Burnt Rose

Providing an unusual "signature" for the band Burnt Rose, Debi Ferguson's deep-throated vocals could be compared most favourably to Marianne Faithfull, Sass Jordan or Melissa Etheridge. Chrissie Hynde (The Pretenders) and Johnette Napolitano (Concrete Blonde) are also brought to mind. In addition to vocal duties, Debi plays guitar, harmonica and mandolin. Whether her voice appeals to you or not, there's certainly no denying her songwriting skills, in partnership with John McCullough (lead guitar, flute and vocals). Piece of the Part is resplendent with "hit" material - from the Dylanesque "Somehow (Love Survives)" and the tongue-in-cheek Jazz-Rock of "Clown Prince" (both tracks featuring Paul Augustine from Hamilton's Powerhouse on saxophone) to "Chez Nirvana", an excellent "Cossack rocker" highlighting the talents of Phil James on bass and vocals and Johnny Gillott on drums and percussion ...There's a wee bit of Celtic influence on the uptempo "Seems to Me" on which track Phil Kott (also with Powerhouse) plays banjo and, in fact, Burnt Rose has performed regularly at Hamilton's Newfoundlander club, Come By Chance, for nearly three years now. "Favourite Colours" is a soulful, sentimental ballad dedicated to Debi's father, and Debi's sister, Brenda Cooper provides harmony vocals. The overall sound is spiced up by regular keyboardist Don Berryman (formerly with Powerhouse) on piano and Hammond B3, especially on the Pretenders-influenced "Derailed Train". Kate Cameron-Leaist and Crystal Graham offer back-up vocals on the title track. Currently performing mainly covers in their hometown of Hamilton and at GTA gigs (they performed at the record-breaking CMFL benefit at Touchdowns), their versatile repertoire includes Van Morrison's "Into the Mystic", the Straycats' "Rock This Town", Traffic's "John Barleycorn Must Die", Amanda Marshall's "Let It Rain", and the Beatles' "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band". A brand-new composition, "Fishin' for Bass", a Reggae-inflected rocker, has much Canadian commercial appeal. This very compassionate band is also heavily involved in benefit concerts, including Toys for Tots and the East 33rd Street Dance for Cancer Assistance Program, and they have also performed for inmates and staff in local detention centres. For more information and bookings, check out their website at http"//www.burntrose.ca - To-night magazine - Cover Story

.............. veteran performers, Hamilton group, Burnt Rose, took the stage next with their unique blend of music borrowing from the genres of Country, Rock, Folk, Celtic and everything in between. Decade-long performers always tweaking their tunes for specific audiences, Burnt Rose found just the right combination of songs to keep this afternoon of fun rolling in the right direction.

Five original songs were performed this day: Seems To Me; Nose To The Stone; Why Can't People; Runnin'; and Rotten Low-Down Blues. Multi-talented Debi Ferguson (lead vocals, guitar, mandolin, harmonica) and John McCullough (vocals, guitar, flute) handle all the songwriting for this band (currently including four full-time members) with an extensive repertoire of songs, influenced by artists ranging from Elvis to Terri Clark. Ferguson's vocals are reminiscent of Sass Jordan and Melissa Etheridge.

Burnt Rose's song, Seems To Me, is an up tempo tune with Celtic influence, but, Why Can't People, really helps Burnt Rose shine as performers. Clever lyrics and soulful music make this tune, to be included in an upcoming CD, a hit song. Their 11-song debut CD, Piece Of The Part, released in 2001, also demonstrates that Burnt Rose never lacks for fresh, original material.

After the show, Ferguson and McCullough told me, they are chameleons of Country music: you never know what type of music you are going to hear from this outstanding Hamilton talent. That's a compliment to their diversity and professionalism, which always makes Burnt Rose an entertaining act. At this Opry North Showcase, Phil James handled bass and vocals, "Bungalow" Bill Taylor played drums, and Natalia Manley, a Classically-trained 20-year-old violinist, joined the group on stage to play her instrument in the style of a Country fiddle, adding greatly to the performance.

Burnt Rose is well-known across southwestern Ontario. Their originality, solid talent and entertaining storytelling make them worth checking out next time they perform at a venue near you.



-Jeffrey Reed

JR's Country
Review - Opry North Showcase

Sept 28, 2002
- Opry North & JR Coutry