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40 Days [The Wailin' Jennys]

The Wailin' Jennys
1 disc

1. One Voice
2. Saucy Sailor
3. Arlington
4. Beautiful Dawn
5. [Untitled]
6. This Is Where
7. Old Man
8. Heaven When We're Home
9. Ten Mile Stilts
10. Come All You Sailors
11. Take It Down
12. Something to Hold Onto
13. Parting Glass, The
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Additional Info

Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): 177
Credits

Producer David Travers-Smith
Engineer
The Wailin' Jennys: Cara Luft (vocals, guitar, dobro); Nicky Mehta (vocals, guitar, harmonica); Ruth Moody (vocals, guitar, accordion, keyboards, bodhran).
Canadian folkies the Wailin' Jennys aren't opposed to throwing down the occasional sea shanty or English drinking song. Multi-talented singer/songwriters Ruth Moody, Nicky Mehta, and Cara Luft -- the latter left the group soon after the album's release and was replaced by Annabelle Chvostek -- formed the group in 2002 after sharing the stage as soloists at an in-store in a local record shop, and their intoxicating blend of country, Celtic, and folk has cast a spell on not only the Great White North, but much of the U.S. as well. Like Gillian Welch or Alison Krauss, they can make new songs feel traditional ("Arlington") and old songs sound brand new ("The Parting Glass"). Their perfectly rendered harmonies swoop into choruses like a murder of crows, supplying involuntary goose bumps to even the most hardened skeptic. 40 Days is full of sparse arrangements and top-notch songwriting from all three members. Other highlights include a rousing version of the seafaring tale "Saucy Sailor" -- made famous by British folk-rock pioneers Steeleye Span -- Moody's beautiful title track, and Luft's rollicking (an obvious show opener) "Come All You Sailors." Fans of the Dixie Chicks, June Tabor, and even Heart will find much to love here. A most infectious first record, and highly recommended. ~ James Christopher Monger
Critic Reviews

Dirty Linen (p.55) - "The Jennys' 40 DAYS is one of those occasions where the music grips you instantly....With pristine voices, exquisite harmonies, fine songwriting, and smart direction."