Sole Mates

Two years or so past their quarter-century anniversary, Port Isaac's Fisherman's Friends have put together an album of shanties and tales that distils their sound into its quintessential qualities, which means strong choral pieces with the backup of simple and solid instrumentation. Although the whole thing hangs together well and each song flows into the next one nicely, some tracks are more effective than others, particularly ‘The Leaving of Liverpool’. Also memorable is ‘Whip Jamboree’, an a capella shanty with a lead vocal reminiscent of Martin Carthy. ‘Cap’n Stormio’ is the prettiest of the lot, with the eight voices drawling a romantic narrative that Phil Beer complements perfectly with slow violin lines.

As solid, reliable and enjoyable as it all is – and it really is – the overwhelming feeling throughout is that you would rather turn the stereo off, get down to the north Cornish coast at neap tide and listen to the boys belt it out in the flesh. But this album will do nicely in the meantime.