NICKEL CREEK by the innovative new group Nickel Creek is an entertaining collection of original world music blended with jazz and folk and bluegrass, with a touch of blues vocals to put the icing on the cake. And a beautiful cake indeed, it is!

What sets this collection apart from others is the visual quality to its sound, as if you can see the song picture being performed coming alive by the musicians with each note performed. Each note is like a fine, mellow photograph, a note of song vision frozen in time and shared clearly with the listening audience in all of its intimate beauty.

Sara Watkins has a highly expressive voice, and sings with much passion and gentleness. Chris Thile's vocals are right on target in the powerful song, "The Lighthouse's Tale." "When You Come Back Down" showcases the voices of Chris Thiel on lead vocals with Sara Watkins and Sean Watkins on harmony vocals.Vocals are shared by the artists, and the voices of these performers are vibrant and well-suited to the music performed.

There are 12 songs on the CD. Each song is a beautiful story. Songs include: "Ode To A Butterfly," "Reasons Why," "When You Come Back Down," "The Hand Song," "Robin And Marian," "The Fox," among others. I liked all of the songs and came back several times to listen to "The Hand Song."

Chris Thile is a master of the mandolin and his great talents are evident in these songs. Sara Watkins has a fantastic touch with the violin, and all musicians perform in a wonderful blend of harmony and unison. For something innovative, and entertaining, give Nickel Creek's NICKEL CREEK a listen to, for it is full of joy and surprises that will entertain a jazz listening audience. Excellent. Topnotch collection.