Album Review: 'The Original Jenny Whiteley'

-Tara

Two-time Juno award-winning Canadian Americana singer-songwriter Jenny Whiteley returns with a new record The Original Jenny Whiteley, due September 16th. A tip of the hat to her musical heritage, the songs on The Original Jenny Whiteley range from select covers mixed as well as originals that showcase a range of genres including blues, bluegrass, jug band and more. The album begins with “100 Dollars” an acoustic ode to the working musician and travels through ten more songs that showcase banjo, guitar, harmonica, fiddle and harp alongside Whiteley’s sincere and versatile vocals.

Whiteley’s rendition of “In The Pines” includes some perfectly fitting breezy whistling, while “Oxford Town” is a fast-paced bluegrass toe-tapper and “Morning Blues” is a bluesy, harmonica-laden tune about a girl “on a poor boy’s mind.” The originals on the album include “Malade,” which transports one to France with its beautifully calm melody and Whiteley’s ethereal vocals (sung in French), the spirited jug band style of “Banjo Girl” and the jazzy flair of “Higher Learning” before closing out with the uplifting, acappella “Things Are Coming My Way.”

The Original Jenny Whiteley honors Whiteley’s early influences as well as her own continuing musical journey in a collection that is rich, diverse and simply a delight.

---