We kick off season two live from the Bristol Shanty Shout, right in the thick of the singing, with loads of live tracks, crew banter and proper behind‑the‑scenes chat about what keeps shanty life ticking. I’m Oggy and we give a quick primer for anyone new — shanties are old maritime work songs, usually sung a cappella to sync the crew and lift the mood, and you’ll hear how they sound when the whole pub (or dockyard) joins in.

We’ve got Chilli’s Signaler roundup — all our recent gigs and where we’ll be next — plus extended chats with crews like Stunsels, Beaufort Scale, Missing Tackle and High and Dry, who share tour tales from mine shafts to the SS Great Britain.

I also sit down with Phil, the festival organiser, who walks us through the festival’s history, logistics, and the charities we support (yes, proper good causes like RNLI and local prostate support). Expect a lively mix of songs from stages and ships, sticky‑voiced humour, salty anecdotes and a big focus on community — why we do this, who we meet, and how the scene keeps growing. If you love maritime music, or fancy a whistle and a laugh, come sail with us — winds and following seas, and we’ll see you next time. For the music nerds and the curious alike, we serve up a deep-dive into the songs, styles and stages. I narrate our live recordings from the Bristol Shanty Shout — everything from rollicking “South Australia” and “Farewell to Nova Scotia” to more local, Cornwall-flavoured numbers — and explain the basics: shanties are work songs, often call-and-response, designed to set a rhythm for hauling, heaving and other shipboard tasks.

You’ll hear the difference between a pub sing (fast, punchy, foot-stompy) and a church-set (slow, harmony-rich, goosebump-inducing). We spotlight crews like Stunsels (rowing roots), Beaufort Scale (close-harmony fellas), High and Dry (who’ve morphed from garden-fete starters into full-on festival regulars), and Missing Tackle (theatre-to-shanty storytellers), each bringing their own flavour to the same old sea-tales. Beyond performances, I chat about arranging a cappella harmonies, how crews adapt songs for different venues (from the echoey Underfall Yard to the cosy Nova Scotia Hotel), and why singing together literally helps with breath and community — yes, it’s wholesome and slightly muscular. We wrap with invites to upcoming gigs, a call for listener feedback (take our survey if you fancy), and a tease for Dean Callan’s new maritime-music segment. If you love music that’s raw, human and full of history — and you like your storytelling served with banter and a beer — this summary’s for you.

Links referenced in this episode:

• www.shipshapepodcast.co.uk/survey

Sponsored by Nova Scotia https://novascotiabristol.com/

Port of Bristol Shanty Crew Merchandise Shop https://pobshantycrew.co.uk/merch

Subscribe to our newsletter www.shipshapepodcast.co.uk/newsletter

Join our Facebook crew https://www.facebook.com/groups/www.pobshantycrew.co.uk/

Donate to Teenage Cancer Trust https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/POBShantyCrew

Theme song provided by Kale A. Dean

Cover composite illustration - Clifton Suspension Bridge; Shanty Crewmates ©

Matt Jeanes Professional Artist

Copyright © 2026 Port of Bristol Shanty Crew - All Rights Reserved

Captain, we ready to cast off?

Almost.

Sails are set, cargo's aboard, the rum is ready.

And where are we headed?

Bristol Lab.

There's stories waiting to be told.

Sounds like quite a voyage.

Aye.

Then let's make sure we're Ship shape and Bristol Fashion.

Ship Shape and Bristol Fashion Boys along the harder side from even gorge to wonderful even Haul the line Secure the barrels down below Find them tie and blush em this vessel, she is certified Ship shape and Bristol Fashion.

Hello and welcome to season two of Shipshape and Bristol Fashion.

I'm Oggy, your host and a member of the Port of Bristol Shanty Crew.

If this is the first time that you've discovered this podcast, then this.

This podcast is predominantly designed to talk about what we get up to as the Port of Bristol Shanty Crew and also to share the world of shanty singing with you from around the uk.

So we try and feature as much as we can whenever we can.

If you have regularly listened to us or you've listened to us before, welcome back.

I hope you've not missed us.

Like I said, this is season two.

We've taken a month off to rest, recuperate, have a bit of a summer holiday, but also to re evaluate and make sure that we are producing what we'd love to do on this podcast.

So it's nice to have you back.

Thank you very much.

So where am I?

Well, you probably can hear that there's singing behind me.

So it is almost appropriate that we start season two at the Bristol Shanty Shout.

We're here live recording this episode and so this episode will have a bit of a mix of the songs and the crews and the audience that have come along to support all the different crews.

It's a great shanty weekend run by Highndry.

It's grown in in success.

It's been going for many years and I plan to talk to the organizers very shortly.

But we are going to record whilst we're singing and also capture some of the cruise along the way.

But before we get into any of that, we're going to pop over to the Signaler, voiced by Chilli, who will tell us what we've been up to since the last time we aired and also where you can catch us in the future.

From Bristol's ducks to the Cornish shore We've sung our sons we've sung some more where we been and where we'll be the signalers calling Come sail with me the Signaler.

Ahoy, shipmates.

This is Chili settling up for the Signaler.

So what have we been up to in August and September?

Well, like most of us in August, I imagine you all cooked as well.

I, I was one of those who was praying for rain, doing the dances in the back garden and, and singing those funny songs and it did it, it rained and hopefully I've got rid of most of that Sahara which I was cultivating out there.

