Search - Dan Zanes :: Sea Music

Sea Music
Dan Zanes
Sea Music
Genres: Folk, Pop, Rock, Children's Music
 
  •  Track Listings (14) - Disc #1

On Sea Music, former Del Fuegos frontman turned kid's music songster Dan Zanes performs a set of old sea shanties in a rough-hewn but charming manner. He takes songs that have been worn smooth from constant use, artfully s...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Dan Zanes
Title: Sea Music
Members Wishing: 2
Total Copies: 0
Label: Festival Five Rec.
Release Date: 4/27/2004
Genres: Folk, Pop, Rock, Children's Music
Style: Traditional Folk
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 800495000420

Synopsis

Amazon.com
On Sea Music, former Del Fuegos frontman turned kid's music songster Dan Zanes performs a set of old sea shanties in a rough-hewn but charming manner. He takes songs that have been worn smooth from constant use, artfully scuffs them up, and restores them to their former "ragged but right" glory. His performance of "Shenandoah," for example, features some fine Leadbelly-style 12-string guitar picking and an anguished vocal that almost erases the memory of the polite, formal choral arrangements that usually smother the song. And his "Sloop John B" sails along on jaunty banjos and mandolins rather than the slick harmonies of the Beach Boys' version. These shanties were originally created by sailors as work songs, and consequently they have choruses that are perfect for singing along. Zanes is joined on many tracks by an enthusiastic chorus of kids who are obviously having a wonderful time belting out the sometimes salty lyrics. As with all of Zanes's recordings for children, adults are likely to find themselves listening to this wonderful music even when the kids aren't underfoot. --Michael John Simmons

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CD Reviews

Wonderful surprise
Ken Zirkel | Somewhere in New England | 01/09/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)

"The only Zanes CD at the local store was his Sea Music CD. I picked it up, thinking it would be something in the vein of his song "Wonderwheel", which I know and love. Well, this CD is not at all what I thought it would be. It's not even kids' music, strictly speaking. But it is something really compelling.



For the past few years I've enjoyed reading tales of maritime exploration and adventure. I am fascintated by the maritime heritage of New England. Well, Sea Music is a compilation of authentic sea shanties, the folk music of maritime culture.



It's a compelling glimpse into the life of the sailor. There are songs of mermaids, storms, drunkenness, and women, and yearning for home on old New England. This is great stuff.



More than that, these songs are eminently singable. Zanes has made it his crusade to re-introduce communal singing into the modern world, and it's a compelling vision. I didn't grow up with much enthusiasm for music, whether singing, playing or listening, but somehow this idea speaks to me. I can imagine singing these songs with my kids at a campfire, or even in the car en route to grandma's house. This is great stuff indeed."
Brilliant ode to sea songs -- altogether wonderful
Ken Zirkel | 07/05/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This has become a favorite CD around the home -- the kids love it as do the parents. Zanes is a great musician, playing old sea songs the way they should be played -- with heart."
One of my personal favorite Dan Zanes albums
H. Boswell | Bentonville, Arkansas USA | 11/22/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)

"In Sea Songs DZ sucessfully captures the powerful dynamics and mysticism of traditional maritime music. A lot of these songs are slower, and softer; my daughter loves to listen to this album when she goes down for a nap. As DZ noted at his website, he originally recorded these "Sea Songs" for friends and family because he just loves maritime music. You can definitely sense his passion for the genre on "Sea Songs". Just an outright beautiful album.



As others have noted about Zanes' music, it's "Family Music", not strictly "kids music". My daughter fell in love with DZ's music via Noggin when she was 15 months old; we've purchased every DZ album because we enjoy them as much as she does!"