Chasman
12-17-2005, 05:25 PM
Not sure about the Electric Mandolin statement, but a good review nonetheless.
Chas
Nickel Creek bangs out new borders for bluegrass
KELLY ANN SCOTT
RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
Posted: 12/13/2005
Calling Nickel Creek a bluegrass band doesn't seem quite right. In fact, the trio's recent Grammy nomination came in the contemporary folk category.
But labeling the band that rocked the nearly full house at the Reno Hilton on Sunday night seems a little bit beside the point. Their music defied a label.
Sure, listeners heard the country and bluegrass influence. The music made audience members say, I didn't know a mandolin and fiddle could sound like that.
The Southern California trio played its first show in Reno after an opening set from Andrew Bird, a former member of the Squirrel Nut Zippers, who deserves a shout out for his performance.
He entertained the audience with a sense of humor and music that showcased his musicianship.
Still, Nickel Creek owned the night.
Playing mostly from the band's recently released disc, Why Should the Fire Die?, the trio proved that developing musical compatibility through textured songs with lots of harmony is its forte.
This group -- Sara Watkins, Sean Watkins and Chris Thile -- has developed a level of comfort playing together that allows for improvisation on songs that are rhythmically structured and highly technical.
Trading off with one another on vocals and featured solos, the group rocked through several of the album's solid songs: When in Rome, Helena and, one of my favorites, Somebody More Like You.
The lyrics at times took a back seat to the instrumentation of the songs, with Sara Watkins hammering on the fiddle, Sean Watkins going to town on the guitar and Thile plucking and strumming on that electric mandolin. The interludes showcased each player's ability.
And although I'm usually not a fan of cover songs at shows, I have to nod my head to Sara Watkins' rendition of Bob Dylan's Tomorrow is a Long Time.
That's a big nod for me, being from Dylan's home state of Minnesota, where his tunes are sacred.
Her haunting interpretation of the ballad captured the nuances with a sweetness that made it sentimental and powerful.
If you expect your bluegrass to just be about hoe-downs, the South and foot stomping, then skip this band. But if your definition is a lot broader, head to Nickel Creek's next show -- even if you have to rent a car or fly. Go, go, go.
Chas
Nickel Creek bangs out new borders for bluegrass
KELLY ANN SCOTT
RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
Posted: 12/13/2005
Calling Nickel Creek a bluegrass band doesn't seem quite right. In fact, the trio's recent Grammy nomination came in the contemporary folk category.
But labeling the band that rocked the nearly full house at the Reno Hilton on Sunday night seems a little bit beside the point. Their music defied a label.
Sure, listeners heard the country and bluegrass influence. The music made audience members say, I didn't know a mandolin and fiddle could sound like that.
The Southern California trio played its first show in Reno after an opening set from Andrew Bird, a former member of the Squirrel Nut Zippers, who deserves a shout out for his performance.
He entertained the audience with a sense of humor and music that showcased his musicianship.
Still, Nickel Creek owned the night.
Playing mostly from the band's recently released disc, Why Should the Fire Die?, the trio proved that developing musical compatibility through textured songs with lots of harmony is its forte.
This group -- Sara Watkins, Sean Watkins and Chris Thile -- has developed a level of comfort playing together that allows for improvisation on songs that are rhythmically structured and highly technical.
Trading off with one another on vocals and featured solos, the group rocked through several of the album's solid songs: When in Rome, Helena and, one of my favorites, Somebody More Like You.
The lyrics at times took a back seat to the instrumentation of the songs, with Sara Watkins hammering on the fiddle, Sean Watkins going to town on the guitar and Thile plucking and strumming on that electric mandolin. The interludes showcased each player's ability.
And although I'm usually not a fan of cover songs at shows, I have to nod my head to Sara Watkins' rendition of Bob Dylan's Tomorrow is a Long Time.
That's a big nod for me, being from Dylan's home state of Minnesota, where his tunes are sacred.
Her haunting interpretation of the ballad captured the nuances with a sweetness that made it sentimental and powerful.
If you expect your bluegrass to just be about hoe-downs, the South and foot stomping, then skip this band. But if your definition is a lot broader, head to Nickel Creek's next show -- even if you have to rent a car or fly. Go, go, go.