We review the new record by Sara Watkins – Under the Pepper Tree – out this Friday via New West Records. Under the Pepper Tree will be available across digital platforms, on compact disc, and standard black vinyl. A limited to 1,500 Neon Pink with Metallic Silver Vinyl Edition will be available at Independent Retailers worldwide, while a limited to 500 Translucent Blue Vinyl Edition will be available directly via New West Records. Under the Pepper Tree is available for pre-order now via New West Records.
Sara Watkins of the Grammy-winning groups Nickel Creek and I’m With Her, as well as The Watkins Family Hour will release her new record Under the Pepper Tree on Friday via New West Records. It’s a magical and ethereal children’s record that breathes new life but also intense nostalgia into some of the most well-known children’s songs from the last century. The record is thoughtfully created and crafted as a holistic project, from the sequencing of the record to the thoughtful production and Watkins’ determination to release a vinyl version so that children can immerse themselves in the full artistic experience.
The 15-song set was produced by Tyler Chester (Sara Bareilles, Margaret Glaspy) and is the follow up to her critically acclaimed 2016 solo album Young In All The Wrong Ways. Created with families in mind, the personal project encompasses songs Sara embraced as a child herself and brings storytelling, solace, and encouragement to the listener, no matter the age. The record opens up with a magical rendition of ‘Pure Imagination’ from the 1971 film Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, moving through The Beatles’ track ‘Good Night,’ ‘Moon River’ (originally sung by Audrey Hepburn in the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany’s), and more.
Some of the highlights on the record appear in the collaborations on the record – reuniting with her Nickel Creek bandmates Chris Thile and her brother Sean on “Blue Shadows on the Trail” (from the 1986 comedy The Three Amigos) and with her I’m With Her bandmates Sarah Jarosz & Aoife O’Donovan on “Tumbling Tumbleweeds” (originally performed by Roy Rogers & Sons of the Pioneers), Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes on Harry Nilsson’s “Blanket for a Sail,” David Garza on Roy Orbison’s “Beautiful Dreamer,” and Sara’s now three-year old daughter on her immensely sweet rendition of The Sound of Music’s “Edelweiss.” The magic of the record is in the thoughtful selection of tracks that offer deep comfort and are rife with nostalgia, without becoming cloyingly sweet. There is a deep sense of maturity to the record and calm – a record that feels deeply personal and yet universally appealing for children. Given the album will be released on vinyl, this feels like a record that will become a family gem to be passed down between generations and listened to as a family experience, all together. Watkins has even released two phenomenally thoughtful and poised original songs.
Children’s records are an immensely difficult thing to pull off, yet Watkins has managed to accomplish a project that showcases that intangible concept – childish wonder – in all its forms and imaginations and it is some of the less well-known tracks, such as ‘Blue Shadows on the Trail’ and ‘Blanket for a Sail’ that are the most special moments, no doubt ‘Edelweiss’ though – recorded with her daughter – is one of the most special and rare moments on the record. Underneath it all, Watkins has created a deeply enchanting record, rammed with charm and nostalgia that feels immensely timeless.
