Y' know,  good music is no different to good wine ...it needs to be savoured, allowed to touch the senses, and sometimes you need more than a brief sip for your palate to adjust to the new flavours.

Yet today popular music has become fodder for the marketing machines - it doesn't reach the commercial arena unless it fits into the required  minutes for radio play time, is perceived to have the potential for mega sales, the artist fits a 'saleable' image.  It has nothing to do with the quality of the music, or the creativity, or the originality, or the courage in breaking new ground...it's all about the dollars that can be made.

It's a bit like eating your daily bread.  Some folk are happy with plain white bread that has no flavour, no texture, no nutritional value.  Others are connoisseurs - they like the adventure of new tastes, interesting bread that has colour and texture and flavour.

So, take the time to explore the sounds here and on the Myspace website - www.myspace.com/mymaureenobrien - and give us this day our daily bread...with a little good wine on the side!  Place an order for your CDs today and give the gift of music - it lasts forever.

Gosh - what happened to 2008?!?!  It started off with a bang, launching the new album EBB & FLOW,  then it just went into meltdown!  Moved house - which wasn't conducive to the inspiration process - and no touring! (wow!) which wasn't conducive to moving the new album at all.  Now it's another move in 2009 but thankfully the creative juices are flowing again and I'm writing once more.

After a foray into new sounds and exploring some new pastures, I've decided to come back to base and the new works have a comfortable familiarity about them. Mainly, less of a 'band' sound, more intimate sounds and some more comedy material. To hear them live though, you're probably going to have to come to a festival this year. I'll be letting out a taste at this year's Turning Wave festival in Gundagai, a great festival for introducing new music. The financial crisis is biting hard and mostly I'm securing only solo and duo gigs this year, working more on keyboard than guitar, and doing mostly covers instead of originals. 
 
Remember, wherever you are: BUY CDs!  Keep original music alive and support your favourite independent artist.
 
If you don't have a copy of the 2008 release Ebb and Flow yet, there are some great songs on there and some fabulous sounds with those wonderful young musicians from Brisbane. Order now

Many people are already planning their Christmas social events so if you'd like to order in your entertainment, email your request soon.  

Not all of Maureen's bookings are on the gig guide - many private functions are not listed - so it's wise to enquire early to secure your preferred date. 

Are you after:

• An intimate cocktail function requiring some light background music?
• An end of year company celebration with a full band and entertainment?
• A private party for a group of friends with an engaging performance?

Maureen - solo or with an ensemble - can meet your musical needs. 

Enquire or book today.

If there's a song or few you like from any of Maureen's albums you can purchase the MP3 instead of the whole album. 

No fancy shopping cart on the site yet so let's keep it simple ... simply email your order, we'll instruct you how to deposit online then on receipt we'll send you the MP3 via email. 

MP3s are currently charged out at $1.50 each.

Following a well-received initial gig at the ever popular Berowra Waters Inn on 29 March 2009, Maureen has been given a monthly residence.

You can now enjoy her unique and thoroughly entertaining style of music the first Sunday of every month from 12-3pm at this delightful venue at the water's edge.

Review of Borderless album by Don Bannister, Trad & Now Magazine, March 2008. 

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 Long's 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 interwoven, that neither a singular piece of cloth, or an individual's life/story can really exist without all the other pieces of cloth, or without family and community interactions.

"The Ballad of Miss Pitty" tells of a female convict's 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.

What a very warm and welcoming response I got from Perth during my trip there in March.

Thanks so much to both the Petroleum Women of Perth Club and the Perth 81 Ionian Club, for whom I was a guest speaker, and the Jackadder Music Club where I did a supporting act performance.

It was my first visit to the western state and I was just blown away by the beauty of Perth, Fremantle and surrounds as well as the friendliness of the people that I met.

I gave the groups a taste of my music and was highly gratified to see how well it was received. In fact I ran out of CDs and had to bring a couple of orders back with me!

I'd love to go back and explore more of the state and its beautiful beaches and am hoping to organise a tour in 2009. Thanks for the hospitality, Perth!

After 9 months of driving the Acoustic Live and Local program at the Wheelshop in Newcastle, we farewelled the venue on the 26th March with an Irish Wake.

One can only wonder at the incredible lack of foresight by the Newcastle Council who - without a second thought it seems - allowed this initiative to fade into obscurity!

The building is being reclaimed by the council for the relocation of the museum in 2 years time. That's 2 years worth of Honeysuckle markets that locals and visitors won't have access to and of course it sees the demise of one of the most delightful performance venues in the region.

