"In the years before his suicide, Paul Clayton did some great work, especially in ferretting out obscure material and breathing life into it. Unfortunately, this particular album lacks the vitality of his earlier work, and portrays some great songs with a sense of weariness that belies the roaring energy that these songs demand."
Light tenor mumbles sea chanteys
Anne B. Rider | Iowa City, IA 52240 | 04/17/2003
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Warning: this is the same album as his reversed-title "Sailing and Whaling Songs," available with a different cover.A good set of chanteys, but badly presented; Clayton's got a light, unemphatic tenor, tends to trail off and mumble, and accompanies himself with light modern guitar that doesn't add to the ambiance.However, if you prefer that light style to either (my favorite) a chorus of rough baritones or a smooth British men's choir, then this may be for you.Me, I'm not gonna bother to keep mine."
Sailing and Whaling Songs of the 19th Century
clorlob | Salem, Oregon United States | 09/01/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the same album as the above (Whaling and Sailing Songs from the days of Moby Dick. You don't need to purchase both like I did. Great album Great Sea Songs."
Absolutely delightful
Marijah Sroczynski | Piscataway, NJ | 06/14/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you close your eyes while listening, you can make-believe you're on the deck of a whale boat! Clayton truly re-creates the sound. This isn't the rollicking re-creations that have become popular of late, but true-to-life, somewhat soulful renditions of old-style whaling shanties. The liner notes are even fascinating - although not the primary reason why I enjoyed this beautiful and mellow recording."