Patrick Burke
by Alex Fontana
An amber glow of hot flickering flame burns near the red desert-slate
fountain. A babbling brook flows around the outdoor dining area just
south of the coffee shop. Another main fountain can be seen towards
the north end of the parking lot, reminding one of a climbing wall
in the desolate wilderness. The rain drops down on the chilly murk
of night.
Welcome friends, you are at the newly divine Ava Roasteria,
located at 4655 S.W. Hall Blvd. just a few blocks north of the Beaverton
Central Library.
When entering this place of Mediterranean flair, you will
find artwork exhibits and the warm aroma of fresh-ground java juice.
Always open 24/7, the white marble floors and Birchwood furniture
broadcast a technically literate culture with free wi/fi included.
And there are plush and comfy couches for those of a more reclined
conversational nature as well.
The patrons are sedated tonight with intense laptop study
in a caffeine haze. They are oblivious to the arrival of the night’s
entertainment as they stay sucked into the soma of the Wally World
known as the internet. In walks the tall lean soloist known as Patrick
Burke. He exercises the keyboard and you think. Burke’s mature music
is like a thoughtful walk in the night’s crisp cleansing wet. The
doors of the mind open inward towards shelter, but the music either
ignores it or refuses to push it open. Instead, it breathes in the
fresh ozone and explores the wandering drizzle in the darkness.
Burke takes chances with his music and sometimes the chances
pay off. So much so, that in 1978, he was with a band Parasites of
the Western World. Together, they put out a record. A real vinyl record
that now has at least one reputed value of $268 per album. Comments
on the acid-rock/electronica collector’s piece have ranged from okay
to fantastic. The 33 1/3rd lp has received heavy air play
on east coast stations such as WFMU 91.1 FM in New Jersey.
Patrick Burke, for one thing, is an award-winning photographer
and graphic designer who just released a graphic calendar called “Portland
According to Patrick.” In this colorful calendar, you can see the
imagination of Dali, intermeshed with the city and sites that everyone
has come to love. Mixed in with the artwork are historical factoids
and findings of each day that will perk interest and conversation
for weeks. The calendar in itself would make a fine gift for those
out-of-towners, if only one would be willing to part with it. You
may have already seen this visual bit of joy for sale at places such
as Powell’s Books or Pittock Mansion.
On another side, there is Burke, the singer/songwriter, who
has played in bands since age 16. In his music and vocals, you can
hear similarities to John Lennon and Peter Gabriel. This is especially
evident in his newest material with the energy and rain-stick style
akin to that of Shock the Monkey.
Currently, Burke has three CDs of piano solos and one CD of
alternative music featuring his guitar work. The latter, Presence
of Mind, provides a strong sense of being there, as with the
track, Liking Winter Song. Other playful bits of wit ensue
on the following tracks as well. His latest release, CD#5 De Profundis,
Latin for “from the depths,” was just released Oct. 27.
To find the prolifically creative Burke, to see his art, request
graphic design work, hear his music or get his show dates, you can
go to www.patrickburke.com or
check the Bandstand listing.
After all, when it comes to thoughts of the rain and the musical
mind, the door is always open and the coffee is hot.
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