Sinead O’Connor sounds "like she’s 16" on her cover of ‘I Would Die 4 U’.
The 47-year-old singer – who shot to international fame with her version of Prince’s ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ in 1990 – has rerecorded the track for ‘Purple Reggae’, a reggae tribute album to ‘Purple Rain’ compiled by Radio Riddler, and thrilled the remix outfit with her "beautiful" rendition of the track.
Frank Benbini, who makes up Radio Riddler with his Fun Lovin’ Criminals band mate Brian ‘Fast’ Lesier, said: "She did such a beautiful job on it – she sounds like she’s 16 when she sings it. It’s so amazingly relaxed vocals and sweet, it’s really something that song.
"I sat in the studio and she was quite nervous, which is I thought was quite funny because I sat there and I was nervous. And yet it was a beautiful sweet session that we did."
Sinead initially turned down the approach from Frank to be a part of the album – which also features vocals from the likes of UB40’s Ali Campbell, Madness singer Suggs, and Beverley Knight – until he fully explained the concept.
He exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "I went to an event in Dublin and Sinead was there, I approached Sinead and said, ‘Would you ever consider covering a Prince song?’ and she said, ‘No.’
"I explained we were doing it in a reggae style because she is a huge reggae fan. I played it to her and she was like, ‘Oh that sounds interesting.’ "
Radio Riddler release the single ‘Purple Rain’ featuring Ai Campbell on June 23 and play The Jazz Cafe on June 25. The album ‘Purple Reggae’ will be released in September through MITA.
Sinead O’Connor sounds 16 on Prince cover