So what do we do?

2Nd of August, we supported the Western Super Mare Shanty Festival.

We could only make the Sunday, unfortunately, but we were at the old Colonial Pub which is on the front near the pier.

Well worth a visit.

That was a really good gig.

Everybody enjoyed that one and well looked after by the landlord, so thank you.

And then we went to CJ's bar where again we were looked after and we obviously did something right because people come up with such positive comments afterwards and they weren't, can you not go away?

They wanted to see us again, which is quite comforting.

Well, on the 7th of August we played at the Catherine House Care Home.

It was their family day and met some wonderful staff members.

We met some lovely residents and their families and put on a good performance for them.

Them very hot, very hot.

They had acrobats and everything.

It's wonderful to watch.

So on the 12th of August we played at the Penny Bron Family Day, which is a celebrity palsy plus sort of care center and you can see what's world class.

It's really special.

The staff really kind, very, very accommodating, as were the families.

They really enjoyed it.

So we really enjoyed that one.

On the 22nd of August we were fortunate enough to play at the Bristol Old Vic for the wedding of Vanessa and Adam and we obviously did something right there because at the end they did a standing ovation.

It was quite emotional.

They really enjoyed it.

Mind you, we did as well.

So on the 30th of August we played at the Clevedon Flower Show.

Again, very, very sort of receptive audience.

The weather could have been kinder.

It was a blowing hoolie, as they say, and a little bit that rain stuff, but that didn't detract from everything which is good of Clevedon.

So we'll be back next year, hopefully.

September, September 13th we played at the Frampton Court Country Fair and we thought this was going to be quite a small.

Do you get there?

It's over 30,000 people there.

Obviously not just to see us, to have a look at the animals in all the many, many stores which are around and the displays.

It was great.

We played three gigs and Again, we obviously did something right because some of the comments afterwards, some of them we can't put on here because there was a few expletives, but I don't think they thought we were going to be as good as they perceived us to be.

Good fun really was.

So on the 20th, we played on the Sunday of the Bristol Shanty Shout.

We did three venues.

We had the Great Eastern hall, we were open there on the.

On the Sunday lunchtime.

That was greatly received.

Then we went down to the Balmoral by the M Shed and I love that ship, I love performing on there that we were the last people on and it was a proper humdinger.

Singing.

It was great, really fun.

And then we ended up going back up to our home pub, the Nova Scotia, just by the end of Foyard there and it was a case of relax, few drinks and open mic.

Anyone could sing.

It was special.

So many people were trying to get in and looking through the windows.

It was great.

They really didn't know what hit them.

So what have we got coming up in October on the 3rd, we're at St. Stephen's Church in Lansdowne and that's a church and community fundraiser.

I think there's still tickets available and we'll be on at half past six for the first one.

We're doing two stints there and we look, it'd be good to see some of you, if you wish to come up.

I think tickets are still available.

If not, come up and have a listen.

You might be able to stand outside in loiter.

We don't loiter enough nowadays, do we?

Anyway, on the 10th of October we're a wedding reception and not only is that a special day, it is a special day because that's my birthday and I'm coming out of my birthday celebrations to support that gig because I think it's going to be a great one.

They're going to have.

They're going to have a full monty going on there.

Not the full Monty.

Good Lord, not a slot.

And then we'll end up on the 17th, something which should be to the forefront of all Englishman's chests.

We're sporting a Trafalgar evening.

So when we beat the French.

Do you remember that?

Beating the French.

Love that.

And that's what.

That's us, our little roundup.

If you want to find out more, have a look on Facebook or join us on Facebook, because we publish on there, where we're coming, where we're singing, and it gives you an idea.

So if you've not caught us yet.

Feel free to come and catch up.

You'll see what all the fuss is about.

Have a great time, have a great month.

Cheers.

All.

From Bristol's ducks to the Cornish shore We've sung our songs, we've sung some more where we've been and where we'll be the signalers calling come sail with me the signaler.

Thank you, Chilli.

And it's wonderful to hear your voice again.

We certainly have been busy and listener please do come and find us.

There's a few gigs that you can come along to and enjoy.

And when you are there, please do come and say hello to us.

So as promised, let's pop back down to the Bristol docks and enjoy some of the audio we managed to capture at the Bristol Shanti Shout.

Now being a pirate is all fun.

And games till somebody loses it.

From Boston Carver we set sail and it was blowing a devil of a gale with the ringtail set about the mizzen peak it was ruby time you're plowing up the With a big bow wow Holy rolly r Then up comes the skipper from down below and it's look aloft boys lookalo and it's lookalo and it's look aloft and it's coil up your rope Snaps fore and AF With a big bow wow Tara ra Holy rolly ride away Then down to his cannon he swiftly crawled and to his steward he lifted.

Drinking all night.

I feel so break up I wanna go home where we carry the ladies.

To Nassau town Like others say the.

Most with 20 trunks down in the hold all filled up with pentacle bowls under the first name he got drunk the ladies truck up the ladies taking my wish.

Bow Now I walked up to the angel way.

Kicked down the door and.

I walked right in on Help me Alley Help me Bob I'm pulling the alley Pulling at a sh Now I walked up to the bar room counter way hey buddy in the alley here I met with Gracia.

Well we too will go with your voice get drunk in the clubs and bar shuffle homeward Markets empty like so many times before it's one more.

All the journeys journey well a man may take a white voice and that man may take a mistress for the sailors got his ship boys and his mistress.

