Smiles all round for trad star Shannon’s collaboration

MUCH-LOVED Irish musician and local favourite Sharon Shannon was back in Shetland this week for a concert and collaboration with several isles fiddlers.

There was a strong turnout at Mareel on Tuesday night for the concert, which featured not only her four-piece band but also a guest slot from a host of isles fiddle players put together by Maurice Henderson of Fiddlers’ Bid and Haltadans.

Lynda Anderson of Shetland Arts, who was also one of the fiddlers involved, said the organisation was delighted to have worked with Shannon and her manager John Dunford to “support the opportunity for local musicians to record and play with her”.

“She’s an outstanding musician and so full of fun and energy, and has gained many fans in Shetland on previous visits during the past 20 years of her career,” Lynda said.

“The idea for her to collaborate with Shetland fiddlers arose from conversations during Sharon’s 2014 visit, which she was very keen to follow up, and to record for her upcoming 2017 album.”

The group had a short rehearsal and recording session with Shannon in Mareel’s recording studio on Monday night. The collaboration is set to feature on Shannon’s next studio LP.

Those involved – Henderson, Lynda Anderson, Lyn Anderson, Ewen Thomson, Lois Nicol and Stewart Grains – said it had been an “honour” to play with one of the stars of the traditional music world.

Shannon was joined by her own musicians – Jim Murray, Sean Reagan and Alan Connor – for Tuesday’s concert, while the fiddlers also hopped on stage for three sets of tunes over the course of the evening.

Lynda added: “It was great to see a good crowd out to provide a very warm welcome to Sharon, and to see many smiling faces chatting with her after the show.”