DAN ZANES AND FESTIVAL FIVE FOLK: Sea Music

Dan Zanes and Festival Five Folk

Sea Music

© 2003 festival five records (800495000420)

CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.

14 traditional maritime songs performed by dan zanes and his ragged but harmonically precise circle of friends. these are raw, spirited, acoustic versions of tunes from the long gone days of sail.

notes

wooden ships, talking fish, homesickness, drunkenness, stormy weather,
weavily wheat, drowning, superstition, poetry, humor, hope and all-out merrymaking. guitar, mandolin, accordion, banjo, cuatro, acoustic bass, fiddle, pump organ, harmonica, a saw, and a lot of singing. it's all here.

sea music was recorded during the fall of 2002. originally it was made as a homespun musical new years offering for friends but as the cd circulated and multiplied, more and more people began asking about it. i love the indelible melodies, rascally storytelling, and vivid history that fills these traditional maritime songs and decided to share my enthusiasm by releasing sea music as the first folk cd on my festival five label.

there are a handful of people around brooklyn and vermont who sing and play in the rough soulful style that i like so much. they're all here. i recorded this with my band members barbara brousal, cynthia hopkins, and yoshi waki as well as brother-in-law-illustrator donald saaf, rankin' don aka father goose, engineer rob friedman, cary tamarkin and john denicola of the wonderland string band, patsy primus and rosita isles of the sandy girls, as well as brooklyn neighbors the mocklers and the sullivans, all of whom appear on other dan zanes and friends cds.

is it really family music? not in the way that my other cds
are (as you can see from some of the themes) but i think that these timeless songs can easily fit into almost anyone's life regardless of age, size, or temperament.

after spending my whole adult life playing rock and roll, i think that i found my true calling when i started playing music for children and their families six years ago. that's my overwhelming interest (the fourth cd "house party" will be available october 7th, 2003) but during these recent years while searching for songs to sing on my family records the old tunes of the sea have really grabbed me. they're funny, sad, poetic, historical, emotional, and catchy. if you like to sit around singing
and playing with other people, as i do, then these are perfect additions to your song bag.

the cd comes with a 32 page booklet which includes photos, background information, and most importantly, lyrics, and chords which i hope will make it as easy as possible to add these to the mix at any musical neighborhood gathering.

reviews

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  • NOt just a CD, but a song book too
    author: Charles Johnson

    This is my kind of music, it's perfectly organic. The songs are all classic maritime folk songs, and there's no soaring guitar solos, and no heavy production so common in most commercial recordings these days. It's just a bunch of people sitting around in the kitchen singing songs and that feeling totally comes through. The best part is the songbook. A lot of CDs come with lyrics, but this one has the chords too, so you can play along if you want.

  • A very nice collection of sea songs
    author: Eclipse Girl

    I was searching for sea songs. I ran across this CD, and was skeptical because of the "family nature". This CD has a great collection of sea songs, with minimal accompaniment and great vocals. The recordings seem to be fairly authentic. If you are a collector of sea songs, this is a good one to own.

  • Great music! Words and chords included
    author: Jen

    I bought this CD for my husband's birthday. He LOVES it. And an added bonus is that the words and guitar chords come with. He was totally stoked about that!

  • Standout was Sloop John B
    author: Sue Leffler

    Not as good as Dance Party. Loved the child singing -- an original touch!! Selection of material and performances not particularly exciting. However, loved the musical background to John B. It's not Pete Seeger, but I love Dan Zanes and am buying and enjoying in my car, all his CDs!! PS I'm a granny; 66 years old; raised on Cisco Houston, Pete, early Arlo, Leadbelly, Brownie McGee and Sonny Terry, the Weavers, and of course, WOODY GUTHRIE. Also love Marais and Miranda and The Babysitters with Alan Arkin. Do you know Betty from the Golden Rule? A great song by the Babysitters. Cannot locate it on CD. Can you help? These performers set the standards for me. You (Dan) do quite well! Particularly love Thrift Shop!

  • Cape Cod Girls Resonates In Our House
    author: Julie Keefe

    This CD is incredible, Dan Zanes and Friends do it again. My boys (3, 2, 10 months) can't get enough of Cape Cod Girls. At any given moment in the day you can here someone singing, "Heave away, haul away!" The entire CD is outstanding!! A must for your collection!

  • Great!
    author: Jim Nelson

    Great CD! I am something of a sea chanty afficianado (even if I can't spell it) and I must say this is one of the best. They cover some great classics with good "chanty" voices.

  • author: the dread pirate Momma, arrr.

    Aye, we have had fun learning these songs! I can hear me son singing heave away, haul away (from Cape Cod Girls) while hard at work building lincoln logs. It is excellent we have DZ&F, among others, who are keeping these songs from disappearing into the past. We enjoy the lass singing All For Me Grog, a wonderfully funny sea song.

  • great sing along music-loved it!!
    author: cara

    Our family is falling in love with Dan Zanes and his players' music. This cd is really great sing along music. We play it in the car and the kids call out for their favorites. The music is beautiful and will stay with you. We all love it!!

