The Times Union - NY, USABy Michael EckTROY – Three voices are better than one.Especially when those voices belong to Ruth Moody, Nicky Mehta and Heather Masse, collectively known as The Wailin’ Jennys. The Jennys made their Troy Savings Bank Music Hall debut Saturday, wowing a crowd of over 600 with their wit, songcraft and dazzling harmonies.The group began nearly a decade ago, as a gathering of solo singer/songwriters at a friend’s guitar shop. The energy was instant and Moody and Mehta have been singing together ever since. Masse joined in 2007, after two other members had circulated in and out of the trio’s membership; they all sang as sure as sisters on Saturday.The group is touring behind a new album, “Bright Morning Stars,” and they offered plenty of selections from the disc, including the a cappella title track.Sound problems plagued the early part of the evening, briefly scuttling opener Rose Cousins’ set and slowing the Jennys momentum. Mehta, whose husband Grant Johnson is also the band’s soundman, took things in stride, riffing improvised lyrics about the situation until it was figured out.Once everything was sorted magic happened.The Jennys’ music is sometimes too polite for its own good, but they found an edge at the Hall. “Away But Never Gone,” from “Bright Morning Stars,” for example, set off Mehta’s poignant lyric with the chirp of a ukulele, proving that the little four string is good for more than novelty songs. Masse’s “Cherry Blossom Love” brought her deep jazz vocal education right into Jennys’ territory. And Moody’s “You Are Here” won best in show, pairing her brother Richard’s mandolin with her steady guitar and Mehta and Masse’s sweet backing.Moody and Mehta did dip deeper into the band’s catalog as well. The former got the audience singing along powerfully on “the non-denominational gospel song” “Glory Bound, and the latter offered her own “Arlington” as well as a frankly too peppy take of Emmylou Harris and David Olney’s “Deeper Well.” The male Moody did get a little avant garde on his violin for “Well,” the one time the evening went truly outside, in the jazzman’s sense.Moody and Mehta jumped around from one instrument to another throughout the evening, while Masse stayed parked behind her standup bass.But the audience loved it best when all instruments were laid aside. Lead Belly’s “Bring Me Lil’ Water, Silvy” didn’t sound like a field holler, but it did sound delicious. Moody’s “Storm Comin’,” with rubbing hands for percussion and sharp vocal counterpoint, went gospel again. And the closing round of “The Parting Glass” was sung sans microphones, making use of the hall’s famous acoustics.Cousins’ brief opening set was charming, with her goofy humor offset by the beauty of her songs and her voice.
The Wailin' Jennys - Bright Morning Stars
Rock 'N' Reel - UKBy Dave WhiteAlbum number four from Canada's Wailin' Jennys and it's their best yet. While each of its predecessors offered some truly memorable moments, earning the band awards and fans around the world, Bright Morning Stars is by far their most cohesive collection of songs to date.The Jennys' gorgeous harmony vocals are present and correct, of course, gracing a variety of material - a dozen self-penned numbers that encompass folk, pop, jazz (a deliciously retro 'Cherry Blossom Love') and even gospel (an atmospheric 'Storm Comin'). The title track, performed a cappella, is a traditional Appalachian hymn mourning the passing of loved ones.Most recent recruit Heather Masse has clearly settled in will alongside original members Ruth Moody and Nicky Mehta. The trio is augmented here by regular sideman Jeremy Penner (fiddle) and an array of fellow Canadian musicians for a full-band sound, though one that remains as light as air and thoroughly refreshing.
The Wailin' Jennys - Bright Morning Stars
The Uniter - University of Winnipeg Newspaper - CANADABy Robin DudgeonOne thing is certain: when you hear the Wailin’ Jennys, you can’t help but be stunned by the unearthly harmonies of Ruth Moody (soprano), Nicky Mehta (mezzo) and new member Heather Masse (alto). On the Juno award-winning outfit’s fourth studio album, they are still doing what they do best: making gorgeous folk music, blowing you away with their a cappella tunes and impressing you with their honest songwriting. Produced by Mark Howard and David Travers-Smith, Bright Morning Stars is full of beautiful tunes. The gospel-esque Storm Comin’, the stunning a cappella title track and the haunting What Has Been Done prove that each girl can certainly hold her own – no one member overshadows the others. Each is a talented vocalist, songwriter and musician, as is evident in their solo work. All I can say is that after five years without a studio album, it’s nice to see the Jennys are back.
The Wailin' Jennys - Bright Morning Stars
Leiceister Bangs - UKThe ever popular Wailin’ Jennys return with their third studio album, “Bright Morning Stars”. Close harmony singing has always provided the core of the Jennys’ sound, and nothing has changed here; they’re in great voice for a collection of songs that merge country, bluegrass, folk, blues and gospel. Highlights come thick and fast; “Swing Low Sail High” is sumptuous country soul, “Cherry Blossom Love” is a throwback to the pop-jazz girl groups of the 1950s, and “Storm Comin’” is gritty gospel with an impressive, unhurried guitar solo from Colin Cripps.
