Review: ‘Smoke and Oakum’ – The Longest Johns

Internet sensations, The Longest Johns are about to release their major label debut proving that nautical folk is here to stay. The album is filled with a mix of traditional songs and originals, all set to an authentic instrumentation and sung with beautiful harmonies.

From the sombre ‘Wayfaring Stranger’ to the rousing acappella ‘Don’t Forget Your Old Shipmate’ it is the harmonies they create that really make this record stand out. Their friendship over the years is obvious with how well their voices gel together. Despite the traditional songs and their accompanying sound, the boys still manage to put their own identity onto each and every track.

The closing number, the comedic ‘Beer Is Great’ has an element of musical theatre about it, it transports you to a tavern somewhere, images of sailors sloshing their tankers of beer about in joyful song fill your head. To summarise, this is a really unique album in a niche area of the market but I have every faith they’ll succeed!