The first time you try to describe The Waylin’ Jennys’ music to someone, you may stumble — as I have stumbled — over the inadequacy of language to the capturing of sonic phenomena. Wikipedia punts, dubbing them folk and/or folk-rock. Neither of which feels right to me; I prefer the sense you get from their bio, posted at their site. There you’ll find words and phrases like:
- folk-roots
- roots music
- bluegrass
- neo-bluegrass
- alt-country, pop, and rock
- acoustic
- folk-pop
- show-stopping harmonies
Because of those vocal harmonies, you may also forget (as I have forgotten) that their music is not a capella: they each play at least one instrument as well. This list is probably not comprehensive:
- accordion
- banjo
- bodhrán
- guitar
- harmonica
- piano
- upright bass
The Jennys have a new album out, Bright Morning Stars, and it’s a killer. But their take on the venerable “The Parting Glass,” below, appeared on their first full-length album, 2004′s 40 Days:
Lyrics:
The Parting Glass
(The Wailin’ Jennys)Oh all the money that e’er I spent
I spent it in good company
And all the harm that e’er I’ve done
Alas, it was to none but me
And all I’ve done for want of wit
To memory now I can’t recall
So fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be with you allOh all the comrades that e’er I’ve had
Are sorry for my going away
And all the sweethearts that e’er I’ve had
Would wish me one more day to stay
But since it falls unto my lot
That I should rise and you should not
I’ll gently rise and I’ll softly call
Good night and joy be with you all
The Wailin’ Jennys got their name, of course, as a play on the name of outlaw-country icon Waylon Jennings (who shared many a parting glass of his own before gently rising at last in 2002). I am not much of a listener to country music, even the outlaw variety, but I’ve always thought Jennings’s cover of “Suspicious Minds” (recorded as a duet, with his wife Jessi Colter) superior to Elvis Presley’s. Jennings’s voice sounds to me less like someone performing, more like someone honestly frustrated by a situation at least partly of his own making. And as a sort of call-and-response duet, the lyrics acquire a complexity which I think they lack otherwise:
[Below, click Play button to begin Suspicious Minds. While audio is playing, volume control appears at left -- a row of little vertical bars. This clip is MM:SS long.]
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Lyrics:
Suspicious Minds
(by Mark James; performed by Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter)We’re caught in a trap can’t walk out
Because I love you too much baby
Why can’t you see what you’re doing to me
When you don’t believe a word I’m saying.We can’t go on together
With suspicious minds
We can’t do our dreams
On suspicious minds.I saw an old friend I know I stopped to say hello
But I could still see suspicion in your eyes
Here we go again you ask me where I’ve been
You can’t see the tears are real I’m crying.We can’t go on together
With suspicious minds
We can’t build our dreams
On suspicious minds.Let our love survive
Or dry the tears from your eyes
Don’t let a good thing die
Don’t you know I never lied to you?We’re caught in a trap can’t walk out
Because I love you too much baby…
[repeat to fade]
I’m so glad you posted about the Jennys, JES–and that you’ve done so so reverently. I remember how thrilled I was when 40 Days was finally released, but it was nothing compared to how thrilled I was to see them perform here in ABQ last month. For years I’d been sort of thoughtlessly attributing the polish and exquisite harmony that appears on their albums to the selective airbrushing of studio production–but their live performance was astonishing; equally flawless and even more captivating. It was the first I’d heard any of the original tunes from Bright Morning Stars, which, as you say, are killer; and I was further thrilled by their extracurricular stuff, from Lucy Kaplansky’s By Way of Sorrow–one of my favorite tunes ever, no matter who performs it–to a song that one of the Jennys’ fellows had written to help their young children get dressed, (by which I was completely charmed–I’d like to say against my will, but I never stood a chance). They came to the front of the stage, into the unamplified intimacy of the audience, to wrap up the concert with the Parting Glass, which I’ve heard a thousand times but had never cried over before.
It doesn’t hurt that they’re freaking gorgeous.
(Aside: you can add ukulele, viola, and a very talented brother to the instrument list.)
Anyway, all that to say that I love them.
My ex-wife and her sisters sing and it sounds very much like the Jennys… exquisite harmony, tight and clean cuts and starts, beautifully melodic. This took me back to the days when I saw them perform a lot.
Thank you. :)
I first heard The Parting Glass in the movie Waking Ned Devine. Gorgeous song!
Cedra!
For some reason, I am unsurprised to find you in the Jennys’ corner. Like many people (at least in the US), I first heard them on Prairie Home Companion and was smitten at once. It was a little like finding (say) Anonymous 4 transported into a folk setting. With one of their members eventually leaving, and then her replacement leaving as well, I love that they’ve brought Heather Masse into the group.
And I also love that they’ve also got various solo projects going on…
Heck, I’m obviously in some sort of general Jennys-swoon here.
Darc: Wow — that must have been amazing to hear!
Hi, Deniz — I haven’t seen Waking Ned Devine in ages, and don’t remember this song from it (although Lord knows it’d fit!). Now I’m in the mood to find it as an on-demand download… :)
I missed this post when it came up, so I’m catching up. This sample has made me want to hear much more of The Jennys–it’s of the Celtic tradition that reminds me so much of my own heartbeat, just a natural part of who I am. It sounds like home.
[...] (Delayed) Midweek Music Break: Wailin' and Waylon [...]
And of course, can one hear the Wailing Jennys and not think (in a twisted way) of the sisters Roche? Can you imagine a Roches and Wailing Jenny’s sing-off? I’m getting goose bumps at the thought! Thanks again for including them in “The Mix”.
brudder: The Roches — great connection to have made, and I wish I’d thought of it myself.
This isn’t a complaint, but sometimes I do wish I had the opportunity to see more live music. Not enough time, ticket prices, weird venues, inconvenient timing — it all seems to conspire against the prospect!
[...] Ontario, it includes classics like “Brian Boru’s March,” the title song, and a RAMH favorite, “The Parting Glass.” Among them: “Down by the Sally [...]