The Wailin' Jennys - Bright Morning Stars
www.allgigs.co.uk - UKBy Paul PledgerIt's not often you pop a CD in a player, sit back and become transformed to another place, but I certainly experienced that feeling with this, The Wailin' Jennys third album - and what a little beauty it is too.The source of their music lies in traditional country-roots, delivered effortlessly and harmoniously by three charming and photogenic brunettes in the shape of an alto (Heather Masse), a mezzo (Nicky Mehta) and a soprano (Ruth Moody).All three prove how sickeningly talented they are by playing the occasional banjo, ukulele and guitar, as you do, although much of the musicianship comes courtesy of a crack band of Canadians, plus some deft knob-twiddling by co-producers Mark Howard and David Travers-Smith. If I told you that the former has previously sat in the chair for Emmylou Harris and Lucinda Williams, you'd assume this was similar territory - and you'd be right, sort of. Hell, the three of them even turn their hands at writing their own feckin' songs!The set opens with the runt of the litter, oddly enough - the almost jolly, almost bouncy opening pop-gambit of "Swing Low Sail High" seems at odds with the rest of the highly emotive and subtle nuances presented on the other languid lullabies, such as "Mona Louise" or "Bird Song". It's good, but far far better follows it, trust me.I suggest that you leap for the CD player's shuffle button to see what that can throw up instead. Ooh, here comes song number two, "All The Stars" - what a fabulous little song this is, you'd have to be a lamp-post not to feel a tiny bit tingly after hearing this. Don't panic - there's none of the usual 'yee-hah schmaltz' commonly associated with pop-country poppets like Leanne Rimes or Shania Twain - they don't impress me much, but this album certainly does (see what I did there?).To pick a highlight from this album would be an unjust act - it's all very worthy, so let me try and offer some comparables. Musically there are elements of the aforementioned Harris and Williams, plus a smidgeon of Kate Rusby (there are elements of folk on here too - check out the title track or "Storm Comin'") and even Christine McVie's contribution to the Mac catalogue. Vocally, they sound like angels of course.Possessing one of the most unflattering monikers since fairy-tales spawned the Brothers Grimm, The Wailin' Jennys don't wail, they soothe, they coo, they gently nuzzle into your neck and massage your mind with simple tales of love and yearning, without overkill and without icky sentiments designed for the nearest toilet-bowl. Note to festival organizers and venue promoters - go and get this lot to play for you as soon as possible!It's a well-worn cliché that has been printed before but, if you only buy one gorgeous harmony-roots album, sung and performed by three angelic voices this year, make it this one.
The Wailin' Jennys - Bright Morning Stars
www.getreadytorock.com - UKBy Pete WhalleyWhile they might not be a familiar name on the UK scene, on the other side of the pond The Wailin' Jennys are one of the most popular folk/roots bands. And having 'crossed over' with their last album to the more popular alt country / pop / rock scene, Bright Morning Stars looks likely to expand the band's appeal.With 3 award winning albums already under their collective belts (two of which spent over a year on the Billboard charts) Ruth Moody (vocals. acoustic guitar, accordion, banjo), Nicky Mehta (vocals, acoustic guitar, ukulele) and Heather Masse (vocals) have teamed up with Grammy nominated producer Mark Howard (Lucinda Williams, Emmylou Harris) and long time collaborator David Travers-Smith to record this 13 track album of Americana, folk and country pop.Accompanied by some of Canada's finest session players the album is packed with crystal clear vocals and sweet harmonies that falls squarely in the backyard of Court Yard Hounds (i.e. The Dixie Chicks minus the 'bite' of Natalie Maines).Ranging from acapella to sultry jazz, it's an excellent set that's never less than an absorbing listen. But the highlight is undoubtedly when the girls spread their wings on the Ruth Moody penned Storm Comin' - a sultry smokin' gospel blues piece. More of the same please, girls. ***1/2
Bright Morning Stars - The Wailin' Jennys
www.backroadsmusic.co.ukBy Cate MitchellWhen a band possesses such proven pedigree as The Wailin’ Jennys, a real weight of pressure is brought to bear on each new release. Will it live up to the quality of its predecessor? Will those wonderful voices still sparkle? Will the ladies deliver? Unsurprisingly, it’s pretty much a unanimous yes in response to all three. There is the expected mix of pared-down arrangements and more fully-realised numbers synonymous with the line-up. Of course, throughout proceedings the beautiful harmonies associated with the Jennys are foregrounded and, as usual, it is these that make the whole thing such a pleasure on the ear.No amount of superlatives do justice to the sheer majesty of the opener, “Swing Low Sail High”. While it has one foot firmly planted in folk and roots, the other would be at home on myriad commercial country records. It’s radio-friendly and hummable but still, unmistakeably The Wailin’ Jennys.The banjo on “Bird Song” gives it a timeless quality and it sits very comfortably with the hugely pleasant “Mona Louise” and the instantly familiar, flugelhorn-driven “Across the Sea”. The pace is picked up a little in the latter stages by the delightful swing of “Cherry Blossom Love”.Those who have previously dismissed folk-roots music as a narrow genre discouraging of experimentation and frowning upon the ploughing of new ground would do well to listen to Bright Morning Stars. Ostensibly, the album has a stripped-down feel but there is a subtly superb mix of superior instrumental musicianship that draws the ear time after time. Incredible opener aside, choosing the most impacting track is a toss-up between the massively atmospheric “Storm Comin’” and the siren-like acapella of the title track.Even at the points where the album lulls there is little discernable drop in quality. The odd clumsy rhyme creeps in, but overall the sheer quality of the material on offer here shines through. Bright Morning Stars is well-recorded, well-produced and will certainly be well-deserving of all the plaudits it will doubtless receive upon release. Sure, you could argue that this is not to everyone’s taste, but you’d have to say it would take a particularly cold heart not to be warmed by the sheer gorgeousness of the harmonies on offer here.
Bright Morning Stars - The Wailin' Jennys
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.