The Shanty Show

Miguel Perez is a singer and multi-instrumentalist and a member of El Pony Pisador. Based out of Barcelona, El Pony have been making waves in the shanty world with their irreverent and fun interpretations on classic shanties, including on their latest album "It's Never Too Late for Shanties". Miguel talks to us about how the group first found shanties, how they've been received in their native Catalonia, the way they play with musical inspiration from other genres as wide-ranging as ragtime and metal, and the importance of having fun while playing music. This is a fun one!

⚓︎ Shanties featured:
- Opening credits: Paddy Doyle's Boots, trad. arranged by Pressgang Mutiny
- Recorded song: Whip Jamboree, trad. arranged by El Pony Pisador feat. Chalart58
- Recorded song: Pay Me My Money Down, trad. arranged by El Pony Pisador
- Recorded song: Bully in the Alley, trad. arranged by El Pony Pisador
- Recorded song: Essequibo River, trad. arranged by El Pony Pisador
- Recorded song: Santiana, trad. arranged by El Pony Pisador
- Live song: Fathom the Bowl, trad. arranged by Miguel Perez
- Closing credits: L'Abordatge, trad. arranged by El Pony Pisador

⚓︎ Find out more about El Pony Pisador at elponypisador.com, buy their stuff at rattio.es/pony-pisador/ and find their YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUSjRkF72RR1E8Rl4SWtVsQ

⚓︎ Find out more about Pressgang Mutiny here:
- pressgangmutiny.com
- facebook.com/pressgangmutiny
- TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram: @pressgangmutiny

Coda are a County Mayo-based group of seven singers and musicians who have developed their own unique and richly-harmonised approach to vocal performance from diverse vocal and instrumental backgrounds, including folk, trad, blues, rock, pop music and of course shanties - all uniquely complemented by their multi-part vocal harmony experience gained from classical choral music. We talk to them about the intersection of shanties and Irish traditions, their experience going viral with their video of 'Leave Her Johnny' and the future of Irish singing.

⚓︎ Shanties featured:
- Opening credits: Paddy Doyle's Boots, trad. arranged by Pressgang Mutiny
- Live song: Grey Funnel Line, trad. arranged by Coda
- Live song: Leave Her Johnny, trad. arranged by Coda
- Closing credits: Mingulay Boat Song, trad. arranged by Coda

⚓︎ Find out more about Coda at codasinging.com and check out their version of "Leave Her Johnny" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBNt3ALLcLQ

⚓︎ Find out more about Pressgang Mutiny here:
- pressgangmutiny.com
- facebook.com/pressgangmutiny
- TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram: @pressgangmutiny

Séan McCann is a founder of the iconic Canadian band Great Big Sea and an Order of Canada recipient for his advocacy for people living with mental health and addiction issues. His latest album, Shantyman, is a powerful return to the music of the sea that he grew up with. We speak to him about his first encounters with these songs, recording with Great Big Sea, his journey through addiction to recovery, and the vision behind his fantastic new album.

⚓︎ Shanties featured:
- Opening credits: Paddy Doyle's Boots, trad. arranged by Pressgang Mutiny
- Closing credits: Chariot, trad. arranged by Séan McCann

⚓︎ Find out more about  Séan McCann at https://seanmccannsings.com/

⚓︎ Find out more about Pressgang Mutiny here:
- pressgangmutiny.com
- facebook.com/pressgangmutiny
- TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram: @pressgangmutiny

The town of Barrouallie on the leeward side of the island of St. Vincent has a long history of longshore whaling. Taking to sea in 25-foot wooden whaleboats powered by rowing and sails, the whalers of Barrouallie developed a rich tradition of a capella work songs, many of which share their roots with well-known deepwater sea shanties.  In this episode, we talk with George “Tall 12” Frederick, one of the most successful harpoon gunners in Barrouallie history who also has a genuine claim to being one of the world’s last “real” shantymen. He tells us all about his childhood watching his uncles and brothers head out to sea, what it was like spending his days hunting blackfish (pilot whales) and other cetaceans such as porpoises, killer whales, and sperm whales, and how they used their songs to motivate the crew, summon crowds to the shore when returning with a catch, and haul large whales and boats onto the shore. Tall 12 is joined by fellow Vincentian Vince Reid and New England shanty singer Dan Lanier. Collectively, their efforts are helping to preserve and promote the shanty traditions of Barrouallie both at home in St. Vincent and around the world.

