Sharon Shannon – Sharon Shannon 1991. Sharon’s highly successful eponymous debut album in 1991 made her a household name in traditional Irish music terms but judging by the luminaries who played on the album those is the industry knew of her huge talent long beforehand.

Working with the Waterboys on the seminal ‘Fisherman’s Blues’ proved to be the perfect platform to propel Sharon’s extraordinary talent towards a recording career and the presence of The Wterboys on this album show the enormous respect they had for this young girl from County Clare.

A list of the musicians and technicians that worked on this album reads like a who’s who of the record industry at the time. U2’s Adam Clayton, Scullions’ Philip King, Donal Lunny and Liam O’ Maonlai and Steve Cooney all contribute. Most of these musicians werel attracted as much buy her sublime talent as by her warmth and charisma which is eveident from moments in her company, especially if she is playing. The album achieved great success around the world attracting critical acclaim from outside the traditional world, including people like John Peel.

This wide appeal was to be a feature of Sharon’s career, reflecting her love of all music and her receptiveness to new ideas..