Beans, The

Based just outside the historic whaling port of New Bedford, The Beans have an innate feel for chanties and other songs of the sea. They are known for their vocal harmonies and polished instrumental accompaniments on guitars, mandolin, concertina, and Appalachian dulcimer. Their wide-ranging repertoire of traditional and contemporary material includes songs of boats, fishing, and the sea; love songs, gospel songs, and originals penned by Jim and by songwriters like Kate Wolf and Stan Rogers. Their close harmonies reveal their long friendship and the pleasure they share in singing together.

They have performed together as a trio in New England and along the East coast for more than 20 years, most recently at the Mystic Sea Music Festival and as invited guests at the 2012 FSGW Getaway.   [Folklore Society of Greater Washington]

The Beans… Jim & Cindy Bean w/ Steve Sullwold were long time shanty festival performers in New England.

— Chris Setari

These musicians were also part of the New Bedford Harbor Sea Shanty Chorus, the 35 members of which recorded Lovely Ernestina:  Songs of the Sea

The 35 member chorus comprised of volunteers from the Tall Ship Ernestina, performs both traditional and non-traditional songs.  An album that captures the tradition and heritage of sea chanteys in an animated fashion.

— Amazon Editorial Review

The South Coast Today has an article on the 1996 New Bedford Maritime Heritage Festival that includes details about The Beans.

We are no longer performing, but the Lovely Ernestina album is still available.  I appear on that with the Sea Shanty Chorus.  I wrote the title song.  Ernestina is back sailing under the auspices of the Mass Maritime Academy.  Our Second Hand Songs album is only available in on-demand copies directly from me.

— from a 18 Sept 2024 message from Jim Bean

Jim has organized a GoFundMe fundraiser for Cindy for several, critical medical challenges.