Ursula Burns
Ursula Burns, Belfast born singer/songwriter and harpist, is stirring up both public and press approval, prior to her debut album to be released nationally on Ross Graham's recently formed Freerange label through 3mv/Sony. The recordings feature many guest musicians including, accomplished singer/songwriter Iain Archer and Rod McVey, one of Ireland's most respected multi-instrumentalists. The sessions have been recorded and engineered by Richard Rainey, whose most recent credit was as assistant engineer on U2's Pop album. Media response has so far been very positive, both to her live performances and to specific tracks taken from her forthcoming album. An introductory EP entitled Sinister Nips containing three songs, two self-penned and one cover is scheduled for 13th October and an album is due before Christmas.
Her live performance showed and extraordinary confidence, and her originality and exuberance caught the imagination of viewers and media alike. Her writing and style defy categorisation, instrumentally her work is undeniably in the folk idiom yet her lyricism falls more readily into a surreal and imaginative vein, full of humour, theatre and truth.
Over the past year she has played as a solo artist at many venues in Northern Ireland and at venues in London and Dublin. Her band now consists of Ursula on harp and vocals accompanied by two cellists, violinist and percussion. Ursula's shows are full of originality, spontaneity and charm. She has recently been showcasing this line-up in Belfast and Dublin and has guested on bills with the likes of Davy Spillane, Beth Orton, the Blue Nile and Jackson Brown.
She has just returned from playing a captivating solo concert at the Royal Albert Hall, as an invited support artist to the to the Blue Nile, one of the most respected song writing groups in the UK.
Ursula's most recent major appearance was on the 1st of August at Killyleagh Castle, where she shared the bill with legendary American songwriter Jackson Brown and Ireland's Saw Doctors. The setting proved a perfect backdrop for her timeless and theatrical performance.
Recently at a preview performance of the new album in the Old Museum Arts Centre, the complete essence of what this performer is capable of was captured in a spellbinding show, with every indication that Ursula is headed for the international stage.
Ursula can currently be seen at her Sunday afternoon residency at Madison's on Botanic Avenue, Belfast.
"Ursula Burns writes undeniably great songs, when you combine this with the fact that she plays the harp in a 'new school' style, the potential is mighty"
Stuart Bailey. Hot Press. April '97
"Ursula Burns comes across as one of those original artists who defies musical barriers. She is completely unlike anybody else, especially other female singer/songwriters."
Irish News. Michael O'Hanlon. May '97.
"The surreal originality of Ursula's music, aligned with the impish wit of her singing, make her Ireland's most promising performer".
Northern Woman. Neil Dodds. Summer '97.
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