Customer Reviews

Sea Shanties

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Granted, this is stylistically far removed from what fans of shanties expect to hear today. But if I want rough-edged, realism, I'll sing the songs myself -- and often do, while walking the dog (he howls along with me).

This may be akin to Klemperer conducting Bach -- but his recording of the St. Matthew Passion is a classic, and so is this set by Shaw and his chorale.

The arrangements are never less than entertaining, and take full measure of the chorale's prowess. But "Lowlands" and "Shenandoah" are performed with with such attention to vocal lustre along with emotional commitment that they must rank among the finest choral performances available to us. In "Lowlands," especially, the sheer sound -- the rise and fall of the voices --embodies the the sense of loss the words seek to express, so that the repeated phrase "My dollar-and-a-half a day..." assumes a tragic dimension, like "Poor Tom's a'cold" in King Lear.

It does beat the version I sing with my dog, in my rough, authentic baritone.

My fisherman father had this as a 33 LP. I remember listening and singing along to this album as a child. My father is gone now and his copy lost. I am happy to have found this.

They're a bit more stylized than I usually like (mainly because they felt a need to package this stuff more for appeal to the "mainstream" audience back then) but some really good songs, including the best recorded rendition of "Spanish Ladies" that I've ever heard.

I still have a scratched-up, well-used LP of this that I wouldn't part with.

I'm perplexed by the grousing that this CD doesn't represent "authentic" sea shanties. Do other reviewers have access to the singing styles of the 18th and 19th century aboard ship? Do they think the raucous versions on various Irish recordings, which sound like they came from pubs well past happy hour, are authentic? As with Christmas carols, the styles of folk singing adapt themselves to time and place, and always have.

I can only second the reviewers who remark that choral singing doesns't get any better. This seems literally true, for even Shaw himself never surpassed the male a capella ensemble we hear on this CD, which is uncannily precise as to blending of voices, harmony, intonation, and rhythmic unison. The engineers also gave him better sound than on any other Shaw CD I know of, including the ones devoted to Stephen Foster, Christmas carols, and Irish folk songs. All in all, this recording from 1960 is one of a kind.

I have savored this recording since it first came out, now almost 45 years ago. The Robert Shaw Chorale of the early 60's, for me, defines what a chorus ought to sound like, just like a really good Steinway defines the sound of "pianoforte". His men were especially fine, and they are ideal for these wonderfully imaginative and musical settings (bless you, Alice Parker!) of, what is truly, the people's music.
There are not enough "stars" for this recording, and I say that as a lifelong singer, with years as a section leader in a large semi-professional chorus. For me, Robert Shaw always was and always will be in a class by himself.
Requiescat In Pace, Maestro!

Robert Shaw was one of the most accomplished choral conductorss of the 20th century. This work is done in his usual high standard, with rich harmony and plenty of energy. It is also done in classical choral style, which some people seem to find disconcerting. If this is a concern, I would recommend listening to some of the samples before buying (the first two tracks provide a good contrast in styles). I personally found the CD to be very enjoyable listening.

After two conversations with outstanding singers in Shaw's early Chorale, Tommy Pyle and Don Neuen, I knew positively they were among Shaw's closest friends! They spoke of his wondrous section of Men's Voices. It's a great delight to hear "Blow the Man Down" Paul Ukena, baritone + "Tom's Gone to Hilo" with Tommy Pyle at peak voice, "Stormalong John" with Baritone, probably came from Minnesota. All three Soloists were featured in more than one song each! Probably "Shenandoah is the most familiar, filled with Nostalia. Sir Robert knew instinctively--intuitively how to capture the mood of a Sea Shantie or any song with the right voice and inate presence of Vocal Color!

We will never again be delighted with Choral Beauty as we hear in those early Robert Shaw Chorale Spirituals, Sea Shanties, Folk Hymns or Christmas Carols? ...God Bless his great Soul and Spirit! From one devoted Singer... Retired Chaplain Fred W Hood

This recording, done in the '60s and not transferred to CD until recently, was one of the best kept secrets in the world. It is one of the fine examples of the work Shaw and his frequent collaborator, arranger Alice Parker, did for many years. The arrangements are musically sublime and the singing is, as is usual with Shaw, wonderful. The rhythm of each song derives, probably, from the fact that many of these songs are, or emulate, sailors' work songs, and are meant to accompany repetitious movements of work aboard ship. The music evokes that world while at the same time just flowing and resounding through you.

One of the great recordings of all time, a classic. Thanks to BMG/RCA for finally gettng this out on CD.

The Robert Shaw Chorale Men's Chorus hit the seas in this wonderful CD. The beautiful blend of male voices may not be as "authentic" as some would want, but it's the way I like hearing shanties and I am thankful I have this album. "What Shall We Do With A Drunken Sailor?" is a blast. "Lowlands" will bring one to tears. After a few listenings, you find yourself belting out this sea songs with the chorus.

I first heard this album in high school about 20 years ago and at some point found this on cassette. Having all but worn out that cassette over the years, I was thrilled beyond words when I found that this album was FINALLY released as a CD. In the 5+ years that have passed, this CD still gets a regular workout and continues to entertain me from first song to last. I have not heard another men's chorus give such life to music.

Now if only RCA could be convinced to release a few other Robert Shaw albums on CD (namely "23 Glee Club Favorites" [1961], "I'm Going to Sing: 16 Spirituals [1961], and "Deep River & Other Spirituals" [1957]), life would be fabulous!