The Wailin' Jennys drop a trio of winning discs

Fans of premier folksters the Wailin' Jennys, even those unable to catch the 2010 tour, have been having themselves a real field day. Fans of premier folksters the Wailin' Jennys, even those unable to catch the 2010 tour, have been having themselves a real field day. Over the past year, the group has put out three excellent albums on St. Paul's Red House Records. There's been Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House by the trio and, also from Red House, a pair of solo turns, Heather Masse's Bird Song and Ruth Moody's The Garden.

It's a delight, actually striking, to encounter on Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House performances that, incredibly enough, are richer still than the studio albums for which the Wailin' Jennys are internationally lauded. There are 14 songs, eight of them new, all featuring golden-throated fare.

There are powerful lead vocals by each of the members (Nicky Mehta, mezzo; Heather Masse, alto; Ruth Moody, soprano) and marvelous harmonies. The energy, whether uptempo like the bright Emmylou Harris cover "Deeper Well" or their beautifully somber take on the traditional "Bold Riley" makes for in-concert artistry at its essential bestǃ

Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House

One of the most dynamic contemporary folk groups of the 21st Century, The Wailin' Jennys return live in a concert captured late summer 2008. One of the most dynamic contemporary folk groups of the 21st Century, The Wailin' Jennys return live in a concert captured late summer 2008. We are treated not only to top-notch performances on a wonderfully diverse selection of material, but we hear first hand the enthusiasm and support from the audience, their fans.

Impeccable trio harmonies cap lead vocal work be each "Jenny" in turn. Fiddler/violinist Jeremy Penner is a match made in heaven for the female threesome; his playing provides colorful complement, a fourth "voice" via his instrument. There are many highlight moments on the CD; as a complete work it is exemplary.

Originals are deftly woven among superb choices of works by others from various corners of music. "Racing With the Sun," by legendary folk performer Ella Jenkins, is hot, silkily delivered by Heather Masse's lead voice. She also fronts vocals on such classics as the traditional "Motherless Child," on Huddie Ledbetter's "Bring Me Li'l Water Silvy" - where the Jennys nail with flawless timing three-part harmonies sung a cappella - and on "Summertime," from the Gershwin-Heyward folk opera Porgy and Bess.

Ruth Moody provides lead vocals on four tracks, two of which are her compositions, "One Voice" and "Glory Bound," the latter of which she describes as a nondenominational Gospel song. Moody's versatile voice goes from restrained, emotion-filled "sweet" on the traditional "Bold Riley" to a more country-esque sound on the Welch-Rawling song "One More Dollar."

Nicky Mehta offers two originals with "Arlington" and "Begin," both lovely lyrically. But it is her dynamic voice that kicks off the album with "Deeper Well" (Olney-Lanois-Harris), and sets the tone for an exceptional evening of live music. She is called upon again for the sensitive "Calling All Angels" from the pen of Jane Siberry.

Live defines great music matched with an equally superb recording. Bravo!

Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House

Winnipeg, Manitoba’s The Wailin’ Jennys became the toast of the Americana-folk scene with the gracious three-part harmonies of their debut full-length 40 Days (2004) . Winnipeg, Manitoba’s The Wailin’ Jennys became the toast of the Americana-folk scene with the gracious three-part harmonies of their debut full-length 40 Days (2004). Founding Jennys members Ruth Moody (soprano) and Nicky Mehta (mezzo) have since recruited alto Heather Masse to the band. The first disc by this trio, Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House doesn’t merely present stage versions of songs from the band’s previous three releases, although it does include fan favorites like “Arlington” and “One Voice.” Instead there are eight new songs, most featuring Masse singing lead, as on an interesting arrangement of “Motherless Child,” that goes from mournful to rockin’, and on a couple of her own compositions. Masse is also out front for a cappella versions of Gershwin’s “Summertime” and Lead Belly’s “Bring Me Li’l Water Silvy”(a haunting rendition), both of which showcase how gloriously these three voices blend together. The band’s playing, augmented by Jeremy Penner on violin, is fresh and uncluttered, even with the additions of Masse’s upright bass and Mehta’s drums bringing a new bottom to the mix of acoustic guitar, banjo and accordion.

Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House

Vocal trio the Wailin’ Jennys have developed into one of the most exciting and polished acts in folk music. Its third release was recorded live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania. Vocal trio the Wailin’ Jennys have developed into one of the most exciting and polished acts in folk music. Its third release was recorded live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania. This is the first CD featuring the latest addition to the band, Heather Masse, the first non-Canadian Jenny, who does a splendid job of filling the slot vacated by the departure of Annabelle Chvostek; her voice entwines with those of veteran Jennys Ruth Moody and Nicky Mehta to create the most exquisite harmony blend the group has produced to date.

