3/5: Rogue's Gallery, an exciting new collection of pirate songs, reinvigorates a timeless genre of folk music with an impressive line-up of musicians.
Rogue’s Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs, & Chanteys stems from the minds of Johnny Depp and Gore Verbinski, who were major players in the über-successful Pirates of the Caribbean movie franchise, and Hal Willner, the legendary producer. This trio became fascinated by traditional music of the sea and its wayfarers while filming the movies.
This album, however, is not a cheap marketing ploy. It features a cadre of hugely talented musicians, some known for their stellar renditions of traditional folk music, and others who are wading into the genre for the first time. For example, the album contains tracks by such folk legends as Baby Gramps, Richard Thompson and Jack Shit. However, it also claims such noteworthy converts as Nick Cave, Akron/Family, and Jarvis Cocker (formerly of the Brit-Pop band, Pulp).
On a whole, this album of forty-three tracks is highly successful. Somehow, it finds a delicate balance between representing this fine musical tradition while, at the same time, instilling many of these tracks with new life. Baby Gramps’ inspired rendition of “Cape Cod Girls,” the double-album’s first song, is supported by witty, sorrowful lyrics and a vast array of musical instruments and the veteran’s own raspy voice. The skillful and perceptive use of the didgeridoo on this track adds an unexpected and refreshing element to a track that is several hundred years old.
Other standout tracks include Nick Cave’s cacophonously frightening rendition of “Fire Down Below” and Bryan Ferry and Antony’s (of Antony and the Johnsons) peppy version of “Lowlands Low.” However, perhaps the most touching and inspired performances on this album come from the world-renown folk singer, Loudon Wainwright III.
His sensitive, mournful rendition of “Turkish Revelry” on the first disc is truly beautiful. Then, on the second disc, his hilarious interpretation of “Good Ship Venus” can be considered an instant classic of scatological, sarcastic humor.
In the end, Rogue’s Gallery is a great addition to anyone’s musical library. It could serve as an interesting and lively introduction to this musical genre, or it could just as easily reinvigorate the accustomed ears of a seasoned connoisseur.
