Vanguard

Issue date: 4/23/07 Section: Entertainment

The Saenger Theatre was a full house Sunday evening filled with open ears to hear the talented band Nickel Creek, a trio from southern California.
North Carolina native Tift Merritt opened for Nickel Creek at 7:30 p.m. She walked onstage with confidence and a bright smile, and along the way, she told many cheesy jokes to get the crowd laughing.
My favorite joke was "You know what I was thinking right before I came onstage tonight? I was thinking that I am glad the 'X-Files' got canceled. Now you don't have to miss it while you are here tonight."
It was Merritt's first time to be in Mobile, and she sang and played her instruments with great enthusiasm in an effort to impress the audience. She showed her many talents playing a variety of instruments throughout her performance.
She sang and played the guitar, harmonica, piano and tambourine. Her sound had strong folk tones and at times was similar to eastern European singer Regina Spektor.
Nickel Creek came onstage about 8:30 p.m. and was met with a thunderous applause. Nickel Creek consists of violinist Sara Watkins, mandolin player Chris Thile and guitarist Sean Watkins.
The first song they played was "The Fox." Their third song was "Reasons Why," which is one of my favorites. Some of the lyrics to "Reasons Why" are, "We get distracted by the dreams of our own, and nobody's happy while feeling alone, knowing how hard it hurts when we fall. And lean another ladder against the wrong wall, and climb high to the highest rung to shake fists at the sky. Others have excuses, I have my reasons why, with so much deception, it's hard not to wander away."
Most of Nickel Creek's songs have a very peaceful sound. I enjoyed the Nickel Creek concert a lot because they intertwined some of their new songs with old songs.
They played "Closer Than You Think" toward the end of the concert. I got chill bumps as I listened to the very last song they played, "The Lighthouse's Tale."
Nickel Creek produces a soothing sound to the ears as well as meaningful and thought-provoking lyrics.
According to the Washington Post, "Nickel Creek blends bluegrass, classical music and pop with irresistible aplomb, and sings like angels to boot." A line from "The Lighthouse's Tale" goes, "I'll tell a story, paint you a picture from my past. I was so happy, but joy in this life seldom lasts."
University of South Alabama sophomore and cardio-respiratory care major Amy Obrecht said, "I like Nickel Creek because of their light-hearted style of music."
Chicago Tribune said, "Nickel Creek is arguably the finest acoustic string ensemble operating today. Nickel Creek is the future of American acoustic music, and the future never looked rosier."
Nickel Creek came back onstage after a standing ovation and impressed the audience with more fun, upbeat, folk music.
They played with relentless lively passion and energy. Nickel Creek's stop in Mobile will be their last for a while, because they are taking a break after this tour.

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