Photos and words by Philip Laubner
Wonderment with a smile is how I’d describe the faces of the people listening to Shane Burke on Sunday night at Gallery 788. I’ve seen the songwriter more than once, and every time I do I get the feeling that I’m in on a secret. It’s as if I’m seeing someone whose talent goes far beyond the scope of pubs, book stores, or in this case, an art gallery. I can’t help but think that it’s just a matter of time before the secret gets out and the rest of the world comes in.
Shane’s Burke’s versatile voice is rich in the low end, dead-on in the middle, and angelic in the upper register. His songs are a soulful mix of rock, soul, and R&B. Burke’s music is familiar, but engaging in a way that keeps you listening. I know this because his latest album, “Under The Sun,” has been in the CD player of my truck for weeks.
A close contemporary comparison of Burke would be Ray Lamontagne, whom Burke admires, and, he even covers Lamontagne’s song “Hannah. About his own tastes Burke remarked, “I like artists that you can feel, and that create from feeling, people like Ray Lamontagne, Otis Redding, and Jeff Buckley.”
Shane and Alison Burke
I’m far from the first person who’s been touched by Shane’s talent. As a teenager, he was taken under the wings of E Street Band member Nils Lofgren. They both had the same manager, and Nils even recorded a demo for the young, and star- struck musician. But nothing came of the connection, and it was confusing for the then teenage Burke. He’d come so close.
After his brush with Lofgren and music mis-management, Shane paid his dues playing every type of gig conceivable. The multi-instrumentalist even played keyboard on a Department of Defense tour of Greenland with the band Brickfoot. “It was like playing on the moon, everything was so pristine, and it was like 48 below zero. We played a ‘First Light’ concert for people who hadn’t seen the sun in months. It was surreal,” commented Burke.
Success rarely comes to those that sit still, but with an industry that’s as competitive as the music business, it’s seems like a given that one would have to move and move frequently to find the next job, contact, or gig. Shane Burke grew up in Belair, a suburb of Baltimore, and a town Burke refers to as a place “where dreams come to die.” Since escaping he’s toured all over the country and lived in England and New York City.
In August, Shane and his new wife Alison Burke will once again move, this time to Fort Collins, CO. Shane’s excited because Fort Collins has a strong music scene and is within striking distance of both Denver and Boulder. I hope Colorado brings Shane the exposure and success that he deserves. His family still lives in Belair and he plans to return as often as he can to visit them and play shows in Baltimore.
Photos and words by Philip Laubner
