Fair Winds and a Following Sea

The second recording from the shanty-singing outfit The Boarding Party, Fair Winds and a Following Sea was originally released by Folk-Legacy Records in 1987. A collection of maritime work songs with diverse origins (three languages can be heard on this record), the album was painstakingly researched and contains richly detailed liner notes. While most of the songs in this selection are rare, one song, "The Old Peacock", had never before been recorded; written by scientists during the U.S. Exploring Expedition of 1838-42, its performances was commissioned by the Smithsonian Institution in commemoration of the historic journey. A similar degree of historical and cultural intrigue can be expected from all the songs included.