www.newsreview.com - Chico, CABy Jaime O'NeillSome might say that the three singers who now comprise The Wailin’ Jennys aren’t the same group of women who started out in Winnipeg, Canada, nearly a decade ago, but they’ve actually only switched out one player (twice), and these Jennys are still wailin’ in the same vein. This album is, to my mind, their best yet. The trio currently consists of Heather Masse with founding members Ruth Moody and Nicky Mehta, and they do themselves proud here. This is a gorgeous set of songs. The title track will make the hair stand up on your arms, tapping into the deep well of magic music sometimes plumbs. The vocal harmonies are soaring, and they’re flawless. Some albums seem promising at first listening but quickly turn dull. Bright Morning Stars, however, rewards repeat visits. This is one of those rare albums that keeps getting better the more you listen to it. In addition to the title track, “Storm Comin’” is one of the best of a very good lot here. For those who aren’t likely to hear real angel voices up yonder, the Wailin’ Jennys may be as close as you’re ever going to get.
Readers' Pick: The Wailin' Jennys, "Bright Morning Stars"
TwangvilleBy Tom OsborneTwangville readers recently picked The Wailin’ Jennys Bright Morning Stars as their favorite album of February 2011. Jazz vocalist Heather Masse joins Ruth Moody and Nicky Mehta as the third Jenny in their first studio album in 5 years. Each contributed 4 songs each for a total of 12 original songs plus the album’s namesake “Bright Morning Stars” a traditional folk song. Masse, Moody, and Meht offer a unique authenticity to the record since all three sing, write, and play instruments. In keeping with their down home style the album was recorded in a cottage near Haliburton, Ontario.I have to admit I didn’t find the record all too remarkable at first. But sure enough, it get’s sweeter with each listen. Co-producers Mark Howard and David Travers-Smith deserve much credit for the production quality of the record. “Bird Song” typifies the album with it’s beautiful, spring-like quality. “Bright Morning Stars” will take you to the river to pray with it’s transcendent harmony. “Storm Comin’” intensifies the record with it’s thunderous bluesy angle. All told, “Bright Morning Stars” is a refreshing take on traditional folk that is sure to please.★★★★
The Wailin' Jennys - Bright Morning Stars
The Lonesome Highway - www.lonesomehighway.com - UKAn all singing, all sitting trio who have already released some acclaimed albums. Bright Morning Stars sees the trio of Ruth Moody, Nicky Mehta and Heather Masse deliver a set of retrained songs that have a striking vocal presence with each of the trio handling lead and harmony vocals on a set of self written songs with one traditional song thrown in, in the shape of the crystal clear unaccompanied and haunting Bright Morning Stars. The sound is folk based and acoustic but filled out by the full band which includes bass and drums as well as electric lead guitar from the likes of Colin Cripps. Produced with taste by Mark Howard and David Travers-Smith it is a tapestry of understated tones that allow the vocals to take centre stage and beguile the listener. Another part of the current wave of interesting roots based acts from Canada the Wailin' Jennys sound is part of a recent folk linage that links the Americas with their European heritage. Across The Sea lyrically is about a woman's love for her man wherever he may be, at sea or elsewhere. Many of the songs have a sense of longing and love that may not be always that easy to obtain and that sense of distance is there within the voices. This is a gentle, quiet but undeniably attractive music that is far from the wailin' of their name but rather a more siren like call. An album that should be heard in that context, it will only enhance their reputation.
