Ian Robb and James Stephens are singers and musicians based near Ottawa who have had a front row seat to the evolution of the Canadian folk music and sea music communities since the ‘70s and have played with groups such as The Friends of Fiddler’s Green and Finest Kind. They have just released a new album, Declining with Thanks that contains a mix of traditional and composed songs and, of course, some songs of the sea. In this wide-ranging episode, we explore the ever-present and timely themes of war, love, and loss that make certain songs resonate across generations. We also dive deeply into Ian’s experiences with the folk revival in the UK in the ‘60s, and how the traditional music scene in Toronto came to take on its own unique character.
⚓︎ Shanties featured:
- Opening credits: Paddy Doyle's Boots, trad. arranged by Pressgang Mutiny
- Live song: Heave Away Me Johnny, trad. arranged by Ian Robb and James Stephens
- Recorded song: Dead Funny, written by Brian Pearson, arranged by Ian Robb and James Stephens
- Recorded song: Daft Annie, written by Ian Robb, arranged by Ian Robb and James Stephens
- Live song: All Things are Quite Silent, trad. arranged by Ian Robb
- Recorded song: I Wish They’d Do It Now, trad. arranged by The Friends of Fiddler’s Green
- Recorded tune: Kilkenny Jig, trad. Arranged by Duncan Cameron
- Live song: Bold Riley, trad. arranged by Ian Robb and James Stephens
- Closing credits: God and the Orange Clown, written by Ian Robb, arranged by Ian Robb and James Stephens
⚓︎ Find out more about Ian Robb at: www.ianrobb.com
⚓︎ Find out more about Pressgang Mutiny here:
- pressgangmutiny.com
- facebook.com/pressgangmutiny
- TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram: @pressgangmutiny