Like so many others who have already commented, this is simply a stunning performance.I first heard it on a Radio 3 programme devoted over 5 days to Percy Grainger.On a whim, and no more, i decided to record the whole 5 days on cassettes( yes it was that long ago) .I think this song changed my life.As a musician it is rare indeed that a piece moves me so intensely, and this version is insurpassable.Apparently at the session Thwaites said that when they finished singing , no one could speak!
This is THE best version. An inspired performance by everyone involved; note how the music swells as the ship passes out to the big rollers of the open sea, & the voices of the lovers are diminished. What a genius Grainger was. I had this on a long-lost LP. That was the finest (acoustic) sound, but great to discover it again. OGT
I thank you, blinddrunkal, from the deepest gratitude I could express. Heard this on ABC, Sydney a fortnight ago and had never heard it before. The ambiance of Percy Grainger's style, the greatness of Shirley-Quirk was too much. I cried the entire selection. Then, I spent the next three days researching the name; all of my Grainger experience was brass band and marching band compositions. I found the name and you and youtube did the rest. Again, thank you!
Amazing version of a fabulous song. Grainger's arrangement is masterly and totally original, and Benjamin Britten's conducting gets the rhythmic pulse of the sea superbly. I am no great fan of classical arrangements of folk songs, but this is the bee's knees.
An absolutely classic. Song at it's highest level as an art form. What I find so interesting is that there are precursors of Brian Wilson's arrangements (3.37), particularly Smile era, in Britten and Grainger's arrangement.
The great John Shirley-Quirk used to live in my village in Bucks, a really nice fellow. Some of my pals attended music lessons with him. A class act with a truly great voice!!. Have a listen to his Linden Lea, pure magic,it evokes the English [or perhaps I should say British] countryside to the full.Thanks for this lovely piece.
I came here after hearing English folk singers Norma Waterson and Eliza Carthy singing Shallow Brown on their CD The Gift. It took my breath away (there's a not-very-good copy of a bit of it here on Youtube), and I ended up here. This is lovely: thanks for posting. Please listen to Norma's version!
For many, many years I have been beguiled by this song. I am really lost for words in attempting to explain how this piece of music transports my spirit to another realm. It is charming, it is sublime, it is simply beautiful. You have honoured us all in the deepest way by posting this video. Thank you so much !
@bernieholland775 This song haunted me from the moment I heard it on a Radio3 program called "Over the hills and far away" - a portrait of Percy Grainger. It seems such a long time ago now. My thanks to you, Bernie, for your comments. All the best from a very wet Bethesda - Alan
@bernieholland775 Earlier this evening I discoverd that someone 4 days ago had posted the final interview of Dennis Potter. I had been searching for this for years and was stunned and delighted and am forever in that persons debt. I'm motivated to repay a favour and so wanted to let you know I have an excellent quality vinyl LP of this song and other Grainger gems.Don't know if its possible to get it converted onto a digital source but if you're interested I can try. rob.hyde@cheshireeast.gov.uk
Peter described to me their relationship with the very gifted young Percy Grainger and what a wonderful young man he was. Percy traveled the UK asking local farmers and fishermen, etc. to sing a folk tune they might remember from the old days and then and there writing down the music in his note book. Peter told of how sad he and Ben were when he passed away....I have both Percy Grainger albums signed by Peter Pears in America..
When I first heard this piece many years ago on an album called 'Country Gardens - The Orchestral Works of Percy Grainger ' it affected me deeply. Perhaps it is because the profound beauty of music can bring tears to my eyes that I realise just how blessed is humanity and how wretched is bestiality.
@bernieholland775 Many years ago when I first heard this beautiful piece, I too was profoundly touched, and it brought tears to my eyes, without my realizing why.
Thank you, Victor for all that wonderful information, and you are right of course - it is John Shirley-Quirk singing, and Benjamin Britten conducting. All the best :o) Alan
victor44vp is getting confused here. Percy Grainger was born in 1882 and died in 1961 aged 78. Britten was born in 1913 and died in 1976, Pears was 1910-1986.
victor44vp is getting confused here. Percy Grainger was born in 1882 and died in 1961 aged 78. Britten was born in 1913 and died in 1976, Pears was 1910-1986.
