Wailin’ Jennys prove power of ‘one voice’

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By RANDALL ADAMS
Thursday, February 28, 2008 8:48 AM CST

For the Herald

“This is the sound of one voice” is the opening line of one of the Wailin’ Jennys signature songs, and with that voice they captured the hearts (and voices) of 336 lucky folks who attended their concert Feb. 21 at the Heyde Center for the Arts in Chippewa Falls.

A Manitoba clipper blew into town last Thursday night and carried us all away! This trio of women from Winnipeg have carved out an international musical niche that transcends genre and defies categorization.

Their own unique compositions are interwoven with a diverse combination of traditional music, jazz, contemporary folk, blues, bluegrass, Celtic and always a hint of the classical. They also display a delicious sense of humor.

What’s in a name? The Jennys are first and foremost a vocal group playing guitar, base and accordion but complemented tastefully on fiddle and mandolin by Jeremy Penner, their “Honorary Male Jenny” n a perfect partner to launch their vocal mastery.

And it is mastery. I thought I understood harmony until I heard Nicky, Heather and Ruth sing. Theirs is a harmonious wail that can make you laugh for joy one minute, and bring tears the next.

The vibrant alto of Heather Masse, the sweet mezzo of Nicky Mehta and the eloquent soprano of Ruth Moody, each first class soloists combine in a single seamless voice.

From the opening phrases of “Heaven When We’re Home” to the sweet acappella of “The Parting Glass” at the end, the Wailin’ Jennys captivated the audience, making the most of the wonderful acoustics of our own Heyde Center.

The icing on this tasty cake (their stage performance) is the similarity it beared to their tastefully restrained studio recordings.

There talent and success is genuine and we were the lucky few who heard them in a small performance hall especially suitable for such a sound. Their performance on Thursday night will be remembered and treasured by 336 grateful people. One voice, indeed.