Sean Watkins
Let It Fall

Review by Steven Stone
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  Sean Watkins is one-third of the young Grammy-nominated super-group Nickel Creek. Along with his sister Sara and mando phenom Chris Thile, they have lit up the festival circuit with fresh musical energy. Let it Fall is Sean's first solo album, and it showcases his superb chops and mature musical sensibilities.

All but one of the selections here are instrumentals. This exception is also the title cut "Let It Fall". It features Glen Phillips on lead vocals backed by Sean and Sara. It may even get some airplay on AAA and Americana radio stations since it is both moving and melodic. On the rest of the album Watkins' musical styles span from moody acoustic folk, to Celtic, to Bluegrass, all the way to jazz-inflected new-grass. At the end of the disc, if you are very patient, you'll discover a bonus track of Django-like jazz.

Accompanying Sean on Let It Fall are Jerry Douglas on Dobro, Stuart Duncan and Luke Bulla on fiddle, Dennis Caplinger on banjo, Todd Phillips, Kevin Hennessy, and Bob Magnuson on bass, Duncan Moore on drums, and of course Sara Watkins and Chris Thile. Sean produced the CD and it was recorded at four different studios. David Glasser from Airshow Mastering roped the disc together and gave it a spacious and natural soundstage. This fine CD shows that musical sophistication is certainly not a function of chronological age.

Enjoyment: 90

Sound Quality: 90