The Wailin’ Jennys are three Canadian contemporary singer/songwriters, and while Cara Luft, Nicky Mehta and Ruth Moody are all established artists in their own right, the combination of the three together has created an album that really stands out from the crowd The Wailin’ Jennys are three Canadian contemporary singer/songwriters, and while Cara Luft, Nicky Mehta and Ruth Moody are all established artists in their own right, the combination of the three together has created an album that really stands out from the crowd. The opening track ǃ
The Wailin' Jennys - 40 Days
Despite what the band’s name suggests, the Wailin’ Jennys are not a feminine take on the music of the late country music outlaw Waylon Jennings. Rather, they are a Canadian trio of singer-songwriters with an engaging folk-pop sound and an eclectic range of material Despite what the band’s name suggests, the Wailin’ Jennys are not a feminine take on the music of the late country music outlaw Waylon Jennings. Rather, they are a Canadian trio of singer-songwriters with an engaging folk-pop sound and an eclectic range of material. Cara Luft, Nicky Mehta, and Ruth Moody all had well-established careers when they joined up for a one-shot gig in 2002 and discovered that their voices blended in almost eerily perfect harmony. Their search to see where that harmony would lead them resulted in 40 Days. Each Jenny contributes a couple of original songs, and although their writing styles are quite differentǃ
The Wailin' Jenny's - 40 Days
The next time you’re snowed in on a cold winter day, wrap yourself up in a nice throw, brew yourself a cup of tea, pop The Wailin’ Jenny’s into your stereo, sit back and enjoy The next time you’re snowed in on a cold winter day, wrap yourself up in a nice throw, brew yourself a cup of tea, pop The Wailin’ Jenny’s into your stereo, sit back and enjoy.
The astute singing-songwriting trio from Canada combines their talents and voices to achieve near-perfect harmony in every track on 40 Days, the group’s first full length album.
The thing that makes a good folk singer stand out is the ability to write a song that is completely timeless and leaves the listener with a sense that they should be able to sing along the first time they hear it. 40 Days contains a strong mix of original works by Cara Luft, Nicky Mehta and Ruth Moody (aka the Wailin’ Jenny’s) as well as traditional songs and classic covers. The beautiful thing about this album is, aside from an angelic rendition of Neil Young’s “Old Man,” it’s almost impossible to tell which is which without reading the credit lines in the album cover.
While the ǃ
The Wailin' Jennys: Three of a Kind
The Wailin’ Jennys aren’t a spaced-out jamband. They are three outstanding singer/ songwriters who put a twist on the folk/ rock genre. The “wailin’” refers to perfect harmonies, not searing instrumental passages The Wailin’ Jennys aren’t a spaced-out jamband. They are three outstanding singer/ songwriters who put a twist on the folk/ rock genre. The “wailin’” refers to perfect harmonies, not searing instrumental passages. The band’s credo is best summed up in its song “One Voice,” which appears on its exquisite 40 Days (Red House Records): “This is the sound of voices three, singing together in harmony, surrendering to the mystery.” Cara Luft, who sings alto, is affectionately known as “Jenny Van Halen” (i.e., she can really play that guitar). The other Jennys are Nicky Mehta, who sings the midrange, and soprano Ruth Moody, who is also a classically trained pianist. Think the best aspects of Kate and Anna McGariggle, Linda Thompson and even a little Joni Mitchell with a subtle Celtic tinge. This trio is the most powerful vocal outfit I’ve heard in years, and it has a cross-genre appeal from country to folk and Celtic.
The Wailin' Jennys: 40 Days
Despite the fact that they don't need each other, Canadian folk veterans Cara Luft, Nicky Mehta, and Ruth Moody never get in each other's way Despite the fact that they don't need each other, Canadian folk veterans Cara Luft, Nicky Mehta, and Ruth Moody never get in each other's way. These three female singer-songwriters all have the pipes (and careers) of standout soloists, and they achieve a subtle magic together. In fact, the most captivating moments of 40 Days are the split seconds when the solo sections early in each track melt into three-part harmony.