Over the 9 months (in fact 2 years since Carolyn Scott got the Wheelshop Blues concept up and running) we've had the joy of seeing hundreds of local performers, and many national and international touring artists, offer Novocastrians some of the finest entertainment they've seen.

What made this venue unique was that audiences could be assured of a quality night out with great food, great entertainment, in an intimate atmosphere, at an incredibly reasonable price, and without being accosted by raucous drunks/pokies/soul-less canned music.

No wonder local musicians find it impossible to make a living in this city. Shame NCC!

The launch of Maureen's latest album, Ebb and Flow, on 31st January was just awesome!

The evening began with a set of easy listening from the talented Chaz Webb.

The Egan Trio followed with a range of delights from this wonderfully talented family. Sexy young thing Declan Egan opened with an unforgettable performance of ballroom dancing classic Sway (if you’ve seen Shall We Dance, ‘eat your heart out Richard Gere’) which, though nobody mentioned it, was sure to have had more than just musical juices flowing for all the ladies in the audience. And everybody thought the heat in the room was from the 30-odd degree temperature outside.

Declan showcased his versatility by also performing one of his original tunes and some covers, with an especially captivating version of The Beatles’ Blackbird.

The obscenely talented 13-year-old Cara Egan brought jaws to the floor from her opening note. Her powerful, professional voice sounded like a one-woman surround sound system as she infused the venue, even the surrounding neighbourhood, with her Hollywood tunes. She showcased her versatility by later performing an Irish ballad with equal skill, accompanied by father Keiran, who also provided colour to the evening with his performance of Irish and other tunes.

All credit to the crowd who remained after intermission, despite the searing heat, and were rewarded with Maureen’s full line-up off the new Ebb & Flow album backed by the very talented Jason Bone on sax, Robbie ‘Fingers’ Long on lead guitar, Charlie Webb on drums and the iconic Dave Pudney on double bass. The energy was electric and catching. They had a ball, so the audience did.

It’s impossible to do their performance any justice here in words, except to say that we as an audience were privileged to experience such a professional array of talent in one little community hall in Teralba and it was worthy of national broadcasting – even on a par with the John Butler-Keith Urban spar-off of the 2007 ARIA awards, for those commercialised music lovers out there who were privileged to see it.

Maureen has proven herself over the years as a talented singer-songwriter and live performing artist. Don’t miss out on any musical performances she arranges in future because they’re exciting and she always manages to uncover some of Australia’s most amazing talent that’s never received airplay.

Oh, and you’ll love the album! You can buy Ebb & Flow for $20 direct from Maureen. Order album.

CoastFM radio, Central Coast, is featuring Ebb & Flow in its AMRAP CD of the week during April. Listen in and enjoy!

Farewell Newcastle's most unique live performance venue on 26 March 2008.

The Wheelshop at Honeysuckle is closing down to be converted into a museum. The Irish Night on 26 March, with the Egan Family and Harp & Song, will be your last opportunity to enjoy live local music in this wonderful venue. 

Tickets $25pp includes light meal. Bookings essential direct through Carolyn at The Wheelshop, Honeysuckle.

This will be the final live music performance at The Wheelshop so we're having an Irish wake and a right old knees-up to farewell it!

Come along to enjoy the fun and be part of its memorable history.

Trad&Now announced that Many Shades of Blue was voted by popular acclaim the best CD of 2006 in the Blues and Roots genre. They presented Maureen with her award at the 2007 National Folk Festival in Canberra.

Maureen spearheaded the MAD For Children fundraiser in May for Robin's Nest Childrens Homes. It was a great day - see the report from RNCH below.

The next one's coming up on 21 October 2007 at Squid's Ink, Belmont, with Francine Bell among the guest artists donating their time and skills to raise funds for the little robins.

Contact Maureen for more information or email Robin Byrnes at robin@robinsnestchildrenshomes.com  

MAD Report, May 2007
It is with great pleasure we report that with your support we were able to raise $1,162.50 at the MAD for Children Day. These funds will go toward constructing a purpose built orphanage in Agra, India so that orphaned children will have a place to call their very own.
The day was simply glorious and enjoyed by all. Many thanks to the ‘brain child’ of this event, Maureen O’Brien, local jazz artist for inviting us all to her Warner’s Bay garden.
Some quotes from friends who attended were:
"The air was filled with live music supplied by local jazz musicians."
"I loved how you had a little child ministry happening so parents could be free to enjoy their Devonshire tea ,relax, listen to music and have a good visit with friends."
"If you didn’t go, you just have to go next time because there was so much to do and see, like, look at the arts and crafts at the sales tables, meet new people over a cuppa, door prizes and watch Grahame Byrnes make balloon animals for the kids...not to mention the Blitz Master!"
"This was the perfect venue and atmosphere to Make a Difference for these little orphans…what a creative idea."
"…truly unique idea to help for such a worthy cause!"
We want you to know that our RN kids and the RN team truly appreciate all those who were able to join us in giving this ‘promise of life’. If you want to keep track of how things are going in our Robins Nests visit: www.robinsnestchildrenshomes.com

You can buy CDs and Luminous T-shirts direct from Maureen.