The first time I ever heard this was at the Red House's new library where I was a house guest in 1975. Peter Pears and I were in the library. he played this for me himself. He said to me that he wanted me to listen to something he thought I would like..then he played Shallow Brown....I have the recording in America but that is not Peter Pears singing. I believe it is John Shirley-Quirk.....still an amazing piece of music and one I will take to my grave... thanks for posting it... victor parker
i like this Alan its very soothing makes ya flot away ....hope ya keeping well btw, just came back from holday myself and feeling very chiled out lol x
Like so many others who have already commented, this is simply a stunning performance.I first heard it on a Radio 3 programme devoted over 5 days to Percy Grainger.On a whim, and no more, i decided to record the whole 5 days on cassettes( yes it was that long ago) .I think this song changed my life.As a musician it is rare indeed that a piece moves me so intensely, and this version is insurpassable.Apparently at the session Thwaites said that when they finished singing , no one could speak!
chrisdumigan 1 week ago
This is THE best version. An inspired performance by everyone involved; note how the music swells as the ship passes out to the big rollers of the open sea, & the voices of the lovers are diminished. What a genius Grainger was. I had this on a long-lost LP. That was the finest (acoustic) sound, but great to discover it again. OGT
Oldgittom 1 week ago
I thank you, blinddrunkal, from the deepest gratitude I could express. Heard this on ABC, Sydney a fortnight ago and had never heard it before. The ambiance of Percy Grainger's style, the greatness of Shirley-Quirk was too much. I cried the entire selection. Then, I spent the next three days researching the name; all of my Grainger experience was brass band and marching band compositions. I found the name and you and youtube did the rest. Again, thank you!
arizonastrip73 6 months ago
Here's another version I am partial to, especially the brass at the end youtubedot com/watch?v=Ldm70tuiP_Q
boatbandvideo 7 months ago
Amazing version of a fabulous song. Grainger's arrangement is masterly and totally original, and Benjamin Britten's conducting gets the rhythmic pulse of the sea superbly. I am no great fan of classical arrangements of folk songs, but this is the bee's knees.
boatbandvideo 7 months ago
Absolutely exquisite - thanks!
hardytmc 7 months ago
An absolutely classic. Song at it's highest level as an art form. What I find so interesting is that there are precursors of Brian Wilson's arrangements (3.37), particularly Smile era, in Britten and Grainger's arrangement.
julbim 8 months ago
The great John Shirley-Quirk used to live in my village in Bucks, a really nice fellow. Some of my pals attended music lessons with him. A class act with a truly great voice!!. Have a listen to his Linden Lea, pure magic,it evokes the English [or perhaps I should say British] countryside to the full.Thanks for this lovely piece.
Teddyb1939 8 months ago
A better copy of Norma and Eliza's version is here:
youtube dot com / watch?v=gxRWt1qOD7o
It's breathtaking on the CD, though: the whole choir behind them makes me tingle.
chuffnobbler 1 year ago
I came here after hearing English folk singers Norma Waterson and Eliza Carthy singing Shallow Brown on their CD The Gift. It took my breath away (there's a not-very-good copy of a bit of it here on Youtube), and I ended up here. This is lovely: thanks for posting. Please listen to Norma's version!
chuffnobbler 1 year ago
This is so beautiful !
surfasteve68 1 year ago
For many, many years I have been beguiled by this song. I am really lost for words in attempting to explain how this piece of music transports my spirit to another realm. It is charming, it is sublime, it is simply beautiful. You have honoured us all in the deepest way by posting this video. Thank you so much !
bernieholland775 1 year ago 5
@bernieholland775 This song haunted me from the moment I heard it on a Radio3 program called "Over the hills and far away" - a portrait of Percy Grainger. It seems such a long time ago now. My thanks to you, Bernie, for your comments. All the best from a very wet Bethesda - Alan
blinddrunkal 1 year ago
@bernieholland775 Earlier this evening I discoverd that someone 4 days ago had posted the final interview of Dennis Potter. I had been searching for this for years and was stunned and delighted and am forever in that persons debt. I'm motivated to repay a favour and so wanted to let you know I have an excellent quality vinyl LP of this song and other Grainger gems.Don't know if its possible to get it converted onto a digital source but if you're interested I can try. rob.hyde@cheshireeast.gov.uk
10003949 1 year ago
I absolutely love this sea shanty. I want to sing it for my girlfriend.
