Nickel Creek – Celebrants (Thirty Tigers, 2023)
The beloved acoustic ensemble Nickel Creek has released their latest masterpiece, “Celebrants.” Known for their pioneering sound in progressive bluegrass music, the trio has broken new ground by incorporating a wide range of musical styles, from traditional country and Americana to eclectic jazz fusion and beyond.
The vocal performances in “Celebrants” are nothing short of sublime, with the intertwining male and female vocals and harmonies captivating listeners from the very first note. The trio’s musicianship is equally outstanding, with Chris Thile and Sean Watkins displaying their roots in traditional bluegrass, while violinist Sara Watkins dazzles with her innovative playing style that combines various genres, including jazz fusion and world music.
Of the project, the band says, “This is a record about embracing the friction inherent in real human connection. We begin the record yearning for and pursuing harmonious connection. We end the record having realized that truly harmonious connection can only be achieved through the dissonance that we’ve spent our entire adult lives trying to avoid.”
Lineup: Chris Thile on mandolin, mandola, bouzouki, and vocals; Sara Watkins on fiddle, high-strung guitar and vocals; and Sean Watkins on guitar, baritone guitar and vocals. Guest: Mike Elizondo on bass and bass vocal.
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Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.