Friday 23 June 2017

Donegal singer Jacqui Sharkey releases new single The Whole Of The Moon

Donegal Singer Jacqui Sharkey Releases New Single
Jacqui Sharkey: Single Art

The Whole Of The Moon by Jacqui Sharkey released Friday June 16
Available on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play and CD Baby.
 Amazon UK | UK iTunes | Amazon.com | Google Play | CD BABY

Irish singer/ songwriter Jacqui Sharkey brings us a contemporary, acoustic based version of Mike Scott’s 'Whole Of The Moon', made famous in 1985 by Scottish folk rock band The Waterboys..

"A gloriously beautiful and sensitive version of a great song…”   
Steve Wickham (The Waterboys)

Donegal singer/songwriter Jacqui Sharkey already has three critically acclaimed albums to her name and is about to launch her brand new single, ‘The Whole Of The Moon’, a cover of the Waterboys’ hit, on 16th June.

Taken from her forthcoming studio album, Jacqui describes The Whole Of The Moon as: “One of these incredible songs that takes you to another place.

“I am always drawn to amazing lyrics and what they conjure up. Mike Scott has really written a beautiful gem, and listening to it with my friend a few months ago, I could really feel the song and thought that I would record my take on it.
“It is probably a very brave move, bearing in mind how huge and loved a song it is, but here it goes!"

I pictured a rainbow
You held it in your hands
I had flashes
But you saw the plan
I wandered out in the world for years
While you just stayed in your room
I saw the crescent
You saw the whole of the moon
The whole of the moon

Represented by John Rogers, former long-term manager of Van Morrison, Jacqui brings the 1985 hit to life again.
Her version was produced in Donegal by Goats Don’t Shave frontman Pat Gallagher who also plays on the track alongside Jacqui and bassist James Blennerhasset, drummer and percussionist Brendan Carthy and Nashville based guitarist Tim Galloway.

One of my favourite songs sun by one of my favourite singers…when Jacqui asked me to produce this single for her, I didn’t have to think too long before saying ‘yes’.” Pat Gallagher (Goats Don’t Shave)

I had the privilege and joy to hear Jacqui Sharkey for the first time some months ago. She has recorded The Whole Of The Moon in which her voice plumbs the depths and soars with such feeling. I would love to write a song for her. Well played to all the musicians on the track. It’s really special.”- Liam Reilly (Bagatelle)

Cover art for "The Whole Of The Moon" by the artist The Waterboys.
The cover art (C) is believed to belong to EMI.

























The Whole Of The Moon 
CHART HISTORY:
Released 14 October 1985 (UK) | November 21, 1985 (US)
April 2, 1991 (Re-issue)
Taken from The Waterboys' album THIS IS THE SEA. (Amazon UK)
Format: 7" 45RPM (107 738, Island Records)/ 12" (Ensign - 12ENY 520) | Recorded: May 1985
Livingstone Studios, London and Amazon Studios, Liverpool
Genre: Rock | Label: Ensign
Songwriter(s): Mike Scott | Copyright © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc

It was first released as a seven and 12-inch single, which reached No.26 on the UK Official Singles chart (dated Oct 26, 1985 after 26 weeks on the chart. Chart dated Sept 28, 1985 It was taken from the album THIS IS THE SEA which peaked at No.37 after 17 chart weeks.
The song was re-released as a single (7", 12" and CD) and was a big hit, peaking at No.3 on the UK Singles Chart (dated April 6, 1991) after 9 weeks on the chart. It received an Ivor Novello Award as "Best Song Musically and Lyrically" in 1991.
It was taken from album THE BEST OF THE WATERBOYS 81-90 which peaked at No.2 after 16 chart weeks (charted dated May 11, 1991. (Source: Official Charts/ waterboys )




Formerly known for her contributions as keyboard player and vocalist to rock and pop group The Jury’s Out, Jacqui has made a name for herself with both her personal music and performances in musical theatre. She’s starred in productions such as Florence in Chess, Satine in Carry On Moulin Rouge and Nancy in Oliver.

In 2011, she recorded her debut studio album A NEW DAWN and went on to open for Billy Ocean at the National Concert Hall in Dublin, receiving a standing ovation. She has also performed with many renowned recording artists, including Maire Brennan, Altan, Paul Brady, Manus Lunny and Goats Don’t Shave.

