Track Listing

1. Ode to a Butterfly
2. Lighthouse's Tale
3. Out of the Woods
4. House of Tom Bombadil
5. Reasons Why
6. When You Come Back Down
7. Sweet Afton
8. Cuckoo's Nest
9. Hand Song
10. Robin and Marian
11. Fox
12. Pastures New

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2280 in Music
• Released on: 2000-03-21
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

Album 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.

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

Customer Reviews

Diamonds, All The Way!
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.

Wow - What a find!
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.

Pure Pleasure
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.