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Discography ...
: THE
POET'S DREAM:
26 Folk Songs from County Wexford - DOUBLE
CD WITH HELEN
KIRWAN (2009)
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In September, 2008, Paul was
awarded funding under the Arts
Council of Ireland's Deis scheme (a scheme
established under the Arts Councils Traditional
Arts Initiative) to produce a new album of material
selected from the 'M.J. O'Reilly' (All-Ireland
ballad composer) and 'History in Verse: Collected
by Liam Cooper' (compositions from the Cooper
family of Monageer, County Wexford) collections.
Supported by the Arts Council of Ireland
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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
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 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!.
Track Listing:
1) The Steam Threshing, 2) The Adolescent Patriots,
3) The Battle on the Hill, 4) Farewell to Art Sinnott,
5) D'arcy's House, 6) The Men of Ninety Eight, 7) Tally
Ho, 8) An Intern's Letter, 9) The Jolly Butcher, 10)
Jack Barry, 11) The Tunnel, 12) The Busker, 13) The
Concertina Man, 14) Pol and Nancy Hogan, 15) In Ninety
Eight, 16) Don't Let the Ballad Die, 17) The Village
Curs, 18) The Poet's Dream, 19) The Strawberry Fair,
20) Riversdale, 21) Listowel Fleadh, 22) Noble Father
Dwyer, 23) The Queen's Bed, 24) Lodgings, 25) Good Old
Monageer, 26) The Wild Geese of Killyleagh
Here is a map of areas in Wexford where most of the
songs on The Poet's Dream came from.
View
Larger Map
"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
"Here is a beautiful double album of songs
old, new and renewed. O'Reilly and Kirwan have produced
a collection of 26 songs that span a wide timeline but
even with this they manage to sound melodious and to
hold the listener's attention through the 130 minutes
of running time. The album is Wexford-based in that
most of the songs are written by local poets and songwriters
or about events that occurred in the county. Many of
the songs were published in 'Wexford Ballads' by Paddy
Berry over twenty years ago and it is a revelation to
hear them performed in their full musical glory. Like
the best of ballads they are true story songs. Nowhere
is this more evident than on songs like The Battle on
the Hill, a wonderful recounting of a fight, complete
with names and places. Farewell to Art Sinnott is one
of those sean nós songs that is redolent of feeling
as we hear the writer and singer echoed as they recall
a true loved one. Being a Wexford collection, 1798 is
seldom far from the singers vocal chords. True to form
there are a number of renditions of songs of that era
including The Men of Ninety Eight and The Adolescent
Patriots being just two of them. In a more lighthearted
vein we get a song written by Babs Egan that reminds
us of the hunt on Tally Ho. The Jolly Butcher is another
'naughty' story song that has probably done the rounds
in many an Irish town over the years - here he arrives
in Enniscorthy. One of the most popular Wexford exports
is John Barry - founder of the American Navy. He is
represented here as Jack Barry in a song collected decades
ago for a book called 'Songs of the Wexford Coast'.
The album is a wonderful collection of music but it
is also history in verse and music. It is the history
of Wexford but it is also a history of a tradition,
a tradition of how our forefathers celebrated incidents
and people in song and story and as such is a document
of Irish social history. The accompanying booklet is
well produced with lyrics and background to the songs."
Nicky Rossiter, Irish Music Magazine
"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
"The singing and accompaniment is refined
and graceful, it is about the songs and their stories
not the singers' ego." Tom Keller, Folkworld
"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.
"The singing, playing, production, everything
is really amazing. It is a true labour of love and a
really vital part of Wexford's musical tradition."
E.W.
"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.
INTERVIEW ... Listen to Dan Walsh's intimate
interview with Paul about the album, broadcast 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.
... Stream
part 1 (8:04 mins) ... Stream
part 2 (8:07 mins) ...
INTERVIEW ... Listen to Áine Hensey's
interview with Paul and Helen broadcast August 2nd,
2009, on RTÉ Radio One's 'The Late Session'
... Stream
(22:39 mins) ...
