THE impressive Canadian three piece The Wailin? Jennys are doing a short UK tour which features one West of England date when they play The Plough Arts Centre, Torrington .on February 5 The tour is aimed to coincide with 40 Days, the critically acclaimed debut album of the rootsy threesome, which will be released for the first time in the UK on February 21. The band have become darlings of both the Canadian and American roots scene and have been compared to the likes of Be Good Tanyas and Po?Girl with their sweet, harmonic approach to their work. Looking at the current incarnation of the Jennys, soprano Ruth Moody, mezzo Nicky Mehta, and alto Annabelle Chvostek, it would seem like few groups could be so perfectly aligned, by fate or by design. Music critics are inclined to phrase their descriptions in honeyed phrases. The Jennys? music has been called ??lush?, ?luscious? and ?sweet?. Their masterful three-part vocal harmonies described as ?haunting? and having the capacity to ?shimmer?. Behind the words, however, there are the songs: an informed mix of original and traditional tunes that visit a variety of roots styles. On a cold Winnipeg night in January of 2002, three of Winnipeg?s most accomplished singer-songwriters prepared to take the stage at a cosy music store and erstwhile concert venue. Nicky was a folk scene veteran (her debut album, Weather Vane, would soon be nominated for a 2002 Canadian Music Award for Outstanding Roots Recording), as was Ruth, who had been a member of the Juno-nominated roots act Scruj MacDuhk. The third member of the trio was Cara Luft, who had been making waves in Winnipeg since arriving in the city in 2000. As the three sat down for a one-night-only trio performance, they were excited about a playful departure from their solo careers. What they began separately, they would continue together. Fans would later describe the sold-out first show as divine. A second performance was swiftly added, and when it became clear that the magic was there to stay, Sled Dog Music owner John Sharples stepped forward to offer the three women a name that would seal the deal: the Wailin? Jennys. Within a month, the newly christened trio was a bona fide Canadian sensation. As the momentum built, the Wailin? Jennys seemed a group destined to rise to the top of the North American roots scene. Buoyed by a passionately loyal fan base, the Jennys toured for two years before releasing their debut album, 40 Days, in April, 2004. The record was an instant hit ? being hailed across North America as one of the finest roots records of the year. But in October of 2004 Cara decided to leave the group to return to her roots as a solo artist. In saying goodbye to Cara, Nicky and Ruth were faced with more than just the tough challenge of finding another alto: where could they find the kind of vocal, musical, and personal chemistry that existed with the first incarnation of the trio? Friends were raving about the sound of experimental singer-songwriter Annabelle Chvostek. She was a graceful vocalist, an accomplished guitarist and violinist, and came from a broad musical background: all things that were integral to the Jennys? sound. When the three women met up in Toronto to try singing together, the magic that had begun on a cold January night was rekindled. As Annabelle began to settle into the group?s sound, the singer-songwriter brought with her a wealth of fresh perspectives. Rehearsing with Ruth and Nicky, Annabelle led the trio to throw open new musical doors, exploring exciting melodic avenues and breathing new life into the old. Plough box office: 01805 624624.