The Wailin' Jenny's first full-length album unreservedly showcases these trance-inducing vocals as its greatest strength. The trio's intricate harmonies can be more fully appreciated when they have plenty of space to breathe. All three women are skilled writers, but Moody's material, marked by simplicity and an affinity for country/bluegrass, struck me as the most appropriate for the group. Folk deejays are particularly fond of "One Voice," the album opener. However, Moody's "Beautiful Dawn" (to which Kevin Breit contributes an excellent dobro part) and "Heaven When We're Home" are just as strong. Mehta's "Set This Freedom Free," a well-written but sparse melody that doesn't require much in the way of vocal gymnastics, is similarly conducive to the Jennys' sound.
These tracks don't represent the stylistic variety of the album, which includes more groove-oriented, up-tempo numbers. Once within the Jennys' harmonies, one is perfectly happy to simply remain a while, suspended in the close-woven texture.
The Wailing Jennys
From their name and the album’s graphics I first assumed the Wailing Jennys were a reggae group. Wrong. This Canadian group, made up of three women with sublime voices, rejoices in the glorious sound of perfect three part harmonies placed in service of finely crafted songs From their name and the album’s graphics I first assumed the Wailing Jennys were a reggae group. Wrong. This Canadian group, made up of three women with sublime voices, rejoices in the glorious sound of perfect three part harmonies placed in service of finely crafted songs. Cara Luft, Nicky Mehta, and Ruth Moody all had successful solo careers before they decided to combine their talents. Their original music consisting of delicate Celtic-influenced folk-pop melts in your mind. If you want to fill your musical plate with seductively beautiful Anglo-American folk music The Wailing Jennys 40 Days should be your next big musical meal.
The Wailin' Jennys - 40 Days
The women of Winnipeg, Canada’s Wailin’ Jennys are like a cross between Irish songstresses The Corrs (not counting brother Jim) and the country-harmony-queen trio of Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt The women of Winnipeg, Canada’s Wailin’ Jennys are like a cross between Irish songstresses The Corrs (not counting brother Jim) and the country-harmony-queen trio of Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt. Similar to both in their choice of songs, their impressive musicianship and attractive looks, the Jennys are something to behold. The trio’s first full-length, 40 Days, is a very fine collection of mostly originals, with a couple of traditional Irish tunes and a song each by Neil Young (“Old Man”) and John Hiatt thrown into the lovely mix. Each member penned three originals, and one of the highlights is vocalist/guitarist/harmonica player Nicky Mehta’s “Arlington,” precious not only for its beautiful vocals and fine playing, but also for its tender, imaginative lyrics: “Where is the sun in the night/ Is it coldǃ_/ Does it feel left behind/ All alone, all aloneǃ_” The Wailin' Jennys will be at the Bean Scene Sat., Sept. 18, 8 p.m. Call 345-8136 for details.
The Wailin' Jennys
If you have never heard of the Wailin' Jennys, don't fret; it is a widespread condition for which the cure will soon be found If you have never heard of the Wailin' Jennys, don't fret; it is a widespread condition for which the cure will soon be found.
Brought together just over a year ago by an impromptu grouping on stage, Canadians Cara Luft, Nicky Mehta and Ruth Moody were swept up in a wave that led to this promise-filled debut. With rich, Roches-like harmonies, Luft, Mehta and Moody sound made for each other, although every facet of their union, including the band name (a play on Waylon Jennings' name), appears to be an act of warp-speed serendipity.
As talented writers and instrumentalists, too, the Jennys each contribute originals while covering Neil Young (``Old Man'') and John Hiatt (``Take it Down''). Consider this notice that the Wailin' Jennys are ripe to follow another Canadian trio, The Be Good Tanyas, into the mainstream of American folk.
3 out of 4 stars