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.
The Wailin' Jennys - Bright Morning Stars
www.netrhythms.com - UKBy Mike DaviesIt’s been a long five years since the Canadian trio released Firecracker, since which time Anabelle Chvostek has left to be replaced by alto jazz singer Heather Masse, bringing the M quota up to three alongside founders soprano Ruth Moody and mezzo-soprano Nicky Mehta.In good democratic fashion, all three have contributed four songs though, if they have individual styles these have been streamlined to fit seamlessly within the group’s sweet folk harmony style and you’d be hard pressed to identify who was responsible for what. Even the lyrics share themes of romantic yearning littered with natural world imagery.Which is less a criticism and more a testament of how well they work together in the service of the common bond.The title track, sung unaccompanied, is a traditional American folk tune and that’s pretty much the seam they mine throughout, opening with Swing Low Sail High and working their mellifluous way through the likes of bluegrass ballad Bird Song, revisited from Masse’s solo album with a new fiddle solo, Mehta’s lovely ukulele-accompanied, life’s dusk and dawn themed Away But Never Gone, and the old back porch crooning quality of Mona Louise.They do tinker with things here and there, though. Across The Sea begins with Masse singing a capella before the others join in and acoustic guitar and warm flugel horn add their soft touches, What Has Been Done is bluesily atmospheric with electric slide and Storm Comin’ finds Moody in soulful gospel mode, the songs stripping back to a handclap rhythm midway while, nodding to Masse’s jazz training, Cherry Blossom Love is pure Andrews Sisters styled 40s retro.Closing with the mandolin and trumpet-backed country-folk swayer The Last Goodbye, they don’t push any genre boundaries, but they can most certainly be relied upon to shine within them.
Wailin' Jennys - Bright Morning Stars
Blurt - www.blurt-online.com - USBy Lee ZimmermanLike Dala and the Be Good Tanyas, the Wailin' Jennys have captured the hearts and affections of fans and folkies alike with their delicate three part harmonies and a host of inspired melodies. A combination of three impressive stand-alone resumes (those of members Ruth Moody, Nicky Mehta and Heather Masse), they've evolved as a female folk super group of sorts, one that thrives in the midst of their successful solo careers. This, the third studio album by this charming trio from Winnipeg Canada, soars on the strength of their glorious harmonies and arrangements that manage to be both delicate yet effusive all at the same time. Like their peers, the Jennys have a way of making original tunes - "Bird Song," "Across the Sea" and "Asleep at Last" being the most stunning examples - emulate an age-old pedigree, as if they were reframing traditional music and claiming it as their own.Granted, there's certain preciousness in their approach, which often blurs the distinction between individual entries. That's the hazard borne by these sparse set-ups, where the vocals are rendered practically a cappella and the accompaniment often seems incidental. Still, it's a small price to pay, and songs like the gospel-tinged "Storm Comin'," the Celtic-like hymns "Mona Louise" and "Bright Morning Stars," and the music hall melody of "Cherry Blossom Love" ably diversify the mix while maintaining the charm. Suffice it to say Bright Morning Stars is a lovely way to start any day... and an equally absorbing way to close it out as well.
The Wailin' Jennys - Bright Morning Stars
Folk Roots/Folk Branches - CanadaBy Mike RegenstreifBright Morning Stars is the Winnipeg-based Wailin’ Jennys third full-length studio album and each of those albums has featured a slightly different line-up.Their debut EP, The Wailin’ Jennys, and first full-length studio album, 40 Days, featured original members Nicky Mehta, Ruth Moody and Cara Luft.Firecracker, the second full-length studio album, featured Nicky, Ruth and Annabelle Chvostek; while on the 2009 live album, Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House, and, now, Bright Morning Stars, Nicky and Ruth are joined by American singer-songwriter Heather Masse.As I noted in my review of Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House, the Wailin’ Jennys have, with each personnel change, seemingly seamlessly adapted and evolved. There was something different, but consistently Jennyish, with each change. With the live album and several years of touring with Nicky and Ruth, Heather seems like a veteran member of the trio, hardly the new Jenny on the block.The Wailin’ Jennys take an egalitarian approach to the album. Each contributes four original songs on which she sings lead with the other two supplying their sublime harmonies and they also offer a stunning version of the traditional hymn-like “Bright Morning Stars,” sung in glorious three-part harmony.Highlights among Nicky’s songs include the opening track, “Swing Low Sail High,” at once both a confession to love’s shortcoming and a reaffirmation of love’s endurance, and “What Has Been Done,” a mysterious ballad, seemingly about a murder, or, perhaps, a suicide, that shows the influence of traditional Appalachian folksongs.Ruth’s highlights include “Storm Comin’,” a metaphorical piece about being prepared for what life and love have to offer, and “Asleep At Last,” a quiet, beautiful love song.Heather’s highlights include “Mona Louise,” partly a lullaby and partly a celebration of a new life, and “Cherry Blossom Love,” a haunting song that seems almost equally derived from both the folksong and jazz ballad traditions.As I noted in the introduction, these songs are – mostly – quiet and subtle and reveal more each time they’re heard.
