Sara Watkins - Sara Watkins
Artist:
Title:
Sara Watkins
Type:
Album
Released:
07 Apr 2009 (US), 06 Apr 2009 (UK)
Your Rating:
Review
Country music has never really taken off in the UK, there's something about the Stetsons and line dancing stereotype that we just can't get past. The reality however is very different. I once heard Natalie Maines of The Dixie Chicks describe country music as the most honest genre because it just says it how it is and covers any subject it wants to. So with that in mind, Sara Watkins debut solo album can kick in.
The guitars start the album off in fine form leading into what is, unfortunately, a pretty weak opener but stay with it -...
Read More Country music has never really taken off in the UK, there's something about the Stetsons and line dancing stereotype that we just can't get past. The reality however is very different. I once heard Natalie Maines of The Dixie Chicks describe country music as the most honest genre because it just says it how it is and covers any subject it wants to. So with that in mind, Sara Watkins debut solo album can kick in.
The guitars start the album off in fine form leading into what is, unfortunately, a pretty weak opener but stay with it - it's worth it. All This Time does work past it's intro into a fairly decent song but the album doesn't really get going until the unashamedly old school Country sounding Long Hot Summer Days.
The album's ballads are deep and soulful and Watkins' voice fits perfectly with the heartfelt lyrics. Listening to Pony you can't help but make the comparison to Katie Melua's melodic, chilled out folk music, which is a pretty good way to start your solo career.
I'm not a fan of the Country instrumental numbers in general and I'm sorry to say the two on this album do little to persuade me otherwise. While they are musically well crafted and have good beats, I'm just the kind of girl that needs something to sing along to so I'm afraid Frederick and Jefferson are songs which I will always skip past.
The rest of the album however does make up for it and there are some good songs which I would definitely go back to such as the 12th track, Too Much which brings the album back after a couple of ballads have taken it into a downward ebb into its full swing ready for the big ending of Where Will You Be. This final track ends the album off with Watkins' beautiful voice left to fend for itself and is the perfect way to leave us waiting for the next album to take over.
Review by Suzanne Physick
Rating 3 out of 5 Stars
Stand Out Tracks
Any Old Time
Give Me Jesus
Too Much
Articles
Sara Watkins, the self-titled debut album from the former Nickel Creek fiddle player, is now available in the UK. The album is produced by former Led Zeppelin bassist, John Paul Jones and features original songs written by Sara…