INTERVIEW ... Listen to Rosaleen Molloy's interview
with Paul and Helen recorded June 10th, 2009, for South
East Radio's 'People, Time and Place'
[Note: this recording is slightly delayed/distorted
as it was taken from a cassette recording]
... Stream
(28:58 mins) ...
: THE
CUCKOO'S NOTE
- CD WITH WHISHT!
(2007)
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Paul sings 'The Waterford Boys'
and 'The Blooming Flower of Grange' in traditional
Irish style with Paddy
Berry, Helen Kirwan, Elaine Gleeson, Darina
Gleeson and Niall Wall.
Engineered and mastered by Kevin Evans at Liam
Clancy Studios, An Rinn, Co, Waterford, and
designed by Karen
Nolan Design, the album was partly funded
by The Arts Council of Ireland.
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As well as solo and collaborative performances (mainly
traditional/folk nowadays), Paul has also performed
with WHISHT! -
a group of traditional singers who live in County Wexford,
Ireland. United by a love of songs and singing they
are driven by a desire to share their passion with a
wider audience.
WHISHT! released
their acclaimed debut album, THE
CUCKOO'S NOTE,
in 2007. On it, Paul sings in traditional Irish style
with Paddy
Berry, Helen Kirwan, Elaine Gleeson, Darina Gleeson
and Niall Wall. Supported by The Arts Council of Ireland.
WHISHT! performed
in the world premiere of HARBOURING
for multiple choirs and string orchestra in June 2008.
Composed by Ian
Wilson, the performance will featured: Wexford Festival
Singers, Enniscorthy Choral Society, Gorey Choral Group,
and Whisht!. Read more about WHISHT!
"I was driving to Clare and when I put in
the CD I was absolutely taken by what I heard. And I
was surprised, because when you hear somebody talking
about a group, you presume they're all going to be singing,
or playing, together. But what I heard was a fantastic
hour of solo traditional singing. And alot of people,
I think, when they hear of an album of unaccompanied
traditional singing, they think: that mightn't be too
easy to listen to, or I might just listen to a few songs
now, and a few songs later. But let me tell you that
when you listen to The Cuckoo's Note, and just listen
to the variety in the singing styles, and in the types
of songs - it's an absolutely lovely, lovely production.
It's a lovely way, and it's a very unusual way,
I think, to present traditional singing.
Also, when we hear songs put together by local
singers, there is often a tendency to stick very rigidly
with local songs, for example, or maybe with songs that
have been recorded by other people. But what you have
on the Whisht! album, The Cuckoo's Note, is a great
mixture of some songs that we've all heard before, some
songs that Wexford people maybe have heard before, and
also some songs that none of us have probably heard
before. So it's a great mixture in that respect, and
there are also a couple of Irish language songs in there
as well, which was really nice to hear.
Recorded in Liam Clancy Studios, when you listen
to the CD, you can really hear the result of the work
and the care that went into the recording, and the post-production
of the CD. And also into the sleeve-notes, which are
really beautifully done." Áine Hensey,
RTÉ Radio One
"... a lovely album, well worth having ..."
Dan Walsh, South East Radio
"The word Whisht or éist means to be
silent, stop or listen, and listen you will to these
six top exponents of the unaccompanied song in the traditional
idiom.... sixty minutes of wonderful ballad singing."
Liam Gaul, County Wexford Free Press
"Lovers of Irish song will be enthralled by
this album." Geoff Wallis, www.irishmusicreview.com
"It is wonderful to see the best singers in
the county coming together to pool their talents for
our enjoyment. Each song and singer is a delight."
Sean Ó Dubhghaill, South East Voice
"Beautifully produced." Paddy
Ryan, South East Radio
: TAKE
A WISH - SOLO
CD (2003)
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Paul performs ten of his contemporary
folk compositions on this debut solo album.
Featuring guest musicians, the CD was self-produced,
and recorded and mixed in Paul's home studio.
Under Copyright Control/IMRO.
