Alan Burke is the former lead singer, guitarist and bodhran player from Irish band Afterhours; indeed he played with them for over 10 years. Alan is a well respected musician amongst his contemporaries, possessing a unique voice which is full of power and sensitivity – as is his guitar playing. Accompanied by his unique driving guitar style, Alan’s powerful presence and technique have featured on two highly acclaimed solo albums, On The Other Hand (1998) and Tip of the Tongue (2000) alongside numerous recordings and collaborations with the bands and projects that have formed the core of a great life in music.

He began his musical career as a drummer, before making his name in traditional music circles in the 1980’s and 90’s and then as the lead singer with Afterhours, with whom he made three albums – Afterhours in 1988, Hung Up And Dry in 1990 and Up To Here in 1992 – and toured extensively worldwide. Since then Alan has appeared as a member of bands including At First Light, Airla and Tulsk.

More recently Alan has been heavily involved in collaborative projects, including the Afterhours ‘Bothy Band Tribute’, and he was the cornerstone of the four acclaimed annual Irish Sea Sessions concerts and albums produced in Liverpool, Ireland and London that saw him combine with Declan O’Rourke, Damien Dempsey, Pauline Scanlon, Emily Portman and many more, and from which Rambling Boys of Pleasure evolved.

Alan has worked extensively both as a record producer and as an actor, including the play This Is What We Sang that won Production of the Year at the First Irish Theatre Festival in New York 2010. He has also presented TV programmes in the Irish language for the BBC and TG4.

Burke’s strengths are his voice, a sweet mellifluous instrument, judiciously used and an understanding of his material: "Alan Burke’s rites of passage from band leader to first rate solo artist are complete. On The Other Hand proves that." ~ Rock ‘n Reel. His voice has been described as “Full of power, sensitivity and clarity”. His guitar playing, being influenced by his earlier incarnation as a session drummer/percussionist is characterised by strong driving rhythms alongside a more gentle and sympathetic approach to the quieter side of his repertoire.

In 2002 Alan was involved the making of a CD for the company BMG of library recordings alongside fellow traditional musicians, Cathal Hayden, Maurice Lennon, Jim McGrath, Gerry O’Donnell, James Blennerhasset and many others. 2004 brought two new recordings:The Eagles Whistle with friend, uilleann piper Joe McHugh (under the guise of the band Airla) and this was followed by Alan’s production and co-recording of the CD Ar Mhuin Na Muice with Donegal singer Bríd Ni Mhaoileoin - a collection of songs in the Irish language.

His voice has been described as “Full of power, sensitivity and clarity”. His guitar playing, being influenced by his earlier incarnation as a session drummer/percussionist is characterised by strong driving rhythms alongside a more gentle and sympathetic approach to the quieter side of his repertoire. His performance, presence and delivery demand the attention of his audiences, and the respect of his peers. Check out the videos below, awesome voice!

alanburkesings.com/

Alan Burke sings a stunning version of Belfast Mountains, this 200+ year old broadside ballad that links Cheshire and Belfast's Black Mountain, and includes a new verse especially for Irish Sea Sessions 2011 at Liverpool Philharmonic. This is followed by The Mist Covered Mountain, Dara Murphy's and Munster Buttermilk. Second video is from Bath Folk Festival 2012, singing You Rambling Boys of Pleasure.

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