This review is written by Kevin McCarthy, 8/04
"Kevin and Maxine’s Celtic & Folk Music CD Reviews"
http://www.icogitate.com/~celticfolkmusic/index.html
mailto:celticfolkmusic@icogitate.com
Okay, you scurvy-laden landlubbers, it's time to get your sea legs a-working. William Pint and Felicia Dale are back with ten new offerings that will likely induce any and all listeners to make way to the nearest harbor and peg-leg it aboard anything with a mast and sails.
No, you won't find "Michael Row Your Boat Ashore" or "Benny and the
Jets (Skis)" here, but regret not for this is a collection of
invigorating, touching and melodic selections certain to assuage even
the most ardent loather of sea shanties and songs. The
lyrics and music, combined with the strong, engaging voices of Pint and
Dale, create a delightful aural and, yes, visual mix as the listener is
treated to colorful high seas panoramas.
At just over 10 minutes, "The Mary Stanford of Rye" is the
cut that packs the most emotional punch. A tragic, true-life story of the beauty
of nature matched by its danger, 17 men of the Royal Navy Lifeboat
Institute lost their lives in a rescue attempt that turned out to be
unnecessary. The rescue boat eventually washed ashore as did many, but
not all, of the rescuers bodies. In this sad case, dead men do tell tales.
The opening cut, "High Barbaree," is a high energy pirate tale that immediately propels the listener into the world of brine.
"Billy Boy" features Pint and Dale in harmony and trading lead vocals in this rollicking call and answer cut.
In other hands, "Lost," a roll call of numerous vessels lost at sea
and the reasons for such, could easily become dull and mundane. Not so
here as Pint and Dale turn it into most affective mariner history.
"The Packet Rat" details a sailor's love of his chosen life wherever
he is. Think of it as an expanded version, with multiple
Shangri-Las, of "Lost Horizon."
"Heavens A Bar" is the seaside version of "Big Rock Candy
Mountain," with sailors inserted for hobos. Instead of "little
streams of alcohol, come trickling down the rocks," the spirits come
free of charge in this one in a building down by the docks.
What's left to say but, yes, shiver me timbers, mate. This release
is that good and deserves placement on the Best of 2004 lists. Or risk walking the plank.
Ownership, copyright and title of this folk music CD review belongs to me, Kevin McCarthy. Ownership, copyright and title are not transferable or assignable to you or other parties regardless of how or if you or other parties use, copy, save, backup, store, retrieve, transmit, display, publish, modify or share the CD review in whole or in part. Please read the "Terms, Conditions and Disclaimer" section on my web site for additional information about using, quoting, or reprinting this CD review.
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