Various artists, Son of Rogues Gallery
Folk/pop
* * * (out of four)
Famously eclectic producer Hal Willner's follow-up to 2006's Rogue's Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs & Chanteys has a looser, more whimsical feel than its predecessor and boasts an even more diverse array of talent, including some intriguing combos: Shane McGowan with Johnny Depp and Gore Verbinski; Tim Robbins with Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs; Angelica Huston with the Weisberg Strings.
The 36 tracks include some missteps, but there are also evocative numbers such as Beth Orton's cover of Bamboo (River Come Down) and Marc Almond's Ship in Distress.
Other artists put textural twists on the folky fare with inspired results such as Todd Rundgren's Rolling Down to Old Maui and Sally Racket, courtesy of Katey Red and Big Freedia with Akron/Family.
Download: Bamboo (River Come Down), Rolling Down to Old Maui, Sam's Gone Away
