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.
Jennys' goal: Never compromise
They are compared to The Dixie Chicks, but The Wailin' Jennys play the music they like best They are compared to The Dixie Chicks, but The Wailin' Jennys play the music they like best.
In the music business, few shortcuts to success are known to exist. But of the methods used to make an instant impression with audiences, perhaps one of the best is to cover a Neil Young song -- a hit from his beloved 1973 recording, Harvest, if possible.
The members of the Wailin' Jennys weren't looking to fast-track their careers when they recorded Young's hit Old Man during the sessions for their debut, 40 Days. They simply enjoyed the song, having first performed it two years ago during the Prairie Music Awards in Winnipeg for a tribute in Young's honour.
Ruth Moody, one of a trio of singers who fronts the Winnipeg folk band, is certainly happy with the attention Old Man has given them. But at the same time, she's perplexed by it. "The biggest surprise, I guess, is that Old Man was picked up by country radio."
Vancouver radio station JR Country got the ball rolling with the song, Moody says, prompting other stations in Canada to follow suit. The song rose to No. 45 on the Canadian country charts. "I still don't know how to explain that," Moody says.
The band's debut full-length recording, which was produced by Victoria native David-Travers Smith, has catapulted the Wailin' Jennys to a newfound level of success, capped by a nomination in the country category at the upcoming Canadian Independent Music Awards and nominations for outstanding album (independent) and outstanding roots recording at the upcoming Western Canadian Music Awards.
Better yet, it's all been done on their terms, Moody adds.
"Our goal is to never compromise our musical integrity," she says. "We're going to play the music we want to play, and if people want to include us in a certain genre, and for whatever reason it fits, then that's fine with us."
It's a privileged position to be in. The group, which includes singers Nicky Mehta and Cara Luft, has a firm grip on both the roots and country genres. As a result, the trio's effortless combination of acoustic instruments and soaring three-part harmonies has drawn comparisons to one of country music's most successful groups, the Dixie Chicks.
"I see the obvious parallels for sure, with the three harmonies and the three females," Moody says. "I'd say there are a few songs we do that have that kind of country bluegrass vibe, but our music is a little more diverse."
The Wailin' Jennys begin a tour in support of 40 Days Wednesday in Victoria, a city Moody has fond memories of. It was here, in December of 2002, that the then-unknown trio brought down the house with a genuine break-out performance. The concert was staged and hosted by local folkies The Bills, formerly the Bill Hilly Band, who were an early influence on Moody, Luft and Mehta.
The Bill Hilly Band shortened its name shortly after the performance -- could there be a name change in store for the Wailin' Jennys as well? Moody laughs aloud at the suggestion.
"We call ourselves The Jennys and a lot of people call us The Jennys, but we've always loved the name. We can't take credit for the name, but I think we're going to stick with it.
Hot Picks - The Wailin' Jennys
It's been said that a solid relationship can only exist between people who are already independently whole. So much the truer for a three-part-harmony vocal group. Fortunately, the Wailin' Jennys, a folky trio whose music is far more lulling than their name suggests, is made up of such individuals It's been said that a solid relationship can only exist between people who are already independently whole. So much the truer for a three-part-harmony vocal group. Fortunately, the Wailin' Jennys, a folky trio whose music is far more lulling than their name suggests, is made up of such individuals. The group's members, Cara, Nicky and Ruth, were already seasoned pros when a fateful convergence at a guitar shop brought the puzzle pieces together - Cara was and is an internationally acclaimed guitarist, Nicky (who Sing Out! recently named one of North America's most promising new singer-songwriters) was nominated for a Canadian Independent Music Award for her solo album, and Ruth, a classically trained vocalist and pianist, was nominated for a Juno along with the rest of her previous band Scruj MacDuhk. The group's harmonies are tight without sounding the slightest bit belabored, bathing the listener in a soft hush.
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.
ACT welcomes wailin' wall of sound
It's not Waylon Jennings - it's Wailin' Jennys It's not Waylon Jennings - it's Wailin' Jennys.
The Ridge Meadows Arts Council presents The Wailin' Jennys live on the main stage at the ACT on Oct. 9 at 8 p.m.
The Wailin' Jennys are an acclaimed Winnipeg acoustic roots trio, combining the talents of Cara Luft, Nicky Mehta and Ruth Moody.
"This is will be a terrific concert," says Robert Campbell, theatre director at the ACT. "The Wailin' Jennys have been on a rapid ascent in the folk world ever since their first 'one-off' performance together at Winnipeg's Sled Dog Music in 2002 and they have had great success on Country radio as well."
They are each recognized solos performers, but when the three sang together, the enthusiasm from the audience was so explosive and the word spread so fast, they were almost forced to form a band to keep up with the demand for performances and recordings.
Within months of their first performance, the Jennys were playing prestigious folk festival gigs across Canada and receiving serious media attention. They also released a self-titled EP, which charted at campus radio across the country.
Their performance at the Maple Ridge ACT will feature songs from their debut CD, 40 Days as well as other songs with the Jennys' trademark breath-taking harmonies, sweet folk/pop sound and impressive songwriting.
Released at the end of March, 40 Days has already received enthusiastic reviews. It prompted the Ottawa Citizen to declare, "There are now only four Juno nomination spots left open for next year's group album of the year." The Saskatoon Star Phoenix predicts "this trio could become the Dixie Chicks of folk." Meanwhile, the Jennys' single 'Old Man' received an impressive response from Canadian country radio, charting at #45 nationally and getting a great response from B.C. listeners.
The Wailin' Jennys feature alto Cara Luft, otherwise known as "Jenny Van Halen". She is known as much for her vibrant comical demeanor as for her powerful guitar playing. Born to folk-singing parents, her early exposure to traditional music combined with her self-directed love of '70s and '80s rock music has resulted in a fusion of driving acoustic rhythms and lively word play. She has played Lilith Fair and England's International Guitar Festival and her first full-length album was nominated for a 2001 Prairie Music Award.
Mezzo Nicky Mehta has been called a poet and songwriter of exceptional depth and maturity whose ability to "walk with sorrow" has made her music vital and hopeful; Mehta's songs reflect a wisdom sometimes hard-won but never uncelebrated. Her first album "Weather Vane" was nominated for a 2002 Canadian Music Award for Outstanding Roots Recording and she was recently counted among the most promising up and coming singer-songwriters in North America by the venerable Sing Out! publication.
Soprano Ruth Moody, former lead singer of the Juno-nominated roots act Sruj MacDuhk, rounds out the group with her pure voice and impressive multi-instrumentalism. A classically trained vocalist and pianist known first as an accomplished, versatile singer of traditional and Celtic music, her own writing shines in its diversity and maturity.
"This group is definitely one to watch in Canada," says Campbell. "I really encourage people to come out and see them here in Maple Ridge."
The Wailin' Jennys concert is the second concert of the 2004/2005 season for the Maple Ridge ACT.
The season includes international, national and regional artists from a variety of artistic disciplines. For more information, visit the website at www.artscentretheatre.org.
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
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.