Hello, who am I speaking to?

I'm Tristan from Stunsels.

So yeah, and I'm Adrian.

Hello, Gary.

Well, and I'm Chris.

And I'm Shaw.

Wow, we got a lot of people here.

So what got you guys forming?

It was the Cornish pilot gig rowing got us going together because back in the late 80s, early 90s, used to gig race and then you'd all go to the publisher.

Yes, a big sing song.

Claire's asked what got you guys all inspired to do Chanty Night specifically.

It was just part and parcel of it because you were wrapped up with the day's racing and then obviously you'd come in and everybody would start singing and they're a bit infectious, aren't they?

At the time, obviously, I was only about 13, 14, so it was sort of sat there with a can of coke and joining in and trying to learn the words.

Yeah, I'll be sat.

I'll be seeing.

No, my apple juice, so don't worry.

But, like, you guys are all from Cornwall and I love it.

Where else have you all been?

Where.

Where else have you all performed at?

So we've done a bit of all sorts, really.

So we have performed in Europe, so we've done Lorient, we've done Bremen, also Appinger Dam.

Yeah, I remember seeing you there.

You were definitely there.

Yes, you were.

And then we've also sung other areas.

We've sung in a.

Like a barge, I suppose you could call it up on the Thames in London as well.

And we've also sung at the bottom of a mine shaft in Wakefield, 180 meters below ground.

Close to home, we see.

So Mark, one of our founder members, comes from Huddersfield.

So we went up to sort of.

We did this trip just before they closed down on Covid, and we went to Bristol and we sung our home city.

Well done.

We did.

And then from Bristol, we then shot up through to Huddersfield and we sung there for his mum and then sung in a pub called the Saar.

And then from there we went to Wakefield and we went down to the bottom of the Coal Mining Museum and sung there.

And then went from there to Hull and we did a couple of stints around Hull and then from Hull we went down to King's Lynn and we sung there.

This is a long list.

It is in Brancaster State is where we went.

And then from there we went down to Richmond and we sung for the London Cornish Pilot Gig Club in their shed in Richmond.

And then we jumped on the minibus and we drove all the way home again.

And it was a big old tour, all that.

Wow.

How do you guys take the time for all this?

I can't even go through G. I have to go through G. Gcsm.

I have to plan everything.

But also, what would you say is your most defining moment as a shanty crew.

I don't know.

Would you say that?

I think for me, for me the most defining moment in my shanty career,.

If you like to put it that.

Way, was at Timoth.

Okay.

And we.

We had our last gig at about.

10 O' clock in the evening.

We were parked, or my camper van.

Was parked in the school, which is.

About a mile away, up the steepest belt in the hill I've ever seen.

I had Tristan and Andy.

Come on, Gary, you can do it.

You can do it.

And it took me about an hour.

To get up that hill to my.

To my camper van.

That was very defining.

Shows that we've got muscles.

As if we all go together.

We all go together.

We all go down together.

The insider bit of knowledge is that basically Gary's got asbestosis, so it means he's got breathing issues.

You have to help Gary along.

And obviously the singing helps a lot as well.

How have you taken this festival?

Bristol Shannon Festival.

It's our first time here, so there's always been something on that we've been unable to do it for years.

And this is the first time really that we've been able to do so.

Well done and it's really enjoyable.

Sun's out.

Lovely.

Yeah.

We're gonna have a quick look around the SS Great Britain and hopefully a little bit of sing song on there as well.

I've heard the spirits on the SS Great Britain, so I'm a bit scared of that.

That's all right.

We'll rattle their cage.

Dark and have.

Got some spice for it.

Where.

If people want to see.

Where will they next?

See you now.

I'm gonna go, Adrian, where are they going to next?

See is we're in the under fall yard stage.

Yeah.

At 5:00pm yes.

And anywhere else.

Or is that not planned yet?

That's it for this festival.

Yeah.

We just got.

No, not.

Not for just this festival.

Like other festivals, I mean.

Ah, other festivals.

So we support Isaac's.

The next one.

Yeah.

And then after Port Isaac is me.

And then after Mezzi S, I'll be going to all of those.

We do a load of other stuff as well.

So we sort of like different tour companies and stuff like that as well.

Who's your organizer of all this Ocean.

We do it between us.

Yeah.

How do you take like Falmouth?

Is that one of your main areas you go to?

Falmouth, I think, is a fantastic festival that basically evolves your group.

Yeah.

So we went through a period of years, years going can we come and sing?

There's just a boat coming over.

It was a no because we're too bit too full.

We then finally did two sets, two years on the trot in a venue called Five Degrees Below.

Well, we did that and then after that, we then got invited then to do some real sets in proper venues.

And you find that you get stuck in very random places.

Yeah.

And there's.

There's one.

I can't remember the name of the pub, but this pub is up the most sets of steps I've ever seen in my entire life.

But when you're going up there going, guys, I don't want to sing anymore.

Aren't you tired?

Jacob's Ladder.

It's Jacob's Ladder.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Jacob's Ladder is famous for that.

So you run up it, then you sing.

Yeah.

And with nine times out of 10, there was a lot of venues we used to go and sing to that we were literally.

There was nobody there.

And we never really give up an excuse to sing.

So whether there's somebody there or not, it can either be a practice session or it can be a performance.

So we just carried on singing.

And then from there you sort of slowly work your way through to get better and better venues.

