The Wailin' Jennys - 40 Days

This is the best folk trio record since “Cry Cry Cry” in 1998, hands down. Canadian singer-songwriters Cara Luft, Nicky Mehta and Ruth Moody together evoke that “greater than the sum of its parts” feeling in 13 tracks This is the best folk trio record since “Cry Cry Cry” in 1998, hands down. Canadian singer-songwriters Cara Luft, Nicky Mehta and Ruth Moody together evoke that “greater than the sum of its parts” feeling in 13 tracks.

Unlike the approach taken by “Cry Cry Cry,” these three highlight their own songs -- not songs from other songwriters. They divide the songwriting duties evenly -- each gets credit for three songs. Two of the remaining cuts are traditional and sound it: “Saucy Sailor” and the closing song, “The Parting Glass." The other two are a heart-stopping cover of Neil Young’s “Old Man” and an inscrutable cover of John Hiatt’s “Take it Down.” More on that later.

The record is big on common folk themes, big on big ideas and big on the big sound of three big beautiful voices. In a word, you could say it’s big.

Nicky Mehta’s beautiful song, “Arlington,” for example, has a universal, traditional feeling in its lyrics -- a sign of a well-crafted song that has considerable staying power. Drawing on simple, natural images, she asks some very deep questions about existence, belief and faith. “Where is your home, restless wind?” she asks. “Is your voice every tree? Your soul of the air?”

Ruth Moody’s “Beautiful Dawn” uses lyrical structure to good advantage with her refrain, “There’s only one way to mend a broken heart.”

And Cara Luft’s simple three-verse “Come All You Sailors” is an elegant example of her ability to take a traditional-sounding theme and turn it into a folk gem.

Now, as to the selection of the John Hiatt song, his declaration that the Stars and Bars of the Confederacy have no place in today’s world, or flying over the South Carolina statehouse, all I can ask is why the Jennys felt compelled to cover it on their first American release? Do they understand the implications of this song? It’s one thing for Indianapolis-born, Nashville-based John Hiatt to sing this song. With him, it has a context, a depth of meaning. It loses a bit of impact re-crossing the Canadian border. It is the solitary lapse on a brilliant record.

Sweet-voiced trio will leave you howling for more

The history of female vocal trios stretches back at least to the early 1930s, when the Boswell Sisters were jazzing up pop music. And from the Andrews Sisters to The Supremes to The Roches to the Dixie Chicks, every generation seems to have a trio of sweet-voiced women to stir things up "40 Days," Wailin' Jennys (Red House)

The history of female vocal trios stretches back at least to the early 1930s, when the Boswell Sisters were jazzing up pop music. And from the Andrews Sisters to The Supremes to The Roches to the Dixie Chicks, every generation seems to have a trio of sweet-voiced women to stir things up. Count the Wailin' Jennys as the most melodious trio in Americana music.

Although Canadian-based singer-songwriters Ruth Moody, Cara Luft and Nicky Mehta each have solo careers, they create truly gorgeous music when they band together.

The trio's first full-length album is filled with sweet harmonies, smart songs and great vibes. The Jennys blend so well both with their vocals and their original songs that it's hard to distinguish one's style from that of another. They sound like a sister act without being one.

More upbeat than fellow Canadian female trio the Be Good Tanyas, the Wailin' Jennys are never dour when they go deep. Mehta's "Ten Mile Stilts" and, even more impressively, Moody's "Heaven When We're Home" may address desires unfulfilled, but retain hopefulness. Likewise, energetic harmonies twist Luft's downbeat "Untitled" into something inspiring.

A revival of the traditional "Saucy Sailor" gives the group a folk footing, and excellent covers of Neil Young's "Old Man" and John Hiatt's "Take It Down" fill out an already impressive set.

When these Jennys wail, it's well worth your time to listen.

The Wailin Jennys - 40 Days

Sure they have a witty name. But don't be fooled into thinking that 40 Days is some kinda countrified hoe-down because Ruth Moody, Nicky Mehta and Cara Luft are on a mission to restore tasteful three part harmony and good old fashioned melody back to its proper place in the forefront of intelligent pop music The Wailin Jennys 40 Days

Sure they have a witty name. But don't be fooled into thinking that 40 Days is some kinda countrified hoe-down because Ruth Moody, Nicky Mehta and Cara Luft are on a mission to restore tasteful three part harmony and good old fashioned melody back to its proper place in the forefront of intelligent pop music.

You remember melodious harmony, don't you? Once upon a time it used to be a major mainstay of pop music, as made manifest by such primo practitioners of the art as the Everly Brothers; the Kingston Trio; Peter, Paul and Mary; the Pointer Sisters; and Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young.

And speaking of Young, it's no surprise that the Jennys cover Neil's "Old Man" on track seven because long before that you're already being reminded of albums like Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere and After The Gold Rush.

Tonally, there's more than hint of Joni Mitchell when she was in her vocal prime, but there's also the kind of understated powerful authority that subtly evokes echoes of Grace Slick at her most confident.

All three women are ace songwriters in their own right, with my own particular favorites being Cara's aching "Untitled" and their shimmering a capella cover of the standard "The Parting Glass."

