I'd put Holdstock and MacLeod's "Deepwater Shanties" on my "A" list of maritime recordings as well as other albums mentioned above. It's all straightaway chanteys, acapella, beautiful selection, moderate tempos - Dick Holdstock, Allan MacLeod, and a chorus of five singers. ONE of the great chantey recordings, in my book. My all-time favorite maritime recording is MacColl and Lloyd's "Whaling Ballads," but I would concur with SeanM about naming it or any other the best. I think it is possible, though, to have some criteria for picking out the wheat from the chaff, and to name an "A" list of great chantey recordings - ones that are highly regarded, influential, or lesser known ones by fine singers who have produced real masterpieces, as in the case, I think, with Dick and Allan. Thank you, Toadfrog, for alerting us to the French CD! I feel a sudden urge to make a trip to Down Home Music on Monday.

-chanteyranger