London Free Press - CanadaBy Greg BurliukNo one can accuse The Wailin' Jennys of not being egalitarian.On each of their three studio CDs, each of the trio has contributed four songs.And everyone is encouraged to pursue a solo career apart from the group. This has been accomplished despite inserting a new member into the lineup for every album.The Winnipeg-tied group with the heavenly harmonies plays Aeolian Hall on Sunday -- Mother's Day -- at 8 p.m. London singer-songwriter Pete Denomme is also on the bill.In February, the Jennys' latest CD, Bright Morning Stars, was released. Joining founding members Ruth Moody and Nicky Mehta of Winnipeg, is Heather Masse, a native of Maine.And why the equal split of songwriting chores?"We're all songwriters and we never started with the intention of being a band," says Mehta, who lives with her husband and baby twin sons on an organic fruit farm near Santa Cruz, Calif."We were a band of soloists who all had solo careers going so we just stuck to the formula where we each contributed four songs to an album."The original trio had Mehta and Moody with Cara Luft for a one-off concert by a Winnipeg guitar store owner. It was so successful they decided to stay together and jokingly chose a band name, a play on the name of the late country singer Waylon Jennings.They won a Juno Award for their first full-length CD, 40 Days, in 2005. After a second successful album, Firecracker in 2006, a year later Masse took over from Luft's replacement, Annabelle Chvostek.You'd think finding a new recruit wouldn't be easy, given that exacting standards were required. "First of all their voice had to blend in with ours," says Mehta. "Then they had to be able to write their own music, play on a couple of instruments and be available to tour.""We put feelers out to the musical community and we were talking to Aoife O'Donovan (from the Boston alt bluegrass band Crooked Still), who mentioned Heather. She came to see us when we were in Boston and auditioned with us in the bathroom of the concert hall."It may have three songwriters but Bright Morning Stars is a seamless garment that seems to have been sewn by one hand. It also seems timeless as if it could have been written anytime in the last 50 years."We all do have similar questions about the world and how we see it," says Mehta. "We like to refer to nature and other timeless themes in our writing."Still, there are subtle differences in their songwriting styles."Heather has a jazz bent," says Mehta. "Her song Cherry Blossom Love on the new CD, I could never have written in 100 years.""Ruth and I are more similar in style. She is a very hooky writer and has a knack for writing very catchy and memorable tunes. I come from more of a pop background. My song Last Goodbye (which closes the album) is pretty poppy I think."A song that is special to Mehta on the new album is Away But Never Gone."It started out being about a friend who died," she says. "Then I got pregnant and after I had the twins, I finished it. We are all born and then die. There's the mystery of where we are when we're not on the planet. It's a kind of lullaby."Between the babies and the Jennys, Mehta hasn't had time for her solo career these days."That's especially been the case since we started managing the band ourselves," she says."But we do think we'll be healthier and happier if we do have the space to pursue solo careers if we want to."Denomme is making his Aeolian Hall debut with the Acoustic Music series concert. He released his first full-length album Nice To Be Home in December.Denomme owns and operates the London Music Club, a listening room that is a favourite of musicians from across the country. He won the 2011 traditional folk/roots Award at the Jack Richardson Music Awards gala last month.Among the songs Denomme is expected to sing on Sunday is Hyland, about the repertory movie theatre not far from the Denommes' Old South London home."This song was inspired by our Sunday afternoons spent watching movies at the venerable Hyland," Denomme says of the song.
The Wailin' Jennys: Riveting and Fantastic
Ontario Arts Review - CanadaBy Serena WilliamsonAs part of the National Arts Centre’s Prairie Scene, singer-songwriters the Wailing Jennys took the stage Tuesday night. What a performance!The Wailin’ Jennies are Nicky Mehta, Ruth Moody and Heather Masse—three distinct voices that together make a gorgeous sound. Hailing from Winnipeg and New York, their album 40 Days won them a Juno Award for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year in 2005. Frequent guests on Garrison Keillor’s public radio show A Prairie Home Companion, the Jennys perform to packed venues across the Canada, the U.S. and throughout the world. They blew us away with show-stopping harmonies, impressive instrumental prowess, and breathtaking songs that were a blend of their original work, traditional folk, blues, and even jazz.The Jennys had us riveted from the first chord. Their voices blended perfectly as they accompanied themselves with Ruth on the banjo, Nicky on the Irish bodhrán hand drum and Heather on upright bass. The second song continued the fabulous momentum, but all the instruments changed. Throughout the show, Ruth added guitar and accordion, while Nicky added guitar, drums and ukulele. Their professional training and experience was evident throughout their performance. Soprano Ruth is a classically trained vocalist and pianist known as an accomplished, versatile singer of traditional and Celtic music. Mezzo Nicky is a trained dancer raised on classical music and heavily influenced by alternative pop, and Alto Heather is a Jazz Voice graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music and an incredible blues songwriter.This reviewer is rarely at a loss for words, but there is really not much more to say. They were fantastic, possibly the best group I have seen this year. We listened eagerly to every word of every song, were enthralled throughout the performance, and could have stayed and listened till morning! If you get a chance to hear these women, either on CD or in concert, you are in for a real treat.