So.

And this year, luckily, we got to do opening of the main stage at Falmouth.

And then we had to do the Close on the Friday night, I think it was, of the main stage in Event Square.

And then on the Saturday night, we did the Close at the gig club, which is obviously quite good for us.

Yeah.

But one of the main things we loved doing, we did last year, was to sing in the church.

Oh, yeah.

The church is beautiful.

Wonderful.

We sung there last year.

And for us, it gives us the ability to sing songs that we wouldn't sing in a pub.

And as a real choir.

Yeah.

So, you know, you can slow the tempo down, you can just get the acoustics going, and you can get as many harmonies locked in as you can.

And normally, if you can do that, just standing there singing that, it just makes the hairs on your arms stand out.

It's fantastic.

Especially when it's right.

When it's wrong, it doesn't make the hairs on your hands stand up.

Also, can I just ask, you guys run your own festival as well, don't you?

We do, yes.

Tell us about that.

So Mevagizzi Shanty Festival has been going for, I'm gonna say, nine years now.

And we basically did it for two reasons.

One, there was no festivals near us in mid Cornwall.

So you just thought, I'm not.

I'm just gonna make my own.

Exactly that.

So we did that and then we.

We started with 26 groups and 11 venues.

And last year we had 97 groups and 26 venues across two villages.

Wow.

We get roughly about nine and a half thousand to 10,000 people come through the village over the course of the weekend.

And in those nine years, we obviously raise funds to put the festival on, but we also give back to community.

So we've actually given them back into different things.

So we've done.

I think it works out roughly around about 25 and a half thousand pounds we've got back into Mevagizi in one way or another, whether it's.

We've bought Christmas trees for both Mevagizzi and for pentuen.

Give him a microphone.

He didn't stop waffling.

No, we love wafflers.

Don't worry, we love waffles.

I took a lot.

I like it when he waffles on stage.

Give me chance to catch me.

Oh, lovely.

What.

What is your favorite moment?

That's my favorite.

As such, that's very important.

I was thinking about whether to say.

Something because to me, doing this shanty.

Stuff is not about the singing, it's about the community.

Yeah.

And it's about every time you go.

To a different one, you meet different people, talk to different people, you see people, you know, it's like old friends.

Coming back together every time.

And to do that abroad as well, when they.

There, you meet.

You meet people over there and you.

Meet and you make more connections and then that gets you to more places.

Like that is the best part for me.

Yeah.

When I went to Holland, they actually asked me could I go to Belgium and then could I go to Germany?

Exactly.

Your moment now for Chris.

Chris.

Hi.

Hello.

What's your favorite moment?

I got many.

I started.

No, I started off with.

Yeah.

Christian's dad could be forever.

I started off as their sandman and.

One that one time they were short of bases, so I got roped in and I've never escaped since.

So, yeah, I sing bassist, uncles.

They're a lovely group of guys.

Well, most of them, actually.

Most of the time.

One of them.

One of them is a son.

So I bet he's a bit annoying sometimes.

Well, just occasionally I can still clip.

Him behind the ear if he upsets me so.

Or if he sings out of tune,.

I'll give him a clip down the ear as well.

Oh, we love singing out.

Isn't there a song about that going sing out of keep whatever.

But that's brilliant.

That's brilliant.

And that's also good for you, like you get more family going together.

Yes.

As well we also have another family member as well, your mother.

I quite enjoy being invited to sing with them.

Yeah.

If they've not got a full crew.

And sometimes I'm asked if I can come and make up the numbers and.

Help and I love it, absolutely love it.

Did you.

Do you think you inspired your son to go and see Shane's or not?

Probably not.

I think he's probably inspired me, to be honest.

Probably should say that we've borrowed Sharp today.

Yes.

I actually sing with Acapella Moonshine based in Falmouth.

They were the first ladies shanty group.

Really out of Falmouth about 12 years ago.

Wow.

We should get more female shanty crews.

I'm just saying that we only got one.

We only got one Bristol shanty crew in, in Bristol so we got them Bristow girls.

That's the only, only, only female shanty cruiser.

We need more of them in my.

Eyes we can lend them some of our songs occasionally.

Oh, we still off songs.

We at least we have to publicly say that it's another person's and we stole them off them.

Well, it's lovely speaking to you all and I hope you guys have a lovely rest of your festival.

I hope.

Have a lovely rest of your career and I hope to see you again.

Thanks, Ollie.

Cheers.

Bye Bye Bye.

Lord, my back is a killing me I's plowing up this ground to sow the white cotton I's plowin up this ground O Lord, save me I's plowin up this ground to sow the white cotton and my bank is a killing me Lord, my back is a killing.

Me.

I was working in this field to pick the white cotton I's working in this speech in misery eyes Working in this field none went by and it's time for us to leave us lever John Leave her John leave her for the voyages long and the winds don't blow and it's time for us to leave her I hate to sail on this rusty but there's no guarantee so awesome my lover get on fair maid we're west of the tamar so don't be afraid when we are handsome and amending for cover.

We're country, a fine nation proper A fine little country Built on granite and tin stone circles stacked chimneys and sheep wheels spin.

You'll find golden sand soft under our toes High craggy clifftops where the southwest wind blows so awesome My lover get on fair we're west of the table so don't be afraid where the women are handsome and the mending for copper we have a country a fine nation proper welcome all you beauty Fine land of tradition the good Cornish folk will.

