music fan in recent years, leaves her undeniable mark on this piece of work. You'll swear that Sara Watkins is channelling Krauss' voice, having the same sweet, clear voice that is a trademark of Allison Krauss' style. Chris Thile, the other lead singer of the group, has a beautiful voice as well, apparent on "The Lighthouse", a song about a tragic love story. This cd is an eyeopener and a definite sign that there is lots more to be expected from this talented trio.
Rating:
5 A Must-Have For Fans of Any Genre
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...
