SPRING/SUMMER 2013 No. 101 - Devon Folk

On a wild, wet, windy evening in October, the
audience at The Plough, Great Torrington, were
transported across the sea via shanties and tales
of the sea-faring of a Somerset
sailor. With the culmination of a
two year project to record the sea
shanties that John (Yankee Jack)
Short of Watchet sang for Cecil
Sharp at the beginning of the
twentieth century, the third CD
was issued and a performance to
showcase some of the shanties
was a natural progression.
On the evening at The Plough
the ne array of talent on stage comprised Doug
Bailey, Barbara Brown, Tom Brown, Jackie Oates,
Keith Kendrick and Jeff Warner. As performers
they complement each other beautifully and a good
evening was guaranteed. The ne arrangements
made the most of the instrumental skills of those
on stage as well as the vocal ones and melodeon,
banjo, mandola, concertinas and ddle were all
used to great effect.
Opening the show Tom sang the widely known A-
roving, to be followed by Jeff singing Billy Riley, a
shanty that seems to have passed out of use despite
the fact that it has all the elements commonly found
in the eternally popular shanties. What soon became
obvious was how diverse the shanties are; so often
grouped together and thought of as rousing, energetic
songs the show like the three albums makes
the audience aware of the many
dimensions to be found in shanties.
The toil and labour involved
are conveyed as are sentiments of
being away from home for months
at a time, love of the sea, and relationships
of an on-board community.
With excellent and relevant
comments the performers regaled
the audience with background facts
and fascinating stories drawn from
the research into John Short’s life
undertaken by Tom and Barbara.
The understanding of their subject matter, and
the delight in the tunes, lyrics and rhythm that
the performers obviously feel soon inspired the
audience. Choruses were sung with verve and
gusto, gentler shanties were given due hushed
attention and the tales were greeted with wonder
and awe. Another element that was transmitted
to the audience was the way in which the artistes
worked and related to each other as a “crew”.
For the audience this enjoyment added to the
pleasure, the auditorium was abuzz during the
interval and as everyone made their way to the
exit.
What if you missed this concert
First of all, buy the albums
(available from Wildgoose:
www.wildgoose.co.uk) and
plan to go to see the show on
the Wednesday afternoon of
Sidmouth Folk Week when
it will be on in the Manor
Pavilion. You might also try to
see the performers somewhere
else, they may feel inclined to
perform some of the shanties
individually.
Jacqueline Patten
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