outtaker 1 year ago
Thanks so much for posting this--one of my very favorite Grainger pieces, and very cool to hear Britten at the helm.
cantseetheforest 1 year ago
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Peter described to me their relationship with the very gifted young Percy Grainger and what a wonderful young man he was. Percy traveled the UK asking local farmers and fishermen, etc. to sing a folk tune they might remember from the old days and then and there writing down the music in his note book. Peter told of how sad he and Ben were when he passed away....I have both Percy Grainger albums signed by Peter Pears in America..
victor44vp 2 years ago
Wonderful! Thanks for uploading.
EastLancsJohn 2 years ago
Sublime and human - both.
farliesbirthday 2 years ago
some of Grainger's finest work, I think.
gillebro 2 years ago
When I first heard this piece many years ago on an album called 'Country Gardens - The Orchestral Works of Percy Grainger ' it affected me deeply. Perhaps it is because the profound beauty of music can bring tears to my eyes that I realise just how blessed is humanity and how wretched is bestiality.
bernieholland775 2 years ago
@bernieholland775 Many years ago when I first heard this beautiful piece, I too was profoundly touched, and it brought tears to my eyes, without my realizing why.
This is a little jewel.
22441932 1 year ago
Comment removed
victor44vp 2 years ago
Thank you, Victor for all that wonderful information, and you are right of course - it is John Shirley-Quirk singing, and Benjamin Britten conducting. All the best :o) Alan
blinddrunkal 2 years ago
Comment removed
EdwardHKDC 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
victor44vp is getting confused here. Percy Grainger was born in 1882 and died in 1961 aged 78. Britten was born in 1913 and died in 1976, Pears was 1910-1986.
EdwardHKDC 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
victor44vp is getting confused here. Percy Grainger was born in 1882 and died in 1961 aged 78. Britten was born in 1913 and died in 1976, Pears was 1910-1986.
EdwardHKDC 2 years ago
I believe also that the conductor and arranger here is Benjamin Britten.
victor44vp 2 years ago
The first time I ever heard this was at the Red House's new library where I was a house guest in 1975. Peter Pears and I were in the library. he played this for me himself. He said to me that he wanted me to listen to something he thought I would like..then he played Shallow Brown....I have the recording in America but that is not Peter Pears singing. I believe it is John Shirley-Quirk.....still an amazing piece of music and one I will take to my grave... thanks for posting it... victor parker
victor44vp 2 years ago
i like this Alan its very soothing makes ya flot away ....hope ya keeping well btw, just came back from holday myself and feeling very chiled out lol x
custygypsysingers 2 years ago
Thank you, Alan for sharing this wonderful music and video with us.
Got the stars... :)
I know this song by "June Tabor" from her album "Aleyn". Such a *G*R*E*A*T* record.
All the best
gari
garibelon 2 years ago
My education continues ! Thank you, Alan. Feel more 'cultured'/informed . Great voice/choir/orchestra/film ! 'Sailor Brown'?(Shaller?) Thanks for infotaining me. 5*
Gregparkerblues 2 years ago
Thanks, Greg - I'm reliably informed that "Shaller" is a corruption of "Challo" meaning mixed race. (thanks to harrypetepeters for that info)
blinddrunkal 2 years ago
Great music and video
withnailus 2 years ago
Gives me goosebumps... Gorgeous voice and wonderful music. Thanks, Alan!
~NAncy
nllleonard 2 years ago
Thanks for that, Alan. Beautiful music.
raymondcrooke 2 years ago
I enjoyed that Al.Thank you.
fendermac 2 years ago
Nice one Alan ;-) 5*s
Mark...
gerdenshed 2 years ago
This really touches the soul. Reminds me of the Welsh valleys, not that im Welsh or have ever been there, maybe in a past life?
baldyholly79 2 years ago
Beautiful music......Thank you Alan for sharing..........Colin.
OldTimeVoice 2 years ago