BIOGRAPHY

Today roots music is the preferred choice of discerning listeners from New York to New Delhi, Alberta to Aberdeen . But the modern music lover requires something more than just traditional Folk. They demand a rare blend that is three parts folk, two parts country blues and two parts melodic contemporary rock, all shaken up with a dash of classic song writing.
       
For those connoisseurs in the know, this cocktail is known as a "Loudest Whisper" - and it is high time that this delicious brew was widely enjoyed throughout the world. Of course, there is nothing trendy or opportunistic about the music of Loudest Whisper. Far from it. Like fine vintage, the Loudest Whisper sound has been fermenting since 1973 when Brian O Reilly first wrote his acclaimed Celtic musical " The Children of Lir". Yet it is only now that public taste has matured to the point where richness and depth of Loudest Whisper's music may be appreciated universally.

Over the years, members have come and gone, each adding his or her unique flavour to classic albums like " The Children of Lir" (1975), "Loudest Whisper" (1980), "Hard Times" (1982), And "The Collection" (1991). Little wonder, then that rare originals of these albums command anything up to €1016 (£800) among diehard collectors.

Loudest Whisper Today       Brian O'Reilly is the genial visionary and songwriting genius behind the band as well as lead vocalist and guitar player extraordinaire. He is strongly supported by his brother Paud on drums and his steady backbeat is the secret ingredient in the Loudest Whisper sound.

   Barry Cluskey is one of Europe’s top jazz saxophonists. He was born in Drogheda Co. Louth. He first started playing when he was thirteen years old inheriting the musical talents of his late father Jack. He began playing professionally with Paddy Kearns & The Boyne Valley Stompers. Later he formed The King Showband and they toured America & Britain. During this time they supported big names of the day like Bill Haley, Jerry Lee Lewis & Little Richard. Throughout the years he has toured extensively in Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe at some of the most prestigious jazz festivals. Barry met Brian O Reilly in 1997 when he played in Brian’s jazz-blues musical in Dublin & in 2001 for the Kilkenny production of Buskin. Since then he plays on a regular basis with Loudest Whisper and is featured on their forthcoming album. http://homepage.tinet.ie/~sleeping/about.html

 Steve Lockwood has fitted a lot of things into the last fifteen years including over 40 albums as a performer and session musician. He has played with acts from Larry Adler to Screaming Lord Sutch and recently recorded albums with the Prague Philharmonic. Steve has achieved a degree from APU, Cambridge in music specialising in Harmonica and has gone on to compose and play music for film, television and radio. His dynamic and versatile playing incorporates both traditional and avant-Garde techniques to an amazing level. Steve is currently working on production for a new album, concerts and lectures on music and audio in Cambridge and Hitchin, UK

Hear the band play You And I

Web page http://www.loudestwhisper.com/

e-mail: stfiona@indigo.ie