Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House

Beautiful, in fact just about perfect. The review editor thought I’d picked up a Waylon Jennings CD. But the Jennys are a long way from twang. Classically trained Nicky Mehta, Ruth Moody and Heather Masse’s collaborations in Americana-cum-folk singing are marked by some of the most pitch-perfect, gorgeous harmonies you’re likely to hear. Uncluttered acoustic instrumentation, mainly guitars and bass, with some banjo, accordion, harmonica, mandolin and Jeremy Penner’s sometimes out-there violion, backs a mix of original and traditional, sometimes a cappella songs, sung simply and beautifully. Highlights include Leadbelly’s “Bring Me Lil Water, Silvy” turned soulful by Masse’s alto, “Motherless Child,” and Gillian Welch’s “One More Dollar.” Key trackJane Siberry’s “Calling All Angels.” Beautiful, in fact just about perfect.

4 out of 5 stars

Nicky and Grant Welcome Beck and Finn

We have some exciting news to report - on July 17th, early in the morning, Nicky and her partner Grant welcomed their twin boys Beck and Finn into the world. Everyone is happy, healthy and enjoying these first busy weeks. The entire family will be out on the road in the New Year and we look forward to seeing you all at the upcoming shows.

Welcoming Finn and Beck

We have some exciting news to report - on July 17th, early in the morning, Nicky and her partner Grant welcomed their twin boys Beck and Finn into the world. Everyone is happy, healthy and enjoying these first busy weeks. The entire family will be out on the road in the New Year and we look forward to seeing you all at the upcoming shows. Stay tuned for more exciting news from the rest of The Jennys - as you can see, it's been a fruitful hiatus and we have much to tell you! 

Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House

The Opera House is located in the oddly named borough of Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania and this fourteen song/eighteen track collection was recorded during the Jennys’ performance at the venue on Saturday 30th August 2008. A live album that features more “new” songs than retreads of past studio works.

The Opera House is located in the oddly named borough of Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania and this fourteen song/eighteen track collection was recorded during the Jennys’ performance at the venue on Saturday 30th August 2008. Founding member Cara Luft departed after one EP and album, and was replaced by Annabelle Chvostek who appeared on FIRECRACKER, the trio’s 2006 Juno nominated sophomore effort. This live collection marks the debut of Chvostek’s replacement, Maine bred, Brooklyn based Heather Masse (vocals, upright bass). The girls are augmented throughout by Jeremy Penner (Scruj MacDuhk, The Bills) on violin and mandolin.

Rather than settle for concert stage interpretations of studio recorded material, eight songs are new to this Canadian trio’s recorded canon. An alternate arithmetic solution relates that there are eight cover songs and half a dozen band (member) composed originals. The girls launch the disc with Deeper Well which appeared on their self-titled 2003 debut EP, and from the same collection Ledbetter’s Bring Me L’il Water Silvy is also reprised. Heather takes the lead vocal on half a dozen selections including Gershwin’s Summertime, and there are band arrangements of the traditional Bold Riley and Motherless Child. Racing With The Sun was penned by children’s music composer Ella Jenkins, and the penultimate cut is a six-minute plus rendition of Canadian Jane Siberry’s classic Calling All Angels.

Ruth Moody (acoustic guitar, banjo, accordion, bodhran) takes the lead vocal on four cuts including two of her own (already familiar) compositions One Voice and Glory Bound. Nicky Mehta (acoustic guitar, ukulele, drums, harmonica) also leads on a quartet (of tracks), her own contributions being Arlington from 40 DAYS (2004) and Begin from FIRECRACKER. As for talented newcomer Heather Masse, her compositions are titled Driving and Paint A Picture.

The girls are in great voice ǃ

Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House

The three-part harmonies of Winnipeg’s Wailin’ Jennys should be considered some kind of national treasure. This has the feel of one of those charming NPR radio shows broadcast live from the fictional shores of Lake Wobegon. You expect Garrison Keillor to come out between the tracks to introduce the next song. Or maybe the CBC’s Stuart McLean introducing the musical guest just before reciting another chapter of his Vinyl Cafe. It was recorded a year ago in a quaint little theatre in a picturesque Pennsylvania town with the unlikely name of Jim Thorpe. It’s mom’s apple pie with a healthy dose of maple syrup and a pair of Birkenstock sandals thrown in for good measure. For all those reasons you’re either going to love this album or hate it. Choose to love it. The three-part harmonies of Winnipeg’s Wailin’ Jennys should be considered some kind of national treasure. They’re captured magnificently here in a live setting. It’s a sound that’ll make you hungry for pie. Comfort food. 4 stars

Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House

The Wailin’ Jennys are based out of Canada The Wailin’ Jennys are based out of Canada (except Heather Masse, the new vocalist from America, and whose Alto voice has complimented the band and allowed it to grow to where it is today). Their second release Firecracker in August 2006 had heads turning and their shows wooed audiences in Northern America and Canada.

This live album is purely acoustic, no electric guitars or keyboards and the album features eighteen songs for the fans to sink their mouths into. This is also the first album that features Heather on vocals. Heather met the other Jennys in Philadelphia and, as it happened, the girls got along so well they all agreed an album with a third Jenny vocals would be a new possibility; yes it had to be done.

This live album starts off with Deeper Well which takes on an acoustic vocal start followed by acoustic guitar bringing up the beat until the violin greets us . Welcome to the start of The Wailin’ Jennys live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House (in Pennsylvania, one of America’s oldest Vaudeville Theatres). Next up is Summertime with faultless harmonies by all girls Heather Masse (Alto), Nicky Mehta (Mezzo) and Ruth Moody (Soprano), and this is a lovely acoustic number that shows off the vocals with not much wailing present!

In the song Driving we find out by Heather that this song came about when she went to visit an old boyfriend which was a long drive away and to keep her occupied this song came to her head and she sung it along the way to fill in the time on her journey - lush vocals and banjo take the song to a spirited level. Bold Riley has the lovely accordion sound and Glory Bound is sung by Ruth Moody and has a gospel flavour saturated in violin (Jeremy Penner).

Arlington has a gorgeous start with guitar that mixes well with Nicky’s vocals. One More Dollar (Gillian Welch/David Rawling) is a folksy harmonious tune and has that rock beat given by the snare drum whilst Calling All Angels is a slow tempo song with Nicky on vocals mixed with plenty of violin- a nicely elevated tune. Racing With The Sun is a sexy song with beautiful vocals from Heather Masse and harmonised by Nicky and Ruth and incorporating instruments like the upright bass and ukulele.

Their music is reminiscent of The Waifs and a bit of The Corrs, so if some neo-traditional folk music is up your alley spiced with honey and violin then check them out.

Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House

First class music The Jennys display their flair for popularizing traditional folk songs. Songs such as "Motherless Child" and "Bring Me L'il Water Silvy" sound fresh and exciting in their hands. Joined by new member Heather Masse and sideman Jeremy Penner on violin and fiddle, The Wailin' Jennys deliver more than an hour of first class music.

Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House Europe Release

Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House available in stores and online in the USA and Europe today! Order the new album in the U.S. from Red House Records! Also available on itunes!