⚓︎ Shanties featured:
- Opening credits: Paddy Doyle's Boots, trad. arranged by Pressgang Mutiny
- Live song: Blackbird Get Up (rowing song), trad. arranged by The Barrouallie Whalers
- Live song: Seven Long Years, trad. arranged by The Barrouallie Whalers
- Live song: Bear Away Yankee, trad. arranged by The Barrouallie Whalers
- Live song: Hey Bully Monday (hauling song), trad. arranged by The Barrouallie Whalers
- Live song: Yard-O (ringplay and hauling song), trad. arranged by The Barrouallie Whalers
- Live song: That Poor Old Man, trad. arranged by The Barrouallie Whalers
- Live song: Blow the Man Down, trad. arranged by The Barrouallie Whalers
- Live song: Royo Ground, trad. arranged by The Barrouallie Whalers
- Live song: Goodbye Fare You Well, trad. arranged by The Barrouallie Whalers
- Live song: Time for Man Go Home, trad. arranged by The Barrouallie Whalers
- Closing credits: Blow the Man Down, trad. arranged by The Barrouallie Whalers
- Closing credits photos: The Caldwell Collection, New Bedford Whaling Museum; Carol Entin

⚓︎ Find out more about the Barrouallie Whalers Project at
https://www.facebook.com/Barrwhalers

⚓︎ Find out more about Pressgang Mutiny here:
- pressgangmutiny.com
- facebook.com/pressgangmutiny
- TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram: @pressgangmutiny

Ian Bell is a brilliant singer and songwriter from Southwestern Ontario with a deep fascination and passion for the traditional music of the Great Lakes. We met up with him at the Port Dover Harbour Museum to sing some songs and chat about the history of Great Lakes maritime trade, the songs it gave rise to, and how all that music would have been lost to time were it not for the efforts of one man.

⚓︎ Shanties featured:
  - Opening credits: Paddy Doyle's Boots, trad. arranged by Pressgang Mutiny
  - Live song: Heave Her Up and Bust Her, lyrics trad, tune and arrangement by Ian Bell 
  - Live song: Blow the Man Down (Port Dover version), tune trad, lyrics and arrangement by Ian Bell
  - Live song: Jenny P. King, trad. arranged by Ian Bell
  - Closing credits: It's Me for the Inland Lakes, trad. arranged by Ian Bell

⚓︎ Find out more about Ian Bell at ianbellmusic.ca and buy his music on Bandcamp

⚓︎ Visit the Port Dover Harbour Museum in Port Dover, ON or at portdovermuseum.ca/

⚓︎ Find out more about Pressgang Mutiny here:
  - pressgangmutiny.com
  - facebook.com/pressgangmutiny
  - TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram: @pressgangmutiny
  
Send us your comments and feedback!

In the late 1800s, ships from Yarmouth, on the southwestern tip of Nova Scotia, could be found in every major seaport in the world. Many people in Yarmouth today can trace their heritage back generations to sailors, shipbuilders, traders, fishermen, and port workers – including members of the Yarmouth Shantymen. They’ve been belting out shanties around the East Coast for almost 40 years and it was a chance encounter with them that encouraged members of Pressgang Mutiny to give this whole shanty thing a go. In this episode, we chat with them about the history of sailing in Yarmouth and the Maritimes, the joys of singing with others, and why shanties still resonate profoundly with the descendants of those who lived – and often lost - their lives at sea.

⚓︎ Shanties featured:
  - Opening credits: Paddy Doyle's Boots, trad. arranged by Pressgang Mutiny
  - Live song: Across the Western Ocean, trad. arranged by The Yarmouth Shantymen
  - Live song: Bully in the Alley, trad. arranged by The Yarmouth Shantymen and Pressgang Mutiny
  - Live song: Boston Harbour, trad. arranged by The Yarmouth Shantymen
  - Closing credits: Sam’s Gone Away, trad. arranged by The Yarmouth Shantymen

⚓︎ Find out more about The Yarmouth Shantymen at yarmouthshantymen.org

⚓︎ Find out more about Pressgang Mutiny here:
  - pressgangmutiny.com
  - facebook.com/pressgangmutiny
  - TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram: @pressgangmutiny
  
Send us your comments and feedback!

Jim Mageean, or “Shanty Jim”, has been leading some of the best shanty sessions in the world for decades. His lengthy discography now includes his most recent project, a series of books and accompanying recordings titled Heave Away, Haul Away and Sail Away. In our first trans-Atlantic episode, we chat about Jim’s long history with shanties, his family history down the mines, why there are so many folk songs from Newcastle, and his early encounters with Stan Hugill, a bottle of rum, and three flights of stairs. Jim has been an inspiration to each of the members of Pressgang Mutiny and we were beyond thrilled to speak with him!

