The 27 year old singer-songwriter and fiddle player has just recently released her first solo album.  Although there isn’t hardly anything “solo” about this record.  This album was just as much, if not more of a collaborative effort than any of the albums she released with Nickel Creek. Produced by former Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones, this self-titled debut finds Sara surrounded by an array alt-country friends and stars such as Gilian Welch and David Rawlings, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers keyboardist Benmont Tench,  and Elvis Costello drummer Pete Thomas, as well as both of her Nickel Creek bandmates.

The album has a nice combination of original pieces along with several covers and traditional pieces.  I really love her rendition of the traditional hymn “Give Me Jesus.”  It has long been a favorite of mine, and I think her and Thile’s instrumentation definitely does the song justice.  But the standout track for me was the closing track “Where Will You Be,” an original by Watkins.   It is a very honest and lovely song that that asks a simple question that anyone can relate to. Overall the album is very enjoyable.

She is likely to find herself surrounded by a group of talented musicians this year at ACL.  I would definitely put her on my list of artists to see.  She has a lots of charisma and a great stage presence. She will put on a great bluegrass show that will be a grand ole time.

Sara Watkins – Long Hot Summer Days

Sara Watkins – Freidrick

Sara Watkins – Where Will You Be

1. Snow Patrol – You Could Be Happy

Smallville Season 6 – “Promise”

I thought this was a great way to open such a pivotal and emotional episode.  The lyrics of this song fit so well and helped move the audience quickly into the emotional state of distress that Clark is going through on the day of Lana and Lex’s wedding. I seriously loved this episode and it wouldn’t have been half as good without this fantastic opening track.

2. Colin Hay – Overkill (Acoustic)

Scrubs Season 2 – “My Overkill”

Scrubs continues to be one of the funniest shows on television.  Even in their eighth season and with a network change  they can hardly create an episode that doesn’t make me laugh.   But the reason I own every season on dvd, is not so that I can watch Dr. Dorian dance in a patient room filled with 99 Red Balloons to the Nena song of the same title (although I can’t help but laugh out loud everytime I watch that scene).  Rather it is because they are not afraid to tackle some of the more serious and less fun aspects of being in a relationship and working in a hospital.  While it is still worth a few laughs, this great opening to the second season is a great example of that.

3. Led Zeppelin – Babe I’m Gonna Leave You

One  Tree Hill  Season 3 – “The Show Must Go On”

I was really disappointed that I was unable to find a video for this one.  I thought it was pretty incredible the way they wrapped up their entire season with this six and half minute song playing in the background.  It doesn’t distract from, but rather adds to the dramatic effect of this cliff-hanging closer.

Lies for Dark Times – 5/?

For those of you who haven’t heard, Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals have parted ways for now and he has started a new band that he is calling Relentless7.  Ben says it is a name that he has been tossing around in his mind for a while now and has just been waiting for the chance to attach it to a group of musicians.  The new album White Lies for Dark Times is due out in May on Virgin Records.  The new outfit features Harper playing slide guitar and backed by guitarist Jason Mozersky, drummer Jordan Richardson and bassist Jesse Ingalls, the latter two of the Los Angeles band Oliver Future.  These guys first recorded with Harper on the track “Serve Your Soul,” off of the 2006 double-disc album, Both Sides of the Gun.  If you head on over to their myspace page, you can hear the album version of that song along with a rockin’ cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Good Times Bad Times” and a surprisingly great rendition of Prince’s “Purple Rain.”  I am thinking this might be a good change for Harper.

Oliver Future – The Reclamation

15.  Bruce Springsteen

Working On A Dream – 1/27

This is a big year for the Boss.  Not only did he just win a Golden Globe for Best Original Song with his song “The Wrestler” that he wrote for the film of the same name,  but he is releasing his 15th studio album later this month and is then playing the half-time show for the most viewed sporting event of the year just five days later.  Which by the way, it is stinkin’ awesome that for several years in a row now they have actually chosen artists with some talent to perform the half-time show.  I haven’t had the chance to preview the whole album, but the few tracks I have heard are pretty great.  I mean it’s one thing for an artist to have a year like this, but to turn sixty during the same year is quite an accomplishment.  He is just proving to us that he is and always will be worthy of being referred to as “The Boss.”

Bruce Springsteen – The Wrestler

Here is the official video for the 2nd track off of Working on a Dream, “My Lucky Day.” Head over here to pre-order the album.

14.  A.C. Newman

Get Guilty – 1/20

The front man for one of my favorite indie pop acts, The New Pornographers, A.C. Newman releases his second solo effort today.  Their last several albums have each just blown me away.  Newman has written some of the best pop songs of 21st century.  If it weren’t for Sufjan Stevens, “Sing Me Spanish Techno” probably would’ve been my favorite track of 2005, it might still be (the jury is still out).  And the more I listen to Challengers, the more I love it.  This is all to say that I am excited to hear what Newman has for us yet.  Now I can’t image that it will be as good without Neko and the rest of the band backing him, but it will still be good.  Listen and see that I’m right.

A.C. Newman – Submarines of Stockholm

A.C. Newman – There Are Maybe Ten or Twelve

13.  Morrissey

Years of Refusal – 2/16

Not much info is out right now regarding the new Morrissey album. I have this bizarre cover art and I know that the oddly titled Years of Refusal is out 2/16 via Lost Highway.  And I’ve managed to scrounge up a few tracks that are all fairly enjoyable.  And then most of you have probably heard “I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris” for it can be found streaming on several web-sites including Stereogum.  Now I really like this cheerfully depressing tune upon first listen.  But then the video almost ruined it for me.  I mean seriously? What is up with all the cheesy parading around the room?  And the tambourine catch?  And why are there little dogs walking through the screen at random moments. Maybe I am being unrealistic in what I expect from Morrissey, you tell me.  Regardless, I think I’ve given you plenty of reason to look forward to this album.

Morrissey – Something Is Squeezing My Skull

Morrissey – Mama Lay Softly On the Riverbed

Most Anticipated Albums of 2009 – Part 1