CDs are $25 each including P&P.

Buy a triple CD pack (Breaking The Habit, Many Shades of Blue, Luminous) at $60 including P&P and receive a FREE EP with three bonus tracks.

Luminous T-shirts are $15 each and available in several sizes. Colours: red, pink, black and purple.

***LIMITED TIME ONLY***
While stocks last, every triple pack CD purchase receives a FREE Luminous T-shirt.

Trad&Now announced that Many Shades of Blue was voted by popular acclaim the best CD of 2006 in the Blues and Roots genre.

Trad&Now will present Maureen with her award at the National Folk Festival in Canberra.

Please support this fundraiser for Robin's Nest Childrens Homes on 6 May 2007 at Lake Macquarie.

Entitled MAD For Children, the afternoon will include:

• Music by Maureen O'Brien and Friends (including a set of Gypsy Jazz Guitar with Raffaele Giampolo and classical Cello music with Arran MacLean)
• Art and craft displays and demonstrations by local artists (including a local guitar maker who handcrafts instruments that are sold across the world)
• Devonshire Tea (included in the ticket price).www.robinsnestchildrenshomes.com

A variety of other interesting things will also be happening including activities for children.

Tickets $15. FREE for children.

Your participation can Make A Difference to an orphaned child in Africa or India.

Come along or make a donation to support this worthy cause. More information on

If you live around Gosford on the NSW Central Coast, tune into radio Coast FM between 6am-6pm this week to enjoy Maureen's music. The 'Luminous' album was selected as the station's 'AMRAP/Independent Australian Artist CD of the week'. Enjoy!

I'm looking forward to joining some awesome artists from 20th to 22nd April at St Albans Folk Festival. More info at www.snalbans.iwarp.com

Come along and bring some friends - you'll have a ball!

The launch of Luminous was absolutely fantastic on Wednesday night at The Wheelshop in Newcastle.

The venue and food perfectly embraced the exciting and delicious sounds served up by Paul Regan, Hachabel and Kent Daniels, culminating in the awesome sounds of Maureen's freshest tunes, backed by Hachabel and guitar master Steve Cowley.

The place was positively pumping! Check out some of the feedback.

If you missed out, don't miss her next launch - she's already working on new tunes for her fourth album so it shouldn't be too far away! You definitely can't put this woman in a box and if you love exciting new sounds and the unexpected, then watch this space - she won't disappoint.

Bring your friends and family along to enjoy an evening of outstanding entertainment at the launch of Luminous on Wednesday 31 January from 7.30pm at The Wheelshop, Honeysuckle, Newcastle.

$20 includes:

• highlights of the new album by Maureen and Brisbane-based support artists Josh Hatcher, Dave Bell and Steele Chabeau
• a number of guest musicians and artists INCLUDING renowned local performer Kent Daniels and Novocastrian guitar-master Steve Cowley
• FREE EP of bonus tracks(exclusive to Launch audience)
• light refreshments.

Divinely delicious dinner will also be available for purchase from The Wheelshop's Light Bights menu.

CDs and merchandise will be available to buy on the night.

Contact Maureen for more info and tickets.

Finally! After 12 months in the making, an enormous amount of hard work, and a few artistic contretemps along the way, the new album is finished. With some 1300 audio tracks to listen to (numerous times!), edit, mix and then master, the journey has been often challenging, sometimes hilarious, frequently rewarding and highly educational.

As with any major project, there's had to be some compromises made and the result is an extremely high quality 11-track album instead of the target 15 tracks intended. I'm keeping a lid on the release until January and the launch date has been set. (Check the gig guide.) I've got a few surprises up my sleeve for you so stay tuned into the website. Speaking of which, feel welcome to give me your feedback on the new site.

