This is special.
The song ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ is and forever will be associated with Sinéad O’Connor, but it is a song that was originally written and composed by Prince for a side project of his called The Family back in the mid-1980s.
O’Connor made it her own in the song itself and the iconic music video, but it was another illustration of Prince’s talents that spread across a wide array of genres and made him one of the most influential artists of all time.
Last night, following Prince’s untimely passing, Jack O’Rourke, a singer and songwriter from Cork, took a moment from his sold-out gig in Coughlans on Douglas Street in Cork to pay tribute to one his musical heroes.
Jack played a stripped-down version of ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ and thankfully for those who didn’t get to witness it first hand, footage of him doing so was recorded by audience member, Doreen Mary Manning.
The result is a spellbinding and beautiful performance of the song and a fitting tribute by Jack to a man who has had a huge effect on his musical career.
Speaking to JOE today, Jack said: “Prince is one of my musical heroes – he changed the game in pop and he’s one of the few R&B artists whom I would even attempt to cover because he’s got a low voice and high falsetto like me.
“I was devastated to hear of his passing. He’s up there with Bowie, Kate Bush, Brian Wilson and Stevie Wonder, completely unique and a monster talent of song-writing, guitar and piano playing and breaking down boundaries.
“There will never be a purple God like him in our midst again.”
Jack will soon release his new single ‘Dream Catcher’. For more information and to hear more of his work, check out his website and Facebook page.
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