The Wailin’ Jennys – Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach CA
The Wailin’ Jennys played two sold-out shows at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, California. We knew we were in for an exciting night when, as we walked up to the venue for the evening show, a couple leaving the early show asked if we were here for the concert. Yes, we told them. “You’re in for a treat! It was beautiful!,” they replied. They were right.
Although the evening crowd must have been a little more rowdy than the afternoon crowd, at least according to the band, it seemed to me to be a very respectful group that were there to listen to the beautiful harmonies coming from this trio. It was a rare “seated” show at the Belly Up which lends itself to a quieter crowd. Less drinking and more listening, typically.
The show was a celebration of over two decades of music and they sang songs beautifully from each of their five albums, starting the set with “Swing Low, Sail High” from their fourth album, Bright Morning Stars. Next up was a great cover of the Julie Miller song, “By Way of Sorrow.” They shook things up with an amazing a capella version of Paul Simon’s “Love Me Like a Rock.”
Other songs included, “Arlington,” “When I Was a Cowboy” and “Bird Song.” Other covers were “Wildflowers” by Tom Petty and Dolly Parton’s “Light of a Clear Blue Morning.”
The Jennys, none of whom are named Jenny, are Nicky Mehta, Ruth Moody, and Heather Masse. The trio bantered with the crowd throughout the evening each taking turns telling stories about the songs and how they came about.
They closed out the night with the traditional Scottish song, “The Parting Glass” which they sang acapella and unamplified to a completely silent attentive audience. “The Parting Glass” is akin to “Auld Lang Syne” and is traditionally sung at the end of a gathering of friends.
Find more information and tour dates here: https://www.thewailinjennys.com
The complete setlist follows:
Swing Low, Sail High
By Way of Sorrow
Arlington
Loves Me Like a Rock
Bird Song
Beautiful Dawn
When I Was a Cowboy
Light of a Clear Blue Morning
Cherry Blossom Love
I Tried
Prairie Town
Wildflowers
One Voice
The Parting Glass
