Donegal singer Jacqui Sharkey's brave step to cover a Waterboy's hit has already gained great praise from original artist Steve Wickham.

Gweedore-based  singer/songwriter Jacqui Sharkey is about to launch her brand new single, ‘The Whole Of The Moon’, a cover of the Waterboys’ hit, on 16th June.

The track has already had a seal of approval from Waterboys band member Steve Wickham, who said it is “A gloriously beautiful and sensitive version of a great song…”

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!”

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.

Jacqui Sharkey

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. In 2011 Jacqui took the leap and recorded her debut studio album A New Dawn.

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.

Jacqui Sharkey

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.”

The Whole Of The Moon by Jacqui Sharkey is released Friday June 16 and will be available on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play and CD Baby.