Love, Canadian Style: The Wailin' Jennys Are Bright Morning (Afternoon and Evening) Stars
Huffington Post and NoDepression.comBy Michael BialasTalk about a sweetheart deal hours before Valentine's Day. Three angelic voices in one heavenly group called The Wailin' Jennys were making one of their first appearances in Colorado. If Cupid had only a single arrow, he wouldn't know where to aim.The Jennys -- Ruth Moody, Nicky Mehta and Heather Masse -- were in the middle of a five-date swing through the state on the first leg of a tour that began February 3 in Helena, Montana. This Jennys' Journey is in support of their third full-length studio release, the exquisite Bright Morning Stars (Red House Records, out since February 8 and already No. 1 on Billboard's bluegrass chart. (For a limited time, you can get a free download of "Swing Low Sail High" at Red House Records.)So for an early V-Day celebration, there was no better place to be on February 13 than Loveland, Colorado. Known as "America's Sweetheart City," it is famous for providing special valentine postmarks on love letters and cards requested by lovebirds from around the world.The intimate and historic 450-seat Rialto Theater in downtown Loveland was the perfect setting to hear the gifted Jennys, whose three voices blend so beautifully that you'll wonder, "Is this heaven?" Maybe not, but the soothing sounds from this triple threat are likely on the playlist at St. Peter's pearly gates.Though kid-friendly (tots, tweens and teens were spotted), the show that began without an opening act shortly after 7:30 was made for loving couples -- or those that could use a little spark."Well, hello there," cooed Moody after the group opened with Masse's "Bird Song," one of seven tunes they played from Bright Morning Stars' 13-song collection about love and loss. "We have the feeling that you're kind of romantic around these parts. That's the sense we got walking around. We also thought it was kind of funny that we're in Loveland on anti-Valentine's Day."The irony might have been lost on the Loveland, who prefer to express affection 365 days a year. One of the town's yearly money-raising projects involves decorating streetlight poles with big red hearts that include messages of love to each other's sweetie.This passion play had other, less visible signs of deep devotion. The crowd was lovingly respectful of the Jennys' delicate balancing act. They remained so you-can-hear-a-pin-drop quiet that the trio's deep breaths were clearly audible during a cappella versions of numbers including the traditional "Bright Morning Stars," "Kissing Double," Bruce Cockburn's "Going Down The Road" and "The Parting Glass," an old traditional Irish song that closed the show.Moody's soulful "Storm Comin,' " one of the new album's finest cuts, also was performed a cappella, but included foot stomps and hand claps, though the audience seemed reticent to join in.In fact, they were just fine sitting and listening, mostly in awe. Just before a 20-minute intermission and a rendition of "Glory Bound," from 2006's Firecracker and 2009's highly recommended Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House, Moody sought a little crowd participation, requiring them to sing one word. In a crystal-clear soprano, she sweetly warbled "Hallelujah.""Can you try that with us?" Moody (right) asked. Many in the full house shook their heads in amazement, chuckling at the thought of trying to match her pitch-perfect display."Laughter is never a good sign," Moody said, resigned to the fact that the impromptu singalong might be doomed, no matter how earnest an attempt the amateurs might make. Ultimately, the three were on their own. With glorious pipes like these, isn't that the way it should be?Moody, the Winnipeg, Manitoba soprano who co-founded the group with fellow Canadian Mehta about nine years ago, is the most likely to succeed as a solo artist. (The Garden, her Juno-nominated album, was an under-the-radar release that deserved mention as one of 2010's best.) While sharing lead vocal duties, the classically trained vocalist and pianist displays instrumental versatility by playing banjo, guitar, accordion and bodhran (a one-sided Irish drum that looks a huge tambourine), and showed off those skills in four of the first five numbers.Moody's multitasking even included playing the tambourine with her foot on "Last Goodbye," Mehta's upbeat shout-out to "those of you who do believe in Valentine's Day. And believe in love lasting."The uninitiated might mistakenly