Ben Reel is a singular artist, the latest original to emerge from the wonderful Irish tradition of great singer-songwriters. From the troubadours of the heart and the message song, through Van Morrison and that shape-shifting Declan Patrick MacManus (Elvis Costello) and a bit of the Pogues, the Irish songsmiths crafted works both spiritual and emotionally charged while also tinged with the gift of turning a phrase with the best of them.

Gerry Anderson, of BBC Radio Ulster called Reel’s last album, SWEET VICTORY, “the best album I’ve heard in years.”  And live, Ben with long standing recruits Michael Black on drums, Ronnie O'Flynn on bass, Micky McCarney on guitar, Ben himself on vocals and guitar, the Ben Reel Band have been building a great reputation as being one of the finest live bands in Ireland.

Hailing from Silverbridge in County Armagh, against the backdrop of “The Troubles” in Northern Ireland, music became Ben’s way out.  He first picked up the guitar when he was 13 years old and first musical adventure began when he formed the now legendary band Trim The Velvet.

After achieving significant success and a very loyal following, the band went their separate ways and Ben started recording and touring as a solo artist. To date he has completed 4 studio recordings, the latest of which NEW HORIZON, has just been completed and will be released in Ireland in June, 2007.  Along with its predecessors it showcases Ben’s talent as a sublime singer-songwriter. 

This time around though, Ben collected his band into the studio to hew simple, direct and heartfelt songs.  While the Irish know that their Blarney can get them out of dire situations and make a bad situation so much lighter, they also know that the bitter truth needs to be acknowledged and dealt with straightaway. Ben’s songs on NEW HORIZON are those, bitter with the bad, but with a view to the way out.

The tracks have unfolded contain a more rootsy, earthy, Americana rock feel to them. The band has developed a kinship from performing throughout Europe, creating their unique sound together. Bringing real music back to the people in an age of the corporate manufactured mundane, NEW HORIZON announces to the world something, which a growing number of people have already known throughout
Ireland; Ben Reel is a major talent.

Discography

1999 This Is The Movie
2000 Exorcise Me (3 track ep)
2001 Lost In The Haze
2004 Sweet Victory fourteen original tracks.

The album received high critical acclaim and a lot of airplay including BOB HARRIS BBC radio 2, plus favourable reviews in various countries e.g. UK, HOLLAND, even as far as AUSTRALIA. This record showed a musical maturity and progression.  The songs are of a soulful and spiritual nature, which carry a powerful message to the listener”.


Appearances and Collaborations

The John Daly Show, BBC1 N. Ireland. This and numerous performances for BBC Choice Digital TV & TG4. 

Jools Holland / Waterfront Hall, Belfast (7000 – sell out crowd)
Michael Ball / Odessy Arena
The Cranberries / Ulster Hall

Performed with Ian Dury’s band the Blockheads on the now infamous song “U People” in Dingwalls in London.

Recently collaborated with award winning saxophonist Gilad Atzmon and his band, recording “U People” the make (?) politicians history anthem (co-written with London’s most eccentric idealist ‘Rainbow George”). The video of the song was shown 5 times in one day on BBC1 as a party political broadcast for the last Westminster elections.

Ben has shared a bill in 2004 with the ALABAMA 3 (Sopranos fame) in London’s Mau Mau club, Ben has also toured solo in New York, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Phoenix, Copenhagen to name but a few far flung locales.

Recently the Ben Reel Band has just finished a successful tour in Holland and Belgium. That same month, March 07, saw the release of a new single “Waitin For U.” Program Directors are all on board with the single, having it going directly to national airplay through out Ireland.