40 Days

The Wailin' Jennys

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 10, 2004)
• Original Release Date: August 10, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Red House
• ASIN: B0001EJ70O
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #365,817 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The Wailin' Jennys--Cara Luft, Nicky Mehta, and Ruth Moody--are three Canadian singer-songwriters with already established careers who first got together for a one-shot gig in 2002 and, to their surprise, discovered that their voices blended in an almost magical harmony. They decided to put their solo endeavors aside for a while to see where this gift would take them, and the appealing folk-pop vibe of 40 Days is the result. They perform an eclectic selection of material, including covers of John Hiatt's "Take It Down" and Neil Young's "Old Man" plus lovely versions of the old English folk songs "The Parting Glass" and "Saucy Sailor." However, it's the original songs that stand out most. As you would expect, each Jenny has a distinctive voice and writing style, but the amazing vocal harmonies help Luft's spiky, rock-inflected songs, Mehta's poetic and mysterious meditations, and Moody's lively Celtic-tinged melodies blend into a seamless whole. --Michael John Simmons --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Product Description
"40 Days" represents the exciting US debut of Ruth Moody, Nicky Mehta and Cara Luft...three young Canadian performers whose harmonies and songwriting have been called "spine-tingling," "angelic," and "breathtaking." The group was formed more-or-less as a lark...all three Winnipeg women were established solo artists and admired in Canadian folk circles for their singing and gifted songwriting...and the so-called "supergroup" was meant to last for one night only at a local folk club. As fate would have it, the audience went crazy for them performing in that configuration and a Canadian folk phenomenon was born. With their stirring voices and richly emotional original songs, the Jennys have created one of the most memorable and tantalizing first albums in a long time. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heavenly sounds from up North, March 12, 2005

By	David T. Steere, Jr. (Annapolis, MD United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: 40 Days (Audio CD)

What is it about Canada providing such fertile ground for great female singer/songwriters? From the peerless Joni Mitchell to the irresistible Lynn Miles (a new album is coming soon!!), there's also been such wonderful work from Susie Ungerleider (Oh Susanna), the Be Good Tanyas, the recent cd from the Duhks and, of course, the Wailin' Jennys.

Ruth Moody, Nicky Mehta, and Cara Luft-three Canadian singer/songwriters--have produced the harmony album of the year. Each has a distinctive voice and song writing tone. But, their affinity for each other, vocally, is amazing. A brilliant and lovely opening song, "One Voice" sets the perfect mood. Mostly excellent originals, they also perform several covers: a great version of Neil Young's "Old Man" which called to mind the harmonies of Crosby, Stills and Nash and a lovely take on John Hiatt's romantic "Take it Down." A couple of traditional tunes, as well, including a beautiful closing "The Parting Glass." Don't miss this one.

Cara Luft has left the Jennys and been replaced with Annabelle Chvostek. Let's hope the miraculous sounds and songwriting continue. In the meantime, go to the websites of the Wailin' Jennys, Nicky Mehta and Ruth Moody. If you are as taken with them as I am, buy Ruth's MOODY, PENNER AND SWAIN (a celtic album of traditional tunes), Ruth's solo BLUE MUSE, Nicky's WEATHER VANE, and the Jennys' earlier EP. All of them are quite wonderful.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a breath of fresh air that defies genre, September 25, 2004

By	opentuned (Saskatchewan, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 40 Days (Audio CD)

Is it folk, is it alt-alt-country, or a triple dose of fine singer-songwriters weaving their considerable talents into one breathtaking recording? Well, it's all of the above and then some. With the hooks of Ruth Moody, the chops of Cara Luft, and the heart of Nicky Mehta, you end up with a multilayered and incredibly rich listening experience. The originals are strong, the covers (Neil Young's "Old Man", John Hiatt's "Take It Down" and a gorgeous traditional song/set closer "The Parting Glass" repossessed from the original owners, crisp production, solid and spare musicianship, and those achingly beautiful harmonies are not to be missed. And if you are within driving distance of a show, they are absolutely astonishing live. Nice people, too.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant!, April 26, 2006

By	J. Underwood (Atlanta, Ga USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: 40 Days (Audio CD)

I also heard this group on Prairie Home Companion. I love the song selections. Many groups can deliver solid harmonies but these three feel like one voice singing three parts. The first sond on the CD that flows from one voice to "voices two" and "voices three" is very fitting. They are simply a breath of fresh air. I was mildly disappointed that one of the songs they did on the radio show was not on the album. Hopefully, there will be a newer cd coming out that picks it up.