Great compilation of amusingly earnest songs
These songs are incredible to listen to, with wonderful music and wordplay. The subject matter is pretty dated though, and it's sad to hear the revolutionary earnestness of MacColl in light of the general failure of communism and socialism to live up to their ideals. The Ballad of Accounting, The Compañeros, and Cut-Price Hero are my favorites for the unique way they are sung. Seeger and MacColl are right in step with each other on the staccato repetition, lilting choruses and sudden changes in tempo. Nightshift and Jimmy Gray are both fun songs that stray from the political themes of the rest of the album. The Shellback Song has fascinating lyrics, but MacColl’s delivery is awful. The Pyrates Royale performed the definitive version of this song on their “Tales of the Brigantine” album. Darling Annie has a good, feminist message, but ends up coming off as preachy with an unsympathetic male part and a complete lack of relationship between the putative couple. Highly recommended!
