THE POET'S DREAM is now available in USA from CDBaby, or click for the Rest of the World.

... REVIEWS of The Poet's Dream ...

"When one looks for heros in our tradition, Art Sinnott and Paddy Berry are national treasures. They've carried the flame through good and bad, and both inspired and preserved for us the wealth of beauty that is our traditional music and songs. They did so out of a deep love of place, as well as the joy that this music brings. I am happy to say that with this CD the flame is in good hands. This is a Jewel, a record of our local history, lovingly performed with the sensitivity of those who understand naturally how this music should be treated. The singing is wonderful and the accompaniment tasteful and restrained as is Paul's production, allowing the songs to tell their story and transport us to situations both moving, joyful, humorous, and stark. Some material never before recorded, as well as a brilliant new song from Paul which shows the depth of talent on show here. It is fitting that the tribute to Art Sinnott (who encouraged me to keep going on the uilleann pipes) should be sung by Paddy Berry, another hero of mine. It's like a link with the unbreakable chain of friendship, respect for those who championed the music and a deep sense of passing on the torch, which is what traditional music is all about. Thank you Paul, Helen, Padraig Sinnott, Tom Murphy and Paddy Berry. The Poet's Dream is simply beautiful. I'm sure Art Sinnott and MJ O'Reilly are very proud." - Brendan Wade (of Elandir, and formerly The Wild Swans and Cry Before Dawn)

"The completion of any complex and difficult project is worthy of praise, but I had glimses of what was attempted here with THE POET'S DREAM. I would have to say that courage, persistence and most of all sensitivity to the material, the memory and indeed the tradition shines out in this production. I would also have to say that in everything that has been attempted they have been successful beyond any evaluation and even I would say, their own high expectations. Without equivocation or condition I would have to say that this is a fabulous piece of work and a realisation of the all its aspirations. The connection on THE POET'S DREAM is that these are all Wexford songs but with a very distinctive Monageer flavour and hugely influenced by the Cooper and O'Reilly dynasties. Eighty percent of songs are from these two families. They are all folk songs, some have accompaniment, some without, but all are reflective of the tradition of singing in Wexford and how it has evolved and indeed continues to evolve in the great sea of time, occurrence and travel. This is not just an album of folk songs, but a whole lot more. It provides a panoramic view of an area over 150 years, and not through historians or commentators but through the voice of the population. I know Paul and Helen well as both artists of the highest calibre and people. There is nobody better qualified as singers to perform these songs, and their connection to these songs goes a lot deeper as blood, family and songs are intertwined here. Paul’s connection to the album is through his late father, a giant of traditional song, and grandfather and relations. And we are reminded of this only recently with the death of the late Liam Cooper, which re-inforces the necessity for this type of project. Helen too comes from a family steeped in music and folklore. Her father Art Sinnott was one of the most outstanding men of 20th Century and gave us our anthem. And what of the songs? There are slow songs, fast songs, local and national songs, political, satirical, songs of work, fleadhanna, '98, The Strawberry Fair, hospitality and songs about our love of place. D’Arcy’s House is a song full of fun and humour and also a song with a smile. But there is an extra delight as the album ends with a breathtakingly beautiful song composed by Paul - The Wild Geese of Killyleagh - demonstrating that not only is the craft moving on to new generations but, if anything, is even improving. To finish, THE POET'S DREAM is more than just a fabric, it is a magic carpet that can whisk us to our past, present and future. It is A BRILLIANT PRODUCTION." - Niall Wall, All-Ireland Traditonal Singing Champion

"Original and unusual ... a fine production. The arrangements give the album a sense of continuity; when you listen to song number one right up to song number twenty six, you can see the link, the thread, through them, and this is important when the collection is mostly from one or two sources." - Dan Walsh, Historian, Journalist and Broadcaster

"A very, very fine collection of songs from different parts of the county." - Áine Hensey, RTÉ Radio One

"This collection is produced to the very highest of standards ... The way in which a tradition of balladeering that extends over five generations has been presented as a coherent whole on the album is very impressive ... While The Poet's Dream is mainly about the human voice, putting previously unreleased songs on record, it also serves to underline the versatility of Paul O'Reilly as an instrumentalist." - Enniscorthy Guardian

"A brave and inspiring project, remembering some of the best and most prominent Wexford songs composed during the 19th and 20th centuries." - Scallta Media

"I was bowled over by The Poet's Dream; a masterpiece." - John Ennis, Traditional Singer

"A great album. There are some songs on it I heard perhaps only once, and I often thought what had happened to them. But here they are now, written down in front of me." - M.M.

