Thought you all should know that Daniel Michael “Dan” Collins, founder and owner, of Shanachie records passed away a few days back of lung cancer. Dan was a wonderfully cantankerous fiddler, dancer and lover of Irish Music.
Shanachie records spearheaded the Irish revival in the United states not to mention the Reggae and Americal Old Time music.
Dan will sorely be missed.
All the best,
Pat Sky
So sorry to hear that, Pat. RIP, Dan.
To give credit where due … For me, Shanachie was second only to Green Linnet (founded by yourself) in making the music available at a time when availability was scarce. Many of us are forever appreciative of your visions, with great thanks to you both.
RIP. It was great that Dan recorded a few duets on his sister’s CD a few years back. I like that record, it’s very unpresumptious, if that’s a word.
Shanachie was a great label, my favorite aspect of their records were the transcriptions on the inset inside the LP, which would have a “bonus track.” Learned the “New Found Out” reel that way from John Vesey’s record, where it had a little footnote attached - “Learned from piper Tom Busby.” There’s a roundabout way of passing on the tradition for you!
unpretentious?
Thanks for letting us know, Pat. I’ve enjoyed his playing on Kathleen’s CD, too - I forgot about his role in Shanachie. He did a lot of good things. Peace to the Collins family.
Casual, I guess you’d say. A friend of mine was complaining about that CD, “too rough;” well, Kathleen’s by her own admission a bit out of practice, and also hurt her hand a few years ago. Rough’s right up my alley, though. Beats heartless crystal clear perfection any day. She can be forgiven if she’s not going to win any more All Ireland’s after playing the frickin’ music for 60 years too.
Amen…