''Wish'' is the second solo album of former Undertones singer Feargal Sharkey. Released in 1988, three years after his successful self-titled solo debut, the album was considered to be somewhat disappointing and was not as successful as its predecessor.

Background

Upon release, Sharkey told the '' Sunday Independent'': "I've never devoted myself so much to an album before, so if it comes out, and nobody gives a damn about it, I would be extremely disappointed, to say the least." "Blue Days" was inspired by The Troubles in Northern Ireland. Sharkey told the ''Sunday Independent'': "It's about my last return to Derry, and how soul-destroying I found it, seeing what living there has done to all my old friends." He added to '' Record Mirror'': "I wrote the song because I believe that at the end of the day, despite sectarian differences, nobody is happy with what's going on in Ireland." The title was inspired by Rev

Ian Paisley Ian Richard Kyle Paisley, Baron Bannside, (6 April 1926 – 12 September 2014) was a Northern Irish loyalist politician and Protestant religious leader who served as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) from 1971 to 2008 and First ...

's comment: "We will never forsake the blue skies of Ulster for the grey mists of an Irish republic."

Critical reception

Upon release, John Aizlewood of '' Number One'' said: "So why is our Fearg hitless? One things for sure, it can't be the music. ''Wish'' is a steady grower which creeps up on you like exams, only it's fun to listen to! And does that voice fair quiver? It does indeed. Nice one Fearg, ignore the barrackers."Number One magazine - Albums - John Aizlewood - 9 April 1988 - page 48 ''

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'' described the album as an "even-better follow-up" to Sharkey's debut, and one that "should soon be sitting firmly at the top of the charts". ''

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'' described the album as "a slickly-crafted collection of pop numbers that should finally enable the artist the edge at Top 40 radio he deserves" '' Stereo Review'' commented: "The first solo album by Feargal Sharkey was so subtle and understated that much of it barely registered. This time around, he's made a record that cannot go unnoticed. With the help of producer Danny Kortchmar, whose guitar playing is the instrumental heart of the album, Sharkey takes a measured soul turn." The reviewer praised five of the album's tracks as "gems", but then added the rest of material "gets thin". They concluded: "Five out of the ten tracks are hardly memorable, but the good ones are very good".

Track listing

The CD release contains three changes to the track listing

Charts

Personnel

*Feargal Sharkey - vocals *

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- backing vocals (6) *

Charley Drayton Charles Leslie Drayton (born May 9, 1965) is an American multi-instrumentalist and producer, known primarily as a drummer. Artists he has recorded or performed with include The Cult, Keith Richards, The Rolling Stones, Paul Simon, Neil Young, ...

- guitar, backing vocals (10) * Mike Finnigan - organ (2) * Bob Glaub - bass (2, 8) *Mark Goldenberg - organ, synthesizer, guitar (9) *

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- drums (1-10) * Danny Kortchmar - guitar (1-10), bass (1, 3, 7, 8) * Russ Kunkel - percussion (4) * David Lasley - backing vocals (1-3, 5-7, 9) *Maggie Lee - synthesizer, backing vocals (6) * Arnold McCuller - backing vocals (1-3, 6, 7, 9) *

David Paich David Frank Paich (born June 25, 1954) is an American musician, best known as the co-founder, principal songwriter, keyboardist and singer of the rock band Toto since 1977. He wrote or co-wrote much of Toto's original material, including the ba ...

- synthesizer, piano (4) * Keith Richards - guitar (2) * Jack Sherman - electric 12-string (6) * Leland Sklar - bass (4, 6) *Myna Smith Schilling - backing vocals (5) * Benmont Tench - organ (2, 5, 7) * Waddy Wachtel - guitar (2, 4, 6, 8) * Jimmy “Z” Zavala - saxophone (2), harmonica (2) *Anthony J. Davies - backing vocals (all), cello (4), keyboards (7,9), dube (3) ;Technical *Richard Haughton - photography *Gary Wathen - art direction

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wish (Feargal Sharkey Album) 1988 albums Feargal Sharkey albums Albums produced by Danny Kortchmar Virgin Records albums