Re shanty singing and maleness - a lot of guys don't think it's traditional for women to sing shanties. Well, it ain't traditional to sing 'em in a pub either, or at some of the speeds people sing 'em at, or probably even on pitch. (I still don't like soprano parts in shanties, though.) I've had a couple of opportunities to hear our own Liam's Sister-In-Law (Bonnie Milner) sing - once on her own and once with The Johnson Girls. I think they're working on a CD, which I intend to buy one second after it's released.