Irish Music Mag majors on Mudcat Man

Subject: Irish Music Mag majors on Mudcat Man
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 15 Apr 01 - 08:27 AM

Sorry if this has been noted already, and sorry to be so late mentioning it, but Irish Music had a two-page interview with Dan Milner in its last issue (April).

Dan, who passes himself off at Mudcat as Liam's brother, and his pal Bob Conroy have just released a CD, Irish in America, which the magazine describes as "groundbreaking" - full review follows in a later issue. Irish Music doesn't usually get space on the news stands stateside, but hit the blue clicky to check out the site - you might want to subscribe!

Subject: RE: Irish Music Mag majors on Mudcat Man
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Apr 01 - 10:27 AM

That's great! We've had a lot on the CD, but no notice of this interview! Wonderful! Thanks, Fionn!

Way to go, Dan!

kat

Subject: RE: Irish Music Mag majors on Mudcat Man
From: JedMarum
Date: 15 Apr 01 - 10:55 AM

Great magazine, worth the subscription cost, in my opinion. Way to go Dan! A truely enjoyable album, my wife and I have been listening to it often, and learning.

Subject: RE: Irish Music Mag majors on Mudcat Man
From: JedMarum
Date: 15 Apr 01 - 11:17 AM

Fionn - it appears that the article is not accessable on-line (yet). I have not received my April issue yet, so I haven't seen the article yet. Can you give us an idea of what's in the article?

Subject: RE: Irish Music Mag majors on Mudcat Man
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 15 Apr 01 - 12:38 PM

I don't have the magazine here, Jed, but it's only a couple of days since I read the interview, so I'll see what I can remember (with apologies to Dan for what I forget - maybe he'll fill in the gaps). I've just realised that though the Irish Music site lists the contents of each issue, it doesn't have the actual articles.

The interview is a sort of potted retrospective of Dan's life, and richly deserved tribute, starting with the early family life and enforced emigration to the states (via the UK, and I think Canada).

Obviously brother Liam is credited as a major influence in steering Dan towards traditional songs. Joe Heaney is another who gets a mention. (Later Joe was involved, along with Lou Killen and others, in setting up their pioneering singing circle.) Planxty's "neo-traditional" approach was another huge influence.

The piece recounts Dan's founding of an acclaimed folk club, first in Manhattan (Bells of Hell?) and later at the Eagle Tavern. And it mentions a great collection of British and Irish songs, ("Bunch of Roses"?) which I have often seen, but without realising it was Dan who put it together.

Another thing I hadn't realised was that Liam's brother did s Sibelius-like total disappearance from the scene for 20(?) years. I think it was his family (wife?) and friends, including Bob Conroy and Brian Conway, who lured him back.

Nowadays he spends part of the year with a band that plays on a tall ship, presumably somewhere on the NY waterfront, and the rest of the time as a double-act with Conroy, with whom he spends a lot of time touring venues in Ireland (which is where I have seen them). According to the article, they will be doing various festivals in UK and Europe in the next few months. He gave a really good plug for the Inishowen seminar, which is a yearly event in Co Donegal.

His earlier CD got favourable mention, but I can't remember what it was called. Yet another detail I didn't know, and crucially significant for me, was that Dan's club at the Eagle Tavern was the first venue to book the very Queen of the Whistle, the one and only, the incomparable Joannie Madden. Thanks, Dan!

Subject: RE: Irish Music Mag majors on Mudcat Man
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 17 Apr 01 - 08:38 PM

Bob Conroy picked up a copy of Irish Music's April issue on his way here today. He said it had just come in at Barnes & Noble or Borders bookstore (both carry it). I'm honored. Fionn did a very good job of describing the article which is very complete, I think. Thanks everyone for your kind words.

All the best, Dan

Subject: RE: Irish Music Mag majors on Mudcat Man
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 20 Apr 01 - 08:30 PM

Dan, was there an Inishowen this year, or did it fall foul of the foot&mouth crisis? Were you (are you) over?

Subject: RE: Irish Music Mag majors on Mudcat Man
From: MartinRyan
Date: 21 Apr 01 - 02:32 PM

Fionn

There was - he was - and I was too!

Regards

Subject: RE: Irish Music Mag majors on Mudcat Man
From: Big Mick
Date: 21 Apr 01 - 02:45 PM

And you are a lucky man, Martin. I would have loved to been there, but just couldn't manage it.

I figured I was pretty well up to speed on our Dan, but when I read the articleI learned several things I hadn't realized. Great article about a fine gentleman and a good friend. And I love the picture............all the elements are there!! And FAIR ONE, are you paying attention to what is on the table?.........LOL

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Irish Music Mag majors on Mudcat Man
From: Den
Date: 21 Apr 01 - 08:15 PM

Mick get your elements off the table, this is a family site ;-) Congratulations Dan I will try to get a copy of your fine CD. Den

Subject: RE: Irish Music Mag majors on Mudcat Man
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 22 Apr 01 - 03:28 AM

Thanks for posting the link to the mag, Fionn. I didn't know it was out there, and I eagerly await the April issue to arrive in the mail. Irish Music looks like a great magazine. Congratulations, Dan, on the interview. Well deserved, of course.

-chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Irish Music Mag majors on Mudcat Man
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 22 Apr 01 - 09:38 PM

Thanks, everyone, for your congratulations. My hat doesn't fit anymore. Let me switch the subject by asking you to take a look at MUDCAT MAN'S MARRIAGE