Mastered by Mid
Atlantic Digital, designed by Karen
Nolan Design.
|
Track Listing - click to hear a 1MB sample: 1) Be
with You, 2) Leave
the Key Behind, 3) Ode
to See, 4) Expressions,
5) Run Now
Run, 6) The
Prom Song, 7) Take
A Wish, 8) Bobby's
Tears, 9) The
Arab's Tent, 10) Goodbye.
"Wexford-based singer-songwriter Paul O'Reilly
blends folk, country and traditional styles in equal
measure on this impressive self-produced debut. Though
claiming influences from James Taylor, Neil Young and
Bob Dylan among others, his main inspiration appears
to lie much closer to home. Jimmy McCarthy is one clear
influence on his song writing approach - you could easily
imagine Mary Black performing a song like 'Be With You'
or the poignant title track. With its shuffling country
rhythm, 'Expressions' is more than slightly reminiscent
of Mick Hanley's 'Past The Point Of Rescue' while the
tin whistle accompaniment lends a song like 'Run Now
Run' a strong traditional feel.
His lyrical subject matter is in the main introspective,
dealing with life and relationships in all their complexities.
But he's not afraid to tackle serious issues such as
a failing marriage ('Leave The Key Behind') or domestic
violence ('Bobby's Tears'). He even broaches the thorny
subject of current Middle-Eastern politics on 'Arabs
Tent' - a song that sonically evokes the spirit of Moving
Heart's classic 'Hiroshima Nagasaki (Russian Roulette)'.
While the production and acoustic accompaniment
is stripped down with minimal studio gimmickry, the
arrangements are sympathetically carried out. O'Reilly
is an impressive guitar player too, as evidenced by
the fret-work on 'Ode To See' which is very much in
the style of Paul Brady's 'Arthur McBride'.
O'Reilly shows plenty of promise here." Colm
O' Hare - Hotpress - 21/01/2004
"I first came across the superb musical talent
of Paul O’Reilly at the Wexford Songwriters Club,
at one of our regular Tuesday night shows in Finnegan’s,
South Main Street, Wexford. Paul is a powerfully melodic
singer, with a masterful touch on his well-crafted guitar
accompaniments. So it was an exiting prospect to be
asked to review his album Take A Wish, and this recording
certainly didn’t disappoint. From the soulfully
plaintive, Ode to See, to the more upbeat Expressions,
to the country roots feel of Leave the Key Behind, Paul
takes us down a diverse musical road that is paved with
expressive lyrics and richly woven accompaniments. Throughout
the album, Paul’s words are a prime example of
how to express feelings without soppy sentimentality.
The opening love song, Be With You, hits the mark without
descending into worn-out clichés. There is social
comment here too. The Arabs Tent, encompasses the wars
in the Middle East and shows off the virtuosity of Richard
King (formerly of Threepenny Opera) on lead guitar and
dobro. Paul demonstrates the breadth of his scope in
The Prom Song, which deals with a down-and-out man and
his life. This is a folk song in the Stockton’s
Wing mode, with a haunting whistle accompaniment from
Padraig Sinnott of Fonn. In fact, in the course of this
recording, Paul surrounds himself with other great musicians.
Shelly O’Reilly gives outstanding piano performances
on Be With You and Goodbye, while Siobhan McCormack
adds a beautiful female dimension to the vocals on Leave
the Key Behind. M.J. O’Reilly’s harmonica
on the heart-rending Bobby’s Tears is subtle and
tuneful. Throughout the album, and especially on the
title track, Paul’s vocals and harmonies are well
polished. Also, his bass and bouzouki playing both give
perfect rhythmic depth his well-crafted arrangements.
Paul recorded, engineered and mixed these songs at his
home and the professional quality of this album is a
testimony to this man’s range of talents. Kieran
Goss better move over, there is a new kid, and a new
voice, on the block." Ian Barry - Wexford
Song Club - 16/07/2004
Collaborations ...