The Wailin' Jennys' 'Bright Morning Stars' Tackles Love, Loss
Voice of AmericaBy Katherine Cole
Some bands are birthed after months of auditions, trying to find just the right lyricist to mesh with an incredible singer and stellar guitar player. Others are more of a happy accident. The Wailin’ Jennys fall into that latter category. The group began at a one-time-only show in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. But the band is still going strong four CDs later.The title track is the only non-original song on the new Wailin’ Jennys CD. It’s a traditional song called “Bright Morning Stars” done a cappella, or without instruments, and featuring vocals by all three Jennys.Their name might be a takeoff on the late country star Waylon Jennings, but The Wailin’ Jennys are serious about making good music. Their first CD, 2004’s 40 Days, earned them a Juno Award, the Canadian equivalent of the Grammy, while also winning great acclaim in the United States. Bright Morning Stars, is home to 12 original songs and is their first release since 2009. In the years between, the band exploded on the roots music scene, and their new CD hit the top spot of the Billboard magazine Bluegrass chart two weeks after its release.Bright Morning Stars is built around The Wailin’ Jennys three part harmonies. If there is a theme to the disc, it might be love and loss. The CD opens with “Swing Low Sail High,” featuring writer Nicky Mehta singing lead.The Wailin’ Jennys Nicky Mehta is described as a “trained dancer raised on classical music.” She’s the Jenny who wrote “Sing Low Sail High” and also sang lead on the track. In 2002, Nicky formed The Wailin’ Jennys with Ruth Moody, a classically trained pianist and vocalist-turned-folk musician. Ruth wrote and sings lead on four of the songs on Bright Morning Stars, including “Asleep At Last.”The third member of The Wailin’ Jennys is Heather Masse, the lone U.S. native. She joined in 2007, bringing with her a background in jazz. Like her two band mates, Heather is also a songwriter and contributed four tracks to Bright Morning Stars, including “Cherry Blossom Love” which showcases the bands harmony singing.
The Wailin' Jennys - Bright Morning Stars
Fatea Magazine - UKAny of the three vocalists in The Wailin' Jennys could cut it as a solo artist and yet, remarkably, the sum of the parts still seems to outweigh the individual voices. Despite the multitude of instruments used on the album, all sympathetically, nothing distracts from the strength of the harmony vocals and the words they convey. The slow pace of "Bright Morning Past" allows you to absorb the quality that runs through the album. It's Americana with a gospel twist, giving the whole album an almost timeless feel. "Bright Morning Stars" positively sparkles with vocal delight.
The Wailin' Jennys - 'Bright Morning Stars'
www.bluesbunny.com - UKBy BluesbunnyI have a confession to make. Ever since I saw the Wailin’ Jennys perform in a converted church in Glasgow a couple of years back I have been convinced that Heather Masse is some sort of angel sent to this dull grey planet to bring much needed beauty. Admittedly, I have also fantasised that she can cook and likes to do housework. Now wouldn’t that be icing on the cake?None of the above is meant to do a disservice to her cohorts Ruth Moody and Nicky Mehta, of course. You only have to here the exquisitely harmonious evidence provided by their interpretation of the traditional song “Bright Morning Stars” to convict them of excellence. “Across The Sea” is likewise a sublime aural pleasure that seems to draw its impact from the historical perspectives beloved of folk music. More modern in its approach is “Asleep At Last” that takes the Americana route almost to Nashville but, at the risk of further fawning, the sheer class shines through.As the old time charms of “Cherry Blossom Love” brings forth another Heather moment to gladden the heart, it occurs to me that none of this is by chance and consequently there must be magic at work here. In but the shortest period of time, this Canadian trio can divert a man from the serious matters of politics and power tools. The clouds part, the sun shines warmly and the world seems more like the kind of place that you would actually want to live in.The Wailin’ Jennys are the musical equivalent of freshly baked bread. In other words, they are simply irresistible.5 Carrots
Wailin' In Harmony
The Christian Science MonitorOne of Canada's best-kept secrets, The Wailin' Jennys make impossibly beautiful music. Three celestial voices combine in airtight harmonies to create a weightless bluegrass/folk sound that moves and soothes. One spin of the trio's new CD "Bright Morning Stars" and you will be a fan forever.
Bright Morning Stars by The Wailin' Jennys
Readings.com.au - AustraliaBy Luo FulcoThis Canadian folk/roots trio is almost a genre in itself. All three members have spent the past three years with different projects (including motherhood for one of them) and were clearly fresh and up-for-it in the recording process. Transcending beauty with their gorgeous harmonies, The Wailin’ Jennys have given us an album of complete and stunning originality and honesty. And because these girls write, play and sing with a unique and fresh approach, this makes for an album that is instantly listenable. A wonderful, wonderful experience.