Then she followed it up with LOVE AND OTHER THINGS in 2014, produced by the well-regarded Manus Lunny, who also features on some of the tracks. Soon enough, she released SHINE in 2015, including her hugely popular collaboration with Shunie Crampsey, Take Me To Paris.

Looking forward to the new direction that The Whole Of The Moon represents, Jacqui said:
 "The track brings me back to more mainstream music, which is my background, and I am excited.
“I have been dabbling around with shades and blends of Americana, New Country, Folk and contemporary mid-road music, as I tend to crossover a little, but this is a new direction for me and I hope that people like it."

Jacqui has been compared to Canadian singer Anne Murray, famed for the 1978 hit You Needed Me, for her rich voice that can cross the boundaries of Folk, Americana, Pop and Jazz. Her song-writing, both lyrically and musically, reflects this multi-instrumentalism and her varied influences that range from rock to new country.

Further comments from Jacqui
"What can I say about the Waterboys! It's a little daunting to record a massive song made famous by such an iconic and rocking band. They are truly amazing and I have always been a huge admirer of their work". It is on my bucket list to see them live, as I never have. Fingers crossed all round!"

ABOUT Jacqui Sharkey

















DISCOGRAPHY
2011: A NEW DAWN (Album) Amazon UK | UK iTunes | Amazon.com | Google Play | CD BABY
2011: A FAIRER LOVE (E.P) UK iTunes | Amazon.com | CD BABY
2012: I’ll Be Home For Christmas (Single) Amazon UK | UK iTunes | Amazon.com | Google Play | CD BABY
2014: LOVE AND OTHER THINGS (Album) Amazon UK | UK iTunes | Amazon.com | Google Play | CD BABY
2015: Take Me To Paris (Single) Amazon UK | UK iTunes | Amazon.com | Google Play | CD BABY
2015: SHINE (Album) Amazon UK | UK iTunes | Amazon.com | Google Play | CD BABY
2017: The Whole Of The Moon (Single) Amazon UK | UK iTunes | Amazon.com | Google Play | CD BABY

With three critically acclaimed albums under her belt, Donegal singer/songwriter Jacqui Sharkey has become a well-known name on the UK and Irish music scene.
Raised just south of Glasgow, Jacqui’s music career began as a teenager on the city’s folk scene. 

Despite re-locating to Donegal where she pursued a career in law, music has always been her passion.
Away from the courtroom, Jacqui held centre stage fronting local rock and pop band The Jury’s Out both as lead singer and keyboard player. 
Over the years, Jacqui took to the stage regularly as a singer and as a musical theatre star in productions such as Florence in Chess, Satine in Carry On Moulin Rouge and Nancy in Oliver.

In 2011 Jacqui took the leap and recorded her debut studio album A NEW DAWN.
July 2011 Country Music News International A NEW DAWN (CD REVIEW) 3.1/2 STARS
Jacqui Sharkey: Photoshoot A New Dawn | Tray inlay, sleeve and CD are
 beautifully presented with location shots of the Donegal countryside.























In the year following, she opened for music legend Billy Ocean at the National Concert Hall in Dublin where she received a standing ovation from a packed audience.
Over the years, Jacqui’s voice has been compared to that of Canadian star Anne Murray who was famed for the 1978 hit You Needed Me.  It was these comparisons, as well as a chance introduction to the singer, that led Jacqui to perform and produce her own headline show at the National Concert Hall in 2012. On this visit to the venue, Jacqui headlined her own sold-out celebration show of the life and music of Anne Murray.

It’s those deep, rich tones in Jacqui’s voice that makes her a versatile artist straddling the genres of Folk, Americana, Pop and Jazz. As a result of her ability to cross-over, Jacqui has been invited to perform and jam with, as well as support, some of the biggest names in Irish music including Maire Brennan, Altan, Paul Brady, Manus Lunny, Tommy Fleming, The Fureys and Goats Don’t Shave.

Jacqui’s own writing, both lyrically and musically, reflects not only her multi-instrumentalism, but also her varied influences from Folk, Celtic, Rock and New Country to a little Jazz and Pop.

As her popularity on the Irish and Northern Irish music scene grew, Jacqui quickly followed up her debut album A New Dawn with LOVE AND OTHER THINGS in 2014. Love And Other Things was produced by well-known musician Manus Lunny who also features on the tracks alongside some of the country’s best known musicians.

At the end of 2015, Jacqui released SHINE which included Take Me To Paris, her hugely popular collaboration with local Donegal singer/songwriter Shunie Crampsey.

