Just listened to the samples, and I must agree: absolutely dreadful. Substandard performances even from the folk greats. It's like the producer told them, "Sing the way Johnny Depp acts; or better yet, Keanu Reeves imitating Johnny Depp. If it's good, we'll have to cut it." A few numbers squeak by, but not one is inspiring.

It's a pity that, fueled by "Pirates" frenzy, this may be the first exposure to "shanties" a lot of kids will get, and assuredly the last, without a gun to their temples.