maureen obrien

Artist Information

Biography

Maureen has been performing at concerts, festivals, wineries, restaurants, events and more for over a decade.

She performs her Original music primarily, but will include covers to fit the gig requirements. Genre's range from Blues/Contemporary Folk/Folk-Rock/ Folk-Jazz/Jazz-Blues and the band is drawn to fit the performance.

Her live performances with band have been described as vibrant, dynamic and uplifting. Solo live performances are described as intimate, audience-connected, with lots of laughs!

Her last 4 albums have been highly acclaimed with one receiving a National magazine award, one being selected as a monthly feature artist with the National Community Radio Satellite network, the other two receiving excellent reviews across multiple media outlets including local radio selection as 'feature artist/album'.

Instrumentation

Maureen seems to draw an extraordinary mix of the finest musicians to her lineup. She selects the most suitable blend of musicians and instrumentation for each gig. Her lineup can include the likes of Electric and Double Bass, Cello, Saxophones, Clarinet, Flute, Fiddle, Bluesharp, Drums/Percussion, Keys, Guitar/s, MandoCello, Bazouki, and more.

Discography

Albums:
"Breaking the Habit" 1999
"Many Shades of Blue" 2005
"Luminous" [released Jan 31, 2007]
"Ebb & Flow" [released Jan 30, 2008]
"Borderless" Contemporary Folk with Celtic flavours [released September 07]
"Smoothazz" EP compilation of jazz standards [2005]
Single: "An Orphans Lullaby" [2005]

Official Website

http://www.maureen.com.au www.myspace.com/mymaureenobrien

Audio

• INDIGO
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• CLOUDBURST
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• dancing in the light
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• walking on the edge
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• TUESDAY
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• THE BEST ME
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• only a breath
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• it ain't love
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• You're gonna love me when I'm gone
  Listen  

Lyrics

• cloudburst
• Y' gonna love me[when I'm gone]
• NOTHING TO PROVE
• cloudburst

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Review "Borderless" [+ Show ]
  

  Artist Maureen O’Brien CD Title Borderless Genre Singer ...Artist Maureen O’Brien
  
  CD Title Borderless
  
  Genre Singer Songwriter / Jazz / Swing
  
  Reviewer DJ Don
  
  The title “Borderless “ suggests Maureen’s inability or refusal to be boxed into a musical genre. Inability or refusal as in a butterfly in a box, once boxed its true value is lost. The combination of Maureen’s singing, and Robbie Longs brilliant guitar work evokes the feeling of a free-floating spirit flitting from musical note to musical note, sometimes a butterfly, sometimes a hummingbird. Maureen’s lyrics maintain a folk tradition, in that the stories depict historic and family and life. “Patchwork” does this by relating the skills of actual quilt making with the intricacies of life and family and how they are all inter woven, that neither a singular piece of cloth, or a individuals life/story can really exist without the all the other pieces of cloth, or without family and community interactions.
  “The Ballad of Miss Pitty” tells of a female convicts miserable young life, and is set to a sad tango. “Rockin’ the Boat” (please see opening statement) tells of Maureen’s? rebellious Irish side and is set to a rocked up jazzy tune. Excellent electric guitar playing by Robbie Long here. “Shoulder to Shoulder” is about the blessings and strength found in a mother daughter relationship and is set to a contemporary upbeat tune. “Skye Boat Song” is perhaps one of the greatest of all trad Scot songs, set here to a contemporary uptempo jazzy tune. Atrocious, and not one bagpipe to be heard. Harrumph. I feel sure that Maureen will be able to come up with a Jazz bagpipe player at some stage. But still sung and played beautifully. Congrats on a fine album Maureen.
  
  DJ Don
  

• FOLK IN BROKE [+ Show ]
  

  Australian singer/songwriter Maureen O'Brien will perform her unique fusion of contemporary Folk-Blu...Australian singer/songwriter Maureen O'Brien will perform her unique fusion of contemporary Folk-Blues-Jazz at the inaugural Folk In Broke Festival in the NSW Hunter Valley from 3-4 November 2007.
  
  
  
  O’Brien has more than a decade of broad performance experience throughout the east coast of Australia, entertaining small and large crowds at dedicated concerts, restaurants, cafés, music festivals, vineyards, private functions and more.
  
  
  
  With her versatility and audience focus, O'Brien is a preferred artist renowned for “mesmerising the crowd” as described by a past audience.
  
  
  
  A spokesperson from NSW’s St Albans Folk Festival said “Maureen’s performances always give you the feeling you have touched an earthy, original part of the music world and should not be missed.”
  
  
  
  O’Brien is a multi-year finalist in the 1233 Radio ABC Music Awards, has recorded 4 albums and won the Trad&Now ‘Best CD of 2006’ music award in the Blues and Roots category for her album Many Shades of Blue.
  
