El Pony Pisador are presenting their new album “The Longest Pony” in which the Catalans unite forces
with the international reference of sea shanties group well known as The Longest Johns.
The album is composed by 7 songs, including “The Northwest Passage”, a Stan Rogers song that both
groups recorded together in 2018 in a video which has achieved now over a million views. From that
recording (when they also recorded “Miner’s Lifeguard”) an idea of creating an album together was born.
Developing the combination between the powerful voice of the English ones with the instrumental skills
of the Catalans.
“The Longest Pony” is created from traditional and classic music pieces from the anglosaxon folk such as
“Tennessee Walz” or “All For Me Grog”. It also includes two original compositions: “Wheels of Glory”
and “Haul and Drag”. To top it off, we can find a catalan song, the habanera “Al Pirata Joan Torrellas”,
an original composition from Carles Casanovas, a former member of Port-Bo, a famous habaneras group.
This collaboration was born from friendship and mutual respect between both groups, which have
coincided in many sea shanties concerts and festivals around Europe. The Longest Johns, a reference
group in this music style, jumped over the fame at the beginning of 2021 when their song called “The
Wellerman” became a viral phenomenon on TikTok. Nowadays, the group is performing regularly in
Europe and the United States, proving that sea shanties music is still alive and strong. For the Catalan
group, El Pony Pisador, this collaboration means the opportunity to bring their music proposal and their
own sea shanties songs called “Habaneras” to the international folk scene.
The recording of this album was done simultaneously, voices and instruments, taking care of the genuine
part of an acoustic and organic sound that can – without too much post-work on it – create an honest
bond with the listener. Being able to create such a clean and compact sound demonstrates the
instrumental technique and voice capacity of both groups.
The instrumental parts were recorded at “La Atlántida Estudio” in Barcelona with Mario Patiño on the
mix and the controls. On the other hand, The Longest Johns recorded the voices and the chorus from
the Pony’s part, and also their instrumental contribution at “J&J Studio” in Bristol, with Jim Barr on the
controls. The album has been mastered by Paul Worthington at “Broadwater Studio” in Newcastle.
The single “All For Me Grog” represents the carefree spirit with which both bands conceive their music,
living between the sense of humour and the folk sensibility. This song is a sea song always included in
the Sea Shanties events where both groups got along well. The Dubliners – an Ireland music reference
group – made this song famous around the world. In it, we can find the sea tradition music of The Longest
Johns and also the Celtic influence of El Pony Pisador, who share the verses.
“Wheels of Glory” is written and sung by Robbie Satting, who sings about the Gloucester Cheese Rolling,
a very famous and historic event where many people chase a cheese while rolling down a hill. It combines
the bright and fast voices of the folk with a fast tempo, with the Celtic sound, bluegrass and ragtime in
a funny and frenetic proposal.
“Haul and Drag” is the other own composition, also from Robbie Satting. It is written in a sea shanty
structure and it collects the most orthodox sonority of this style. The nine voices of the members of both
bands can be found in this song, which brings an intense and dark sea atmosphere.
The “Tennessee Waltz”, a classic of Patti Page from 1950, is interpreted by the voice of Andy Yates. The
influence of the group Punch Brothers can be also found in this recording, which combines the bluegrass
sound with harmony and vocal resources from jazz music. In this way, a classic piece is performed with
the music sensibility from the most avant-garde folk.
In “Al Pirata Joan Torrellas” we can listen both groups singing a Habanera fully in Catalan. It is an original
composition by Carles Casanovas, a former member of the Port-Bo group. The combination of the guitar
sonority typical in the style with original instruments from Anglo-Saxon folk such as the banjo or the
harmonium stands out.
“Miner’s Lifeguard” is a classic song from the syndicate chants of the USA, a miner’s unifying hymn. One
of the first songs that both groups sang together, they have tried to find a pure bluegrass sound where
a bright and harmonious voice stands out with the instrumental technique.
“The Northwest Passage” is perhaps one of the most beloved songs by the folk community and sea
shanties. It talks about the search for a route that would cross the Arctic, from the Atlantic to the Pacific,
in which many explorers lost their lives. In this version, The Longest Johns voices, with Jonathan Darley
in front, reach a high peak of their expression and represent one of the greatest exponents of the
emotional possibilities of folk music.
GUSPIRA RECORDS PRESENTA
EL PONY PISADOR UNE FUERZAS CON THE LONGEST JOHNS EN EL
NUEVO DISCO “THE LONGEST PONY”
EL PONY PISADOR & THE LONGEST JOHNS
“The Longest Pony”
- Wheels Of Glory
- Haul and Drag
- Tennessee Waltz
- All For Me Grog
- Al Pirata Joan Torrelles
- Miner’s Lifeguard
- The Northwest Passag