Various Artists
Album: A Treasury Of Shanties And Songs Of The Sea
Label: Proper
Tracks: 20
Website: www.properdistribution.com

Now don’t get me wrong, I suppose like many of the general public I’ve come to be seduced by the qualities of a good old shanty and on the strength of this recording I’m assuming that Proper Records are diving head long (sorry about that) into band-waggoning this trend. Perhaps they’ve missed the point a bit as I thought the whole idea of tagging along was to be the immediacy following the popularity of the original product in this case Port Isaac’s Fisherman’s Friends CD.

Ah well, better late than never with five tracks each given over to the afore mentioned Fisherman’s Friends, Long Dan Russell, The Cod Ranglers and Ron Kavana & The Shrekin Crew. So long as you like a lusty sing-along with the Briney blowing gustily through your hair or the smell of a fish and chip supper in the offing then I’m sure you’ll enjoy this recording.

Not so special that I think it deserves the title “A Treasury Of…” but it’s alright if you like that sort of thing. Personally I’d rather see an up to date re-print of The Spinners “Songs Of The Tall Ships”.

Peter Fyfe