From a very early age the Beatles captured the inner imagination of Jacqui Blue, it was the sight and sound of John Lennon’s guitar that seemed to have her hooked and for years she hankered after that machine. Jacqui wanted to be famous and adored the world over and it was some years later that she started to set the ball rolling. At the age of seven Jacqui's parents bought her her first guitar and Jacqui started guitar lessons in school, but this was basic chord work. Such was Jacqui’s dedication to the guitar, that she was eventually thrown out of the lessons due to practising her guitar during her lunch break, causing her to miss out on her school lunch, yup absolutely crazy. Jacqui took up lessons once again in secondary school where she received a report from her music teacher saying that she would never learn or have the ability to play an instrument. Somewhat shocked yet undeterred, Jacqui set about to form her own band and formed a duo known as " Double Image ". Double Image went on to win various local talent contests and soon became a five piece band with a name change to " Loose Ends " and then later " The Plastic People ". A few months later, after a disagreement with the singer and discontent within the band, Jacqui was thrown out of the band that she had created. The Plastic People continued without her for another couple of years before disbanding ! In mid 1978 Jacqui joined the " Xtraverts ", replacing their lead guitarist " Mark Reily " who went onto to " Matt Bianco ". The " Xtraverts " had fair success with singles and an album but came to an untimely end in 1980 due to unforseen circumstances. Determined to make her mark in the music world, Jacqui persisted and formed yet another band known as the " Xcited " and they recorded their first demo at Roxon Studios with " Les Payne " and seemed to be doing well. In 1983, as some of the band members moved on and others took their place, the band changed it's name to " Cherry Black Dawn ". The band were now cooking on gas and gained a good following in various parts of south east England and had plenty of interest from the record industry. In 1984, " Cherry Black Dawn " recorded their first double A side single consisting of " Blue Baby Blue " and " Colours ". In 1990, Jacqui decided to take a 3 month break due to personal life changes. That 3 month break seemed to signal the end of " Cherry Black Dawn " and in 1993, Jacqui formed another band " Jacqui Bullette and The Recoil " to record two tracks for a television appearance on " This Morning ". Due to mis-management and disagreements with the band manager, Jacqui decided to take another break and that was the end of " Jacqui Bullette and the Recoil ". 1997 saw a brief reunion with " The Xtraverts" and in 1999 Jacqui formed yet another band " Jacqui Blue ". Lack of commitment with band members saw " Jacqui Blue " run until 2001, when Jacqui decided that enough was enough and vowed never to play her beloved guitar again, ending her life long ambition. In 2012, after an invitation for a break in Somerset UK, by an old aquaintance, Jacqui was tempted into picking up her guitar once again and a chance meeting with " Les Payne " in 2013, had Jacqui entering the recording studio to record her first album " Breathe Paradise ". After 2 years of recording and writing songs for the album as she went, Jacqui finally completed the album in 2015. 2015 also saw the reformation of " Cherry Black Dawn " with a new line up and saw the completion of an EP to be released at a later date and is in the process of writing and recording a second album with a more rocky feel to it. Jacqui has re-invented herself and re-emerged with a great sound, that although has a flavour of the 60's/70's, is uniquely her own. A message to all her fans from Jacqui Blue herself : " I send out my love and best wishes to all that cross my path throughout life and hope that you all enjoy what you hear as much as i enjoyed creating it ". Jacqui Blue x-x-x The album " Breathe Paradise " is about one persons struggle through life for acceptance and unconditional love for the person they are and a battle of the mind through a lifetime of haters and tormentors and then finally finding