: LONG
IN THE MAKING
- CD BY REILLY'S
MEN (2011)
 |
Produced by Reilly's
Men (Martin Sheehan, Paul O'Reilly, Stephen
O'Leary, Mick Folan), Paul performs vocals,
lilts, guitars, banjo-guitar, bass, bouzouki and
bodhrán on this trad/folk album. He also
engineered, mixed and designed the album.
|
Track Listing:
1) Waterbound, 2) The Long Evening (reels), 3) Murphy
Can Never Go Home (vocals by Paul), 4) When First Unto
This Country, 5) Paradise, 6) The Long Farewell (slip
jigs), 7) Island of Australia (vocals by Paul), 8) Search
And Rescue, 9) Brennan On The Moor, 10) Last Of The
Starrs (air, reel), 11) The New American (written and
performed by Paul)
: WHERE
LIFE IS A
SONG - CD BY
JOHN ENNIS (2011)
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Produced by John Ennis,
Paul plays guitars and banjo-guitar. Paul also
arranged, engineered, mixed and designed the album.
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Track Listing:
1) The Roseville Fair, 2) Shanagolden, 3) Come By The
Hills, 4) Faithful Sailor Boy, 5) Angel's Whisper, 6)
The Crossroads, 7) Far Away A Light Is Burning, 8) Horses
And Plough, 9) Wait 'Till The Clouds Roll By, 10) Blue
Eyes Crying In The Rain, 11) When The Fields Are White
With Daisies, 12) Lough Tay Boat Song, 13) 1915 On Christmas
Day
: GOOD
OLD MONAGEER:
Compilation Album - CD BY
FR MURPHY BRANCH
OF COMHALTAS (2009)
 |
Produced by Padraig Sinnott,
as well as accompanying the group with guitar
and bouzouki, Paul lilts the ancient tune The
Blackbird in set-dance and then
reel time, and also sings a newly arranged Billy
Cooper song, My Rambles Through
Erin.
As well as a wealth of music, the album also
includes other Billy Cooper songs - Good
Old Monageer and The
Monageer Hurlers - Mary Brogan
singing Bagnel Harvey's Lament,
and Helen Kirwan (nee Sinnott) singing Boolavogue.
The album was launched by Seán Ó
Sé in Monageer Hall, November 2009.
Contact Paul
for copies of this album. |
: ECHOES
OF ERIN: Comhaltas
Concert Tour of North America - COMHALTAS
CD (2009)
On the track Colonel Fraser, Paul
accompanies Padraig Sinnott (pipes) with guitar and
bouzouki.
Contact Comhaltas
for copies of this album.
: HARBOURING
- Live Performance CD (2008)
 |
WHISHT!
performed in the world premiere of HARBOURING
for multiple choirs and string orchestra in
June 2008.
Composed by Ian
Wilson, the performance featured: Wexford
Festival Singers, Enniscorthy Choral Society,
Gorey Choral Group, and Whisht!.
Not for sale. |
Click
here for the RTÉ Radio One Arts Show
coverage of Harbouring World Premiere featuring
Paul on vocals in the opening sequence, with Dermot
Dunne and the Irish Chamber Orchestra.
“WHISHT! brought a powerful tonality to the
choral and string orchestral harmony. These distinct
tonalities brought three forces together and created
the sound world, which coloured by the haunting accordian
brought us to many unusual and personal harbourings."
START Magazine
"Whisht! traditional singing group provided
excellent tremelous vocals on Macquarie Harbour which
is spooky and atomspheric ... Currach features excellent
vocals from Helen Kirwan, with the male vocals equally
strong. It is an intimate, genuinely moving performance,
with hushed playing [from the Irish Chamber Orchestra]
during which you could see a sudden tremor of life in
the conductor's [Fergus Sheil's] hand as he went about
his work ... The Harbour was written by Irish poet,
Winifred Letts, and speaks of the Wexford coastline.
