Falling in love with the Wailin' Jennys

Imagine if the crazy scientists from Jurassic Park put Gillian Welch, EmmyLou Harris, and the Dixie Chicks in a blender, and then formed a musical trio from the resulting puddle of DNA. Imagine if the crazy scientists from Jurassic Park put Gillian Welch, EmmyLou Harris, and the Dixie Chicks in a blender, and then formed a musical trio from the resulting puddle of DNA. That’s where we’re going to start talking about the stunning songwriting, sweet harmonies, and sultry sound of Canada’s The Wailin’ Jennys.

The band’s second and most recent effort, Firecracker, was released in 2006 but didn’t make its way into my hands until earlier this year. My first thought was, “what a great band name,” immediately followed upon first listen by just, “what a great record.” This is roots music with an easy-listening appeal. This is harmony so tactile you’ll be quivering in your boots. This is the best CD by a new artist I’ve heard in ages.

There isn’t a bad song on this disc. Standout tracks include the rollicking opening track, “The Devil’s Paintbrush Road,” and the perfect close-the-record-with-the-title-track, “Firecracker.” I’m also partial to track #9, “Long Time Traveler” ǃ

Firecracker - The Wailin' Jennys

The Wailin' Jennys are Canada's latest export to the rest of the music world. The group first performed in a Winnipeg guitar shop in 2002. This year's release of their newest CD, Firecracker, is introducing them to a wider audience south of the 49th parallel. The Wailin' Jennys are Canada's latest export to the rest of the music world. The group first performed in a Winnipeg guitar shop in 2002. This year's release of their newest CD, Firecracker, is introducing them to a wider audience south of the 49th parallel.

The Wailin' Jennys combine traditional bluegrass instruments with contemporary lyrics and memorable three-part harmonies. The result is immensely pleasing. Vocal harmonies are a tradition in country music dating back to the Carter Family. However, I'm convinced that nobody does harmonies like the Wailin' Jennys.

Each of the three women in the band--Annabelle Chvostek, Nicky Mehta and Ruth Moody--take turns writing the songs on this CD. They also take turns singing lead. Every song unveils some new evidence of their harmonic vocal gymnastics. Their sweet vocals are expertly blended with some strong instrumental backing. The result is a hot CD with 13 songs that will make you sit up and pay attention.

The only song they didn't write on Firecracker is an a cappella arrangement of the traditional favorite, "Long Time Traveler." However, I prefer the more contemporary tunes such as "Avila," which plays their harmonies off against a couple electric guitars. "Glory Bound," "Sparrow," and "Prairie Town" are all favorites.

On the CD's title track, they sing, "You can get used to anything." Garrison Keillor has gotten used to having the Wailin' Jennys as guests on his Prairie Home Companion radio show. Maybe you've heard them there. If so, Firecracker is something you can get used to.

Folk trio from Canada quirky and delightful

The Wailin’ Jennys have a great name and a great sound, as demonstrated in concert last night at the Fawcett Center. The Wailin’ Jennys have a great name and a great sound, as demonstrated in concert last night at the Fawcett Center.

The Canadian folk trio ǃ

Concert preview

Winnipeg's Wailin' Jennys are still relative folk-scene newcomers, but with a critically acclaimed debut disc and a Juno already under their belts, they're more accomplished than some veterans. Winnipeg's Wailin' Jennys are still relative folk-scene newcomers, but with a critically acclaimed debut disc and a Juno already under their belts, they're more accomplished than some veterans. The Wailin' Jennys would have had a great second record if they'd just repeated themselves, but instead they've honed their skills, grown up a bit and delivered an intelligent, dynamic and occasionally dark sophomore album. Banjo-driven opener The Devil's Paintbrush Road is extremely catchy, while Things That You Know stands up to the Dixie Chicks' most popular material. Theirs are some of the best three-part harmonies in any genre, so the Wailin' Jennys aren't just guaranteed more success in Canada; they're bound to attract left-leaning, country-lovin' U.S. liberals as well.

The Wailin' Jennys play the Mod Club tonight (Thursday, September 28).

