40 Days
Encyclopedia
40 Days is the debut full-length album from Canadian folk trio The Wailin' Jennys
. The lineup of the group at the time was Ruth Moody
, Nicky Mehta
, and Cara Luft
. This was the last recording to feature Luft, who left the group the following year.
Although the title, 40 Days appears as a line in the song "Something to Hold Onto", and traditionally has religious significance it was chosen for another reason. The title is actually the number of days it took the Jennys to record and refine the album and is a tribute to the experiences encountered during that time.
The album features three tracks contributed by each the band's three songwriters and covers of Neil Young
's "Old Man
" and John Hiatt
's "Take It Down". The group rounds out the collection with the traditional farewell, "The Parting Glass".
The album received the 2005 Juno Award
for "Roots & Traditional Album of the Year by a Group".
The Wailin' Jennys
The Wailin' Jennys are a Juno Award-winning Canadian folk trio from Winnipeg, Manitoba, and New York, and they consist of soprano Ruth Moody, mezzo Nicky Mehta and alto Heather Masse. In previous years, the Jennys have also toured with fiddler and mandolinist Jeremy Penner, who is from Ruth's...
. The lineup of the group at the time was Ruth Moody
Ruth Moody
Ruth Moody is an Australian-born soprano singer-songwriter and member of the Canadian folk trio The Wailin' Jennys.-Biography:Moody grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba with her parents, Charles and Marcelline, and three siblings, older brother Richard , older sister Jane and younger sister Rachel...
, Nicky Mehta
Nicky Mehta
Nicky Mehta is a mezzo singer-songwriter, and member of Canadian folk trio The Wailin' Jennys.-Biography:Before fully entering into a life of music, Mehta attended Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario where she attained an honours degree in Media Studies. She also has a certificate in...
, and Cara Luft
Cara Luft
Cara Luft is a singer-songwriter and founding member of the Canadian folk trio, The Wailin' Jennys. She returned to her solo career in 2004.2009 October Cara Luft play a tour in Europe...
. This was the last recording to feature Luft, who left the group the following year.
Although the title, 40 Days appears as a line in the song "Something to Hold Onto", and traditionally has religious significance it was chosen for another reason. The title is actually the number of days it took the Jennys to record and refine the album and is a tribute to the experiences encountered during that time.
The album features three tracks contributed by each the band's three songwriters and covers of Neil Young
Neil Young
Neil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
's "Old Man
Old Man (song)
"Old Man" is a song written and performed by Neil Young on his 1972 album Harvest.The song was written for the caretaker of the Northern California Broken Arrow Ranch, which Young purchased for $350,000 in 1970. The song compares a young man's life to an old man's and shows that the young man has,...
" and John Hiatt
John Hiatt
John Hiatt is an American rock guitarist, pianist, singer, and songwriter. He has played a variety of musical styles on his albums, including New Wave, blues and country. Hiatt has been nominated for several Grammy Awards - although he has never won- and has been awarded a variety of other...
's "Take It Down". The group rounds out the collection with the traditional farewell, "The Parting Glass".
The album received the 2005 Juno Award
Juno Awards of 2005
The Juno Awards of 2005 were held April 3 at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba and were hosted by comedian Brent Butt. Avril Lavigne and k-os won three awards each, while Billy Talent and Feist won 2 apiece.Nominations were announced 7 February 2005....
for "Roots & Traditional Album of the Year by a Group".
Critical Reception
Track listing
- "One Voice" (Ruth MoodyRuth MoodyRuth Moody is an Australian-born soprano singer-songwriter and member of the Canadian folk trio The Wailin' Jennys.-Biography:Moody grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba with her parents, Charles and Marcelline, and three siblings, older brother Richard , older sister Jane and younger sister Rachel...
) - "Saucy Sailor" (Traditional)
- "Arlington" (Nicky MehtaNicky MehtaNicky Mehta is a mezzo singer-songwriter, and member of Canadian folk trio The Wailin' Jennys.-Biography:Before fully entering into a life of music, Mehta attended Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario where she attained an honours degree in Media Studies. She also has a certificate in...
) - "Beautiful Dawn" (Ruth Moody)
- "Untitled" (Cara LuftCara LuftCara Luft is a singer-songwriter and founding member of the Canadian folk trio, The Wailin' Jennys. She returned to her solo career in 2004.2009 October Cara Luft play a tour in Europe...
) - "This is Where" (Nicky Mehta)
- "Old ManOld Man (song)"Old Man" is a song written and performed by Neil Young on his 1972 album Harvest.The song was written for the caretaker of the Northern California Broken Arrow Ranch, which Young purchased for $350,000 in 1970. The song compares a young man's life to an old man's and shows that the young man has,...
" (Neil YoungNeil YoungNeil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
) - "Heaven When We're Home" (Ruth Moody)
- "Ten Mile Stilts" (Nicky Mehta)
- "Come All You Sailors" (Cara Luft)
- "Take it Down" (John Hiatt)
- "Something to Hold Onto" (Cara Luft)
- "The Parting GlassThe Parting Glass"The Parting Glass" is an Irish traditional song, often sung at the end of a gathering of friends. It was allegedly the most popular song sung in both Scotland and Ireland before Robert Burns wrote "Auld Lang Syne"....
" (Traditional)