Sharing at Redrooms

Jun 9 2009 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

FROM the north and south of Ireland, but now based in Scotland, Michelle Burke and Debra Salem (right) combine their distinctive vocal styles for a four-venue Scottish tour of Shared Songs, which comes to Redrooms at Perth Theatre on Monday, June 15.

As well as presenting their own sets, they will join vocal forces when they share the stage with their band of Scottish musicians from the worlds of folk and jazz which includes Scottish pianist and composer James Ross, guitarist Anna Massie, Angus Lyon on accordion and Kenny Irons on bass.

Michelle and Debra first met in Edinburgh in 2004 and their instant musical connection meant that a collaboration of this kind was always a certainty – they were just waiting for the right time and the right place. Now, as they have become more established, it seemed the perfect time to embark on this short tour.

Since winning a Danny Kyle Award at Celtic Connections 2008, Belfast-born jazz vocalist Debra, who now lives in Perth, has been gaining a reputation with her individual jazz/folk crossover style which “really gets inside a song and inhabits every little corner.”

Since her critically acclaimed gig at The Tron for Celtic Connections 2009 she has been gigging and working on her album which is scheduled for release this year.

Michelle, who is originally from Cork but is now based in Edinburgh, is fast making her name both as the newest lead vocalist with Irish/American supergroup Cherish The Ladies, and as a solo singer of rare interpretative gifts. These Scottish solo dates come in the middle of her extensive American tour with Cherish The Ladies. Her debut album, Pulling Threads, is due for release in September.