Make it so these chaps have just got off the stage of our wonderful sponsor, the Nova Scotia Hotel.

Do you want to introduce yourself?

Yeah, yeah.

So I'm Phil, I'm from, from Beaufort Scale.

We're a small group from Ebervale, that well known fishing port.

And you guys sounded amazing.

How was the set for you?

Oh, it was good.

It went really, really well.

I think with a few men down, there's normally seven of us.

Today there were only four because people are on holiday and things.

But yeah, we think, we think it went well and crowd seemed to enjoy it and we had a good laugh.

The Dulce Welsh tones seem to resonate with the crowd here.

Well, absolutely, we're born to sing.

Tell us a little bit, tell us a little bit of the background of your crew.

So we all come from a sort of a male choral background really.

Six of us in the, in the group are from both choir.

Some of you may have seen us on Voices of the Valley's documentary recently on Sky Arts.

The big fella, Jim, he comes from another, a close harmony group called Synergy based in Abergavenny.

But we've all known each other for ages and we just thought it'd be nice to do something a little bit less structured.

Yeah, no, no, it makes sense, doesn't it?

And of course the Bristol Shanty Shout is a great place to come to that, isn't it?

It's perfect for us.

It's just across the order.

It's.

Although we did have a bit of a hiccup on the, on the Prince of Wales Bridge.

Did you, did you forget your passports?

No passports.

It wasn't that problem.

They decided to close two of the lanes.

Omg, that's not good.

That wasn't good.

But we got here, we left in good time because we're well organized.

Well, at least our wives are well organized.

Yeah, no, of course behind every shanty male choir or crew there is some strong partners that help us.

Oh, we couldn't do it without them.

They're really helpful in lots of ways and they're most supportive.

They're our number one fans.

Beautiful, beautiful.

If my listeners want to find you on Social media.

Where would be the best place for to go?

If they just search both at scale.

We have our own website and that'll give you all the links to our social media.

You can search us on Facebook or Instagram and you'll see us on there as well.

Thank you so much for talking to me and enjoy the rest of your day.

No, we're looking forward to it.

We're on at 3 o'.

Clock.

If you've got a chance to get.

Down here, get down here.

Beautiful.

Cheers, buddy.

All the way we're all the way Joe, you can't even stand up straight with a pack of cheese and rolling we all the way we're all the way Jo hey All the way we're all the way together hey all the way we're all the way Jo hey All the way we're all the better weather hey all the way all the way to hey, can you see the flats Clouds are rising way all the way we're all the way Jo hey Can't you see the storm like way all the way way all the way Jo hey All the way we're all the way together hey all the way we'll hold the way Jo.

All the.

Way we'll hold the better weather.

So I'm in the green room and clearly it's well recognized that these festivals don't just run by themselves.

There is a great team or a single person at times that put it all together.

I'm greeted.

I'm sitting with the wonderful philosopher who I think you are central to this festival, I believe, to make sure it all runs.

How you doing?

How's it going?

I'm looking forward to tomorrow morning when.

It's all over, actually, because we are recording on Sunday.

We're kind of through the half of the second day.

As I can imagine, you're looking forward to all finishing and you just relaxing and reflecting.

Well, one of the biggest risks is now behind me, which I'm really happy with, which is I was really worried about the beer running out.

Oh, no.

And as you guys have found out, there's still, you know, plenty of supplies.

And obviously being shanty singers, if the beer runs out halfway through the the event, I get so much flak.

So no, we're over there the.

The main risk area.

Well, I've bought Skipper with me.

So in front of me, he's got two unopened cans of beer.

So he's going to enjoy it by the end of this interview.

Maybe he might not be saying that.

Yeah, it's a Classic port of Bristol that actually he's got two cans in front of him so that he doesn't have to get up and go and get another one when the first one's finished.

He knows as well.

In, in all seriousness, though, Phil, how is it going?

Have you had good feedback so far from not only the punters that come along and enjoy it, but from.

From the cruise itself?

We've.

We've had great feedback.

Honestly, it's.

I think it's going really, really well.

It's going at least as well as any that we've ever done.

You know, we get.

We get a little bit better at this each year because each year we spot a few things that maybe we could have done better.

But this is our.

Our sixth year.

Wow.

Six years in the COVID year, we managed to fit it in.

Wow.

And.

And so, you know, we've learned a lot along the way.

Yeah.

But it has run really smoothly.

Well done.

Well done.

Yeah.

And hopefully well, I say it runs smooth, smoothly.

But, you know, we.

We do like to make sure you guys have a really good PA system.

Okay.

Yeah.

And so that was all obviously organized well in advance.

And then on Friday, I discovered that my main PA man was stuck on the Isle of Man.

They canceled all the ferries.

Oh, no.

And all the gear is over there.

Oh, no.

But these things are sent to try us.

Of course they fixed it and so, yeah, it's gone well.

Nice.

And.

And where is that kit?

Is that the one that's here or.

That kit took all of Saturday to get here and today it's here.

And.

And you're going to think I'm making this up now, but then I got a call in the morning yesterday from my other sound engineer to say that EasyJet had canceled his flight and he'd be three hours late.

Oh, my days.

But was the PA good here?

Yes, it was great.

We sounded fantastic.

Yeah.

No, Skipper thinks, you know, he's very happy.

No, that's good.

All congratulations.

