Sea Shanties.

Sea Shanties. Robert Shaw, The Men of the Robert Shaw Chorale. RCA 09026-63528-2.

How can you criticize perfection? Well, in this case the technical expertise of the Men of the Robert Shaw Chorale pretty much squeezes the life out of these innocent sea shanties, rendering them more sterile than stirring. I realize this is a purely personal and controversial reaction, but shouldn't old sailor ballads come closer to sounding like they're being sung by old salts than tuxedoed sophisticates? Shaw's singers are immaculate in their harmonies and inflections, as expected, every syllable clearly audible. But if you've ever heard what the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem did on a similar album, Sing of the Sea, you'll recognize the differences I'm talking about. Of course, apples and oranges you'll argue, and I'd agree. Conductor Robert Shaw's group is a precision instrument. It's the songs that don't fit.

Still, there are some exceptions. "A-Roving" works well because Shaw allows his men to cut loose a bit, and their enthusiasm shows. "Goodbye, Fare Thee Well" works, too, with its wonderfully straightforward melancholy. As for the rest, it's like hearing the Mormon Tabernacle Choir doing the Beatles. It loses something in the translation.

The ultra-wide stereo spread on this Living Stereo recording from 1960 is also a bit daunting, making the group seem like it's even bigger than it is. The Super CinemaScope Technicolor treatment of relatively simple tunes comes across like overkill. The remastering is fairly natural in the midrange, a little hard on top, with a small amount of accompanying tape hiss. You'll get no argument from me there.--JP