Etched with a sepia hue that reflects The Wailin’ Jennys’ rustic back porch view, Firecracker sounds like it might have had its origins in Appalachia. Etched with a sepia hue that reflects The Wailin’ Jennys’ rustic back porch view, Firecracker sounds like it might have had its origins in Appalachia. In truth, only one of these tracks (“Long Time Traveler”) is a trad tune, but the set as a whole conjures up romantic notions of mountain meadows, the scent of patchouli and a kettle on the fire. The second album by this trio of ladies from Winnipeg, Canada soars on the strength of their glorious three-part harmonies and arrangements that manage to be both delicate yet effusive at the same time. Like the Be Good Tanyas, another distinctive singer/songwriter collective with similar sensibilities, the Jennys have a way of making original songs - in this case “Begin,” “Starlight,” “Avila,” “Some Good Thing” - resemble what appears to be an age-old pedigree, as if they were reframing traditional music and claiming it as their own. Hardly the explosive wake-up call its title implies, Firecracker is, instead, a blissful respite from an all-too tumultuous world.
Firecracker - The Wailin'Jennys
Aptly named indeed, this new release from Canada's Jennys (and only their second!) positively sparks, bristles and fizzes with an explosive vitality that takes their home-grown down-home rusticity onto a higher plane Aptly named indeed, this new release from Canada's Jennys (and only their second!) positively sparks, bristles and fizzes with an explosive vitality that takes their home-grown down-home rusticity onto a higher plane while letting the glow it creates linger long in the memory. It's less contemporary in overall sensibility than their debut 40 Days, with an altogether more pronounced roots-Americana feel yet retaining the girls' penchant for lush and well-coordinated vocal harmonies within tightly controlled musical grooves.
The lineup change since 40 Days has if anything crystallised the trio's approach even more, with a striking new degree of cohesion that their debut at times only hinted at, which is still perhaps more than mildly surprising given the three girls' distinct musical personalities. New member Annabelle Chvostek (Cara Luft's replacement) has already more than proved herself over on two successive UK tours, and here she shows herself to be an integral part of the Jennys' unique mix, contributing a depth of register that really complements the soprano voices of the other two Jennys. She's contributed four of the album's 13 compositions (including the title track), as have both Ruth (Moody) and Nicky (Mehta), the remaining cut being a drop-dead-gorgeous a cappella rendition of the traditional “Long Time Traveller.” Annabelle and Nicky have both contributed songs that inhabit the more pure bluegrassy idiom: of Annabelle's, “Swallow” is a delicate country-waltz, while “The Devil's Paintbrush Road” ushers in a rush of fresh air like a breakneck Appalachian breakdown. Of the other songs, Nicky's “Starlight” and Ruth's “This Heart Of Mine” definitely have the feel of lost Alison Krauss (or Emmylou) classics. As is often the case, the sweet, heart-stoppingly beautiful sound of the girls' combined voices belies any dark content in the lyrics yet sometimes only serves to make the pain of that expressed beauty more intense (check out the desperation Ruth evokes in “Prairie Town” for starters). There's no harm in optimism however, as Nicky's romantic-pop opus “Begin” and Annabelle's “Apocalypse Lullaby” thoughtfully remind us. And there's a gently anthemic nature to “Avila” and the seriously gospelly “Glory Bound” (the latter a real killer that stopped me getting as far as track three for ages!).
As I've already more than hinted, all three Jennys are in superb voice here, and the Jennys' own (possibly undersold) instrumental talents are capably augmented by four guitarists including Kevin Breit and Mike Hardwick, four bass players including Joe Phillips, as well as drummer Christian Dugas, while Richard Moody (violin, viola) and album producer David Travers-Smith (trumpet, organ etc) widen the palette still further. There are some fine solos too (notably from Kevin on “Prairie Town” and “Avila”), but none of the musicians get to hog the spotlight to the exclusion of either the Jennys or their songs. And the recording is exceptional, admirably lucid and with buckets of presence. Without wishing to be disparaging, it's almost that the Jennys are what the Dixie Chicks had sort-of-promised to be; their degree of natural talent is just mind-blowing, and I get to wonder just how long they'll be able to continue producing brilliant albums like this. But for the time being, this is one of those totally exquisite CDs that I'll be returning to again and again, I just know it!
Firecracker - The Wailin' Jennys
Firecracker is the first official recording with the Winnipeg-based Jennys' new lineup Firecracker is the first official recording with the Winnipeg-based Jennys' new lineup. Cara Luft has left the band to pursue her own interests and Montreal's Annabelle Chvostek has joined the trio as the alto and multi-instrumentalist. I wasn't certain what to expect with this new record, as I had fallen in love with the previous album, 40 Days. Rest assured that the new Jennys lineup is in excellent shape. Not only have they played the Winnipeg Folk Festival's main stage,Firecracker is full of beautiful harmonies and sweet, sweet vocals. Favourite tracks of Firecracker include "Starlight," "Prairie Town" and "Long Time Traveller." I highly suggest checking out the Jennys live if you are given the chance; Firecracker is well worth the listen.
