Sure they have a witty name. But don't be fooled into thinking that 40 Days is some kinda countrified hoe-down because Ruth Moody, Nicky Mehta and Cara Luft are on a mission to restore tasteful three part harmony and good old fashioned melody back to its proper place in the forefront of intelligent pop music The Wailin Jennys 40 Days
Sure they have a witty name. But don't be fooled into thinking that 40 Days is some kinda countrified hoe-down because Ruth Moody, Nicky Mehta and Cara Luft are on a mission to restore tasteful three part harmony and good old fashioned melody back to its proper place in the forefront of intelligent pop music.
You remember melodious harmony, don't you? Once upon a time it used to be a major mainstay of pop music, as made manifest by such primo practitioners of the art as the Everly Brothers; the Kingston Trio; Peter, Paul and Mary; the Pointer Sisters; and Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young.
And speaking of Young, it's no surprise that the Jennys cover Neil's "Old Man" on track seven because long before that you're already being reminded of albums like Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere and After The Gold Rush.
Tonally, there's more than hint of Joni Mitchell when she was in her vocal prime, but there's also the kind of understated powerful authority that subtly evokes echoes of Grace Slick at her most confident.
All three women are ace songwriters in their own right, with my own particular favorites being Cara's aching "Untitled" and their shimmering a capella cover of the standard "The Parting Glass."
So if you like tasteful acoustic guitars and violins accompanying three women who actually know how to sing?as opposed to the egotistical ululating that passes as singing these days?then this album is for you.
File under: Intelligent, Harmony, Melody, It's About Time.