I know these festivals do take a lot of energy to put together, and if you're feeling at this point that it's all going very well, plus or minus the sound engineer problems, then congratulations.

All good.

All good.

Tell us about the history.

Because clearly this festival has been going on for a while now and it's.

It's swollen and it's shrunk and it's swollen and it's changed.

It's changed its format over the years, but I think, to quote what you've said, It's.

It's working really well, this current format.

Tell us a little bit more about its history.

So the first one we did.

We did.

Some people will know this.

Myself and my wife were walking around the harbour and I was in.

I've been in Shanty Crew for about six or seven years before that.

Yeah.

And I said to her, why hasn't Bristol got a shanty festival?

And she said, I have no idea.

She said, but if you want to do one, she said, I'll help you organize it.

Oh, wow.

What a great wife.

What a great wife.

So we.

What we.

That's not as easy as you think.

No, no, I can imagine.

It was close.

It was close.

And we.

What we wanted to do.

All I wanted to do that year was put on an event at Underfour Yard, because that, you know, is an iconic venue.

Yes.

And so we wanted to do that, but that soon became the Esses Great Britain, which is now Bristol Dockyards and under 4 yard.

Two years ago.

Three years ago.

And that was the point where the council got involved and not in a good way, I'm afraid to say.

And they.

They put us through a lot of loops as far as the necessary admin is concerned.

So I decided after that, you know what, we've got a core audience that can all be accommodated in the.

In the four venues that we've had this weekend.

Let's go back to that.

Make it about 30 crews.

Given all the crews, a couple of sets, and that's what we did.

And I think it's worked well.

Yeah, it's good, isn't it?

I think you find that, don't you, with speaking to a Falmouth shout for it.

Example, down on the Falmouth International Sea Santa Fe Festival, they.

They clearly got to a place very similar to you, where it was growing and they needed the town council, in that case, to start getting involved because there's so many loopholes.

But thankfully they had a very different experience and look at it now.

It's just phenomenal.

It is.

I think we've.

We've said this last time when we were at the Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival, but it's really disappointing that Bristol doesn't embrace it in a such a positive way, because it would be incredible.

However, it is what it is and what you've got right now seems to work really well.

Yeah, it's interesting.

You quote Falmouth I know the guys, a couple of the guys who organize Falmouth, obviously, we, you know, we like to swap tails.

And the reason Falmouth is what it is is because the mayor's office seriously got behind it and they actually, they measure the difference it makes over the weekend and it is around about £3 million worth of extra revenue for the town.

Three days.

In three days, three million.

That's taking into account everything, obviously all the accommodation, food, venues, a lot of beer, but.

But that's the difference it makes.

So for that reason, the mayor's office, they have it permanently staffed through the year.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

And.

And, you know, we get in contact with them with regards to promoting them on, on the podcast.

And so that experience is phenomenal.

And speaking to the locals in Falmouth, and a Cornishman myself, I know how important that is for the town and if anything, that then funds the ability for other things to happen out of shanty season.

Yeah, no, absolutely.

Bristol City Council, if you are listening to this, you are missing out on an incredible opportunity because.

Thank you for that.

Well, because, you know, Bristol is incredibly rich with history, with maritime history, and across the world, we are with known for our history.

We can't in one breath celebrate SS Great Britain and then not celebrate Chanti singing a maritime song.

But, hey, this isn't a political.

A couple of years ago, I remember a couple years ago when, when it did include quite a few pubs, a couple of cafe owners said to me, we're amazingly busy.

Do you know what's going on?

And I said, well, I do, actually.

We're running a shanty festival this weekend.

And they said, well, can you do it every week?

Because, you know, we got so much trade.

And so we do it at the end of September when, you know, the schools have gone back and it gets a bit quieter.

Yeah.

And it makes a real difference to not just, obviously the venues where people are singing, but right, right around the harbour.

Yeah, no, I get you.

I get you, buddy.

And well done.

Let's talk about the crew that you belong to, because it isn't just all about the shanty festival.

Talk about who do you sing with?

And a little bit more about that.

I sing with High and Dry and sing with high and dry.

85 Is coming, guys, so you'll know exactly what's about to happen.

They're running away.

You, you.

You can't come in without getting a beer.

Right?

You can do that.

Yeah.

They've just been singing at the Nova, I believe, so they.

It's the famous 85ers.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I thought they were all tea total to me.

No.

Goodness me.

They're lifeboat men.

They are lifeboat men.

They're only tea.

Tell you when they're on the.

On the boat.

But I think some of them are actually going for tea and coffee because I know some of them were late last night out on a thing, so.

But anyway.

Yeah.

So anyway, High and drive.

Yeah, we.

We formed about, I guess I keep saying, 10 years, 12 years ago.

It's probably a nearer 15.

Yeah.

Fisherman's Friends had just hit the scene, as it were.

Nice.

And we sang a couple of Fisherman's Friends songs just for fun in a local pub in Blackdon.

Beautiful.

And.

And then someone came up and said, would you do our garden fate?

And we grew.

And it starts with a garden fate.

That's funny, isn't it?

Which we accomplished completely unprepared for.

And we certainly didn't know too many shanties.

No, but do you know.

I mean.

I mean, we absolutely love it.

We.

We try to.

We try to make sure that we're getting some work in, so we.

We try to produce some harmonies.

We try to do, you know, more than a straight sing, as you guys do.

And.