For this recording, the group is also augmented by the violin and mandolin work of Jeremy Penner, which allows Moody and Mehta to diversify their instrumental contributions, with Mehta moving to drums to provide some additional kick for a few tunes. The disc emphasizes Jennys staples, such as Moody’s “One Voice” and Mehta’s “Arlington,” along with numerous covers, including their lush adaptation of Jane Siberry’s “Calling All Angels” and a jazzy interpretation of Ella Jenkins’ “Racing with the Sun.” Masse contributes two originals, the introspective “Driving” and the playful doo-wop number “Paint a Picture.” Beautifully recorded in an intimate theater with an appreciative audience, this live disc succeeds admirably at capturing the essence of the Wailin’ Jennys in concert.

Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House

The Wailin’ Jennys are a Juno Award-winning Canadian folk trio, comprising soprano Ruth Moody, alto Heather Masse and mezzo Nicky Mehta. The Wailin’ Jennys are a Juno Award-winning Canadian folk trio, comprising soprano Ruth Moody, alto Heather Masse and mezzo Nicky Mehta. They have released an EP and a few long players, and tour regularly around Europe and North America ǃ

Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House

Founding members of the Wailin’ Jennys, Nicky Mehta and Ruth Moody along with relative newcomer Heather Masse and fiddler Jeremy Penner recorded this album live at a show at the Mauch Chunk Opera House in Jim Thorpe, PA. Founding members of the Wailin’ Jennys, Nicky Mehta and Ruth Moody along with relative newcomer Heather Masse and fiddler Jeremy Penner recorded this album live at a show at the Mauch Chunk Opera House in Jim Thorpe, PA. While there are many fine single-show live albums, this one is a truly an astonishing accomplishment because of the Wailin' Jennys' style of music. Their hallmark is flawless two and three part harmonies with simple acoustic arrangements that leave nothing to hide behind. Penner’s fiddling is so good that it serves as the fourth voice of the group. Pretty close on the singing and playing (upright bass, guitar, harmonica, banjo, accordion, mandolin, violin etc.) would have sounded quite nice, but every last note is perfect, the acoustics are magical and the recording is impeccable. Their choice of material also reveals much of what The Wailin’ Jennys are all about. They start with “Deeper Well,” a David Olney song that has already been covered memorably by Emmylou Harris. This is followed by “Summertime.” Later in the album they cover songs by Gillean Welch and Huddie Ledbetter and arrangements of traditional songs “Bold Riley” and “Motherless Child.” They even take a turn at Jane Siberry’s idiosyncratic “Calling All Angels.” All of these songs have distinct melodies and definitive versions, yet this group adds significantly to the way you will hereafter remember them. They do not take the songs far from the way you have heard them before, but they explore them harmonically and emotionally and play them to their considerable strengths. Although you will first notice the beautiful blend of the voices, the sound is deepened to at least four and five part harmonies by the instruments they play. Their arrangement of “Bold Riley” mixes the voices together with accordion and fiddle to make a truly elegant multi-timbre choir. Their own songs are as strong and memorable as the songs they cover. The only way this could be better is if I was at the show! An essential, classic recording. http://www.mmreview.com/

Live at The Mauch Chunk Opera House

NICKY MEHTA, RUTH MOODY, and relative newcomer HEATHER MASSE are THE WAILIN' JENNYS, joined here by virtuoso instrumentalist JEREMY PENNER on fiddle. NICKY MEHTA, RUTH MOODY, and relative newcomer HEATHER MASSE are THE WAILIN' JENNYS, joined here by virtuoso instrumentalist JEREMY PENNER on fiddle. This is an excellent representation of this world-acclaimed folk and roots music outfit and many of the tracks are concert favourites that have not appeared on any of their previous releases. Recorded at one of America's oldest vaudeville theatres, this would have been a fabulous concert to attend. Kicking off with a whirling version of Deeper Well, written by DAVID OLNEY, DANIEL LANOIS and EMMYLOU HARRIS, the CD continues with a sublime a capella version of Summertime. These are vocal harmonies to die for and the live rendition of LEADBELLY's Bring Me a Li'l Water Silvy is another highlight. The ladies are no instrumental slouches either, playing a wide range of acoustic instruments. Amongst their original material are fine versions of GILLIAN WELCH and DAVID RAWLINGS One More Dollar and JANE SIBERRY's Calling All Angels. A must-have for existing fans and a fabulous introduction for latecomers. Shock Records CTX509CD

Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House

Nicky Mehta, Ruth Moody and Heather Masse released a live album this past summer to keep their name in the public eye during Mehta's pregnancy (she gave birth to twins in July) and to give fans a chance to hear new girl Masse on record for the first time. Nicky Mehta, Ruth Moody and Heather Masse released a live album this past summer to keep their name in the public eye during Mehta's pregnancy (she gave birth to twins in July) and to give fans a chance to hear new girl Masse on record for the first time. These 18 songs represent the group well - no overdubs or fancy production, just three voices, acoustic instruments and the stellar playing of touring violinist Jeremy Penner. As on their studio recordings, the Jennys' delicate harmonies and the fine melodies are what carry this recording - and Masse, whose song Driving fits seamlessly into the set, proves to be a perfect fit.

Grade: A