Best Young Guitarists 40ish & Under: Marty O'Reilly
Age: 34
Bands: Marty O'Reilly and the Old Soul Orchestra
Essential Album: Stereoscope by Marty O'Reilly and the Old Soul Orchestra
Marty O’Reilly plays a gorgeous, custom redwood resonator guitar with a rich and haunted history. And the enchanting music he calls forth from that guitar lives up to its pedigree. He plays a bluesy style that is all his own. And there is something about it that seems absolutely honest and true. O’Reilly puts his whole soul into every note. He uses powerful dynamics in his music and has great feel. He writes moving songs and sings soulfully. It’s clear, just from a few notes on his guitar how passionate he is about music. He plays the guitar, because he loves it!
My wife and I went to see him and his band play live a few years ago. And it's still one of the best live shows I've ever been to. Marty, and the whole band really (the fiddle player is amazing!), spill out their hearts the entire time they are on stage. He just plays and sings as if his life depends on it. He uses the Blues as the foundation for his guitar playing, and he creates stunning, ragged runs, but he also builds in beautiful lines and chilling leaps to create a truly one of a kind style.
HERE he is doing a totally rad cover of Smokestack Lightning, which showcases his bluesy guitarisms
HERE is an incredible TIny Desk Contest submission he and his band did in 2016
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