MP3 Paul O´ Reilly - The Poet´s Dream (with Helen Kirwan)

THE POET'S DREAM is a double-album by a contemporary and versatile Irish folk artist, singing songs from his native County Wexford in Ireland, it also includes vocal and musical performances from Helen Kirwan, Padraig Sinnott, Tom Murphy and Paddy Berry.

26 MP3 Songs in this album (130:27) !
Related styles: FOLK: Irish Traditional, FOLK: Irish Contemporary

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Details:
Paul OâReilly is a writer, singer, musician and lilter from Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, Ireland. An All-Ireland bodhrán champion, and a champion lilter, singer and composer, Paul released his debut album, 'Take A Wish', in 2003. In 2007 he performed with traditional Irish singing group Whisht! on 'The Cuckoo's Note', and in 2009 released 'The Poet's Dream' - a double-album of 26 folk songs from Co. Wexford - with guest vocalist Helen Kirwan.

Paul has performed live on national television, and is a regular contributor to local and national radio. He has collaborated and performed with many traditional/folk singers and musician's over the years, as well as classical composer Ian Wilson and the Irish Chamber Orchestra.

What people are saying about THE POET'S DREAM:

"When one looks for heros in our tradition, Art Sinnott and Paddy Berry are national treasures. They've carried the flame through good and bad, and both inspired and preserved for us the wealth of beauty that is our traditional music and songs. They did so out of a deep love of place, as well as the joy that this music brings. I am happy to say that with this CD the flame is in good hands. THIS IS A JEWEL, a record of our local history, lovingly performed with the sensitivity of those who understand naturally how this music should be treated. The singing is wonderful and the accompaniment tasteful and restrained as is Paul's production, allowing the songs to tell their story and transport us to situations both moving, joyful, humorous, and stark. Some material never before recorded, as well as a brilliant new song from Paul which shows the depth of talent on show here. It is fitting that the tribute to Art Sinnott (who encouraged me to keep going on the uilleann pipes) should be sung by Paddy Berry, another hero of mine. It's like a link with the unbreakable chain of friendship, respect for those who championed the music and a deep sense of passing on the torch, which is what traditional music is all about. Thank you Paul, Helen, Padraig Sinnott, Tom Murphy and Paddy Berry. The Poet's Dream is simply beautiful. I'm sure Art Sinnott and William Cooper and very proud." - Brendan Wade (of Bow Triplets, and formerly The Wild Swans and Cry Before Dawn)

"The completion of any complex and difficult project is worthy of praise, but I had glimses of what was attempted here with THE POET'S DREAM. I would have to say that courage, persistence and most of all sensitivity to the material, the memory and indeed the tradition shines out in this production. I would also have to say that in everything that has been attempted they have been successful beyond any evaluation and even I would say, their own high expectations. Without equivocation or condition I would have to say that this is a fabulous piece of work and a realisation of the all its aspirations. The connection on THE POET'S DREAM is that these are all Wexford songs but with a very distinctive Monageer flavour and hugely influenced by the Cooper and O'Reilly dynasties. Eighty percent of songs are from these two families. They are all folk songs, some have accompaniment, some without, but all are reflective of the tradition of singing in Wexford and how it has evolved and indeed continues to evolve in the great sea of time, occurrence and travel. This is not just an album of folk songs, but a whole lot more. It provides a panoramic view of an area over 150 years, and not through historians or commentators but through the voice of the population. I know Paul and Helen well as both artists of the highest calibre and people. There is nobody better qualified as singers to perform these songs, and their connection to these songs goes a lot deeper as blood, family and songs are intertwined here. Paulâs connection to the album is through his late father, a giant of traditional song, and grandfather and relations. And we are reminded of this only recently with the death of the late Liam Cooper, which re-inforces the necessity for this type of project. Helen too comes from a family steeped in music and folklore. Her father Art Sinnott was one of the most outstanding men of 20th Century and gave us our anthem. And what of the songs? There are slow songs, fast songs, local and national songs, political, satirical, songs of work, fleadhanna, '98, The Strawberry Fair, hospitality and songs about our love of place. DâArcyâs House is a song full of fun and humour and also a song with a smile. But there is an extra delight as the album ends with a breathtakingly beautiful song composed by Paul - The Wild Geese of Killyleagh - demonstrating that not only is the craft moving on to new generations but, if anything, is even improving. To finish, THE POET'S DREAM is more than just a fabric, it is a magic carpet that can whisk us to our past, present and future. It is A BRILLIANT PRODUCTION." - Niall Wall, All-Ireland Traditonal Singing Champion

"Original and unusual ... a fine production. The arrangements give the album a sense of continuity; when you listen to song number one right up to song number twenty six, you can see the link, the thread, through them, and this is important when the collection is mostly from one or two sources." - Dan Walsh, Historian, Journalist and Broadcaster

"A very, very fine collection of songs from different parts of the county." - Áine Hensey, RTÉ Radio One

"This collection is produced to the very highest of standards ... The way in which a tradition of balladeering that extends over five generations has been presented as a coherent whole on the album is very impressive ... While The Poet's Dream is mainly about the human voice, putting previously unreleased songs on record, it also serves to underline the versatility of Paul O'Reilly as an instrumentalist." - Enniscorthy Guardian

"A brave and inspiring project, remembering some of the best and most prominent Wexford songs composed during the 19th and 20th centuries." - Scallta Media

"I was bowled over by The Poet's Dream; a masterpiece." - John Ennis, Traditional Singer

"A great album. There are some songs on it I heard perhaps only once, and I often thought what had happened to them. But here they are now, written down in front of me." - M.M.

"The Poet's Dream is a considerable achievement and one of great emotional significance. This is not lost in the renditions of the songs and knowing that there is such a special connection between singer and song always increases the listening pleasure ... It is obvious that a lot of dedicated creative work has gone into the making of this recording. You are not just 'getting them down' but sending them out in full flight." - J.M.

"The design, research and presentation are first class." - A.Ó C.

"Seriously good in so many ways." - A.L.

"Marvellous work!" - F.C.