that love. With the exception of " You're My Girl ", all the tracks on this album were written by Jacqui Blue, the majority of which were written during the making of the album. The arrangement of " You're My Girl " on the album is by Jacqui Blue with the original being written by Les Payne who had previously released it on his own album in 1978. " Breathe Paradise " was produced and engineered by Les Payne and includes two duets, the first with Ria Parslow and the second with Pauline Evans aka " Jean Martin " whom during the 60's was likened to Helen Shapiro. Pauline was signed to Decca Records under the name of Jean Martin while Les Payne was signed to CBS Records , RCA Records , CHRISTY Records and Polydor and although Ria Parslow has never been signed, she has more than 20 years experience under her belt. Stephen Arnold This album is great I love the music the original songs and it was a privilege to take part in a small way Jacqui blue is in my opinion someone who is going places this album is brilliant all the best Jacqui Stan Robertson Well folks there I was headphones on listening to some rock pop blues and my usual taste in classics!! One of my friends sent me a link to 'Touch me now ' by Jacqui Blue from her album Breathe Paradise Well I was knocked over!! had to play it again and again and again!! just so new!! fresh!! and classic feel!! could not get it out of my head and felt drawn in....will explain this later in my review!! so read on.. got the album which was just as exciting and more!! will not go through all the tracks as they are all just well crafted but will suggest a few as a taster for you!! Lorraine Lorraine just a great foot tapping sing along must play again and again!! Your my Girl jacqui just playing a uke!! the most haunting of tunes I have ever heard written by the wonderfull Les Payne Look at me now being a Scots person just loved the mix on this including Bagpipes....what a lovely song!! Wicked Mind!! woah what a get up and dance singalong track!! I said there was more at the start of my review!! well there is I Loved Jacqui Blue's music so much!! I pestered and pestered called !!Texted !! and generally kept contacting her!! She finally auditioned me!! I am now the Guitarist/keys/synth player in her band Cherry Black Dawn!! Am I happy? you bet I am!! Stan the Man Sheila Bradley I have recently been listening to Jacqui Blue's new album Breathe Paradise and I have to say Blue baby blue is my favourite.However many of the songs stir all sorts of sentiments.Never giving up on my dreams being one. Glenys Rudd I would like to recommend Jacqui Blue's new Album Breathe Paradise, the recording is fabulous my favourite song is Blue Baby Blue. I have watched some of her videos on Reverbnation and You Tube I would highly recommend the lady to play at any performance requiring an experience musician. 10 out of 10 stars Philip Bynoe Jacqui, Listened to your latest over the weekend And thoroughly enjoyed it. I heard a lot of Beatles influence in the writing And many of the songs I thought would work Great on a TV or movie soundtrack. You have a very unique voice at it fits right In the pocket with your songs. So great job on this and I wish you success In whatever avenue you choose to go with the CD Thanks Philip Bynoe Sylvia Peaston: Scotland. Jacqui Blue is a UK rock/pop artist from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. She is an articulate lady who knows where she wants to be in life. Jacqui has a real passion for her music. I have been listening to Jacqui's music for over a year now and watched her determination to write and record with a firey passion. Every track telling a story that is close to her heart. Jacqui works tirelessly for cause and after the let down of a failed signing (through no fault of her own) is now looking to take her career forward. Some artists who have inspired Jacqui are The Beatles Her new album Breathe Paradise will pull you into an aura of delightful lyrics and melodies where you can dream of your own paradise whilst experiencing the musical talents of this talented lady. Bonde Sem Freio Have a great 2016! Cheers!!! Success!!! Mind Doors great music! Domenico Lo Nigro Hi Jacqui, enjoying