Proper Job

‘Proper job!’ is a Cornish expression of approval – and an excellent ale from St Austell Brewery, which has supported the production of the Fisherman's Friends new CD. It's an album that might never have seen the light of day. Two years ago one of the Friends, Trevor Grills, and Paul McCullen, their tour manager, died in an accident at a venue, after which the group did not perform for a long time. Gradually they returned to live appearances. Peter Rowe retired at the age of 81 and Toby Lobb moved from sound-desk to stage. They returned to their studio of choice, the parish church of St Kew, not far from Port Isaac, with producer Rupert Christie, and recorded this interesting selection of shanties and sea songs.

‘Billy O'Shea’ begins with men getting drunk in Dublin. They wake up at sea. Billy falls from aloft and is buried at sea sewn in a canvas, the final stitch being through his nose. What seems a simple work song is a narrative of a sailor's life and death. The Friends enjoy a rousing tune, but are sensitive to such stories and their singing, with pleasing harmonies, can be sweet, tender. Nor are they constrained by genre; they cheerfully slide from ‘Sugar in the Hold’ to ‘Hit the Road, Jack’. Once again, they have instrumental accompaniment on the album. It's unobtrusive, but I prefer them when their bold, live singing is a capella and unadorned – that's the proper job of the Fisherman's Friends.