• The first Turning Wave Festival at Gundagai was a great success and I commend the organisers, Pam Merrigan and her team, who did such a terrific job. I enjoyed the fest immensely, especially: performing at the St Johns venue; participating in the Women, the Stories, the Poems, the Songs workshop on Sunday morning with the funniest bunch of women I’ve met in a long time!; hearing some great music from some great artists, in particular Mothers of Intention and Urban EXentrics; and catching up with my increasingly large folk ‘family’.

• I was delighted to be offered the ‘maiden voyage’ to launch the Wheelshop Blues venture at Honeysuckle. I wish Carolyn Scott the fantastic success that she deserves in getting this initiative off the ground.

• The Queensland tour was highly enjoyable despite small audiences. Gregg Telian and I played some great music with some wonderful young musicians in Josh Hatcher (sax), Dave Bell (drums/percussion) and Steele Chabeau (Double Bass). I was welcomed back to the Brisbane live music scene with as much enthusiasm as I have for it and I offer many thanks to Eddy and Gill from the Tongue and Groove in West End for their support and encouragement; Alison Mckenzie at the Mad Ass Folk Club; Mary, Anne and many other members of the Kookaburra Folk Club; and a HUGE vote of appreciation goes to Matt and the team at The Vue Lounge in New Farm who were effusive in their welcome to have us perform at their great venue at such short notice (after The Press Club double-booked our gig).

• A delightful surprise awaited Gregg Telian, Paul Haller and myself when we performed at the Cootamundra Arts Centre the night before the Gundagai Festival. Isabel Scott and her committee have worked tirelessly to create a unique centre for the arts in this country town and their welcome was nothing short of very warm and friendly. Despite a number of major events happening in town on the same evening, a decent crowd of locals turned out for the night and proved to be a highly appreciative and supportive audience. If you’re passing through there, make it a point to check out the Centre – and if you feel inclined to support their fundraising efforts, it’s a worthwhile cause.

• Once again I’ve entered the Newcastle Music Awards and have just one song in the finals this year, 'Blood on the Walk', in the folk section. But you can vote for any of the three entered through the listener's choice option. Just get onto the 1233 ABC Newcastle Music Awards site to vote – but do it soon.

• This quarter sees the end of my regular work at Ducks Crossing so if you were intending to get along there for some great Sunday Jazz with myself and Gregg, you’re too late!

• Just for fun, I took up the Musical Challenge on Brett Lavaring’s ABC’s breakfast program to perform, live, a Carole King song 'It’s too late', proving it’s never too late to live your passion! And it’s never too late to have some fun! It’s been an interesting, challenging and varied quarter seeing me complete my 6th tour in a year and NOT completing the new album as hoped! But there have been some highlights ...
  

• I’m hoping that the new album (albeit a modified version) will be ready for launch in late November ... fingers crossed. It seems the project was so BIG that I bit off more than any of us could chew in one go! (not un-typical for me, now is it!)

Maureen kicks-off The Wheelshop Blues
Maureen has been chosen as the first artist to launch the new Wheelshop Blues initiative in Newcastle. Stationed at Honeysuckle on Newcastle Harbour, Wheelshop Blues is the brainchild of Carolyn Scott of Honeysuckle Markets and opens up a new quality live music venue in the city. Be there on Sunday 13 August to celebrate the event with Maureen in concert from 12-3pm.  

Update on the new album ...
The new album is proving to be a major project with some 1,685 audio tracks laid down so far and while I was hoping to have it available for release by September, the deadline has had to be rescheduled. Well, you know what they say about the 'best laid plans of mice, men and women'!

Early indications are proving to be most encouraging with feedback from those who've heard various pieces (mostly professional muso's) suggesting this one's "jumping out of the box". Gregg Telian's arrangements are purely a work of art and have taken the all-original works to a new dimension. Get ready for lots of surprises on this next release - which, fingers crossed, will be ready before Christmas.

Women Up Front in Concert
Encouraging other women in their music, the first Women Upfront concert is being held on 17 June at Teralba Community Hall, Lake Macquarie. It features three key performing artists: Maureen O'Brien, Lenore Bower - an up and coming young singer/songwriter - and Amanda Broberg - an emerging, finger-style Blues performer.

The event is being promoted as a "celebration of women and their music". A number of hand-picked female musicians have also been invited to participate, including Jenny Thomson on BluesHarp and Flute, Fiona Young on Didgeridoo and Djembe, Rosalie Thor on Mandolin and local a'capella trio "Kiah" comprising Mary McPhilips, Frances Howley and Sharon MacLean. If you would like to join the audience in this celebration, or arrange to hold a concert in your area, contact Maureen for details. Audience appeal: all ages, male and female.

