The Makin Waves Song of the Week is “Shine“ by Princeton singer-songwriter Helen O’Shea. The song from Helen’s latest album, “Songs in the Key O,” features E Street Band backing vocalist Michelle Moore. PHOTO BY MARIA WURTZ
Princeton-based singer-songwriter Helen O’Shea’s latest LP, "Songs in the Key O," features “Shine,” a duet with Red Bank-raised E Street Band backing vocalist Michelle Moore.
“Shine” is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.
As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Shine“ also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on May 22 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin, Mixcloud and RadioJersey.net.
“Singing Shine with Helen felt less like a duet and more like two hearts finding the same melody,” Michelle said. “Every note carried trust, warmth, and the kind of harmony that only happens when two voices truly listen to each other. It wasn’t just about performing a song — it was about sharing a moment that glowed long after the music ended.”
Now based in Long Branch, Michelle’s strong lifelong gospel roots bolsters “Shine,” much like her role in the E Street Band since 2001.
The story behind "Songs In The Key Of O" is a simple one. Helen grew up in Limerick, Ireland, loving everything about songs and singing. She longed to make her life all about singing. Her father had other ideas for his precious oldest daughter, so off Helen went to medical school, closing the door on a singing career behind her.
Cut to many years later when Helen's father was tragically killed in a car accident and immediately started guiding her back to singing from beyond the grave. Her third album, "Songs In The Key Of O" is her tribute to the late, great Irish singers Sinéad O'Connor and Dolores O'Riordan.
While Helen was in medical school, Sinéad's debut on the Irish Late Late Show — when she exploded on the screen with a crew cut and a tank top scream singing "Mandinka" — had Helen, as well as most of the girls of Ireland, transfixed by a new vision of womanhood: gentleness and anger, ferocity and determination wrapped around a beautiful voice.
“Sinéad simply encouraged everyone to be true to themselves,” Helen said.
Also during medical school, Helen’s brother, a student at what now is the University of Limerick, came home with a mixtape that included the song "Linger" sung by the stunning Dolores O'Riordan, who left a lasting impact on Helen.
“Another Limerick girl, Dolores was living the singing dream and with a voice you could only dream of,” Helen said.
When Helen was blessed to begin her singing journey much later in life, she carried with her the influence of all the girl singers she loved, but most of all her two countrywomen, Sinéad and Dolores, with whom culturally she shares so much more with than just a love of song.
When the time was right, "Songs In The Key Of O" was created as a tribute to Sinéad and Dolores, each having a special song on the album written for them by Helen.
“I share this album with those who also love the music of these powerful, yet gentle Irish girls who have sadly left us way too soon,” Helen said.
"Shine" is the second of Helen's two songs written as part of her Songtown, Nashville course on melody.
Recorded at Dug Deep Productions in Asbury Park, “Shine” was produced by two-time Grammy winner Marc Swersky, engineered by Jack Daley (Spin Doctors), mixed by Seth Von Paulus (Linda Perry) and mastered by Leon Zervos. Joining Helen and Michelle on the track are guitarist Andrew Carillo (Joan Osborne), keyboardist Rob Clores (Jesse Malin) and drummer Aaron Comess (Spin Doctors).
“The song is a call to accepting failure as a necessary part of success and life itself as if you never try, you never fail, so it takes courage to try and fail and just keep shining while your work is in progress,” Helen said. “Shine as you are!”
Helen is next scheduled to perform Oct. 25 at Princeton Public Library. In the meantime, check out “Songs in the Key of O” at Apple Music and Spotify.
Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and Instagram and contact Bob at [email protected].