Firecracker - The Wailin' Jennys
It took me a long time to warm to this album. It wasn't that there was anything wrong; on the contrary, these three Canadian women are all wonderful singers It took me a long time to warm to this album. It wasn't that there was anything wrong; on the contrary, these three Canadian women are all wonderful singers - each is an accomplished if hardly original writer, and they all play a variety of instruments. But sometimes albums just elude you before suddenly falling into place. I think it was Nicky Mehta's heart-shaped “Begin” that began to melt my affections, closely followed by Annabelle Chvostek's “Swallow” and Ruth Moody's “Glory Bound.” All 13 tracks have plus or minus traces of folk and country influences, but it is the sound of the three women harmonising throughout that is Firecracker's outstanding and abiding quality. 4 stars.
Firecracker - The Wailin' Jennys
We were very blown away in our review of the last Wailin' Jennys CD, 40 Days. But Firecracker is a faster, bigger horse of a different color. Since last we left our heroines, that horse has run and won a lot of races. We were very blown away in our review of the last Wailin' Jennys CD, 40 Days. But Firecracker is a faster, bigger horse of a different color. Since last we left our heroines, that horse has run and won a lot of races.
And the cast is new. The very talented Cara Luft left the group (her new record will soon be covered in these pages) and was replaced by Annabelle Chvostek, who brought great songs with her and plays acoustic guitar, mandolin, and violin, and sings, well...sings as good as you'd have to sing to be in this group.
The vocal blend is the first aspect I noticed that had hit a new level. They're now a seasoned outfit, top of the game. It's a folk record, sure, but it's uptown. Producer David Travers-Smith does a brilliant job in every aspect, as well as playing trumpet, E Flat Peck Horn, Hammond M3, and percussion. Many of the fabulous players from the last record again appear, notably Kevin Breit and Mike Hardwicke on guitars and dobros, the former additionally on National and mandolin. Christian Dugas is stellar on skins throughout, this time mostly with Joe Phillips on acoustic bass, though three other bassists cameo.
While I've not yet had the pleasure, from many quarters I've heard how great this group is live. Recently a friend who was helping run sound at the Kate Wolf Festival in Northern CA called and said the Wailin' Jennys were the best act on the bill, had I heard of them. Yes, indeed.
This new member, Annabelle Chvostek, has got the over-the-top eclecticity that's the x factor in the chemistry of the trio, and the choice is inspired. (Check out her solo discs, iTunes makes it so easy.) From afar, Ruth Moody seems to the cover the angelic side of the tracks, and the Celtic influence. (She was formerly the lead singer of Scr__j McDuhk, which morphed into The Duhks.) Nicky Mehta epitomizes the classy, deep, darker songwriter angle. (Her solo CD Weather Vane won a 2002 Canadian Music Award.) Annabelle brings the jazz, the wild child from Slovenia vibe. They're each artistes of a different stripe, which makes the combination all the more potent. (And then they're all super hot, so they got that going for 'em.)
The two openers begin with Ruth Moody's bell-like banjo tones, first on what must be the single, Annabelle's "The Devil's Paintbrush Road," which originally appeared on her Burn My Ass EP [sic] from 2005 on the Massive Quantities of Good Vibes label. The opener pulls you in, on the second one Ruth chills you out, and the third one Nicky gives it to you right between the eyes. I noticed that on the last one; it's like a sonic cocktail, and they got the medication right.
With Red House Records as their U.S. home, this should be the year that The Wailin' Jennys crack it even harder in the States. They're touring the world, with labels and agencies in the UK (where they are at this writing) and Australia. If you're not on to The Wailin' Jennys yet, then get on board. There's no stopping this outfit.
And tune in next month, when we interview them.
Firecracker - The Wailin' Jennys
The Wailin’ Jennys are singer-songwriters Ruth Moody, Nicky Mehta and Annabelle Chvostek and this is their second album on Red House Records. The Wailin’ Jennys are singer-songwriters Ruth Moody, Nicky Mehta and Annabelle Chvostek and this is their second album on Red House Records. Their harmonies sound as close as sisters and their sound is more blend than contrast. The three woman contribute equally to the songwriting and each are able to write to the vocal strengths of the trio. They positively sparkle on the more melodic and traditional sounding tunes. My favorite songs are the ones in which Moody plays banjo, the jangley plunk is a funky contrast to the silky vocals. The first track, “The Devil’s Paintbrush Road,” is by far my favoriteǃ
The Wailin' Jennys Light a Musical Fuse
Firecracker indeed. This Canadian duo’s [sic] second album couldn’t have come out at a better time... Firecracker indeed. This Canadian duo’s [sic] second album couldn’t have come out at a better time for me. After months of hearing artists trying to be rootsy without understanding what it takes (and even worse, artists with the pedigree who have lost their way), here is a group that finds the right mix of understanding and reverence, but who knowǃ
The Wailin' Jennys - Firecracker
These three Canadian songbirds knit together their distinctive personalities, songs and voices to create a coherent harmonious whole. These three Canadian songbirds knit together their distinctive personalities, songs and voices to create a coherent harmonious whole. The songs are mostly gentle; a kind of chamber bluegrass full of spiritual imagery, the playing that surrounds them like the frame around a painting; utilitarian and beautiful in its own right. Nicky Mehta seems to have a greater degree of pop sensibility: ǃ