  • We all got a kick out of it.
    author: Conrad

    Nice music. Enough lilt to keep a four-year old dancing, enough pretty acoustics to keep the parents tuned in to. Lots of fun, and the lyrics and guitar chords are a definite plus.

  • What sweet, fun music this is!
    author: Jamie

    I love to listen to Dan Zanes as much if not more than my son!

  • Hard to keep still while you listen to this music
    author: C. Aaron McNeece

    It is hard to keep still while you listen to this music. The Leaving of Liverpool is an authentic version that puts Bob Dylan's rewrite to shame!

  • Very 'folksie' and appropriate for kids, teachers, and parents!
    author: J. Grigsby

    I enjoyed the 'downhome' feeling of the CD. Not studio overdubbed, but just a lot of talented folks playing songs together in an authentic acoustic environment. Great songs to use with kids in my school setting. We heard Dan live the week before at a concert, and then learned "Strike the Bell" the next week off this CD. Great accompaniment booklet with info, lyrics, and guitar chords. Highly recommended! - J.G.

  • It's a good thing the grown-ups love it, too!
    author: Sarah Blain

    We got this CD in December, after watching a Dan Zanes show. It's February, and we are still listening to it every time we get in the car... My 3-year old is thrilled with All For Me Grog, the pirate song! All of the cousins got Sea Music for Valentine's Day so that we can sing them together.

  • I play this CD all the time!
    author: Vicki Beerman

    My father lives on a boat and I volunteer with the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater and we love this kind of music. It is a real joy to have these wonderful sea shanties preserved with such energy and vitality on this CD. ( The graphic design of which is outstanding as well.) A superior CD in every way.

  • The best cd of 2004
    author: katryna

    This Cd blows me away. I bought it for everyone on my Christmas list. Dan Zanes is a genius at bringing these old songs back to life. They are so true and organic but so fresh and fun. I think Dan Zanes is treasure. He is preserving these songs and reminding me about why I love music.

  • Great, our son adds to his Dan Zanes collection
    author: Pendleton/Cronin Family

    A great collection of sea tunes. We are sailors and are familiar with some of the songs and enjoy hearing some songs new to us. This, as all of Dan's CD's, keep our son happy at home and in the car.

  • Catchy songs that tell stories, joyous, funny and sad ones.
    author: Lisa Kaplan

    I have bought this CD about 6 times to give as gifts... Every song is great with a catchy chorus, and tells a story. My 3 year old completley gets it. Also lyrics and guitar chords included!!! We all play together. Strike the Bell is an anthem around here. My favorite DZ record.

  • author: Ann Edge Lipscomb

    Don't depry yourself of this one — Beach CD — with mouse in hand it keeps me humming!

  • What a great CD
    author: Robert

    If you like folk msic nad songs about the sea, you are sure to enjoy this wonderful cd. You really can't go wrong.

  • Another good one!
    author: Lisa Stein

    Ordered the Carl Sandburg one and browsing the website, found this. Since I love the ocean figured I'ld splurge and get this one too. Also live in Brooklyn a blook from the river, and everwaiting to get back to the sea.

  • Another great CD
    author: Stan Harrison

    More wonderful material from a man who knows how to pick a band as well as great songs. Thanks, Dan.

  • Fantastic Family Sing Along
    author: Jamie Stanek

    This CD is great. This CD makes my 4 y/o daughter and 2 y/o son dance and sing. What more could I ask for. Great songs, great players, lots of mandolin, and chords so I can play along. Thanks DZ and Friends!

  • Terrific music and spirit, as always, from Dan Zanes.
    author: Carolyn Wieden

    Sea Music is spirited, terrific music-making--makes me want to raise the sails. Loved the family-style--Sam Sullivan's tune is great fun--and I love the book including lyrics, chords, and a little sea history. Many thanks.

  • Love it!
    author: Anne

    This is the second copy of this cd we have purchased because we love it so much! Its great because everyone in our family from kids to adults enjoy it and can sing along. We especially like Farewell Novia Scotia and Shenendoah.

  • Merrymaking at it's best!
    author: Alison

    This record is filled with those kind of songs that happily float through your head and make you want to gather your friends and family together for a sing-along party. Like ALL of Zanes' cds, it is one that will be loved by young and old alike. He is the king of merrymaking music!

  • Loved this CD. You guys are the best!
    author: Beth Dos Sanots

    Beautiful, what a great idea to collect this old music. Love it, as does everyone in my family.

  • Great songs, well sung
    author: Mike

    Great disc. The more maritime songs on the CD (Heave Away, Nova Scotia Farewell) were among those my brother came home singing after spending a year crewing tall ships ~ 30 years ago. I've had "All for me grog" stuck in my head for days now. The freshwater stuff is decent enough too.

