Swinging The Lead
Album: Danger
Label: Talking Elephant
Tracks: 16
Website: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Swinging-The-Lead/111774955577294

Life has a tendency to throw the occasional curve ball which I suppose keeps it all very exciting. I am a self-confessed non swimming land lubber who rather dislikes travelling on the sea, despite once living near it and having also been on a cruise. That was to celebrate my 60th birthday and was something that I thought I should try before I depart this mortal coil.

As a record reviewer, you occasionally get asked to listen to music that you would not normally give a second thought to, and this latest album most certainly fits into that category.

"Swinging The Lead" dropped through my letter box earlier this week. The CD that is, not the band. I had no idea what to expect until I saw the picture of the band on the cover which includes one member that I think might be related to Captain Birdseye. On doing a bit of research I found that I had been sent an album of sea shanties. Ignoring my natural fear of the sea and having taken a sea sickness tablet, I settled down to listen to the album.

I have at times in the distant past listened to a sea shanty or two but never a whole album in one go. I have to admit that I sat down with slight trepidation and fearful of the next sixty minutes or so. However, the opening track "Nothing to show for it all" with its slightly classical intro made me sit up and pay attention immediately.

At the risk of really hacking off fans of this type of music, I thought the album, at least musically, went slightly downhill after the first track and most of the songs, from a musical perspective, sounded pretty much the same. Having said that, the lyrics are very clever and imaginative and a couple of the tracks found me joining in. "Woolwich Ferry" is a lovely little tribute to the aforementioned ferry and the River Thames. Listen to the words. Very colourful! The band have even included Mantovani in one of their songs about the Pirate Radio ships, a bit of a sideswipe at the BBC, which I am certain is something he would never have imagined in his orchestral leading days.

Every song is a cleverly crafted story and it is one of those albums where every word can be heard and understood. Not really sure why an airport such as Schiphol gets mentioned in a sea shanty but I put that down to the creativity of the lyric writer. Trays of chicken and shepherd's pie get a look in here as well. I did wonder at a couple of points whether or not the songs had been written while under the influence of some unknown substance.

I am certain that my parents said that all The Beatles songs sounded the same in my youth to which I would reply that they just did not understand the music. I think the same charge may be levied at me here. Having said that, I am certain that this album will appeal to all lovers of sea shanties!

Much of the music reminded me of "The Dubliners" and you can just imagine the STL band singing in a fog filled pub surrounded by pints of ale and having a totally wonderful time. Perhaps surrounded by a couple of mermaids? I think I would really enjoy that too but, a whole album in one go, not really for me although I did quite enjoy investigating what I would regard as a relatively new music genre for me.

John Bishop the Liverpool comedian has just started a new variety show on the BBC on Saturday evenings. "Swinging The Lead" would be a great addition to the show for one song. Go on John, give them a go!

Rory Stanbridge