Saturday morning saw the trio live and roving at the local farmers' markets and snapped up by the local television crew. We met some great folks including a few from the Newcastle, Hunter and Port Stephens area - what a small world! Saturday night we performed at the Imperial Stay in Narromine - a delightful upmarket restaurant/cafe/bar - under their purpose-built music shell. And we have to say, it was one of the best stages we've worked on. The hospitality by the Imperial team was superb and we couldn't believe it, but the owners are Newcastle ex-pats!! A little private show for a local retirement home started our Sunday and we finished it with a bang at the Dubbo Folk Club - a small but discerning crowd who gave us a heart-warming reception. The local media got behind the tour and gave great support, for which I thank them immensely.

It's always a good sign when the muso's ask on the way home "when are we going back there again?" ... rather than: "Let's NOT go back there again!" ... so I'm starting to plan the next trip and we're looking forward to seeing some new friends again.

Oh ... and here's the quote of the month from Bret as we were driving through town on our arrival: "Gee, this place reminds me a lot of Dubbo." Gregg's still giving him loads about that one!

The organisers delivered a mighty program filled to abundance with many 'known' and many 'unknown' acts. The quality of the music was superb and the festival was rich in diversity. Based in the showground and using nearby clubs and hotels, the facilities were jolly good and all venues were easily accessible.

Performing as a trio with Gregg Telian and Bret Van Kriedte, I had a number of spots and great response from audiences. We trialed some of my - and Gregg's - new material, which was very well received. I also did a performance workshop and main stage concert with the group Beeswing, so had ample exposure during the fest - AND enough time to check out quite a number of other performers.

Jigzag, of course, being the highlight - such a polished trio of superb musicians and fantastic original material. And there were some other new joys for me, too, including a group called Junior - loved their material, loved their sound; Women in Docs were a real treat, funny, beautiful harmonies; and EcoBeat who just ‘went off!’ in the dance venue with their exciting blend of beat-based world music. And great to see Tamnesia again (I first saw them at the Majors Creek Festival), this time with the addition of a 4-piece women’s backing vocals.

A truly rich, diverse, thoroughly enjoyable festival - well done and thanks to Russ Hannah, Dave Di Santi and the organising committee, the sound technicians ...as well as the volunteers - the cement between the bricks.

Highlights of the Queensland Tour

• Discovering the vibrant live music scene in Brisbane - and the way this city embraces original music - I'm looking forward to going back there next year.
• Discovering the distinctive music and style of a Brisbane-based band called Moot ... keep an eye on these young musicians; they're the most exciting thing I've heard in a long time.
• Learning that a cello can be made to sound like a bass, a fiddle and a guitar, too!
• Playing with the courageous trio of Mike & Gina Gray and Pete Foley who stepped in with just a week's notice when my backing band backed out (maybe I need to write a song about the Wrong Way Band!) They did a magnificent job under challenging circumstances and thanks to their delightful sense of humour, we had loads of laughs.
• Playing with an excellent replacement saxophonist called Josh Hatcher who wrapped some beautifully smooth melodies around the original songs in the sets.

  ... and the lowlights ...

  • Discovering just 4 hours before our first gig that our sax player wasn't coming.
  • Arriving at our accommodation on the third night and discovering that the term 'resort' can still apply, even if it WAS 50 years since the term was bestowed!
  • Discovering that what constitutes "blues" at one venue DOESN'T constitute "blues" at the next - and that some venue owners think they know the difference!
  • Arriving at the last gig and discovering that the venue had been overbooked! There were 5 bands that night - some of us had trouble staying awake that long!

Many Shades of Blue was successfully launched to a home crowd of around 70 on 30 June 2005. Everyone reported that they had a great night - "a veritable feast of music", as described by one listener. Chris Cady kicked off the night with a set of his easy-listening, finger-picking blues. Gregg Telian and his band Happy Feet introduced their uniquely beautiful sounds to a new audience and were received with heartwarming response.

The material from the new album did what it was supposed to do: it touched some hearts, brought laughter, challenged some listeners and brought an evening of pleasure to a most charming audience. The divinely naughty Catholic girls were a real hit and there was dancing in the aisles and by the bar, as well as the dance floor, for most of the songs!

CD Sales for Many Shades of Blues are now open and ticking along nicely. Cost is $25 each (plus $2.50 postage) or $20 if you're buying at a live gig. Please remember that copying CDs is illegal so if you like the music enough to share it with your friends, PLEASE ask them to buy their own copy. It's costly and difficult enough for an independent artist to get their music out there without a PR machine behind them, and it cuts the heart out of an artist to know that people are copying instead of buying.