  • great music for rocking our houseboat!
    author: Bill Gerstel
  • I love it because the music suggests the landscape. i can taste it!
    author: elizabeth davies

    Thank you so much. i so very much love Sea Music. it feels like a home place to me.

  • If sea music isn't in your blood yet, it will be soon.
    author: Christy Sayre

    I was ready for Sea Music because I was Googling for sea songs and came up with this. Well, not only are the songs all fun with slightly contempory takes that truly retain the folksy flavor, but the CD itself is really well produced, with one mood flowing very nicely into the other. We love it.

  • Wow! I'm listening to it now...
    author: Todd Kircher

    Honestly, i am listening to this cd when i checked my email and cd baby asks did your cds get there ok? This cd is great. I have been commercial clamming for the past couple of years, as is hopefully temporary employment...arrrrh... grew up on the water on long island and love the whole theme, its in my blood, but doesnt have to be, just an honest heart is all.

  • Dan Zanes and crew has done it again
    author: Jon Anderson

    My 3 1/2 year old asks for it by name, and we are happy to play it, as it is easy and even fun on the adult ear. Something to listen to for years and years

  • Great Songs to Sing Along
    author: Anna M

    We love this cd, almost all of the songs became "family hits" after listening to them a few times in the car. It is great that the lyrics and chords are right there, so you can sing it yourself too. We think that David Jones' version of "the Mermaid" is better, though.

  • Fun sing along CD that gets into your blood!
    author: Dan Zanes and Festival Five Folk: Sea Music

    I loved that the CD came with chords along with the words. The songs are great and we have had a blast learning them on the guitar. We are excited to spread this CD around to everyone we know...as well as play it with friends. Thanks for a great CD that we found on a whim!

  • Neat
    author: Regina Toy

    Interesting compilation of songs. Now I just need a sailboat! Barbara Brousal's voice is wonderful as always. All for me grog is very catchy - I like the idea of a kid singing it. I love Dan Zanes & the Rocketship/Festival Five folks for their different takes on familiar songs. Sloop John B is a fav as well- sounds different than the Beach Boys version-more heartfelt.

  • Perfect. Destined to become an obscure classic.
    author: Kevin Walker

    My little boys would tell you this disc is FOR THEM, just as much as the four glorious Dan Zanes and Friends CDs - but like those, it's genuine all-ages underground. Fascinating sea tunes performed in the kitchen-table style DZ has perfected. This music is communal, fresh, and precious. Buy many copies and give them away to the people you love, big and little.

  • Fascinating compilation
    author: Randy Ingersoll

    I've become more interested in all forms of "folk music" lately. Sea music is a new area for me. I have all Dan Zanes cd's, and yes this is different, but still as rich as the others. I like the free spiritedness of the 11 year old singing "All For Me Grog." I enjoy the harmonies in "Cape Cod Girls" and the playing of the saw (!) in Mingulay Boat Song. Oh, and thanks for the lyrics and chords. We are now making Sea Music in Montana.

  • Wonderful folk versions of chanteys
    author: Brian Luster

    I just returned from a 5 day trip on a 19th century schooner. Listened to this CD before, during and after the trip. These songs are just wonderful. Some you'll know, and some are new. Mingulay Boat Song is beautiful, with fantastic harmonies. After listening to Shenandoah you could knock me down with a feather. This CD just gets better with each listen.

  • New Twist on Dan Zanes
    author: DZ Groupie

    What's great about Dan Zanes is that he's not afraid to share a different kind of music to his listeners. No, it's not your typical kid or family CD, but don't you want to try something new? We bought this because Dan recorded it and only because we love and trust him so much. While it might not be the CD that we grab every day, like his new House Party, it's one that gets listened to pretty often. It's a great addition to a family collection.

  • A few songs are great from the first listen, others grow on you.
    author: Naomi

    "Strike the Bell" and "Windy Old Weather" are immediately catchy, and I agree that "All for Me Grog" should have been sung by Dan or Barbara. The rest of the songs are great background music and become more haunting with each listen.

  • If you love Dan Zanes, you'll love this
    author: Michael Theodore

    If you're a fan of Dan Zanes' family CDs, then you simply must have this recording. It has glorious, folky and folksy arrangements, and wonderful songs and performances. It also includes my favorite version of Shenadoah. Our family just got it, and we are already playing and singing many of the songs (another nice feature is that it contains the lyrics and chords for all of the songs). Highly recommended.

  • fun songs, soulful songs
    author: dan fan

    since my family loves dan zanes' other cds, and we love sea music, we had to check out this cd. most of the songs are catchy from the first listen, producing great "audio tattoos." although i love "all for me grog", i wish dan or barbara or a grown-up was singing it--the kid just sounds too cutesy. still a great song, though! this is a fun cd that we can all listen to and sing along.

  • This CD is growing on me
    author: Jeannine Happ

    I ordered this thinking it would be full of beer glass slamming sea chanteys, and was initially dissappointed to find a more folk style take on the songs. Now that I have listened to it a number of times, it is definitely growing on me, and my favorite tune is All For Me Grog.

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