Concert preview

The well-educated, classically trained members of the Canadian trio, The Wailin' Jennys, have meshed their diverse talents to create a sound that has found its way into the pantheon of Americana music.

"My mom would sing all kinds of folk songs when we were growing up," says band member Ruth Moody. "I think for whatever reason, it just fit me. I love acoustic instruments.

"People love roots music because it brings reason to a world spinning out of control," Moody says. "If people love three-part harmony, people are gonna like our music."

The Wailin' Jennys began as a one-time gig with founding members Nicky Mehta, Moody and Cara Luft. The chemistry between them was so pure that they began touring together. In 2004, Red House released their debut album "40 Days" in the United States to critical acclaim. The album garnered them a 2005 Juno Award (the Canadian Grammy) for Roots and Traditional Album of the year. They have packed houses in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, thanks in part to numerous appearances on the public radio show "A Prairie Home Companion."

The Wailin' Jennys ǃ

Concert review

It's always nice when Winnipeg is included on a band's world tour schedule. But it's even better when the group playing town is one of our own returning home after touring the world. Home's worth Wailin' about for sweet-sounding Jennys

It's always nice when Winnipeg is included on a band's world tour schedule.

But it's even better when the group playing town is one of our own returning home after touring the world.

Last night, The Wailin' Jennys made a triumphant stop in their hometown to hold a CD release party for their sophomore offering, Firecracker, dazzling a crowd of 850 at the Pantages Playhouse Theatre with their unique brand of contemporary folk.

Since the female trio have taken their show on the road -- spreading their sweet sounds from Australia to Europe -- soprano Ruth Moody, mezzo Nicky Mehta, and alto Annabelle Chvostek have become a dangerously precise musical force; the group is best known as a vocal trio, but each member is a master at a variety of instruments, providing every song its own distinct spark.

ImageWhat all songs have in common, though, are gorgeous three-part harmonies. Moody, Mehta and Chvostek were each given a chance to show off her dynamic voice during solo spots, but when they sang in unison they had the ability to send shivers up your spine.

They started things with Firecracker's opening track, Devil's Paintbrush Road, a poppy number with Moody on the bodhran (an Irish frame drum), Mehta on harmonica and Chvostek plucking a violin. Local journeyman Gilles Fournier was along for the ride, handling double bass.

They did their first of many instrumental changes (Moody on accordion and Mehta and Chvostek on acoustic guitars) for Avila, a melancholy tale about the dream of peace.

Their showed off their incredible vocal prowess during an a cappella version of Bring Me a Little Water Silvy before shifting back into up-tempo territory with Beautiful Dawn off their debut album 40 Days.

"This is a song about being in the moment and trusting that's where you need to be," Mehta said before the haunting ballad Begin, featuring Moody's ex-Scruj MacDuhk bandmate Jeremy Penner on violin.

Firecracker tracks Starlight, a mid-tempo shuffle written about Saskatoon police officers leaving aboriginal men outside of town to walk home in the winter, and Long Time Traveller followed before press time came during the uplifting gospel number Glory Bound.

4 out of 5

Concert review

Everyone knows Winnipeg has an embarrassment of riches, at least where homemade folk and roots music is concerned. But leave it to the ladies to raise the bar even higher. Everyone knows Winnipeg has an embarrassment of riches, at least where homemade folk and roots music is concerned.

But leave it to the ladies to raise the bar even higher.

Winnipeg’s Wailin’ Jennys ǃ

Rant 'n' Roll column

The Wailin' Jennys new album, Firecracker, was officially released on June 6 but - although the folk/pop trio played a mainstage show at the Winnipeg Folk Festival in early July the record has yet to be officially "launched" in Winnipeg. The Wailin' Jennys new album, Firecracker, was officially released on June 6 but - although the folk/pop trio played a mainstage show at the Winnipeg Folk Festival in early July the record has yet to be officially "launched" in Winnipeg.

That all changes this week, when Annabelle Chvostek, Nicky Mehta and Ruth Moody hit town for a round of shmoozing with local music-biz types, followed by a gig at Pantages Playhouse Theatre on Sept. 22.

In the three-and-a-half months since Firecracker