The Burns Sisters
Encyclopedia
Folk, pop and rock are given a Celtic slant by Ithaca, New York
-based vocalists the Burns Sisters. Accompanied by Rich DePaolo's guitar, Eric Aceto's fiddle and their own guitar and mandolin, the three sisters—Annie, Marie and Jeannie—harmonize with heartfelt spirit. The Burns Sisters, the seventh, eighth, and ninth of 12 children, started singing together in 1980 and originally began as a quintet with sisters Terry and Sheila. One of their earliest accomplishments was a spot on the soundtrack for the movie, Atlantic City, filmed in 1979 and directed by Louis Malle
. They were hired as a result of the influence of their brothers who worked as film technicians in Hollywood. Although they recorded a rock-inspired album, "The Burns Sisters Band", for Columbia Records
in 1986, the label dropped them one week before the scheduled release of their second album, "Endangered Species", two years later.
After splitting up for several years, the sisters reunited in 1993 and were signed to Rounder/Philo Records
. Close to Home, the sisters' first official trio album, showcases their folk and gospel roots. It was produced by Rich DePaolo and released on Philo in 1995. Their sound is country-based folk with shimmering harmonies that are a consistent highlight. In This World, produced by former E Street Band bassist Garry Tallent
, adds a dash of rock to their sound and was released on Philo in 1997.
The Burns Sisters redefine the boundaries of acoustic folk/country music. Infused with lush vocal harmonies and world-class musicianship, the sisters take listeners on an emotional roller-coaster ride to heights of joy, through valleys of longing and doubt, and back again. In talking about the sisters' connection to Woody Guthrie
, Marie Burns explains, "Woody Guthrie's music makes me feel good about the choices I have made in my life as an artist. When I listen to his lyrics, a spark is reignited, and I am reminded of the importance of speaking my mind, standing up for social justice, and to remember to have a good time through it all."
Ithaca, New York
The city of Ithaca, is a city in upstate New York and the county seat of Tompkins County, as well as the largest community in the Ithaca-Tompkins County metropolitan area...
-based vocalists the Burns Sisters. Accompanied by Rich DePaolo's guitar, Eric Aceto's fiddle and their own guitar and mandolin, the three sisters—Annie, Marie and Jeannie—harmonize with heartfelt spirit. The Burns Sisters, the seventh, eighth, and ninth of 12 children, started singing together in 1980 and originally began as a quintet with sisters Terry and Sheila. One of their earliest accomplishments was a spot on the soundtrack for the movie, Atlantic City, filmed in 1979 and directed by Louis Malle
Louis Malle
Louis Malle was a French film director, screenwriter, and producer. He worked in both French cinema and Hollywood. His films include Ascenseur pour l'échafaud , Atlantic City , and Au revoir, les enfants .- Early years in France :Malle was born into a wealthy industrialist family in Thumeries,...
. They were hired as a result of the influence of their brothers who worked as film technicians in Hollywood. Although they recorded a rock-inspired album, "The Burns Sisters Band", for Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
in 1986, the label dropped them one week before the scheduled release of their second album, "Endangered Species", two years later.
After splitting up for several years, the sisters reunited in 1993 and were signed to Rounder/Philo Records
Rounder Records
Rounder Records, originally of Cambridge, Massachusetts, but now based in Burlington, Massachusetts, is a record label founded in 1970 by Ken Irwin, Bill Nowlin and Marian Leighton-Levy, while all three were still university students...
. Close to Home, the sisters' first official trio album, showcases their folk and gospel roots. It was produced by Rich DePaolo and released on Philo in 1995. Their sound is country-based folk with shimmering harmonies that are a consistent highlight. In This World, produced by former E Street Band bassist Garry Tallent
Garry Tallent
Garry Wayne Tallent , sometimes billed as Garry W. Tallent, is an American musician and record producer, best known for being the longtime bass player in Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band....
, adds a dash of rock to their sound and was released on Philo in 1997.
The Burns Sisters redefine the boundaries of acoustic folk/country music. Infused with lush vocal harmonies and world-class musicianship, the sisters take listeners on an emotional roller-coaster ride to heights of joy, through valleys of longing and doubt, and back again. In talking about the sisters' connection to Woody Guthrie
Woody Guthrie
Woodrow Wilson "Woody" Guthrie is best known as an American singer-songwriter and folk musician, whose musical legacy includes hundreds of political, traditional and children's songs, ballads and improvised works. He frequently performed with the slogan This Machine Kills Fascists displayed on his...
, Marie Burns explains, "Woody Guthrie's music makes me feel good about the choices I have made in my life as an artist. When I listen to his lyrics, a spark is reignited, and I am reminded of the importance of speaking my mind, standing up for social justice, and to remember to have a good time through it all."
Discography
| Year | Title | Record Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Wild Bouquet | Ithaca Records |
| 2000 | Out of the Blue | Rounder/Philo |
| 1997 | In This World | Rounder/Philo |
| 1996 | Tradition: Holiday Songs Old & New | Rounder/Philo |
| 1995 | Close to Home | Rounder/Philo |
| 1992 | Songs of the Heart | Independent |
| 1989 | Endangered Species | Columbia |
| 1986 | The Burns Sisters Band | Columbia |