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Artist
Ben Reel
12+ albums
Alt-countryamericanasinger-songwriterfolk rock
about
Ben Reel: Time to get Real BEN REEL plays rock with a touch of blues and roots and the occasional injection of reggae. Critically acclaimed all over Europe, his vocals are soulful and his lyrics meaningful. Time to Get Real, is the Castleblayney-based songwriter’s fifth album in 10 years. ‘It’s an earthy album which reflects the need to get back to reality in these post-boom times,’ says the South Armagh native. ‘Ireland lost its way and a bit of its soul in the last decade; now it’s time to get back to basics.’ 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, 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. Following the radio hit earlier this year with U People, an instantly catchy collaboration with the famous Rainbow George, Ben is also back with hints of reggae on Old and Wise, the ninth track on the new album. 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 February 08 RTE Radio 1 broadcasted a full live Ben Reel gig as part of their In Concert series. His band has performed Blas Ceoil on BBC2 N. Ireland, Dav
