Show #121: The Wailin' Jennys

Let's take a break here from all the prog and scruffy guys and instead turn our attention to a bit of folk with a trio of beautiful young women – The Wailin' Jennys.


(Photo from the band's website.)

I first encountered The Wailin' Jennys a couple years ago when Garrison Keillor brought his A Prairie Home Companion here to Madison. The group hails from north of the border and are headquartered out of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Ruth Moody, Nicky Mehta, and Cara Luft got their starts in other bands before coming together in 2002. From the get-go they displayed their delicate folk sensibilities and offered gorgeous three-part harmonies. They amassed quite an arsenal of instruments including acoustic guitar, fiddle, accordion, and bodhran. Luft departed in 2004 and was replaced Annabelle Chvostek, although she too is now gone, Ms. Chvostek was still a member of the band when I saw them and is present on this week's show.


(Photo from the PHC website.)

This performance was recorded on 4 November 2005 at McCabes Guitar Shop in Santa Monica, California. It was broadcast over the radio so the quality is excellent. When I noted their delicate folk sensibilities above, I meant it. Their music can become slightly cloying at times but this set is a good mix with a few covers, including ones by Leadbelly and Neil Young, that keeps things interesting. The group's strength is definitely their singing because, whether alone or together, their voices are incredibly emotive and just beautiful.

Setlist:

The Devil's Paintbrush Road
Arlington
Bring Me Lil' Water Sylvie
Beautiful Dawn
Old Man
Bring 'Em All In
Swallow
Calling All Angels
Long Time Traveler
Avila
Heaven When We're Home
Apocalypse Lullaby

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The Wailin' Jennys

Here's another great example of these ladies powerful vocals. It's an cappella tune, "The Parting Glass" from Pickathon.