And there's never a time when we're singing that I don't look out and think how privileged we are to stand up on that.

On that stage and entertain those people.

You know, shanti singing.

It's acapella.

Yeah.

Most of the time.

So you're there with just your voice.

Again, you guys know this.

And that is a privilege indeed, to have the opportunity to entertain people with only your voice.

So.

So yeah, we.

We're currently about 12 and generally when we go out, we're about eight maybe.

And we try.

We've done all the festivals, including Falmouth.

Yeah, No, I mean, you've done.

You've been around long enough to do that, do the tour.

Yeah, we have.

Yeah.

So we're still having a great time.

No, that's really important, isn't it?

Because no matter how much it is about what you've said about standing on stage, as long as you guys are having great fun and a good time, then you might as well just carry on.

Yeah, absolutely.

Absolutely.

Any.

Anything exciting to look forward to in the future for you guys into the next 12 months?

Well, that's a good question.

I think the honest answer is we haven't got anything coming up in the next 12 months that is particularly different.

What I've decided to do over the next 12 months is we do a few more concerts.

Okay.

We sold out a couple of.

Of concerts, a lovely one in Tumagna, which is where I live.

And that sold out and that really astonished me.

And we're going to put some work into doing that.

We don't just want to stand up and sing either.

We put together a format where we tell a bit of maritime history.

Oh, nice.

Okay.

So we come up with an anecdote, which is, which is an anecdote.

So generally speaking, we'll find a piece of text from, you know, years gone by and then we'll illustrate it with a song.

Nice.

And that format worked really well.

So we're going to develop that over the next 12 months.

So look out for a couple of high and dry concerts.

Exciting.

And you've recently did an incredible collaboration with the Press Cam Mutiny, who we're good friends with because they are the other well known Shanti podcast in the world and they've been going on longer than we have.

But.

And we're doing some collaboration because it's International podcasting day on 30th September, which would be.

Would have been before this episode is coming out.

So we, we've already done a collaboration with them with the ideas that we're just doing something online together.

But yeah, how did that go?

Because the pictures and what they told me, it went well.

It was absolutely brilliant.

Yeah.

Yeah.

We put on, we put on a gig in the evening at the Bristol Folk House.

They're such lovely guys, honestly.

Yeah, we, the Canadian, you know.

Yeah, well, you know, we hosted them in, in Shoemagna at our place on our friends.

And so you take a bit risk, you think, well, we don't know these guys, you know, they were lovely.

Absolutely lovely.

And the best.

Although we put on this concert, the best time.

Yeah.

Was down at the Bear and Swan.

Okay.

And we just pitched up with some beer and there were about.

I guess it was about 20 of us.

Okay.

And we sang shanties and that was the best night.

Oh, so good.

So good.

So they've asked us over.

I don't know if we'll make it over.

Fundy is the festival they've asked us to come to.

Okay, nice.

I don't know if we'll make it.

Do you guys do much international stuff?

Is that in your.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Good.

That's good.

It's a big reach.

But anyway, maybe, maybe, maybe, maybe not.

We'll see how it goes.

Exactly.

No, it's really good.

Really good indeed.

Well, I'M very aware that you need to dap off because you've got another.

You've got a set in about half an hour, so you need to get together and see.

But it's been great talking to you, Phil.

Thanks.

Thank you for everything you do and thank you for inviting us along.

It's always great fun to collaborate with you and to come to your festival and long may it continue.

Oh, thanks a lot.

It's a great fun to do the festival.

And I just have to say a huge thank you to all the crews who come and do this.

You know, we're not like almost any other musical genre.

All the crew cruise, give their time freely.

We travel, we come, we pick up our own costs to do these things, which in invariably is about raising money.

This festival has raised about.

Up to date about 30,000.

This will probably, this weekend probably add about another 5,000.

That's a chunk of change, isn't it, for incredible charities?

Yeah, it and all goes to some incredible charities.

And so that is.

I think that's a win win.

And what's that?

And what's this year's charity?

Tell us this charity, we always give some money to the rnli.

We always give some money to Children's Hospice.

Yeah.

Under Fall Yard.

We are really keen to support the rebuilding of the yard, but our main charity this year is the Somerset Prostate Support Association.

Okay.

Who did great work.

Such an important job, isn't it?

And charity, in fact.

Yeah, no, really good.

All right.

Thank you very much.

You take care, Philip.

Australia I was born Heave away, all away In South Australia Around Cape Horn we're bound for South Australia Roll away, you rolling kings Heave away all away Haul away or hear me sing we're bound for South Australia As I woke out one morning fair Heave away all away There I met Miss Nancy Blair we're bound for South Australia Haul away, you rolling kings Heave away all away all the way you'll hear me sing we're bound for South Australia and as we walk around the town Peep away all the way I bounced her up and I bounced her down we're bound for South Australia all the way, you rolling kings Keep away all the way Haul away, you're hearing me sing we're bound for South Australia and that world no you see bound coast Let your mountains dark and dreary be for when I'm far away on the mighty ocean Will you ever heed a sigh or a wish for me?

The sun was setting in the west the birds, they sang in Every tree all nature seemed inclined for to rest but still there was no rest for.

Me.

Farewell to Nova Scotia, you see bound coast Let your mountains dark and dreary be for when I'm far away on the briny ocean toss Will you ever leave a sigh or a wind?

Corn crate steams on the bridge Brandy for the waiter's train Satyrs they have earned their pain.

