Intended as a children's album, Under the Pepper Tree does indeed have a sweet, gentle undercurrent flowing through its 15 songs. Some of this warmth derives from the tunes Sara Watkins chose. Picking songs that gave her comfort as a child, Watkins weaves such 20th century standards as "Moon River," "Tumbling Tumbleweeds," and "You'll Never Walk Alone" among tunes plucked from Disney films ("When You Wish Upon a Star"), Willy Wonka ("Pure Imagination"), and the Beatles ("Good Night"). It's an openhearted blend whose ...
Read More
Intended as a children's album, Under the Pepper Tree does indeed have a sweet, gentle undercurrent flowing through its 15 songs. Some of this warmth derives from the tunes Sara Watkins chose. Picking songs that gave her comfort as a child, Watkins weaves such 20th century standards as "Moon River," "Tumbling Tumbleweeds," and "You'll Never Walk Alone" among tunes plucked from Disney films ("When You Wish Upon a Star"), Willy Wonka ("Pure Imagination"), and the Beatles ("Good Night"). It's an openhearted blend whose inclusivity is underscored by the presence of Watkins' two main bands: Nickel Creek appears on "Blue Shadows on the Trail" and I'm with Her on "Tumbling Tumbleweeds." The soft focus of Under the Pepper Tree is alluring, even soothing -- a record that could calm the nerves of frazzled parents as they put their child to sleep at the end of a long day. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi
Read Less
