Customer Reviews

Wish

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In 1987, Feargal Sharkey set off to America to work on a follow up to his success self-titled debut album. Feargal Sharkey and producer Danny Kortchmar began collaborating together which led to the recording of the second album Wish in Los Angeles. The album took a total of eight weeks to complete and was released in 1988. A very different sound to Sharkey's debut - the result was a strong, well produced album mixing soul, pop and rock with the unique vocals of Feargal Sharkey and some well suited guitar throughout from Danny Kortchmar which has an almost organic sound to it.

The album opens with Cold, Cold, Streets which starts the album with a strong introduction. A simple but effective guitar riff is present and Sharkey's unique vocals are as strong as ever. The grand production work by Danny Kortchmar is evident here which sounds very different to Sharkey's debut. The lyrics fit the track nicely and the chorus flows perfectly with the use of backing vocalists throughout. "For I might never find my way through the cold, cold, streets that lead me to the heart girl."

The album's leading single More Love follows which was written Benmont Tench who also wrote one of Sharkey's previous hits You Little Thief so the reason as of why this track was released as a single is obvious. There is some smooth and easy going guitar on the track which was performed The Rolling Stone's Keith Richards. Like You Little Thief, the lyrical message focuses on the negative side of love however this message is more hopeful whilst sounding slightly bitter at the same time, "there's more love for you in my heart than his will ever hold." The chorus flows nicely and sums up the lyrical message well which Sharkey sings with emotion. There's a great saxophone solo included from Jimmy Zavala who has worked with numerous artists such as Rod Stewart and Eurythmics. "Well I'm sure his heart is willing and he's tall and lean and strong. But a pretty face can only hold your interest for so long."

Following on is Full Confession which features a feel good guitar melody and some more soulful vocals from Sharkey and the backing vocalists. Like many other tracks on the album - the chorus is quick and simple but effective all the same. The lyrics are self-explanatory from the title alone. "Now I'm feeling so much better, you always said I would. Now I've made my full confession, man it felt so good."

Please Don't Believe In Me is one of the slowest tracks, written by Sharkey and Eurythmics' David A. Stewart who also produced Sharkey's debut album. One of the only tracks to feature piano, the mix of acoustic guitar and piano adds a level of emotion to the music itself. Sharkey's vocals are full of passion which makes an overall satisfying track. "For a plan without a purpose, car without a wheel, plane without a pilot - that's how I feel."

Following is Out of My System which features some strong percussion and a simple melody. The track features some interesting lyrics and an infectious chorus with some great saxophone and organ. The lyrical message is summed up in the chorus with the line, "I've got to get you out of my system or into my life." More backing vocalists are present which help add more dimension to the track - like many other songs on the album. "I'm here waiting for the call you said you'd make to me. Put me on the edge of my life while you been having fun I can see."

Strangest Girl In Paradise features some heavy percussion and a dominant melody. The verses of this track flow nicely along however the chorus is the proudest moment. A highly infectious chorus made up of a wall of strong production, inspiring vocals, heavy percussion and backing vocalists. A fitting saxophone solo is included which adds to this memorable track. "Baby bought new shoes today with silver tips that light her way" and "coming here to face the glare is not the answer to her prayer" are two strongly delivered lines in the chorus.

The next track Let Me Be features another feel good guitar riff which is added with some strong saxophone. Sharkey's vocals flow through the verses nicely whilst the pre-chorus allows Sharkey's vocals to sound very dominant. The chorus is nothing short of infectious with an equal balance of memorable lines and bursts of fantastic saxophone. The lyrics simply ask, "Why don't you set me free now? Can you just let me be now?" The opening line is also worth mentioning which immediately invites the listener into the song itself, "One of these days I'm going to get up early, organise my life again one more time."

Following on is Blue Days which features some great guitar by Danny Kortchmar. Sharkey's vocals are very dominant on this track which he delivers with some fiery emotion. Whilst the verses work wonderfully, the chorus is again the highlight. A very rocky guitar guides Sharkey's vocals through the chorus. The tempo slightly increases to add that extra emotion to mix the music with the message of the lyrics. The nature of the track leads to the obvious inclusion of a great guitar solo. "For I can never understand the pain you cause with your sweet hand, I will never understand the hate you spread across this land" and "We will not forsake these blue skies for the grey skies of another land" are two good examples of this track's lyrics.

If This Is Love begins with some strong guitar and synthesizer which creates another interesting melody. Sharkey's vocals are clear and serene through the verses whilst the pre-chorus is a great showcase for Sharkey. The chorus is infectious and features some great synthesizer. There is also an interesting but short synthesizer solo. "For love is a gamble but this is no bet, the more you give the less you get."

The final track Safe To Touch is another slow ballad like Please Don't Believe In Me. This particular track has a strong melody with some great synthesizer. Sharkey's vocals are passionate and strong throughout. The chorus flows from the verse well with the vocals remaining the highlight. "I would follow you forever as long as we can be together. But I can't let the child escape the man in your hands."

Overall, Wish further proved that Feargal Sharkey was an excellent musician, also capable of writing great material with many different artists. This album proved that Sharkey and Kortchmar were a good team although they never worked together again after. Much different from Sharkey's debut, this album remains a strong, soulful and fun experience, still sounding fresh to this day. Sadly upon release, Wish was unsuccessful, failing to chart at all in the United Kingdom although it peaked at #22 in Sweden. The lead single More Love peaked at #44 whilst Out Of My System was the only other single although it didn't make a chart appearance. If This Is Love was also released as a promotional single only.

I very much recommend this album for anybody who loves 80s pop with the mixture of rock and soul added for good measure. This is a very unique album aside from Sharkey`s vocals. Feargal Sharkey had succeeded in creating a worthwhile follow up to his debut although sadly Wish remains unappreciated and largely forgotten.