Fresh off the high seas, Chris Ricketts and the Worldwide Shanty Project return with their take on “Haul Away Joe”. This and other tunes will be available on Ricketts’ upcoming fifth album, Go To Sea No More to be released on September 8, 2023.
“I started the worldwide shanty project during the lockdown,” Ricketts explains. “I had an extensive tour crossing four different countries and was due to see many old friends over the two months . . . Unfortunately, the lockdown stopped the tour, so I had to get creative on singing with friends.”
The project’s first release was an original Ricketts shanty titled “All Stand Together.” It featured singers from over ten countries and garnered over seventy thousand views on Facebook, as well as the endorsement of 6-time BBC Folk Award winner John Tams.
As voted on by the community, “Haul Away Joe” will be the project’s second release. Musicians and laymen the world are invited to partake and sing along, following three simple rules–
1) Use headphones when recording yourself, so it’s only your vocal in the video.
2) Sing in harmony or unison, and don’t hesitate to take a verse.
3) Have fun!
The Worldwide Shanty Project has helped cement Chris Ricketts status as an internationally acclaimed 21st century shanty singer. After making his mark as a semi-finalist in the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards, Ricketts has spent years perfecting his shanty craft in immersive fashion, performing on cruise ships. Now a touring musician and part-time secondary school teacher, his passion for performing has allowed him to travel the world with his self-penned songs and new takes of traditional shanties alike.
Go To Sea No More will feature recordings of Ricketts’ live performances from across the East Coast of Canada. Known for his quick-witted comedy, clever songwriting, and unique delivery of classic shanties, the album captures all of the mirth of Ricketts’ celebrated live performances. This summer, he has an impressive roster of festivals and concerts booked across the UK, Canada, and Poland.
Chris Ricketts Canadian Tour
August 2, 2023 THE CARLETON HALIFAX NS
August 4, 2023 CAMPOBELLO FOGFEST CAMPOBELLO ISLAND NB
August 5, 2023 CAMPOBELLO FOGFEST CAMPOBELLO ISLAND NB
August 6, 2023 CAMPOBELLO FOGFEST CAMPOBELLO ISLAND NB
August 8, 2023 ST. ANDREW’S BREWING COMPANY SAINT ANDREWS NB
August 9, 2023 GRIDIRON TAPROOM HAMPTON NB
August 10, 2023 FUNDY SHANTY NIGHT SAINT JOHN NB
August 11, 2023 FUNDY TRAIL COOKHOUSE RIVER SALMON RIVER NB
August 12, 2023 FUNDY SHANTY FESTIVAL SAINT MARTINS NB
August 13, 2023 FUNDY SHANTY FESTIVAL SAINT MARTINS NB
August 14, 2023 FUNDY SHANTY FESTIVAL SAINT MARTINS NB
August 16, 2023 DAWN OMAN ART GALLERY BRIDGETOWN NS
August 17, 2023 THE SQUARE THEATRE NEW GLASGOW NS
August 18, 2023 THE COAL SHED FESTIVAL YARMOUTH NS
August 19, 2023 BETTY’S AT THE KITCH MAHONE BAY NS
August 20, 2023 THE ARTS CENTRE GREAT VILLAGE NS
August 21, 2023 GUYSBOROUGH WATERFRONT GUYSBOROUGH NS