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
Wailin' Live
The chorus of “One Voice”, the Wailin’ Jennys’ signature song, serves as a metaphoric mission statement for one of Canada’s best-loved groups. Its composer, Ruth Moody, was actually born in Australia to Australian parents, but has called Winnipeg home since she was a baby. Wailin' Live: Canadian Collective Wailin' Jennys Show Off Their New Member
This is the sound of voices three / Singing together in harmony / Surrendering to the mystery / This is the sound of voices three
The chorus of “One Voice”, the Wailin’ Jennys’ signature song, serves as a metaphoric mission statement for one of Canada’s best-loved groups. Its composer, Ruth Moody, was actually born in Australia to Australian parents, but has called Winnipeg home since she was a baby.
Moody, who plays guitar, banjo, accordion and bodhran, and her sister singer/multi-instrumentalist Nicky Mehta (guitar, harmonica, ukulele, drums) have anchored the group from its inception seven years ago.
Three different girls have played the third jenny role in that time ǃ
Off to Record New Album and Heather Masse Releases Solo Album
Hey everybody!
We are about to start recording our new album! In a few days we are going to lock ourselves away in a cabin on a lake in the middle of nowhere in Ontario with producer Mark Howard. Having just taken a year off we are very excited to come together again and make some music. We'll be checking in again soon to let you know how it all goes.
Also, we want to let you know that Heather is releasing her new album, Bird Song this coming Tuesday, November 10! You can find out more information and pre-order this beautiful record by clicking HERE
Weve also just found out that Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House is in its 12th week in the Top 15 on
Love,
The Jennys
The Wailin Jennys
They are neither grizzled country singers like their virtual namesake Waylon nor are any of them called Jenny but The Wailin’ Jennys are a Canadian trio making wonderful vocal based music. They are favourites on the international folk festival circuit and have established a following in Australia after a 2006 tour that included performances at The Port Fairy Folk Festival and the Brunswick St Music Festival. They are neither grizzled country singers like their virtual namesake Waylon nor are any of them called Jenny but The Wailin’ Jennys are a Canadian trio making wonderful vocal based music. They are favourites on the international folk festival circuit and have established a following in Australia after a 2006 tour that included performances at The Port Fairy Folk Festival and the Brunswick St Music Festival.
But their fame is spreading. They have won numerous awards in the homeland and in America and have featured on the US Billboard bluegrass charts. The trio consists of soprano Ruth Moody (guitar, banjo, accordion, bodhran) and mezzo Nicky Mehta (guitar, harmonica, ukulele, percussion) who are founding members with the essential third voice, being provided by alto Heather Masse, the newest member.
Although they are originally from Winnepeg it was in Toronto that Ruth Moody was found for a quick chat.
The occasion was the Australian release of their latest album a sublime live set called Live At The Mauch Chunk Opera House. The pleasure was all mine.
A live album was needed to placate the hungry masses and also to document the bands current touring incarnation.
“It really was”, agrees Moody. “We just took a year sabbatical and we really wanted to record the live show before we took that break. We’d been touring steadily with our “Jennys 3.0” configuration for a couple of years. We were feeling really tight as a band and we had developed a really special energy. The fans had been asking for it for a while so it just made sense.
“it was a last minute thing and we only recorded one show so we weren’t sure it would work out. It ended up being a great show to record and so it worked out well”.
The Mauch Chunk Opera House is located in the town of Jim Thorpe in Pennsylvania. It makes for a memorable album title and apparently it’s a beautiful old building with a great “vibe”. It shows.
The Jennys touring regime takes in shows at theatres such as the Mauch Chunk Opera House and a lot of festivals. For Moody there’s pros and cons to both.
“It’s nice to have a balance”, she considers. We like doing shows in concert halls but we also love doing festivals because its such a joyous environment. Also you get the chance to collaborate with other musicians and magical things can happen in that way. In concert halls you have the optimum situation for sound and for the audience to really hear the show. So it’s a trade-off, I like both”
One of the bands most defining songs emerged from a festival. One Voice is its title and for a band whose harmonies are their most recognisable calling card, a song with a title of One Voice was always going to be significant. It’s a good thing that the song, written by Moody is as good as its title requires it to be.
“I certainly connected to something special when I was writing it”, concedes Moody. “ I was at a folk festival and I was so inspired by the idea of people coming together and singing together and sharing music and the sense of community that happens and how powerful it can be. And what a difference that can make in the world.
“I was inspired by that idea and what was happening at the festival and the positivity that was all around me. I had peace and unity on the brain and I started writing the song and right away I knew it was going to be a Jennys song. So I definitely feel that I hooked into the magic at that festival”.
Part of the attraction of the Jennys is that they are willing to combine their own original songs with well chosen covers and traditional songs giving their music a sense of being part of a longer continuum. They are open to re-interpreting songs and the live album contains songs written by the likes of Jane Siberry, Gillian Welsh [sic] and Emmylou Harris as well as some more traditional folk songs. It’s a healthy attitude.
“Obviously we are all songwriters but we are always willing to consider covers and traditional material because as you say ǃ
Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House
Equally perfect for sunny day, open highway cruises and reflective, late-night drives, Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House proves that The Wailin’ Jennys are on top of their game and at the top of their field. If it’s possible to wail while playing folk music, then Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera Houseonstrates in several areas how to do so. Recorded in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania in a vaudeville theater built in 1881, the dynamic new live album from Canadian sensations The Wailin’ Jennys serves up a variety of delectable roots music offerings, including blues, country, spirituals and folk ǃ
Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House
Along with Sarah Harmer, the Wailin’ Jennys sit at the mellow, tasteful end of the Canadian folk-roots scene. Ruth moody and Nicky Mehta write strong melodies and their soprano voices are clean and pure. Along with Sarah Harmer, the Wailin’ Jennys sit at the mellow, tasteful end of the Canadian folk-roots scene. Ruth moody and Nicky Mehta write strong melodies and their soprano voices are clean and pure.
This impeccable live set, recorded at the improbably named Mauch Chunk Opera House in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, is very much enhanced by new member Heather Masse, a Maine native whose alto adds warmth and depth to the trio’s sound.
Masse, who describes herself as the band’s token American, also wrote the road ballad “Driving,” one of the album’s sweetest moments.
Mehta is the most distinctive presence here and her aching balanced “Arlington” and “Begin” are highlights of the well-received studio albums 40 days (2004) and Firecracker (2006).
Multi-instrumentalist Moody contributes the gospel-inflected “Glory Bound” and shines on banjo, accordion and bodhran.
The covers here are well chosen, with David Olney’s grim “Deeper Well” buttressed by terse solos from guest violinist Jeremy Penner.
Glorious three-part harmonies lift an acapella reading of “Summertime” and the Leadbelly spiritual “Bring Me Lil Water Silvy,” while a slow and gentle version of Gillian Welch’s “One More Dollar” hits the spot.
There is nothing starkly original about these girls but there are no false notes and the singing is just sublime.
4 out of 5 stars