Penguin Eggs

Jenny Whiteley has another winner with this collection of hurtin’ songs. The two-time Juno winner sets the pace with the opening track, Raining in My Heart, that was initially done by Buddy Holly 50 years ago. The other nine originals are up to the same standard, varying between alt-country and traditional country, and all about the pitfalls of love.
Helped along by Steve Dawson’s production—which is layered but never sounds busy—and with some guest ringers including Tim O’Brien, who seamlessly joins Whiteley vocally on two songs, there’s a lot for the ears here.
As usual with Whiteley, the writing makes it all worthwhile. I guess that Loretta Lynn must have been on heavy rotation on the turntable in the Whiteley household when she was growing up. With lines like, “I keep checking my face in the mirror to make sure that I’m here at all” it’s just a matter of time before Nashville discovers this great talent.
– By Mike Sadava