I 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 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.