STAN ROGERS – The Very Best Of (Fogartys Cove FCM 013)

It can be a hard and cruel life at sea but you’d never guess that from the way Stan Rogers occasionally portrays his subject matter as on the opening track “Fogarty’s Cove” from an album that really says what it is on the cover “The Very Best Of”. Trawling…if you’ll pardon the expression…his back catalogue Ariel Rogers (his wife) and Paul Mills (producer) provide the listener with a select choice of many of his songs that have, by nature been soaked into the ‘folk’ tradition. I first became aware of Rogers’ songs in the late 70’s via the singing of Englishman Steve Turner who in many ways established his folk music career performing the classic “Barrett’s Privateers” which is also included on this recording. Unashamedly many of Stan’s songs drew on the Shanty tradition utilising a verse followed by a rip-roaring chorus (often rounded off by a yelp from one of the accompanying Shantymen) of which ‘Privateers’ is a shining example. It must be pointed out at this stage that Stan’s vocals are superbly rendered and dramatically driven in a rich baritone that is often sorely omitted by many practitioners in the art of Nautical choral delivery. “The Flowers Of Bermuda”, “Northwest Passage”, “Jeannie C” and “The Mary Ellen Carter” are all included here and as stated earlier there couldn’t be a more apt title to a CD chock full of hits. Sit back, listen and enjoy!

PETE FYFE


We all give our spare time to run folking.com. Our aim has always been to keep folking a free service for our visitors, artists, PR agencies and tour promoters. If you wish help out and donate something (running costs currently funded by Paul Miles), please click the PayPal link below to send us a small one off payment or a monthly contribution.