When Sara and Sean Watkins first began playing Watkins Family Hour shows at Los Angeles's beloved Largo, the siblings and musicians had little idea just how far the collaborative variety show would go. Twenty years, two studio albums, and hundreds of performances later, the two are taking stock of the ever-evolving community of musicians and music lovers the project helped build.

As part of that reflection, Watkins Family Hour released their third studio album Vol. II. This spectacular album consists of eleven cover songs with some notable friends who have been by the sides of Sara and Sean during their long career and appearances throughout the country. The album features collaborations with some noticeable artists, including Fiona Apple, Madison Cunningham, Benmont Tench, Jackson Browne, and more.  Don't just take our word for the merit of this album; read some reviews from AP and Variety. 

"During the pandemic, we crossed the 20-year mark," Sara says. "And we wanted to celebrate that. I am kind of amazed that we're still doing it. It doesn't feel like it's been 20 years. But when I think about the number, I think, 'Wow, there were so many transitions that happened in that period where the Family Hour work could have just petered away. And we kept choosing to do it."

Vol. II opens with "The Way I Feel Inside," a Zombies song Sara and Sean reimagined alongside indie pop band Lucius. Sean plays a rubber bridge baritone guitar on the track, adding a percussive, melodic structure for the group's heavenly vocal harmonies to float through, with the low richness of Sara's violin offering striking counterpoint to one of her more dynamic vocals.  Madison Cunningham, who appears across the album, joins on Elliott Smith’s “Pitseleh,” a song the Family Hour hadn’t played often but was formative to both Sara and Sean. We can all agree that the world needs more Elliott Smith and this divine and upbeat version is just what we all need to brighten our day.

"The Way I Feel Inside" and "Pitseleh" are just some of the brilliantly reimagined songs you will have the opportunity to hear live as Watkins Family Hour performs next month when they appear at The Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia, on October 23rd. We hope you will join us in celebrating twenty years of wonderful performances alongside Sara and Sean Watkins with special guest Willie Watson.

(Article Images Photo Credit: Jacob Boll)

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