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“No.1 in the Euro Americana chart for April 2020 - The Nashville Calling. Voted by respected DJ's & Journalist across Europe.”— Euro Americana chart - April 2020
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Ben Reel
The Nashville Calling reviews
“These are songs about the resilience and the brave. They could be soundtracks and theme songs for the first responders in our current health pandemic. Reel has all the ingredients of the best roots rockers – swagger, attitude, heart and a way with words. And, his voice is so much better than most. Listen up". — Jim Hynes, Glide Magazine U.S.A - The Nashville Calling review 2020
"Tough People could be an anthem for these challenging times. The Nashville Calling is arguably Reel’s most inspired album to date, and a useful reminder that no artist of merit creates in a vacuum" - Jackie Hayden Hotpress review March 2020
"Ben has a lot of soul, a powerful voice, and a batch of dead on songs." – Will Kimbrough, Nashville, TN.
"Blessed with a vision and his tremendous voice, he gets inside his words and music and makes magic." – Tommy Womack, Nashville, TN.
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Track Listing: 1. All In Good Time (4.07) 2. Tough People (4.31) 3. Safe And Sound (4.50) 4. Like A Breeze (3.55)
5. Round The Next Bend (4.14) 6. Imagination (3.07) 7. Up There In The Sky (3.17) 8. Fine Wine (4.40)
9. New Jerusalem (3.34) 10. Broken (3.31) 11. Borrowed Time (3.34)
All compositions Ben Reel IMRO ℗ & © 2020 CD Cat No. BRBCDA 017
Musicians: Ben Reel - vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica Will Kimbrough - electric guitars, keys, melotrone, mandolin, backing vocals , dobro, percussion
Tommy Womack - additional electric guitar, backing vocals Evan Hutchings - drums & percussion Garry W Tallent bass Julieanne Reel backing vocals
Recorded @ Skinny Elephant Studio, Nashville. Mixed by: Dylan Alltredge @ Skinny Eelephant Studio, Nashville. Mastered by: Jim DeMain, Yes Mastering Studio, Nashville
‘The Nashville Calling` is the title of the ninth studio album by Irish artist Ben Reel. Produced by Will Kimbrough, Ben Reel and Tommy Womack and featuring Garry W Tallent on bass from the legendary E Street Band. The album contains eleven new tracks all written by Ben Reel.
It was recorded at Skinny Elephant Studios in Nashville. This album was done and dusted in just three days with all live takes. Following Ben's critically acclaimed experimental slow burner `Land of Escape’ from 2018, this new record has a more Americana, rootsy rock, live band feel.
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 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”.
In a solo career which now spans over twenty years, Ben has received worldwide critical acclaim with numerous high profile TV/Radio appearances like BBC, RTE and Dutch NPO Radio. Supporting Jools Holland, Alabama 3 & 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 & Irene Kelley.
In the past Ben was selected to play an official showcase at Folk Alliance in Memphis TN 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, most recently Sept 2018.
Over the last ten years Ben has enjoyed successful tours in Ireland, UK, Europe & U.S.A, receiving rave reviews and attracting a growing loyal fan base. 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).
About Ben Reel:
Ben Reel is a native of Silverbridge, South Armagh, Ireland. Soon after high school at the age of 17 he started his musical career in 1989 performing & songwriting with local band “Trim The Velvet”’ before going solo in the late nineties.
Against the backdrop of the troubles in the North of Ireland, music became Ben’s way out.
He first picked up the guitar when he was fifteen years old, inspired by the realness of the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Van Morrison & Neil Young whose music struck a chord that resonated deep into Reel's psyche. This is still reflected in Ben's heart on the sleeve approach to performing and writing.
Today Ben Reel performs occasionally as solo or duo with his wife Julieanne or while in the Netherlands with his Dutch band `The Haarlem Boys’ but mainly he performs with his fantastic Irish band `Ben Reel Band’. He divides his time between touring Europe and the USA and producing music for himself and other musicians.
Ben Reel Band: Irish band
Ben Reel: vocals acoustic guitar, harmonica.
Michael Black: drums.
Ronnie O’Flynn: bass.
Micky McCarney: Guitar
Gerry Black Jnr: Guitar
Julieanne Black: backing vocals and percussion,
Discography: Albums
The Nashville Calling (2020)
Land Of Escape (2018)
7th (2015)
Darkness & The Light (2013)
Time To Get Real 2009
New Horizon (2007)
Sweet Victory (2004)
Lost in a Haze (2001)
This Is the Movie (1999)
Discography: Compilations
Ben Reel - '10' (1999-2009)
Discography: EP’s
Exorcise Me E.P. (2000)
U People (2005) single
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