SEASON 2 PREMIERE

We're finally back after a long haitus! In this kickoff to Season 2, we welcome folklorist and musician Bob Walser to the show to discuss his journey into the world of shanties and, particularly, his work uncovering new shanties in the recordings and documents of 1930s collector James Madison Carpenter. We also discuss the historical significance of dreg songs, the influence of Afro-Caribbean music on shanties, and the legacy of Carpenter and other collectors in documenting folk music. The conversation also touches on the accessibility of historical music collections and personal anecdotes that highlight the joy of sharing and singing traditional songs.

Our guest is Canadian folk music icon Fergus O'Byrne. Fergus is an incredible singer and was part of the legendary Newfoundland band Ryan's Fancy who were awarded the Dr. Helen Creighton Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004.

In this episode, we explore the early days of English and Irish folk music communities in Toronto and the East Coast, discuss Ryan’s Fancy’s popularity and TV shows, and share thoughts on the power and importance of singing together.

⚓︎ Shanties and songs featured:

• Rant and Roar, trad. arr. by Ryan’s Fancy
• Maid of Amsterdam, trad. arr. by Ryan’s Fancy and Tommy Makem
• Avondale, trad. arr. by Al O’Donnell
• General Taylor, trad. arr. Great Big Sea
• Tiree Love Song, by Hugh S. Robertson, arr. by Ryan’s Fancy

⚓︎ Find out more about Pressgang Mutiny here:

• pressgangmutiny.com
• facebook.com/pressgangmutiny
• TikTok, X, and Instagram: @pressgangmutiny

Poland has one of the world's most vibrant shanty scenes. In 2023, we performed at the Port Pieśni Pracy festival in Tychy, Poland where we were introduced to Marek Szurawski. Marek is a former merchant mariner and journalist who was instrumental in introducing shanties to Poland in the 1980s on his radio program Kliper siedmiu mórz. He still performs regularly as a solo act and with Stare Dzwony ("Old Bells") and we were told he was the 'Oracle of Polish Shanties'.

James and Stefan sat down with Marek in the summer of 2022 in Tychy and recorded this interview.

⚓︎ Shanties featured:

• Northwest Passage, by Stan Rogers, arr. and translated into Polish by The Smugglers
• The Maid of Amsterdam, trad. arr. by Marek Szurawski

⚓︎ Find out more about Pressgang Mutiny here:

• pressgangmutiny.com
• facebook.com/pressgangmutiny
• TikTok, X, and Instagram: @pressgangmutiny