The Wailin' Jennys: Bright Morning Stars
www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk - UKBy Malcolm CarterWalking in to my local record store, which is sadly no longer there of course, during the closing chilly months of 2006 I was mesmerized by the sweet sounds coming from the shop’s sound system. On asking I was told that the album playing was the latest from a Canadian trio named the Wailin’ Jennys. I walked out of the shop that day clutching my copy of what turned out to be the trio’s second full-length album, ‘Firecracker’, and for the next few days their harmonies filled every room in the house. The music the all-female trio made was acoustic folk-roots rich on melodies and with harmonies that were simply breathtaking.Since ‘Firecracker’ the band released a live album, ‘Live At Mauch Chunk Opera House’, and Annabelle Chvostek left, her replacement being Heather Masse. While Heather has more of a jazz and blues background than Ruth Moody and Nicky Mehta, the two founding members of the Wailin’ Jennys, it’s really business as usual when comparing the trio’s albums.So while The Wailin’ Jennys have not broken any new ground with this latest collection of twelve original songs and their arrangement of one traditional (the title song), ‘Bright Morning Stars’ is another immaculately played, produced and most importantly sung album in the band's catalogue. There is little to choose between the three members who all contribute songs. You wouldn’t want to guess who wrote each of the songs; even though they write separately they’re all on the same page when composing it seems. But this just makes for a more cohesive album and by having three strong songwriters in one band it’s unlikely that the quality will ever drop on any Wailin’ Jennys album.The Wailin’ Jennys are not alone in writing songs that sound like they could have been written at any point in the last 60 or 70 years. These songs really do, however, have a timeless quality to them which will obviously still make them favourites in the years to come and with the acclaim that Alison Krauss is finally receiving is hardly going to help further the career of this talented trio.One of the Ruth Moody songs on this album, namely ‘Asleep At Last’, is a perfect example of just what makes these girls so special and is probably all that is needed to convert someone who has never heard the band before. With just added acoustic and National guitars from Kevin Brett joining Ruth’s acoustic guitar what could be a sparse -sounding track is filled out with such breathtaking harmonies they almost make you forget just how superb Ruth’s lead vocals are on this song. If any Alison Krauss fan heard this song, they’d surely rush out and buy ‘Bright Morning Star’.Highlighting Ruth’s performance on that song is a little unfair as all three singers have an equal talent. Heather Masse turns in what is arguably her best vocal on the album on ‘Cherry Blossom Love’ where the band’s contribution of electric guitar and percussion add further texture to the sound we’ve come to expect from The Wailin’ Jennys.Just now though the lead vocals of Nicky Mehta, which open and close the album with ‘Swing Low Sail High’ and ‘Last Goodbye’, which are two of the strongest songs on a collection that has no weak points, are still stopping heartbeats. That Nicky has an exceptional voice is stating the obvious to anyone who has heard her sing but when Heather and Ruth join in the results are simply stunning.The Wailin’ Jennys do anything but wail…they sing like angels and have the original songs to showcase those voices perfectly. ‘Bright Morning Star’ is an album that will be played and played.
The Wailin' Jennys - Bright Morning Stars
Buddy Magazine - TexasBy Tom GeddieBright Morning Stars by The Wailin’ Jennys is sure to be one of the best CDs of the year for people who let the songs get into them rather than using those songs as background noise. It’s poetic folk stuff with some joy, some sadness and regret, and some wondering or wandering in what often seems like an olden or timeless time.The harmonies by Ruth Moody, Nicky Mehta, and Heather Masse shine as they alternately share lead vocals on their own, sometimes fragile songs, and support one another; there’s just enough musical support to carry the songs.Parts of the slow, brooding “Storm Comin’” – “when that storm comes, don’t run for cover” and “when that rain falls, let it wash away . . . the tears and the trouble” – are gospel-sounding a cappella. The simple, repetitive title song – a traditional, and the only one none of the women wrote – about day breaking in the soul is, indeed, a cappella.The yearning and beautiful “Bird Song” – “I see the flowers blooming, opening for spring / I’d like to be those flowers, open to everything” – is tastefully accompanied by acoustic bass, drums, electric guitar, and fiddle.Producers Mark Howard (who’s worked with Emmylou Harris and Lucinda Williams) and David Travers-Smith mix bits of acoustic guitar, accordion, banjo, and ukulele into the 13 songs.
