Paul O'Reilly - Writer, Singer, Musician, Lilter

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In November, 2008, the new album from traditional ballad singer John Ennis, THE TOMHAGGARD MARTYR, will be launched. Paul co-produced the album for John, as well designing the booklet. Copies of the album are now available.

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' (compositions from the Cooper family of Monageer, County Wexford) collections. This material is unrecorded to date, and hence Paul saw the need to revive some of these powerful, historical ballads, hoping to give them a contemporary, yet traditional, sound. Paul will collaborate with fellow Whisht! members Helen Kirwan and Paddy Berry on the album. Paul will play guitars, bouzouki and mandolin, and guest musicians will appear to strengthen the production. Paul will also include two of his own compositions. The working title of the album is THE POET'S DREAM. It is due out April 2009.

As well as solo, and collaborative performances (mainly traditional/folk nowadays), Paul also performs 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!

As well as regularly performing with Whisht!, Paul is also an accomplished traditional guitar accompanyist, and performs with various traditional groups from Wexford.

Reviews ...

: THE CUCKOO'SNOTE

"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

: TAKE A WISH

"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

Discography ...

: THE CUCKOO'S NOTE - CD WITH WHISHT! (2007)

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.

Read more about WHISHT!

"I was absolutely taken by what I heard... a fantastic hour of solo traditional singing." - Áine Hensey, RTÉ Radio One

"... a lovely album, well worth having ..." - Dan Walsh, South East Radio

: CLASHING THE ASH - SINGLE WITH DARREN BYRNE (2004)

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: TAKE A WISH - SOLO CD (2003)

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.

Colm O'Hare of Hotpress wrote: "Wexford-based singer-songwriter Paul O'Reilly blends folk, country and traditional styles in equal measure on this impressive self-produced debut".

Wexford Song Club wrote: "Paul O’Reilly is a powerfully melodic singer, with a masterful touch. He takes us down a diverse musical road that is paved with expressive lyrics and richly woven accompaniments".

: 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.

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: 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.

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