The Wailin' Jennys - Firecracker

Local roots trio The Wailin' Jennys have a lot to sing about these days: a U.S. record deal, a Juno Award in 2005 and stints on the NPR radio show A Prairie Home Companion Local roots trio The Wailin' Jennys have a lot to sing about these days: a U.S. record deal, a Juno Award in 2005 and stints on the NPR radio show A Prairie Home Companion. Now they can add their new CD Firecracker to the list. Out this Tuesday, the disc is an affirmation of all the praise heaped on the ladies (Annabelle Chvostek, Nicky Mehta and Ruth Moody) for their debut back in 2004. Mixing contemporary pop-rock with traditional folk and bluegrass, the trio elevates everything to a level of near-transcendence with elegant backwoods harmonies that recall Alison Krauss and her O Brother ilk. But it's the individual touches -- Moody's Celtic training, Chvostek's cabaret background and Mehta's keen ear for classic pop -- that ensure Firecracker really lights up the skies.

Sun Rating: 4 out of 5

The Sound of Voices Three

The meteoric rise of The Wailin’ Jennys came to a screaching holt with the departure of Cara Luft a year go. But now they are retooled and set to release Firecracker ǃ

Serendipity Sings

The afternoon before the Wailin’ Jennys were scheduled for their Chicago debut, opening for Loudon Wainwright III at the Old Town School of Folk Music, their old friend serendipity dealt them another card The Wailin’ Jennys Serendipity Sings by Michael Parrish The afternoon before the Wailin’ Jennys were scheduled for their Chicago debut, opening for Loudon Wainwright III at the Old Town School of Folk Music, their old friend serendipity dealt them another card. The trio arrived in Chicago to the news that Wainwright was trapped by a cancelled flight in Winnipeg, which ironically is home base for two of the three members of the Jennys ǃ

The Wailin' Jennys - Southport Arts Centre

Considering the sheer beauty of the sound that can be achieved by harmony singing it’s surprising that there isn’t more of it about. Considering the sheer beauty of the sound that can be achieved by harmony singing it’s surprising that there isn’t more of it about. Hirsute men in waistcoats and boaters have probably given the genre a bad name, but if tonight’s performance is anything to go by its reputation will soon be restored to its rightful place. Three attractive women, dressed in black, all singer songwriters in their own right, combining to make sounds which give the word heavenly a new meaning. Singing songs from their 2004 album 40 days, and their latest, not yet released album, their accomplished vocal styling could make any songs sound good, so with astutely chosen covers of songs like Neil Young’s “Old Man” and The Waterboys’ Mike Scott’s “Bring ’Em All In,” they really have a winning formula. Their own songs are also very good and instantly accessible, with newcomer Annabelle Chvostek holding her own with those of founding members Ruth Moody and Nicky Mehta, and with all three displaying disarming good humour, comic timing and musical accomplishment on guitar, mandolin, fiddle, bodhran, accordion and harmonica, they seem destined for wider success. A sold out venue is fitting testament to the regard that this languorous out of season seaside town has for the talent of the Canadian trio and the merchandise table does great business at the end of the gig. And what a way to end a gig. Politely waiting for the rapturous applause to die down, the three step beyond the microphones to the front of the stage for as near perfect a rendition of the Irish standard “The Parting Glass” as you are ever likely to hear. No gimmicks, just effortless three part harmony, a cappella, with palpable silence as they pause to draw breath between verses. They are away to Australia for a few months, but come back to the UK for some festival appearances, including Brampton Live, in July.

The Wailin' Jennys

Looking at the current incarnation of the Jennys, soprano Ruth Moody, mezzo Nicky Mehta, and alto Annabelle Chvostek, it would seem like few groups could be so perfectly aligned Looking at the current incarnation of the Jennys, soprano Ruth Moody, mezzo Nicky Mehta, and alto Annabelle Chvostek, it would seem like few groups could be so perfectly aligned, by fate or by design. It is no wonder that music critics are inclined to phrase their descriptions in honeyed phrases.

The Jennys, music reviewers say, make music that is "lush", "luscious" and "sweet". Their masterful three-part vocal harmonies are "haunting" and they "shimmer".