It was an ideal finish to the musical event, including
all of the choirs, with a paroxysm of emotion provided
by Paddy
Berry of Whisht!" David Looby,
The Echo
"Currach, by Tony Curtis, was sung by Paddy
Berry, Helen Kirwan, Paul O'Reilly and Niall Wall
with delicate monochromes, and a vocal beauty at once
as fleeting as wild tulips" Tom Mooney,
The Echo
: THE
TOMHAGGARD MARTYR
- CD BY JOHN
ENNIS (2008)
 |
Produced by Paul O’Reilly,
John Ennis & Niall Wall, this long
awaited collection features songs collected
over a lifetime by John and performed with the
characteristic love and attention that has made
him treasured by aficionados of the genre throughout
Ireland and beyond.
|
Track Listing:
1) The Mountains of Pomeroy (George Sigerson), 2) Clougheen
(Séan McCarthy), 3) The Chapel Gates of Cooraclare
(Frank O'Brien), 4) The Tomhaggard Martyr (Nick Kinsella),
5) Lady of Loughrea (Pádraig Fallon), 6) The
Salt (Learned from Andy Monaghan, Bannow), 7) My Love
is a Tall Ship (Jimmy Crowley), 8) The Ferns Exile (Mick
Galvin), 9) Séan Sabhat (Learned from John McMahon,
Waterford), 10) Lament for Jack Berry (Martin McCann/John
Ennis), 11) The Orchard (Kevin Evans), 12) In Shame
Love, In Shame (Séan McCarthy), 13) Going to
California (Johnny McEvoy), 14) Ballyjamesduff (Come
back Paddy Reilly) (Percy French)
"John Ennis always sings with conviction and
sincerity, even on casual occasions. He never compromises
the integrity of his song. The storyline is paramount
to him and his fine musical voice enhances brilliantly
every song he sings. Whatever the occasion he gives
a full commitment to perform. “I won’t go
‘til John sings,” says a man on his way
to a meeting. He knew the song was worth waiting for,
it always is.
John Ennis’s singing style follows the general
route of the unaccompanied singer, and the chiefs of
such who thread a beaten track themselves. But he is
not concerned, however, with the time honoured notion
of the man singing long songs over a turf-fire on a
winter’s night, whiling the time away. Though,
John could sit and sing with him at the fireside, singing
robust songs of the day, and then move into the parlour
to entertain a more genteel gathering with polite songs
to suit their mood. His widely appealing singing qualifies
him to sit at anyone’s fireside, in any company.
John selects his songs carefully judging the mood
of the occasion in formal sessions, appealing reverently
to the ladies preference for sentimentality, and in
informal sessions gives wimpish outbursts of light-hearted
songs. He is not a man wanting to sing every song in
the session, but when nudged into the spotlight can
indelibly date the occasion.
I know John Ennis’s singing better than most,
having travelled with him to fleadhanna and ballad sessions
for many years, where the big songs of the massed sessions
satisfy sublimely and where the faithful listener completes
the circle of old and new friends. On such occasions
John Ennis’s singing in full flow would gladden
your heart.
This song selection represents his varied repertoire.
The mood changes from the “Tomhaggard Martyr”,
a fine song recalling local events in Cromwellian times,
written by Nick Kinsella, to the light-hearted “ould-cod”
“The Salt”. From the new setting of Sigerson’s
“Mountains of Pomeroy” to the evocative
“Orchard” by Kevin Evans, contrasting with
French’s immortal “Ballyjamesduff”
and the sad lament for my dear brother Jack, these all
combine to give a truly memorable collection of fine
songs." Paddy Berry, September 2008
: CLASHING THE ASH
- SINGLE WITH DARREN
BYRNE (2004)
Sold out.
: PRACTICALLY EVERY
DAY! - CD - VARIOUS
(2002)
 |
Paul performs his song Schooldays
Over on an album with the best
of Wexford songwriters, including: Niall Toner,
Clive Barnes, Justin Cullen and Mick Egan. Produced
by Wexford Arts Centre, and supported by The
Arts Council.
Sold out. |
: UNDERNEATH THE LIGHTS
- EP - REILLY'S DAUGHTER
(1998)
Paul has two of his songs, One Fine Time
and When I Look Back, recorded
by Reilly's Daughter, and guests on the tracks performing
backing vocals, guitar and bodhrán.
Sold out.
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© 2011 Paul O'Reilly,
Wexford. Site designed and hosted by webplify.com
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