Sharon King
Sharon King and The Nevernever Cowboys
From 1992 when she toured with Shake The Shack for five years (and recorded three albums, 'Big Hands', 'Skapolka', and 'East of Hoy' - all on Shacktrax) and then up to 2009, when she returned to the fray with a new band and new album, the Edinburgh-based singer and songwriter Sharon King has worked steadily touring and writing as well as being a mother and a full-time university student.
Between 1999, when she recorded her debut album, '24 Hours' (Hoodlum), and 2002 she toured the UK as Sharon King Band with Inge Thomson, Al James and Lindsey Black. On Amazon.co.uk '24 hours' is written up ... "Fine singer and songwriter with her backing guitarist Al James. The songs are original, thoughtful and balanced, from sultry folk ballads to upbeat, offbeat country storytelling. Sharon has a powerful but velvety voice with an engaging bluesy quality ... 'This debut album is bursting with talent, with strong songs and confident musicians' (The Scotsman) ... 'beautiful, folky-bluesy sounds' (gig review, The List)." Pretty good for a debut album!
In 2002 Sharon recorded, 'Quiddity' (Hoodlum), with new band, The Nevernever Cowboys and then up to 2008 she took time out from music to be home for her young and growing daughter, had reconstructive surgery on an arm to try and repair old injury, and attended the University of Edinburgh as a student of English Literature. Time out? Not really!
The release of Sharon's new album, 'Reckless Angels' (Nevernever Cowboys Records) in October 2009, shows that the last few years ‘getting tangled up in English literature’ at Edinburgh University has clearly been time very well spent. Sharon's lyricism and wordplay has been refined and developed placing her now at the top of her game. 'Reckless Angels' has a spacious feel, echoing the wide open spaces of Texan blues, while being firmly planted in the culture of modern Scottish music. It has a countryesque vibe, but is definitely not country music. 'Reckless Angels' also sees Sharon's collaboration with the Nevernever Cowboys, the myriad talented musicians that accompany Sharon on her journey, being revisited to great benefit. Musicians taking part ... Vera van Heeringen (New Rope String Band – fiddle, mandolin and backing vocals); Inge Thomson (Karine Polwart Band, Harem Scarem – accordion) Kaela Rowan (Bevvy Sisters – backing vocals) and James Macintosh (Shooglenifty – drums) while cello, bass and piano add atmosphere and flavour to the mix of hook-laden songs.
A spinner of confessional tales and a troubadour in the truest sense, Sharon King excels as a live performer. Supported by her hypnotic, rock-steady acoustic guitar, her endearingly candid dry humour creates a relaxed intimacy with the crowd. So, the launch of 'Reckless Angels' will be followed by Sharon getting back out there on the road, taking her everywhere from the Scottish Highlands to the heart of Wales. Joining her sometimes on the road will be the Nevernever Cowboys, drawn from a pool of players including; Sarah Macfadyen - fiddle, banjo and backing vocals (Harem Scarem); Laura Beth Salter - mandolin and backing vocals (The Shee); Joey Sanderson - cello, double bass and backing vocals (Toxic Cowboys); Luke Plumb - mandolin and guitar (Shooglenifty); and Vera van Heeringen - mandolin, guitar and backing vocals (New Rope String Band).
Look out for Sharon King in 2010 when you will find her playing solo dates and also touring extensively with The Nevernever Cowboys.
What The Press Say ...
Reckless Angels : ' ... intimate, affecting songs…beautiful melodies.' (The List) 'Firmly in the territory of the best of contemporary Scottish music that has given us Karine Polwart, Emily Smith, et al.' (R2)
24 Hours : 'This debut album is bursting with talent ... ' (The Scotsman) 'A captivating release that fully deserves wider recognition ... ' ' ... her voice is an alluring and fresh blend of country and folk stylings which possess considerable reserves of strength ... ' (Rock n Reel)
Quiddity : 'On the bubble of wonderful ... ' (Dirty Linen) 'Quirky inventiveness...' (NetRythms)
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