Nominations

Best contemporary album

Best contemporary female artist

Irish music magazine 2000

Press - Reviews

" Melanie's new series of "Jazz on the Bay " is Pick of the Week "

Radio Choice in the Irish Times and Sunday Independent -

"Melanie O' Reilly deserves a grammy."

Hot Press Magazine

"The Golden Voice of Melanie O' Reilly .. powerful ... deeply moving"

The Sunday Independent

"The spirit of Ireland - with the voice of Ella Fitzgerald"

Lincoln Centre, New York

"Spellbinding... uplifting music from a true innovator"

Rough Guide to Irish Music

"Extraordinary ... whether she sings Irish traditional, jazz or Jacques Prevert"

Le Telegramme

"The Royal voice of Melanies O'Reilly has opened a new door; that of a celtic spirit always ready for new influences, an ancient spirit urgent to enrich itself" ....

Le Telegramme

"Breathtaking amazing emotional intensity .. sheer virtousity..."

The Irish Times

"Melanie O'Reilly is of the pedigree of Billie Holiday"

Ouest France

"Melanie O'Reilly ... a kind of priestess marrying traditional and jazz music .."

Telefis na Gaeilge

"An intriguing new sound "

Q Magazine

"What better way to drift towards the dawning than in the company of the silky smooth voice of Melanie O'Reilly .... her hauntingly beautiful and sensuous voice wooed the audience ... close your eyes and you were in dreamland"

Aberdeen Review

For the past two years, this Irish woman has shared her talent with the French public

MELANIE O'REILLY CHARMED THE FALAISIENS

"A wonderful start to the Saturday concerts with, as the first invited guest, an Irishwoman. Melanie O'Reilly completely stunned and invigorated a large audience at the Belle Croix Square.

"Rarely have these Saturday shows attracted so large an audience. Saturday evenings, the accents used to be British, Dutch and German. Melanie O'Reilly came to meet the audience without aggression, ... but with sweetness and strength, blonde, translucent skin, dressed in a red dress and green cardigan. Melanie has the simplicity of the truly gifted artist. In a charming French accent she introduced the first song written "by me and a poet". Her thanks punctuates the applause; the youngest kids are already dancing. Melanie continues with the Bossa Nova number A Day in the Life of a Fool, bodies move, eyes close. Melanie continues the introductions with the pianist "A Dubliner, he lives in New York"; then the guitarist "he lives in the west of Ireland"; and, finally, the double bass player "I believe that you know him, he comes from Caen". Emotionally engaged, Melanie takes time to explain the themes of the songs: "A song of Ireland's freedom". Her face hardens and the voice becomes more evocative. The kids are now sitting on the dance floor and the crowd moves closer to the stage. It is an emotional moment.

"With a lament for a close friend, Melanie brings the listener into her universe, peacefully and gracefully. Her voice is beautiful. The musicians support and transport her. "This song is for immigrants everywhere". Annie Moore, the song in question, extends the context to humanity as a whole. Notes hang in the air like those of the great jazz voices, like that of Ella Fitzgerald, ... less powerful but clearer. The jazz becomes more rhythmic and the audience responds; an authentic happiness is shared.

"With cries of anger, joy and love, Melanie expresses her conflicts with talent. Helped by very talented musicians, she succeeded on Saturday evening in moving an audience, come to swing rather than reflect. "I like Falaise, it's good and beautiful," says Melanie in benediction. The local theatre could be a venue for her talent to express itself fully and for her audience to sate their musical hunger"

Ouest France – 21 July 2003 by Corrine Printemps

Undoubtedly one of the major talents to emerge in recent times, Melanie O'Reilly possesses a voice which is rich and resonant, and a song-writing talent which is going to ensure that we hear a lot more of her in the future."

In Dublin

"...the essence of O'Reilly's music is its feel, which derives solely from her own breathy, airy perambulations around the melodies and an obvious chemistry with pianist/co-writer David Milligan"

Q Magazine

"A work of special importance in the development of the sung Irish language...an uplifting celebration of Irish culture that is finding new feeet upon which to confidently stride into the future."

Dublin Event Guide

"...more than just a promise of future greatness...[Tir na Mara] represents one of the year's most mature and moving releases."

In Dublin

"A spiritual journey and a musical joy."

The Big Issue

[of her live performances] "...her pitch was impeccable, her timing totally secure, her phrasing ineffably right. More than this, however, was perhaps the most essential gift of all - her ability to read a lyric with an innate sense of its dramatic demands and to serve these accordingly."

The Irish Times

"O'Reilly's sensuous voice is the perfect vehicle for entwining jazz styles with Irish Celtic influences..."
The Scotsman

Reviews of House of the Dolphins

"House of the Dolphins" is a mighty fine leap into the big blue......Melanie O'Reilly deserves a Grammy"

Siobhan Long, Hot Press

"....On exposed ballads, O'Reilly's voice is exquisitely controlled and pure.....an outstanding collection of songs"

Alex Moffat, Irish Music Magazine

"...A wondrous mix of what this fine singer is all about - a deep passion for Irish Traditional music and Jazz .....with O'Reilly's voice weaving a spell..."

Matt Nugent, Evening Herald

"....An fresh innovative album with soulful singing and beautiful arrangements..."

Sean O Heanai, Radio na Gaeltachta

"Melanie O'Reilly has studiously carved herself a considerable reputation as a jazz singer with a keen ear for the cross-currents that link jazz's lateral thinking with Irish folk and traditional music"

Irish Times, September 2002