identify "three-part harmonies" with the Lennon Sisters or the folkie spoof A Mighty Wind. The Wailin' Jennys surpass those labels on all levels. An equal-opportunity, three-dimensional assemblage, their melodies rate with that higher-profile power Trio of Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt. The songwriting responsibilities are equitably distributed on Bright Morning Stars (each contribute four), and all unselfishly take turns in the concert spotlight.Obviously, a group whose name is a takeoff of country legend Waylon Jennings and have performed on Garrison Keillor's public radio show A Prairie Home Companion know how to show their sense of humor. They reveal that comedic flair during masterful storytelling intros to their songs."Fetching, each in their own unique way," was how one elderly admirer in the fourth row described them during intermission to his better half, one of the few apparently in an unromantic mood (or taking this anti-Valentine's Day thing to heart)."Fetching? Fetching how?" she said in a way best described as kvetching. "What do they fetch?"Well, they certainly know how to carry a tune.Nicky Mehta, who played guitar, ukulele, harmonica and a snare drum during the show, is an acerbic wit. Displaying a prominent tattoo on her right arm, this Salt-of-the-Earth Mother brings her twin 18-month-old boys along for the tour bus ride. When they were younger, Mehta said she put her sons in their Johnny Jump Ups to gauge how good her songs were.Introducing the Emmylou Harris/David Olney-penned "Deeper Well," Mehta said, "This next song is a winner to them. Inspired much height in the bouncing ... sometimes impact." The driving number including a fiery turn on the viola by Moody's brother, Richard. Dubbed the "Mad Jenny" by his kid sister, he also plays fiddle and mandolin as the tour replacement for previous sideman Jeremy Penner. Both are among a formidable group of skilled musicians (Colin Cripps, Kevin Breit, Bill Dillon) on the album that was co-produced by Mark Howard and David Travers-Smith, a frequent Jennys collaborator.The twins undoubtedly like Mehta's "Begin," too. The mezzo mommy's message stood out in this inspirational cut from Firecracker that's "an ode to being in the moment."Heather Masse, a New Yorker who joined the group in 2007, is the alto with the deep, blue voice. Nearly as statuesque as the upright bass she plays, the graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music grew up under the influence of jazz singers such as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Billie Holiday. "They sang so many great songs, so many heartbreaking love songs," she offered."The woman (who's often the subject of these songs) just ... she just ... she just ... (laughing at her own hesitancy) she's just speechless because she's so heartbroken; it was the perfect thing for middle school. So I thought it was about time that I wrote my own little heartbreaking love song."Masse's swinging but ultimately sorrowful "Cherry Blossom Love" is a testament to that sentiment, when "time would turn their sunny day like magic into dusk."While other numbers like "Beautiful Dawn," from 2004's Juno Award-winning 40 Days, are about new beginnings and "perfect for anti-Valentine's Day," according to Moody, these bright, shining stars really know how to get to the heart of the matter.So when the tour heads east, resuming March 17 in Pennsylvania, plan to make a hot date with The Wailin' Jennys and prepare for the love affair to begin. Without the hugs and kisses.
Instant Replay...
Indie MusicologyIt wasn't that long ago that I was handed an album by Ruth Moody titled The Garden. I was so taken by the lyrical beauty and the clear, clean vocals that I became an instant fan. Much to my surprise, although it shouldn't have been, I found that Moody recorded that album while on hiatus from her regular group, The Wailin' Jennys, a group I knew of but had yet to hear. Well, the new Wailin' Jennys is finally here and I am happy to report that Bright Morning Stars is as good as expected. Moody is joined by bandmates Nicky Mehta and Heather Masse and the three have come up with another (though I have yet to hear another) gem. Time to listen in retrospect (read: go back to the earlier albums) and in the meantime, I leave you with this--- the official video of the making of the new album. I love this kind of stuff. Call it rockumentary or documentary or whatever you want, I seldom walk away from them without having gotten something good out of it.