Relax & Breathe

A revolutionary song , words written by my great friend Rainbow George, a song for the times we are living in a world thats ruled by 800 billionaires in a world population of 7 billion

U People

Here it is my Christmas song Sam Cooke style

This Christmas Time

This album was recorded in Skinny Elephant studio Nashville in early March 2019 featuring Garry W Tallent bass player with the legendary E Street Band. The album was recorded all live takes in the studio over 3 days. Produced by Will Kimbrough & Tommy Womack.

The Nashville Calling

Borrowed Time

11 Borrowed Time

Broken

10 Broken

New Jerusalem

09 New Jerusalem

Fine Wine

08 Fine Wine

Up There In The Sky

07 Up There In The Sky

Imagination

06 Imagination

Round The Next Bend

05 Round The Next Bend

2020 Vision sums up 2020 in a nutshell. All instruments and vocals by Ben Reel recorded in his home studio during lock down.

2020 Vision

Released on 31st December 2020 @ 11pm the same time that UK left the EU. This song was recorded in Nashville as part of The Nashville Calling album sessions but I left it off the album because of its contentious theme. It is an anti Brexit song and also marks 100 years of a border been drawn up on the island of Ireland. The British interfered in many a nation drawing up border lines through tribal and religious territories like India, The Middle East, Africa & Asia. I often wonder how history would have played out differently without their meddling.

Tear It Down (Nashville version)

Tear It Down (Nashville Version)

Ben Reel will release  his 11th studio album 'Come a Long Way' in June 2023. The album consists of 11 brand new self penned songs. This follows 2 previous releases 'Live @JJ Smyths Dublin' (2021) & 'Locked In & Live' (2022) a double album which was a mixture of live songs & studio tracks recorded during the pandemic lockdown.

 
Since his debut album `This Is the Movie’ back in 1999, Ben has reinvented himself from album to album, influenced by different styles of music over the years. As one critic said,  " He's not afraid to throw in some in folk, soul, reggae vibes, which in turn call to mind John Hiatt at his best". Another describes him as “somewhere in the middle ground between rock and jazz or a sound that is sometimes reminiscent of Dylan and the Band”. He has also been described as the Irish Springsteen and comparisons have been made with the voice of Roy Orbison. 


In a solo career which now spans over 20 years, Ben has received  worldwide critical acclaim with numerous high profile TV/Radio appearances like BBC, RTE and Dutch NPO Radio. Supporting the likes of Jools Holland, & The Cranberries and he has collaborated musically with such names as Hal Ketchum & The Blockheads. He has co written and performed live with his fellow countryman Tony McLoughlin and some of Nashville's finest such as David Olney, Nanci Griffiths & Irene Kelley.

 
‘The Nashville Calling` was the title of his 9th studio album which was released in March 2020. Produced by Will Kimbrough and Tommy Womack and featuring Garry W Tallent on bass from the legendary E Street Band. Recorded in Nashville this was a dream come through for Ben. The album went to No.1 in the Euro Americana charts voted by respected DJ's and critics all over Europe. 


In the past Ben was selected to play an official showcase at Folk Alliance in Memphis and has toured as double bill with Tommy Womack (Nashville) in the U.S & UK and also with legendary American folk singer/songwriter Eric Andersen in the UK & NL. While in Nashville he was invited to play the famous Bluebird cafe on a number of occasions. He has graced big festivals such as Jamming@Hippie Jacks (USA), Musiktan festival in Bilbao,(ESP). Haarlem Jazz & Huntenpop (NL), Robin Hood folk festival (UK), Kilkenny rhythm & roots, Cork jazz & Electric Picnic (EIRE). Ben has built a loyal fan base in various countries around the world and continues to be be one of the hardest working troubadours around.

ben reel

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