⚓︎ Shanties featured:
  - Opening credits: Paddy Doyle's Boots, trad. arranged by Pressgang Mutiny
  - Live song: Bold Riley, trad. arranged by Jim Mageean
  - Live song: Brandy O!, trad. arranged by Jim Mageean
  - Closing credits: John Dead, trad. arranged by Jim Mageean

⚓︎ Contact Jim at [email protected]

⚓︎ Find out more about Pressgang Mutiny here:
  - pressgangmutiny.com
  - facebook.com/pressgangmutiny
  - TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram: @pressgangmutiny
  
Send us your comments and feedback!

NOTE: This episode contains some audio glitches from the original video call recording that could not be removed during editing.

Seán Dagher has one of the most widely heard and recognized voices in all of shanties thanks to his work on the soundtrack for the video game Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. He talks to us about how he got involved with that project, the process of recording it (including the “drunk takes”), and how the success of the game and soundtrack changed his life. We also discuss his groundbreaking work with the Montreal music project La Nef and the runaway success of his Shanty of the Week YouTube project. 
 
⚓︎ Shanties featured:
 - Opening credits: Paddy Doyle's Boots, trad. arranged by Pressgang Mutiny
 - Live song: Stormalong John, trad. arranged by Seán Dagher
 - Live song: Lowlands, Low, trad. arranged by Seán Dagher 

- Closing credits: Randy Dandy O, trad. arranged by Seán Dagher

⚓︎ Find out more about Seán Dagher at Shantyoftheweek.com and Seandagher.bandcamp.com

⚓︎ Find out more about Pressgang Mutiny here:
 - pressgangmutiny.com
 - facebook.com/pressgangmutiny
 - TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram: @pressgangmutiny
 
 Send us your comments and feedback. If you have a Tall Ship you'd like to see featured, get in touch!

Shanties were long considered "men's songs" and it was frowned upon for women to lead them. That is, until The Johnson Girls and other pioneering female singers decided to break through the "especially bearded, especially beer-bellied" resistance. In this episode, we chat about their many wild adventures, why they love shanties and how they pick and arrange songs, and the many great singers who supported them along the way.  And of course, we get some fantastic singing in. Don't miss this one!

⚓︎ Shanties featured:
- Opening credits: Paddy Doyle's Boots, trad. arranged by Pressgang Mutiny
- Live song: Ranzo medley, trad. arranged by The Johnson Girls
- Live song: Johnson Girls, trad. arranged by The Johnson Girls
- Closing credits: Mama Liza Jane, trad. arranged by The Johnson Girls

In the show, Bonnie mentions Peggy Lyons but due to recording issues we needed to cut the detail. Peggy Lyons was an American who went to the Cape Verde Islands to sail the Ernestina (aka Effie B. Morrissey) back to New Bedford, where the Ernestina is now docked.

⚓︎ Find out more about The Johnson Girls at www.thejohnsongirls.com

⚓︎ Find out more about South Street Seaport Chantey Sings at www.southstreetseaportmuseum.org

⚓︎ Today's tall ship is the Peking. Find out more at https://www.hamburg.com/sights/maritime/13195372/peking/

⚓︎ Find out more about Pressgang Mutiny here:
- pressgangmutiny.com
- facebook.com/pressgangmutiny
- TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram: @pressgangmutiny

Send us your comments and feedback. If you have a Tall Ship you'd like to see featured, get in touch!

Take a look at shanties through the frame of Craig Edwards and Gibb Schreffler who have studied shanties intensely for years. From West African work songs, through the popularization of the banjo in America, through the Beatles in Liverpool. Join us on a trip around the world and through the years that explores the origins, evolution, present day relevance and future possibilities of the genre.

⚓︎ Shanties featured:
- Opening credits: Paddy Doyle's Boots, trad. arranged by Pressgang Mutiny
- Live song: Round the Corner Sally, trad. arranged by Craig Edwards
- Live song: Shallow Brown, trad. arranged by Gibb Schreffler
- Live song: Stormalong John, trad. arranged by Craig Edwards
- Closing credits: Blow the Man Down, trad. arranged by Pressgang Mutiny

⚓︎ Find out more about Craig Edwards at www.fiddlecraig.com

⚓︎ Find out more about Gibb Schreffler at www.pomona.edu/directory/people/gibb-schreffler

⚓︎ Find out more about Pressgang Mutiny here:
- pressgangmutiny.com
- facebook.com/pressgangmutiny
- TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram: @pressgangmutiny

Send us your comments and feedback. If you have a Tall Ship you'd like to see featured, get in touch!