big thanks, to my mentor, teacher, and friend from the United States, Simon Spalding.
A big thanks, to my mentor; teacher; and friend from the United States; Simon Spalding, for recommending and introducing me to Frederick Pease Harlow – Chanteying Aboard American Ships. This book is a real treasure for lovers of shanties and the times of iron people on wooden ships. To all who are interested in this book; I also recommend reading another Harlow’s book “The Making Of A Sailor”; both complement each other very well; the first “The Making Of A Sailor” describes works where shanties were used; the second “Chanting on American Ships”, a huge collection of them.
Finally; it is worth adding that many of the greatest shanties singers point to both Harlow’s books; as one of the main sources of their repertoire and knowledge about shanties. Simon Spalding talks about this book “my secret weapon”; a few shanties from this book you can find on the spectacular album “Round The Capstan”; recorded with the shanty band Cztery Refy; which together with the band Stare Dzwony are definitely the leading bands singing traditional shanties in Poland.
Do you want to be more involved?
You can find excellent records of sea shanties here. If you want to discuss this book or share your opinion you can do it in my Facebook forum here, or below post in the comment section.
Related to Chanteying Aboard American Ships
Frederick Pease Harlow – The making of a sailor (1928)