Bonus tracks from 2013 album release "Darkness & the Light".

Irish singer/songwriter Ben Reel released his 6th studio album on the 22nd April 2013 entitled “Darkness & The Light”. It includes 11 brand new songs. This will be the first record that he has recorded & produced in his own home studio in Co. Armagh. There will also be a

Bonus tracks from 2013 album release "Darkness & the Light".

Irish singer/songwriter Ben Reel released his 6th studio album on the 22nd April 2013 entitled “Darkness & The Light”. It includes 11 brand new songs. This will be the first record that he has recorded & produced in his own home studio in Co. Armagh. There will also be a special limited edition of the album available only on the benreel.com website, which will include 5 bonus tracks.

Since his debut back in 1999, each album has gone from strength to strength, touching on different styles of music from rock,soul,blues, Alt Folk/Americana & with the occasional injection of reggae. This was highlighted on his 2012, 18 song best of album (Ben Reel 1999-2009 Compilation 10) released only as a limited edition for loyal fans to buy at gigs, also available on iTunes worldwide.

Ben’s music has evolved into an honest earthy sound that has matured like a fine wine and he has very much his own sound today. This can be heard on this new album.

Darkness & The Light is a powerful soulful album with deep meaningful lyrics and memorable epic anthemic songs, with strong melodies combined with imaginitive expansive arrangements. Recorded digitally but with an analog feeling of warmth. The songs deal with the fall out since the global economic crash. Also probing for spiritual meaning and balance between the Yin and the Yang, trying to find light, hope and healing in these troubled times. Serious songs from a serious artist in a serious moment in time.

In the last 10 years he has had numerous high profile TV & Radio appearances and airplay under his belt including Bob Harris BBC Radio 2 and has supported names like Jools Holland, Alabama 3, The Cranberries and appeared as a special guest at one of Hal Ketchum's shows in Dublin. He has performed his radio hit ‘U People’ with the late great Ian Dury’s legendary ‘Blockheads’ and has recorded the song with award winning saxophonist Gilad Atzmon.

Over the last 5 years Ben has enjoyed successful tours in Europe, receiving rave reviews and attracting a growing fan base . His band includes amongst the finest musicians in Ireland, his brother in law Michael Black on Drums, Ronnie O’Flynn on bass and Mick McCarney on guitar. With this line up they have built up a loyal underground following. Ben is often described as an ‘artist lying beneath the radar for way too long’.

In recent years Ben has played showcase gigs in Nashville & Memphis (Folk Alliance) where he collaborated and co wrote with some of Nashville's finest like David Olney, Sergio Webb & Irene Kelley which he co wrote "Heart Just Won't Heal" which was a radio hit in several countries with the help Airplaydirect.com which he is number 2 on their all time radio download rock chart.

In 2013 Ben toured with another great Nashville based songwriter Tommy Womack covering Ireland, UK & Holland and a U.S tour in September that took in cities New York, Atlanta, Jacksonville, Lexington, Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Louisville & Hippie Jacks festival in Crawford TN . On his return there was further dates in Holland, Germany, Norway and of course his home country Ireland before Christmas came around. January 2014 has started off busy with 3 solo house concerts in Aalten Holland. an up coming German tour in early February with fellow Irish singer/songwriter Tony McLoughlin, In March sees a trip to Berlin for a House concert followed by a Dutch tour & in April a UK tour with his Irish band, teaming up with American veteran singer/songwriter Eric Andersen as double bill.

There will also be a start on a new record in the coming months ...watch this space.