O Sea to Bristol Town load it down with brandy O Sea to Bristol Town loaded down with brandy O the brandy O Rolling on to the deep green day towards the hills of Red Cliff Bay Concrete steams upon her Away from the moonlit night to the break of day or see the Bristol town loaded down with brandy O Or see the Bristol town load it down the brandy O the brandy O Then the captain I heard tell that's the sound of the King Road bell steaming on By Vincent's Rock to the brandy shed in the Bristol dock Or see the Bristol town loaded down the Grandio or see the Bristol town load it down the Grandio the Brandio bound for the Bristol City dock By Hopwell to the Cumberland lock down the reaching harbour side Safe and sound from the Severn tide o' er the sea to Bristol town loaded down.

So I've just got bumped into these wonderful crew that have just finished on the main stage at the underfall yard.

They're busy packing up and they've been really kind enough just to have a couple of minutes to talk to me.

Tell us who you are.

My name is David Burnett and I joined the Missing Tackle shanty group who have been going for about 12 years.

About four or five years ago, unfortunately, last month, I say unfortunately, you'll see why in a moment.

Our leader and presenter and commentator left us last month and they said, david, you can do that.

And I'm not sure whether I can.

So I'm on probation at the moment, but I think the audience seemed to enjoy it and I only told him one joke, so, you know, they.

They managed to cope with that.

I considered it an absolute privilege to sing to the general public and entertain them when I've never done anything like that in my life before.

Well, from what I could hear, you sounded amazing.

Congratulations on comparing from somebody that you said a long time.

So tell us a little bit about what is Missing Tackle in Brixham.

Well, it was a group that we set together after four or five guys were asked to go and sing in a play in Brixham Theatre called I believe the Becoming.

I might have that wrong, but I think it's Called the Becoming, which did a tour.

So we went all around Devon and Cornwall singing.

And out of that, everybody enjoyed singing in public so much that they decided to just form a group called Missing Tackle without the G, which is a very strange name and it brings a titter to everybody.

It's.

It's that hears it.

I'm not sure the original origin because the person that started is not with us anymore.

Yeah.

But I always say it's, you know, Missing Tackle and the only thing it's.

Missing is a G. A lovely play on words.

I think Shanty Cruz do that very, very well.

Was this your only set today or have you got another one later?

No, we've got another one at 4 o' clock in the.

On MV the ship Balmoral.

Yes.

Down.

Down at the other end of the quay.

How have you found Bristol?

Traveling all the way from Brixham?

Oh, it's.

It's a joy.

Yeah, it's always that everybody is smiling, walking to the gigs, walking between the gigs.

Everybody says hello and everybody has a laugh and it's great fun just to come to the.

To the event, let alone singing it as well.

Which I consider is a real privilege.

Thank you for.

It's not me.

It's not me.

I just, I'm just native to Bristol with this crew.

But I think one of our song, one of our songwriters, Nobby Die, lives in Brixham now.

So he knows of you guys and favorably talks about what you guys get up to.

So.

Well, I'm going to leave you to carry on packing up.

Thank you very much for talking to us on shipshape missile fashion and enjoy the rest the of a day.

You heard the news me Johnny one more day we're homeward bound tomorrow Johnny one more day Only one more day Me Johnny one more day oh, rock and roll me over One more day don't you hear the old man growling Johnny one more day don't you hear the mates howling One more day Only one more daily Johnny one more day oh, rock and roll me over One more day don't you hear Captain Pauly Johnny one more day don't you hear the pilot bawling One more day Only one more day Me Johnny one more day oh rock and rolly over one more day Only one more day of morning Johnny one more day can't you hear the Judy scoring One more day Only one more day Me Johnny one more day oh, rock and roll me over One more day Only one more day of furling Johnny one more day Only one more day of cursing Johnny, one more day Only one more day Johnny one more day oh, rock and roll me over One more day no more gales or heavy weather Johnny one more day Only one more day Together boys One more day Only one more day Me Johnny, one more day oh, rock and roll me over One more day Only one more day Me Johnny, one more day oh, rock and roll me over One more day.

So that's it for this episode of Shipshape and Bristol Fashion.

It's great to be back and season two is going to be fantastic.

If you would like to contribute towards giving us some feedback and suggesting things that you like or want to see more of or in fact, stuff you don't like, then please do.

There is still plenty of time to complete a feedback form, so if you pop over to www.shipshapepodcast.co.uk survey, then there's just a few questions there that you can complete and I'd really, really would appreciate that if you would like to give us some feedback.

So thank you for staying all this way to the end of the episode.

It's a big one.

There's one more thing to let you know and that is from next month and beyond we're going to be having a regular segment from our friends from the Maritime Music Directory International.

And Dean Callan is going to be joining us with a regular segment to let us know what he discovers in the world of shanti and maritime music.

He's even got his own theme tune.

From the Maritime archives, Songs of the Sea stories of those shanty singers from across the globe.

So that starts next month.

We welcome Dean to the podcast.

So that's it from Shipshape and Bristol Fashion Fair.

Winds and following seas and we'll see you next time.

From even gorge to underfall we'll even haul the line Secure the barrels down below Bind them, tie and lash em this vessel, she is certified ship shape and Bristol fashion.

So haul away me laddie boys Haul away free Haul away me ly boys and save a drink for me Haul away me ly boys Haul away you're free Haul away me ly boys and save a drink for me.