The Wailin' Jennys - Bright Morning Stars
Penguin EggsBy Monica MillerHuman ears seem to be genetically pre-programmed to connect instantly and deeply with the sound of vocal harmonies. Part-songs and madrigals, barbershop to doo-wop, from The Everlys and The Drifters to CSNY and Fleet Foxes—we just can’t get enough. It may well be the vocal version of the mother’s heartbeat.Which brings me to Bright Morning Stars, the third full-length studio recording from Winnipeg’s The Wailing Jennys. To not be smitten you would have to be among the most curmudgeonly of listeners. If you want to rock the house, choose something else, but for the right time, place and mood you won’t find anything more lovely.Long favourites among Canadian folk and roots music lovers, The Jennys have achieved the difficult goal of breaking into the U.S. market. An early boost from Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion didn’t hurt, but they’ve continued to work hard and develop their fan base the old-fashioned way, on the road, one audience at a time.Add to that, original Jennys Ruth Moody and Nicky Mehta have had to find a replacement Jenny twice since the original EP release in 2003—a pitfall that has sunk many a musical ship. With Heather Masse now well-settled in the alto chair, and Mark Howard (Lucinda Williams, Emmylou Harris) in the producer’s chair, the new release feels akin to being rocked gently in the arms of someone who loves you unconditionally. Allow yourself the pleasure of relaxing in the warmth of The Wailin Jennys’ new offering.
The Wailin' Jennys
No DepressionBy Kim RuehlI love the Wailin' Jennys, and this record - from the first few notes - plays to all the things that make this trio so lovable. Beautiful, intuitive but rich harmonies, simple instrumentation, shockingly personal lyrics... indeed, the record begins with the lyrics, "I have failed you...but I love you." Ouch. I think.
This isn't going to be a mind-changing album for anyone. It doesn't reach in under-explored directions. There's nothing about these songs, at least at first listen, which could be called "artistically surprising" (something I admittedly tend to seek out). But, the songs are just pretty. The vocals are just beautiful, and the instrumentation is just hypnotizing at times (pedal steel on "All the Stars"). Sixth song test..."Mona Louise" is a beautiful love song. "I'm gonna sing, til my feet turn blue / I'll sing loud enough to go through / the mountains to you..." In fact, this record is so lovely, it might put you right to sleep. Row out to the middle of a lake and put these songs in your earbuds. There's that much solace here.
The Wailin' Jennys - Bright Morning Stars
www.beat-surrender.com - UKBy SimonBright Morning Stars is the fourth album to come from this incredibly talented trio, the Wailin’ Jennys were formed after a chance meeting for a one-off in store performance at a guitar shop in Winnipeg, Manitoba, back 2004 they released their first full-length album 40 Days which won them a Juno Award for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year, the follow up Firecracker was equally well received spending over a year on the Billboard bluegrass charts, with the departure of Annabelle Chvostek New York based Heather Masse joined the group to record Bright Morning Stars under the close eye of producer Mark Howard (credits include Bob Dylan and Lucinda Williams) who has done a wonderful job in capturing the vocals subtleties of the trio and allowing the voices to shine individually and of course in perfect harmony.The album features four original songs from each member Ruth Moody (vocals, guitar, accordion, banjo) Nicky Mehta (vocals, guitar,ukulele) and Heather Masse (vocals, upright bass) and a stellar a capella version of the traditional Appalachian hymn and title track Bright Morning Stars, you know your ears are in for a treat from the start with the beautiful harmonies on Swing Low Aim High the opening number and the quality doesn’t drop of one iota as the songs of love, loss and yearning are delivered in a variety of styles, the trio adopt gospel mode for Storm Comin’ , a more traditional folk on Across the Sea and a little jazz for Cherry Blossom Love, as good as the voices and production are you’ve got to have the songs too and the trio are all equally gifted on that front penning some memorable numbers, Nicky’s four edge out Ruth and Heather’s for me and I’ve picked my favourite to share.
The Wailin' Jennys - Bright Morning Stars
www.soundblab.com - UKWhat is clear to most of us now is that folk is once again popular, surging to the surface to bask in the glow of musical acclaim. Anybody can have a go, whether you're British, American or otherwise. A steady stream of artists have once again made folk cool. The Wailin' Jennys join this stream with their latest effort.What you need is something unique, something to set you apart from the growing trend, to hold you aloft of your brethren. Mumford & Sons have an outstretched ache, while The Low Anthem specialise in gospel tinged, downtrodden songs. The Wailin' Jennys are more of a breeze in sound and slightly more puritanical lyrically. You can imagine them brushing their hands through the heads of wheat as they harmonise vocals, wandering in fields. 'Swing Low Sail High' is a pop opener perfectly crafted for the radio: "Setting sun don't sink before I found my heart". Don't be fooled though, these women can do the foreboding sound as well, proven by 'Storm Comin' and 'What Has Been Done'. The country which is spread through the record is squarely set in America, out on the porch and in the small towns, like country songs of old.For some, these songs might be too clean cut, lacking in any kind of grit or dirt to get your teeth into. What is for sure is that these are well-crafted songs, most of all in the melody but also in their hushed musical sound. Whether they can penetrate the mainstream with what is a basic and well-trodden formula is where the uncertainty lies.