Reilly's compositions are both unique and classic, reflecting the influences of his heroes as well as a creativity stemming from the love of all styles of music from classical and jazz, to blues, folk, and funk.

10 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Acoustic, JAZZ: Jazz-Pop

Details:
Like countless other teenagers in America, Bernie Reilly learned the ways of guitar alone in his room by imitating the likes of Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, the Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens, the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Nick Drake, Jimi Hendrix, and most of all Neil Young. After a childhood of formal classical cello study, this "new" music was a breath of fresh air. Putting aside his classical roots he dove headlong into the world of rock n roll and quickly discovered his true calling. As well as becoming a formidable lead guitar player and singer of many styles, he soon began writing his own material. From the beginning, Reilly's compositions were both unique and classic, reflecting the influences of his heroes as well as a creativity stemming from the love of all styles of music from classical and jazz, to blues, folk, and funk. After cutting his teeth in local bands (Glue, Franklin Turnpike) Bernie set his sights on something bigger. Thus began his "middle years" in various projects where he played the role of utility man on guitar, piano, cello, violin, harmonica, mandolin, and almost any other instrument found lying around. Theses projects included the Nathan Shepard Band from Athens, Georgia, Stymie and the Pimp Jones Luv Orchestra from San Francisco, and Still Stanley from Jackson, Mississippi. Around this time he also helped write and record songs for Michelle Branch's first demo that earned her a major label deal with Warner Brothers records. This project earned him a songwriting credit on her album The Spirit Room, as well as a cello performance with Branch on The Tonight Show. After a few too many brushes with major labels in the fickle Los Angeles music scene, he decided to return to his original focus: writing and recording his own music.

Reilly has just completed his fourth album, "No Place to Hide". On this latest collection he has reached new heights of songwriting by leaving the electric band sound behind and delving into the lyrical world of truth and self examination. With all of his flaws and worries unapologetically exposed, the level of honesty has given the album an intimate feel that will transport the listener to a musical world all its own. "So much of todays music is all flash and bravado", says Reilly. "With this album I really wanted to get back to the sounds and feelings that made me love music in the first place. Making music that you like for its own sake always seems to resonate better with the listener, as opposed to trying to second guess an audience's expectations. A melody or lyric that comes straight out of my unconscious musical hum will in the end be more catchy and classic than a premeditated construction." Reactions to early versions of No Place to Hide have confirmed that it represents a new degree of depth in Reilly's work. While still playing in various ensembles from rock to jazz to bluegrass, Reilly has begun to focus more and more on his solo shows. "I like the freedom of playing solo. It affords me the opportunity to change dynamics and repertoire without warning and really put a piece of myself out there, like it or not, for all to see." Tune in!

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