2018 Y’ARR That Be What I Call Shanties

To begin our 2018 awards season we present to you our favorite new songs of the year. Last year we thought about how to present this and determined why not mock that series of CDs, so the creation of Y’ARR That Be What I Call Shanties is born. There is no real album, though you can buy all these songs and make yourself one on a playlist or burn a CD. We have created a spotify playlist with the top scoring new songs of 2018 however. It doesn’t nearly pay the artists enough so make sure to buy the albums as well. To be eligible songs had to be released on an album that was released in 2018. This year there is no order here, just went down the albums and added them accordingly. What follows is the review for each song, enjoy.

1. “Skull and Bones” is a song whose name alone will attract pirates, thankfully it also delivers. Much like “Devils Curse” this is a FANTASTIC live song that really gets the crowd involved (so now predictions from me on this album since I already know). The recording of it also misses a bit of that live charm like “Devils Curse” but I have no doubt it will become a fan favorite. Even now as I listen and type I feel the urge inside to sing along to the chorus of Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum.
2. Up next is “The Debt” which brings us another new singer! Three songs in and the feeling of a pirate crew is strong and I’m loving it. A personal pirate story with some beautiful lyrics, namely the reap what you sow & drunken like a horse. We also are introduced to a squeeze box on this song, which is always appreciated in a pirate band. I can’t quite put my finger on it but it reminded me of a song The Dreadnoughts would do and I mean that in the best way possible. The end tempo is absolutely fantastic and really brings it home. Hit a home run with this number.
3. We begun the album with “Funeral Dirge” which confirms something for me. For awhile I have thought of Bones as the pirate version of Voltaire, and this song sort of cements that thought in my head. Excellent lyrics, fantastic violin playing, flute is an especially nice touch. Levels may be a bit off as they are at the same level of the singing and fight with it at times. There are schools of thought that you start an album with the best song on the album. With that school of though this is an excellent song choice to start the album.
4. “Ghost of Pierre LeBlanc” starts us off with some beautiful instrumentals. This band is from Louisiana so having a song featuring their most famous pirates is a welcome addition. The balance in the song is really well done, nothing is overpowering other sections. The song itself has a STRONG New Orleans feel when you listen to the lyrics. A perfect song for a pirate band from Louisiana.
5. “Nelson’s Memory” is the “end” of the album and another new song for the band. Much like the other albums we’ve reviewed we find a song that is perfectly placed on the album, the perfect finale song on the album. A beautiful a capella song with connection to the history of sailing.
6. This next song’s title, “Roll, Alabama, Roll”, is likely my father’s favorite pirate song now based on the title alone. It has to be said that “Liverpool” and “Alabama” are placed next to each other perfectly in my opinion on the album. A great middle separation between the front and end of the album. Now “Alabama” begins with some fantastic guitar playing to begin with which blends nicely when the banjo and other instruments are brought in. Knowing how audience focused the Sharks are I’m going to guess this is a big lighter song. One thing I know for certain; this song would be an absolute hit in Alabama and played after every Crimson Tide victory.
7. “Scofield Dear” is a song I’m not quite familiar with but am taken with immediately. I think it’s the mixture of, once again, excellent guitar playing and the vocals. Actually my first instinct was that it reminded me of Ye Banished Privateers “Annabel”. Again I think the levels are getting in the way a bit as the drums are drowning out the guitar and vocals; but not to the point it has lessened the song. Easily my favorite song on the album.
8. “I’ll Tell Me Ma” is a favorite of some of our listeners so finding a new version is always a bonus. The feature instrument I think is the banjo; which I think is a bit brilliant when it comes to “Ma”. The arrangement isn’t necessarily reworking the wheel; but everything is blending very lovely. The guitar and banjo in particular work well together. I am also a fan of how the vocals are laid out. I expect this to become a regular play on the show.
9. “Cold in the Ocean” already feels a bit more live as we can hear the audience in the background. This may be attributed to the choice of instruments but I do think it adds to the Live portion of the album. I think you definitely feel the Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds influence on this song. It feels a bit of a mixture of them and The Decemberists Mariner’s Revenge which I am quite digging. Though not always noticeable I have to take my hat off to the fiddle playing on this song, absolutely stunning.
10. “Ja Ja Leider” begins with a bit of polka feel due to the concertina and well, the German. It is in fact German which translates to I’m Afraid So according to Google. Well, I think we finally found a pirate Octoberfest song and it makes me quite happy. This is most definitely a drinking song since the only English I can hear are types of drinks. Oddly enough I don’t think we have any German language pirate songs at the Inn until now. Because of this it continues that playful streak; and makes me want a Liter of Bitburger.
11. Now I know “Rye Whiskey” by The Pirates Charles but I don’t think we’re hearing that here, but I could be wrong. Would be interesting to hear it in Opry’s style. The long deep first note of the accordion is the perfect start for this song. What I really like about this version of “Rye” is the almost feeling of drunkenness that they are able to pull off. Somehow the vocals and instrumentals all add to it. Fans of Pride O’ Bedlam should enjoy this song immensely. 
12. “The Light From the Lighthouse” follows in the same style as “Johnny”, with a soloist and then the entire group. This rendition feels almost like a gospel version of the song which I am really digging. There are some interesting things going on during the all, some highs and lows that are all evident that really gives the song a lot of range. The mixing of the song has to be commended, one of the best I’ve heard in an a capella recording. LOVE this rendition, may very well be my favorite version of this song.
13. We come to our final song of the album, “Skallywags”, which just happens to be my favorite song on the album. Few songs are made that are PERFECT for encores, but this is the perfect song to start an encore set off with. The fact that it ends this album just brings a smile to my dark heart. Violin is showcased, the lyrics are fantastic, and you can’t help but dance to it. The guitar riff will make all of us who spent our teen years in the 90s very happy as it takes me right back there. They indeed drink with us during the song.
14. We do love drinking songs here at the Inn so “Drink My Way To Heaven” is definite addition to our drinking sets. It is the first not purely pirate song on the album, which is not a knock on the song at all. For me it specifically sounds like a new Irish drinking song. It has lyrics plenty of us drunks can get behind. I mean, drink my way to heaven and never sober up, yeah we can all get behind that message.
15. Up next comes a song we are all very familiar with here at the Inn, “Billy Bones”.Skip Henderson‘s epic song has become a staple in the pirate scene for over a decade now. What I really love about this version is since the band has such an eclectic range of instruments it gives a new feeling to “Billy” that I have never heard. Tim Weed once again kills on the fiddle and in my opinion fills in nicely for Skip’s accordion. The mixture of fiddle and tuba works so much in song. For some reason it feels like Main Street USA and French Quarter at Disney met and decided to make this song and it completely works.