  
  
  O’Brien is appearing at the inaugural Folk In Broke Festival from Saturday 3 to Sunday 4 November 2007 in Broke village, Hunter Valley. There’ll be live music, dance, bush tales, markets and children’s program. The Festival starts at 11am on Saturday. Day pass $20, Night pass $35, Day/Night pass $45, Weekend pass $55, FREE for children accompanying a paying adult.
  
  
  
  Other artists appearing at the festival include the iconic Eric Bogle, Sydney’s most spirited world music Iraqi-Latin party band Azadoota, renowned Larry Hughes, guitar master Kent Daniels, emerging Celtic-Rock quartet Beeswing, Chris Cady, LMB, Bushfire, Fig, Waltzing Jack, That's That, Amanda Broberg, Coolfin Mac, Vic Jeffries and more.
  
  
  
  More information at www.myspace.com/folkinbrokefestival and www.brokefordwich.com.au
  
  
  
  General enquiries to Eden Anthony on (02) 6579 1259 or Maureen O'Brien on mobp@dodo.com.au
  
  
  
  

• Album Review [+ Show ]
  

  "...It reveals Maureen, not only as a gifted singer with a rich bluesy voice but also as a very tale..."...It reveals Maureen, not only as a gifted singer with a rich bluesy voice but also as a very talented songwriter...."
  Full review available on website at www.maureen.com.au

• ABC Radio Interview Aug '06 [+ Show ]
  

  Email for an MP3 of the interview/s both interviews will be available on the website shortly; ww...Email for an MP3 of the interview/s
  
  both interviews will be available on the website shortly; www.maureen.com.au

• Review of "Many Shades.." CD [+ Show ]
  

  Many Shades of Blue gives many shades of pleasure - from tears with a grieving mother in Blood on ...
  Many Shades of Blue gives many shades of pleasure - from tears with a grieving mother in Blood on the Walk to loads of laughs at Grandma Boogie and Fresh Air and Exercise. Maureen's lyrics are personal yet recognised by all and are always entertaining. The CD has great backing from a terrific band and support vocalists. Well done!

• Maureen O'Brien Returns [+ Show ]
  

  ....excerpt from full article: " ABC 1233 Newcastle Music Awards 2005 finalist Maureen O'Brien re.......excerpt from full article:
  
  " ABC 1233 Newcastle Music Awards 2005 finalist Maureen O'Brien returns to South East Queensland in August with her exciting blend of sounds including Blues, Jazz Contemporary Folk and a good dash of Comedy..
  
  A regular performer at a variety of venues and festivals along the Australian East Coast, three of O'Brien's songs made it into the finals of the awards in the Blues & Roots, Folk, and Adult Contemporary sections. Not bad going against some 1600 pieces entered.
  
  Her versatile and audience-focused style satisfies the musical taste of the Brisbane region, proven by her successful Many Shades of Blue CD tour in September last year......."

• Radio Station Interview 11/9/06 [+ Show ]
  

  copy and paste link into your browser to listen; http://www.abc.net.au/newcastle/stories/s1745079.h...copy and paste link into your browser to listen;
  http://www.abc.net.au/newcastle/stories/s1745079.htm

• Singer & Sax in Sync [+ Show ]
  

  synopsis of article; "...her warm mellow vocals blend subtly with the melting tones of his skillf...synopsis of article;
  
  "...her warm mellow vocals blend subtly with the melting tones of his skillful sax work......a perfect 'fit' that results in many moments of "pure magic"........their material is dynamic, joyful, inspiring and at times downright funny! A great evenings entertainment"

Setlist

Typical sets are 45-50 minutes. Typical gig is 3 sets/3hrs. Predominantly Original music but depending on the gig, can extend to a broad range of material to suit a variety of tastes:
ORIGINALS GIG/3 Set List:
*Cloudburst *Walking on the Edge *Blood on the 'Walk *Grandma Boogie *Peppermint Tea *Many Shades of Blue *On the Wave *Chameleon *Y' gonna love me *Take me as I am *Black is the Colour *TheBest ME *It ain't Love *Dragon Slayer *Are you going my way *Only a Breath *Magpies *Mothers Lament *Orphans Lullaby *Shoulder to Shoulder *Going Back *The aura of you *Carrying Burdens *Wrong Way woman *BWW Blues *Dancing in the Light *Catholic Girls
COVERS/STANDARDS GIG's - 3 sets:
*It's Too Late *Masquerade *I'm Alright *Don't Wait too Long *Dance me to the end of Love *Black is the Colour *Autumn Leaves *Richest Guy in the Graveyard *Fumbling with the Blues *Wild Women Blues *Ugly Papa *Rio Di Janeiro Blue *At Last *I can see clearly *Fumbling with the Blues *what's cooking *Love me like a Man *a taste of honey *Hot Tamales *Down 'n OUt Blues *SanFranBay blues *Sailing Away *Someone to watch over me *Bird on a Wire *Moondance *Don't know Why *the nearness of you *t'aint nobody's business *turn me on *bad luck woman

Basic Requirements

Calendar