Her videos have been shown regularly over the years on the Phil Mack Country Show and Keep It Country TV (Sky 389 / Freeview 87/ Freesat 516). Jacqui was part of the line-ups for the Phil Mack Country Roadshow performing in the UK & Ireland.

Jacqui was one of the finalists for UKCountryRadio.com’s Listeners' Club Song Award and performed a set with a full band at their 9th Birthday Party and Awards on Saturday 3rd September 2016 at the Radisson Blu Hotel (Website), East Midlands Airport. This was an addition to performing her nominated "Take Me To Paris" which was promoted on UKCountryRadio.com ("The Hottest Country Music for the UK, 24 hours a day").
Segment 15:  Jacqui Sharkey performs a live set UKCountryRadio.com Listeners Awards - 9th Party

Having just completed recording the first single off her forthcoming album, Jacqui is staying true to her unique and distinctive sound whilst giving fans the opportunity to hear her own interpretation of a well known hit.
Jacqui Shakey: Press photo supplied courtesy Excalibur Press




























Under the guidance of music manager and promoter John Rogers - best known as the former long-term manager of Van Morrison - Jacqui’s latest release is a contemporary version of Mike Scott’s Whole Of The Moon, made famous in 1985 by Scottish folk rock band The Waterboys.  Jacqui’s version of The Whole Of The Moon was produced in Donegal by Goats Don’t Shave frontman Pat Gallagher who also plays on the track alongside Jacqui, bassist James Blennerhasset, drummer and percussionist Brendan Carthy, and Nashville based guitarist, Tim Galloway.

What People Are Saying
"Jacqui Sharkey's warm and tender voice brings me straight to one of my favourite places...Donegal.  Whether she applies it to Folk, New Country or Jazz, the spirit of her home place comes through the gorgeous sound she makes.”        
Paul Brady, Recording Artist/Songwriter   

"This lady has a voice in a million.  Her lower register is heart melting. Jacqui doesn't sing a song.  She lives it. You don't just listen to her words.  You live them with her…”  Billy Patterson (Irish Folk group, the Pattersons)

“Love And Other Things is a CD that really shows off the beauty of Jacqui’s Voice. It’s fantastic to see great music continuing to come from Donegal.”  Moya Brennan (Recording Artist/Songwriter)

RADIO:
Notable National Spin Hardeep Singh Kohli sitting in for Aled Jones BBC RADIO 2 - Sunday Nov 4, 2012 played: Jacqui Sharkey - The Dawning Of The Day BBC Page

The Whole Of The Moon (June 18, 2017) “A beautiful new single” Stewart Fenwick Celtic Music Radio

"She's as good as it gets.  She's as good as the best.” -  Gerry Anderson, BBC Radio Ulster

 “Two wonderful tracks” - Lee Williams CEO CMR Nashville & President of The British Country Music Awards
 “I think she is absolutely fantastic what a great voice, absolutely incredibleMick Smith (Former long-time presenter BBC Radio Leicester/Nottingham/Lincolnshire)

Awwwwwll Wow I’ll have another sixth pennyworths of that eh and the scrapings, wasn’t that delightful, wonderful ...lovely timbre to her voice, like Kathy Mattea” - Paul Braithwaite BBC Radio Cumbria

Oct 1, 2011 Restless HeartShe’s got an absolutely cracking voice”  “This is a new album and it is quite a sensational offering” “I think she’s a lady to be reckoned with” ...”I told you she’s a touch of magic” - Brian Clough  The American Connection, CMA International Broadcast Award 2010

Marie Crichton BBC Radio Shropshire:
Oct 3, 2011: If I Had You (Single) “This next lady I think she’s got a wonderful voice” ...”This is the first single that’s been released to radio, I think it’s wonderful...”Lovely voice sounds more like Anne Murray than Anne Murray
Oct 24, 2011: This Shirt  Wonderful voice …Jacqui Sharkey’s rendition there, absolutely wonderful
Be My Valentine “Thought this was a perfect track from a wonderful Irish singer”
Take Me To Paris (Single) “I think that's great…she's got a great voice
My Perfect StormShe’s absolutely great, some high quality music this year, beautiful velvety sound to her voice
Dimming Of The Day (1 Sept 2014) “Her version is absolutely delightful, beautiful warm voice

Photos Gallery www.jacquisharkey.com

CONNECT with Jacqui Sharkey:
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