"The Poet's Dream is a considerable achievement and one of great emotional significance. This is not lost in the renditions of the songs and knowing that there is such a special connection between singer and song always increases the listening pleasure ... It is obvious that a lot of dedicated creative work has gone into the making of this recording. You are not just 'getting them down' but sending them out in full flight." - J.M.

"The design, research and presentation are first class." - A.Ó C.

"Seriously good in so many ways." - A.L.

"Marvellous work!" - F.C.

Now available in USA from CDBaby, or click for the Rest of the World.

Paul's new album, with guest lead vocalist Helen Kirwan, THE POET'S DREAM, is available now.

A double-album of 26 tracks, including previously unreleased songs composed by MJ O’Reilly, the Cooper family of Monageer, and Paul O’Reilly, together with new arrangements of songs from the Paddy Berry collections, it covers many topics ranging from steam threshings, fleadhs, lamentations, risings, hunger strikes, local scuffles, the Queen’s bed, hunts, Jack Barry, the Strawberry Fair, the village of Monageer, the railway tunnel and many more ...

With lead vocals by Paul and Helen Kirwan, and performances by Paddy Berry, Padraig Sinnott and Tom Murphy, this double-album is a document of the past, a recording of hits of their time; hits that never made the charts but brought so much joy, and sometimes controversy, to the people of the day.

As well as vocals, lilting and whistling, Paul also plays guitar, bouzouki, bodhrán, mandolin, keyboard and whistle on the album. It was recorded and mixed by Paul in his studio, and mastered by Aidan Foley at Masterlabs. The cover image is a painting by Paul's good friend, and Wexford artist, John Cullen. The booklet contains 28-pages, containing all lyrics and a background-note by Paul on each track. The total running time is approx. 130 minutes.

Helen Kirwan was raised in a townland called Meaugh, close to “Bookey’s Stream”, “The Harrow” and “Boolavogue”, famed in history and in song. A regular on Local & National radio, Helen has recorded and released her own album and also participated with other family members in the acclaimed “With Pike In Hand”. In 1998 Helen sang “Boolavogue” at the official commemorations in Enniscorthy and for the ‘98 Pageant in Wexford, following in the footsteps of her late father, Art Sinnott, who performed the same song in the 1948 production. In the same summer Helen also performed for President of Ireland Mary McAleese on the “Bright May Meadows” of Boolavogue. Helen is one of the leading members of the Ferns Traditional Singing Group and Whisht!.

... Visit www.myspace.com/pauloreillymusic to listen to selected tracks ...

... INTERVIEWS about The Poet's Dream ...

Listen to Dan Walsh's intimate interview with Paul about the album, broadcast on June 3rd, 2009, on South East Radio. During the interview Paul talks candidly about his father and grandfather, the link to the Coopers of Monageer, the five generations of composers on the album, the concept behind the album, working through the arrangements, and the many connections between the people involved in the production.

... Part 1 (8:04 mins, 4.7M MP3) ... Part 2 (8:07 mins, 4.7M MP3)

... OTHER COMMENTS on The Poet's Dream ...

"Very well produced ..." - S.B.
"That track number two [The Adolescent Patriots] ... excellent!" - C.C.
"Really fab ... Really nice listening." - B.S.
"The guitar sounds brilliant!" - M.P.
"Listened to CD last night and it's absolutely brilliant. Well done!" - J.C.

© 2009 Paul O'Reilly, Wexford. Site designed and hosted by webplify.com.