The Shanty Show

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...

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 w...

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...

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. ⚓...

New Orleans is famous for its singular culture and music. So what do shanties look like there? Alex McMurray from The Valparaiso Men's Chorus talks to us about his journey with shanties that has taken him from New York to Tokyo DisneySea to New Orleans, the impact of Katrina and the pandemic on the music scene there, and of course the Chorus' unique, second line-infused take on shanties....

An episode focused on the Mystic Seaport Museum and Sea Music Festival with former festival director and member of the seminal shanty band Forebitter Geoff Kaufman along with Mystic Seaport Chanteyman Marc Bernier. ⚓︎ Shanties featured: - Opening credits: Paddy Doyle's Boots , trad. arranged by Pressgang Mutiny - Live song: Down Trinidad, trad. arranged by Geoff Kaufman - Live song: It'...

A wide-ranging, informative, and hilarious conversation with renowned shanty singer and educator David Coffin, song leader of the Revels musical program and Director of the Narration Program for Boston Harbor Cruises.  ⚓︎ Shanties featured:  - Opening credits: Paddy Doyle's Boots , trad. arranged by Pressgang Mutiny  - Live song: Noah's Ark, trad. arranged by David Coffin  - Live song:...