James Kahn has gone by many monikers in his life… Doctor, author, screenwriter, singer, songwriter and now shanty man. His newest album is a collection of self-penned sea shanties. Not your typical sea shanties, these songs deal with political, environmental, social and economic issues. The lyrics are intriguing and meaningful, delivered with great harmonies and production.
KC Café Radio Music Director, Kathy Forste recently talked with James about his latest genre of writing and singing sea shanties. They discuss how sea shanties of the past and his creations are not so different from one another. James also reveals why he decided to do an album of sea shanties, and who sings on the album with him. We also learn how he went from being an emergency room doctor to an author of the novelizations of such cinematic classics and Return of the Jedi and Goonies, and which ones were his favorites to write.