Back in October of 2005, I got the chance to see one of the best bands I’ve ever seen in concert: Nickel Creek. This group started out as a folk band, but continued to innovate and eventually was considered to be “progressive acoustic”. I had expected a night where they sit and play some nice songs and have a decent time (their only instruments are a mandolin, a guitar, a violin, and a bass), and they wound up being wildly entertaining, very funny, and they totally rocked it out. Easily in the top two of concerts I’ve been to.
Sadly, Nickel Creek broke up in 2007, as they decided to go out and do some solo projects. A few days ago, I downloaded the audio from a concert they did in Washington, D.C., during their Farewell (For Now) Tour, and I fell in love all over again. So, as a tribute, here are some songs of theirs, performed live for your viewing and listening pleasure. Prepare to be dazzled.
This is “This Side”, one of my favorites, performed at the PBS Sound Stage in Chicago.
They also do their share of covers – this unlikely cover is one of their most popular. When they busted out “Toxic” by Britney Spears, I fell in love.
I first discovered Nickel Creek when listening to my old Rhapsody music station and they popped up one day. This was the song that came on, and I immediately gave it 5 stars. My kind of music. (They’re pretty young here, by the way.)
Mandolin player Chris Thile wrote this song and has an album version with a different group, but I prefer the Nickel Creek version myself. Very funny, and very catchy.
They also do a fair number of instrumentals, but they knock them so far out of the park that they’re impossible to be boring. This is my favorite: “Smoothie Song”.
And finally, a great cover of “I Want You Back” by the Jackson 5. I miss this band.
If you’re looking for more Nickel Creek goodness, YouTube has tons of this stuff, including music videos and “official” performances (read: not recorded by fans on their phones).
Tom is an entrepreneur and freelance writer, working out of his apartment full-time, or wherever he feels like taking his laptop. He doesn't take long European vacations or blogs on the beach. He's an Average Joe that took control of his life. He wants you to do the same.
