The Fishwives
Album: Ocean Bound
Label: Wheelhouse
Tracks: 6
Website: http://www.facebook.com/thefishwiveschoir

The end of 2013 saw an unusual single in the running for the festive number one slot, "When The Boat Comes In/Eternal Father", a charity single raising money for a profession that puts their life on the line more than any other civilian profession, fisherman. The Fishwives were out to raise money for The Fisherman's Mission, a charity that supports the families of the fishing community in their time of need.

The single featured the wives and partners of fishermen up and down the country and were put together around Jane Dolby as a thank you for the support the Mission gave her following the death of her husband, Colin.

"Ocean Bound" is a mini album that features a subset of the original singers and is far more of a band affair than the more choral based single, which is included as the signoff track. It's a remarkably upbeat album based around the concept of shanty, both traditional and written specifically for the album.

There's a real generosity of spirit in the presentation, not surprising when you consider that the fishing communities are generally giving of their time with many fishermen/trawler men being Lifeboat crew as well. "Ocean Bound" has a power to it, one that keeps luring you back to it almost siren like.

A generosity of spirit also helped get the album recorded in the first place with support from Waitrose Leigh On Sea (the town where The Fishwives started), The Co-Op Community Fund, Sue Smith, Ian Brown, The Worshipful Company Of Fishmongers and the Seasalt Clothing company.

"Ocean Bound" is an album that's very easy to recommend, not just because of its purpose, but because it's a good fun album that also reminds of hope and good times. Grab yourself a copy and if the fancy takes you think about the book that will follow in the Spring.

Neil King