The opening
track in Ben Reel's 20th anniversary album is a
cracker.
Rainy Night nails down the pang of loneliness that emigrants feel
when they are far from home and someone says something that just
triggers regret. The easy, soulful melody and performance underlines
the impact, with Reel's singing striking just the right note.
It is the high point of the album. Though Feel Alive, the title
track and the gospel of Old Bog Road comes close. The Armagh singer-songwriter
comes across as an honest man determined to use his love of music
to best effect, and his lucky in having a band full of expression
and no little skill. The
Irish Times, Nov 2009
A rural
Band-like swell underpins Reel's songs with terrific results.
Overall, there's no fat on the bone.
Jackie Hayden Hotpress April 2010
Ireland
has a habit of producing good singer/songwriters and this guy
is another fine example. Old & Wise again proves his worth as
a songwriter with its wonderful lyrics and punchy rhythm Keep
On Drivin' with Ben's expressive voice supported superbly with
backing vocals from his wife Julieanne Reel and Kelle Redmond
highlight the power of the music. Maverick
Magazine, Feb 2010
The current
album, Time To Get Real is the South Armagh singer songwriter's
fifth album in 10 years.
Ben Reel plays
rock with a touch of roots, blues & soul with an occasional injection
of reggae. Critically acclaimed all over Europe, his vocals are
soulful and his lyrics meaningful. In the last 2 years Ben has
earned the respect and shared the stage with some Nashville greats
like Nancy Griffith, Hal Kethcum & David Olney.
Since his
debut, This is the Movie, back in 1999, each album has gone from
strength to strength, covering different styles of music along
the way from rock, soul, and roots to reggae to funk. Now, with
this new album, Ben's music has evolved into an honest earthy,
soulful sound that has matured like a fine wine.
Ben first
picked up the guitar when he was 15 years-old, inspired by the
authenticity of the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young.
Their influence is still reflected today in Ben's passionate and
heart-on-the-sleeve approach to performing and writing, but his
sound is very much his own.
In the last
10 years he has had numerous high profile TV & Radio appearances
and airplay under his belt including Bob Harris BBC Radio 2 and
has supported celebrated names like Jools Holland, Alabama 3 and
The Cranberries. He has performed his radio hit U People with
the late great Ian Dury's legendary Blockheads, and has recorded
the song with award winning saxophonist Gilard Atzman.
Also over
the last 3 years Ben has enjoyed successful tours in Holland,
Belgium and Germany, receiving rave reviews and attracting a growing
fan base. Along the way he has played with some of the finest
musicians in Ireland as his backing band and has built a loyal
underground following. Often described as an artist lying beneath
the radar for way too long, this simmering pot is about to boil.
Discography
1999 This
Is The Movie
2001 Lost In The Haze
2004 Sweet Victory
2005 U People (single)
2007 New Horizon
2009 Time To Get Real