Search - Paul Clayton :: Sailing And Whaling Songs Of The 19th Century

Shanties performed as folk songs

The Admiral | New Smyrna Beach, FL | 01/27/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"All 20 of the well-engineered recordings on this CD are sung by Paul Clayton accompanied by a solo guitar. Many traditional and familiar shanty tunes are included, some of which have the lyrics modified to fit the whaling trade (as was actually the case).



Shanty lovers are likely to find this CD unusual in that the presentation of nearly every song is more of a folk-tune style than true shanty. As such, you really can't consider any of the offerings rousing by any stretch but some might find this a refreshing change and even quite enjoyable since Clayton's voice is both clear and pleasing throughout.



So, my advice is to look elsewhere for rousing shanties but you may want consider this CD if you enjoy folk music with a maritime flavor.

"

A Matter of Preference

Pecos Bill | Gaithersburg, MD United States | 03/11/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I greatly preferred "Shanties & Songs of the Sea" by Johnny Collins to this CD. The main singers on Collins' CD have more baritone voices and there's backup singers for the choruses that really brings out the feeling of it being sung as it would have been on a ship by a crew.Paul Clayton sings solo and has brought in an acoustic guitar for backup. In my opinion, this just detracts from the authentic flavor of the pieces. Where Collins' CD puts you on a ship, Clayton's CD puts you in a recording studio."

Not for the purist, but most of us aren't purists

Stephen C. Wylder | Elkhart, IN, USA | 10/18/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If authenticity is your main criterion for your choice of folk music, don't buy it. Paul Clayton sings clearly and beautifully. I'll admit to having a personal attachment to this album--when my children were young, I learned many of the songs and sang them as lullabyes. Songs like "Farewell and Adieu to You Spanish Ladies and Santy Anna, as sung in Clayton's style, are just as soothing as the old standbys. Not authentic, but lovely."