Donegal Singer Jacqui Sharkey Releases New
Single
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| 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
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)
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Cover art for "The Whole Of The Moon" by the artist The Waterboys.
The cover art (C) is believed to belong to EMI.
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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 )
Get downloading, guys! My take on an amazing song! Thank you so much to Steve Wickham for his thumbs up! #thewaterboys #mikescott pic.twitter.com/4CpR1Vm3aC— Jacqui Sharkey (@JacquiSharkey) 18 June 2017
A huge thank you to Eve Blair on BBC Radio Ulster for having me as Artist of The Week this week... Love love love... https://t.co/nMrUZpYD97— Jacqui Sharkey (@JacquiSharkey) 20 June 2017
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
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").
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.
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| 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
incredible” Mick 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 Heart “She’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 Storm “She’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”
CONNECT with Jacqui Sharkey:
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