Seaspeak

Appropriately recorded at The Queen’s House in Greenwich, the Derbyshire-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Joe Danks’ debut is a maritime theme set of songs and tunes. There are some well-chosen tracks here, but a couple don’t quite hit the spot. Opener ‘Sea Fever’ is confidently produced but is perhaps a little too polished. The same can be said of the sweet heartache of ‘Jutland 1916’, which is incongruously followed by the playful ‘Jumbo’, a tune inspired by the true story of Jumbo the elephant.

Seaspeak is on stronger footing, literally, with Simon Harmer’s clog dancing providing an effective beat for ‘Quadrilles’. Recorded live, and accompanied by accordion and fiddle, it’s an attractive tune. Indeed, the echoey, live recordings are the sturdier tracks here. ‘Southward’ is a highlight, just Danks’ voice recorded within the superb acoustics of the Queen’s House stairwell, while ‘The Dorsetshire Hornpipe’ kicks off a solid collection of tunes. The stripped-back ‘Man of War’ and ‘Sweet Thames Flow Softly’ are two of the strongest songs on a genial album. Both are fine, assured interpretations of familiar songs, delivered with a sensitive ear. Seaspeak is, at times, a mixed bag but shows considerable promise.