So if you like tasteful acoustic guitars and violins accompanying three women who actually know how to sing?as opposed to the egotistical ululating that passes as singing these days?then this album is for you.

File under: Intelligent, Harmony, Melody, It's About Time.

Reviews

Cara Luft, Nicky Mehta, and Ruth Moody were each enjoying substantive individual careers on the Canadian folk music scene when they joined forces for an impromptu show at a friend’s guitar shop Cara Luft, Nicky Mehta, and Ruth Moody were each enjoying substantive individual careers on the Canadian folk music scene when they joined forces for an impromptu show at a friend’s guitar shop. One show led to another and a band was born. Now the estimable Red House label brings the Jennys Stateside with their first full-length release, 40 Days. Consisting of two traditional Celtic tunes, two covers (Neil Young’s “Old Man” and John Hiatt’s “Take It Down”), and a democratic showcase of their own compositions, the album practically bursts at the seams with an infectious, collaborative energy. Unpredictable vocal arrangements feature short solo turns that subtly blossom into choir-robe-perfect harmony, each lady staking claim to a unique vocal range and handing off ownership of the melody. The writing is appealingly diverse in style, yet unified by a soulful, lyrical quality, vigorous rhythm guitars, and those exquisite harmonies. Impeccably produced by David Travers-Smith, this is one of the most exciting new folk bands and albums of 2004.

Editorial Reviews--Amazon.com

The Wailin' Jennys--Cara Luft, Nicky Mehta, and Ruth Moody--are three Canadian singer-songwriters with already established careers who first got together for a one-shot gig in 2002 and, to their surprise, discovered that their voices blended in an almost magical harmony The Wailin' Jennys--Cara Luft, Nicky Mehta, and Ruth Moody--are three Canadian singer-songwriters with already established careers who first got together for a one-shot gig in 2002 and, to their surprise, discovered that their voices blended in an almost magical harmony. They decided to put their solo endeavors aside for a while to see where this gift would take them, and the appealing folk-pop vibe of 40 Days is the result. They perform an eclectic selection of material, including covers of John Hiatt's "Take It Down" and Neil Young's "Old Man" plus lovely versions of the old English folk songs "The Parting Glass" and "Saucy Sailor." However, it's the original songs that stand out most. As you would expect, each Jenny has a distinctive voice and writing style, but the amazing vocal harmonies help Luft's spiky, rock-inflected songs, Mehta's poetic and mysterious meditations, and Moody's lively Celtic-tinged melodies blend into a seamless whole.

The Wailin' Jennys - 40 Days

"40 Days" (Jericho Beach Music) is the first full-length CD of The Wailin' Jennys, a Canadian folk-roots vocal trio that will startle you: Together singing in harmony their voices shimmer like clear lake water "40 Days" (Jericho Beach Music) is the first full-length CD of The Wailin' Jennys, a Canadian folk-roots vocal trio that will startle you: Together singing in harmony their voices shimmer like clear lake water. One can especially hear those tingling harmonies on "Saucy Sailor" and on the ever so tender closer "The Parting Glass."

At some magical moments on the CD it seems as if voices are actually musical instruments.

The three singersǃ

The Wailin' Jennys - 40 Days

The Jets are gone from Winnipeg, but the city can still boast of harbouring one of the country's best music acts: The Wailin' Jennys THE WAILIN' JENNYS

40 Days

Festival Rating 5 stars

The Jets are gone from Winnipeg, but the city can still boast of harbouring one of the country's best music acts: The Wailin' Jennys.

Coming together two years ago at a Winnipeg music store, the trio of Ruth Moody, Cara Luft and Nicky Mehta are musical sisters who write, sing and play exquisite music together. 40 Days opens with Moody's One Voice, a lovely composition on which Moody's lead vocal resembles Alison Krauss, and where Kevin Breit colours the spaces with his mandolin and mandocello. The traditional Saucy Sailor has an Irish lilt, and Mehta's Arlington gets a dark, rhythmic pulse highlighted by the women's vocal harmonies and the evocative violin solo by Richard Moody.

The Jennys' version of Old Man remains true to the Neil Young original, right down to the world-weariness in Cara Luft's voice. Special mention goes out to Breit, who brightens the record with string contributions: dobro on the funky Beautiful Dawn, and electric guitar on This Is Where.

The Wailin' Jennys - 40 Days

Our very own Cara Luft, Nicky Mehta, and Ruth Moody have finally put out a full-length album and yup, it's lovely Our very own Cara Luft, Nicky Mehta, and Ruth Moody have finally put out a full-length album and yup, it's lovely. Three talented and credible artists on their own, they manage to share the attention and create their own style. More polished than their six-song EP, 40 Days is filled with great songwriting courtesy of the Jennys, and tasty cover art to boot. The album highlight for this particular kid is their stunning, haunting, swooning, three-part vocals. It is incredible how they blend classic and contemporary folk, pop-ness, Celtic, and country into a hybrid that makes you think of Folk Fest and ancient, sacred songs rediscovered. Each woman writed songs that are varied in sound - pounding acoustics, light breaths of music, or sittin' on a porch watching a storm come in - but what ties it all together are the solid voices of three women - ahhhh.