 |
Biography
This is the latest release of material since the debut album ''this is
the Movie'' in May 1999.
It is a double-A-side single. The two songs are ''Exorcise Me'' and ''Run
and Hide'', plus a bonus track,'' Sacrifice'', from the forth coming album
to be released sometime in the summer.
Ben Reel and his band have been very busy in the past year promoting
his first album, which received great reviews and plenty of airplay around
the country and further afield.
Ben has been hard at work gigging up and down the country working with
numerous musicians along the way. Always there has been backing vocalist
''Julianne Black'', they have been joined with new bassist ''Paul Weather head
better known as ''Wiper''. There has been more drummers than in ''Spinal
Tap'', over the past year with regular drummer ''Michael Black'' studying
in Edinburgh, but is due home in June to fill the position permantely,
meanwhile his job has been in the capable hands of ''Ronnie O''Flynn'',
bassist with Cool fin, ''Donald Lunny Band'', and also ''Francis Fitzpatrick'',
drummer with ''Trim the Velvet'', Bens previous band. Also ''Paul Black''
who is brother of Michael and Julieanne, has filled in on many occasions,
as a steady beat runs in the family. ''Stephen Clarke'' adds colour on
the Saxophone, and now and again Ben calls on the talents of ''Mickey
McCarthy'' and also ''Mickey Me Carney'' on lead guitar.
Once again the tracks were recorded in the ''Attic Studio'' in Monaghan,
produced by ''Tommy Flac.k'' and ''Ronnie O''FLynn'' and once again the talented
''Ronnie'' played down the drums and bass on most of the songs, also on
the single Donegal keyboard player ''Eddie Lynch'' lays down some serious
sounds.
The band is fresh from a gig in the ''Gaiety Theatre'' in Dublin on April
7th, and will be on the road promoting the single in the coming months,
playing ''Magineses'', in Belfast on the 19th and 27th of May, plus a
few solo gigs in ''Antic Annies'' and'' Katie Daly''s'', also in Belfast.
Other dates sees them playing in Westport, Co.Mayo, ''The Quays'' in Galway,
''Zacks'' in Donegal Town, ''Break for the Border'' in Dublin, ''Whelans'',
also in Dublin and ''McPhails'', ''No 4'' and ''Branigans'' in Drogheda, in
the next two months.
They featured on ''BBC Radio ULster''s John Bennett morning show'', and
''Mike Edgar''s, Across The Line '' lives. ''Gerry Anderson'' is also giving
the band allot of airplay and great complements. They recently appeared
on ''BBC Choice T.V, on the ''11th Hour'' programme for the 3rd time, with
a ''Kelly Show'' appearance coming up also.
The band were last years ''Hot press Bacardi Unplugged finalists'' winning
the Northern Ireland heat on their way, and were unluckey not to win
it outright as ''Andrew Kealy'' from the ''Sunday Independent'' wrote in
his article about the event, ''that the Ben Reel Band were clearly the
best band on the night'' (see overleaf for press cuttings).
The album ''This is the Movie'' featured on ''Larry Gogans'' album of the
day, '' The Dave Fanning Show'' and received favourable comments by several
top 2FM D.J''s, ''Bob Conway''s'' Best of Irish Show, to note one. ''Johnny
Hero'' on Downtown Radio also give it great support.
The new material has a heavier edge than ''This is the Movie'' especially the first track ''Exorcise Me'' which is a real powerful rocker. ''Run and Hide'' has hints of ''Santana'' while the bonus track '' Sacrifice'' is back to funk and soul.
Ben is a native of South Armagh, and now resides in Castleblayney, Co Managhan, and in the coming months, as always he will continue to work hard as he travels around the country with his band as he brings his music to the people.
| |