The Wailing Jennys are touring the UK from late January through to the end of February, visit www.thewailinjennys.com for further details.

Folk Fest: Winnipeg Inspiration

The Wailin' Jennys are the quintessential folk-group--their vocal talents blend in beautiful three-part harmonies The Wailin' Jennys are the quintessential folk-group--their vocal talents blend in beautiful three-part harmonies without overshadowing one another. Accompanied by acoustic guitar, violin, mandolin and banjo, the Wailin' Jennys comprises soprano Ruth Moody, mezzo Nicky Mehta and alto Annabelle Chvostek, perfectly showcasing classically trained voices in a blend of country-folk at home on any Calgary Folk Festival stage.

"Its like an equal opportunity songwriters' collective in a way," laughs Chvostek of the three-way song writing process responsible for their distinct sound. "We all contribute to our songs pretty much equally. I think that's what makes people enjoy it too. We all have different influences and different ways of writing, but it comes together really organically and the fact that we're all together provides a unity for the overall sound."

The Jennys' sound has evolved considerably since their 2004 debut, 40 Days, due to former Wailin' Jennys member Cara Luft leaving the band to pursue a solo career in October 2004. After much searching, the Winnipeg-based Jennys looked east and found Montreal singer-songwriter Chvostek, who joined the group in December 2004, to round out their trio.

"One thing that is influencing the sound is that Annabelle plays the fiddle and the mandolin," explains Moody. "Those instruments make it sound a little rootsier and at times a little more country."

Mehta says fans can expect more country and maybe even some pop influences on their next album. The band heads into the studio this fall and the album should be released sometime in the spring.

"We're sort of going along a more alt-country route to a degree," explains Mehta. "We're retaining things that we've done before because of the fact that two of us are still here. There's some old sound in there for sure. I think all of us feel that things are going in a more raw, rootsy direction."

The band's success and part of their rootsy direction is attributed to another kind of roots: namely the ones they've entrenched in Winnipeg. Even if it means cold weather and mosquitoes, the city is famous for fostering, supporting and influencing a wide range of quality musicians.

"The [Winnipeg] community is already really strong and established and people share music with each other," says Mehta. "I think that connection to the elements makes people sort of aware of what's around them and connected to it, which I think makes them more creative. When it's minus 40 you know, that's inspiring in a way."

Only the quintessential folk group could take inspiration from such ungodly weather.

40 Days Review

Canadian folkies the Wailin' Jennys aren't opposed to throwing down the occasional sea shanty or English drinking song... Canadian folkies the Wailin' Jennys aren't opposed to throwing down the occasional sea shanty or English drinking song. Multi-talented singer/songwriters Ruth Moody, Nicky Mehta, and Cara Luft -- the latter left the group soon after the album's release and was replaced by Annabelle Chvostek -- formed the group in 2002 after sharing the stage as soloists at an in-store in a local record shop, and their intoxicating blend of country, Celtic, and folk has cast a spell on not only the Great White North, but much of the U.S. as well. Like Gillian Welch or Alison Krauss, they can make new songs feel traditional ("Arlington") and old songs sound brand new ("The Parting Glass"). Their perfectly rendered harmonies swoop into choruses like a murder of crows, supplying involuntary goose bumps to even the most hardened skeptic. 40 Days is full of sparse arrangements and top-notch songwriting from all three members. Other highlights include a rousing version of the seafaring tale "Saucy Sailor" -- made famous by British folk-rock pioneers Steeleye Span -- Moody's beautiful title track, and Luft's rollicking (an obvious show opener) "Come All You Sailors." Fans of the Dixie Chicks, June Tabor, and even Heart will find much to love here. A most infectious first record, and highly recommended.

Talking with the new Jenny

Joining Canadian folk trio, The Wailin' Jennys, last year was so seamless it was like a "homecoming," says multi-instrumentalist Annabelle Chvostek... Joining Canadian folk trio, The Wailin' Jennys, last year was so seamless it was like a "homecoming," says multi-instrumentalist Annabelle Chvostek. The acoustic roots trio is heading for Harrison Hot Springs on May 29 to wow crowds with their striking vocal harmonies and soulful, sparkling songwriting. "The hubbub of the Junos telecast had us crazy busy," the new Jenny admits. "It