all your songs. Very cool style reminds me of Pretenders, Bryan Ferry, Hazel O'Connor. Great stuff. Yankee Rhoad I love visiting you and your music ♫♫ cambonnor are you on facebook too?? nice style! Salt NZ Fantastic Happy Cool songs on this Page !! Thank you ( : Salt & TGM ALYSON Touch Me Now! Nick Edmonds Great tunes. Well done and I wish you all the best with your mosaic. You have a wonderful beautiful voice to listen to. Sean Fitzpatrick Nice songs Jacqui. cheers Sean Steven Davis Jr. You are blowing me away with 60's and 70's style. Great Vocals and Harmony. Kind of Beatles Style, Kind of Peter and Gordon Style but still Uniquely Your Own. Love "Lorraine Lorraine". Awesome Songs and done so well Budd Zunga Totally enjoying your music !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hillbilly Dix wow !! so unique..and so powerful smile emoticon Loved the melodies and song structures and arrangements ... incredibly unique and versatile vocal style ...been such a pleasure being here listening..thank you very much for fanning us Jacqui and all the evry best to you from OZ ..Jen XO LOOSEHOUNDS Great!, Love the live video . Nice Stuff! mikedoyleentertainment Nice listen...to Blue Baby Blue...great guitar, vocals and songwriting...all the best to you...Mike Sami Look At Me Now...............Shared on my Facebook *& Twitter ...it's time to support each other... love & respect WILD&WELSH Very original songs. Great work. Lost At Sky Hope you enjoy our music as much as we loved yours. We are your fans and Twitter followers. We'd be thrilled if you could fan and follow back. Be lucky Judy Vamp-Shire (The Devils Daughter) Enjoying Blue Baby Blue, great music production. Love, Judy Shire xx DJ Antonio ♪ ♫ Music ♫ fantastic !! on! ♪ ♫ awesome! greetings Dj Antonio egon erger diggin' "blue baby blue". great tune and vocals. best wishes and success, egon erger FLUFFER Reach for the sky is my favorite!! Great talent you have!! AITG/Agony In The Garden Excellent vocals. Great musicianship. Cheers! Cheryl Nye Beautiful voice and beautiful music! Continued success to you always! smile emoticon smile emoticon smile emoticon Sick Bird Great music u have here!! Myth-Ra Raised Interesting sounds.. calming. Trapped in the 70's Digging your tracks , there is a touch of Lennon in your vocals which is pretty awesome . Yankee Rhoad I love it here ♫♫ SpEnt fiXer Such a pleasure to have met you! Blue Baby Blue is absolutely BRILLIANT! Great vocals, guitars, everything is spot on! Can't wait to go thru the rest of your set list! Yankee Rhoad Back enjoying the tunes again. Love the sound and style !!! Yankee Rhoad What a talent here !!! Rockin wit ya at the Rhoad house \m/ CHRISY D Hi Jacqui.Stopping in tonight to play the list.You and the group are "spot" on.Great rhythm.Anything new yet with your new venture?Great summer to you also a great summer to you DJ-J5 Jacqui, as your friend and numba 1 fan..lol I just gotta tell you this gf...u rock !!! Fairy Dust Great music Jacqui I enjoyed listening. Greetings and best of luck !! Steve Morin & The Higgs Boson Project Very grooving tunage here! Top shelf! Well constructed songs....well performed....excellant musicianship....what else can I say! Ah yes! The lead is a gal! Does it get any better than that!? Hey....God bless! Roger Richey Great tracks! I also stepped back from music like you. Isn't it great to be doing what you love again? Wish you the best of luck! THE TIME BOMB Much thanks for the support & your awesome music xoxox smile emoticon THE TIME BOMB (almost 3 years ago) Awesome music & vocals Jacqui xo smile emoticon Eddie Ray Franks Jr Wishing much success with your music. Eddie Ray Xenophanes Productions Excellent. CHRISY D Hi Jacqui..Standin' All Alone has a wonderful beat!! Like it.Glad to see ya gettin' back into the sceen. I'm liking the sound of the guitar.Thanks for sharing:) ALL SOUNDS GREAT! hmm "Without You" NICE I will keep listening Yankee Rhoad This is way cool music my friend. Two thumbs up \m/ The gorgeous sound of Rickenbackers coming out of the aural dawn, a tight rhythm section. Soaring melodies & sumptuous vocals. Clever, creative & consumate songwriting. A hint of the 60's, a dash of pyschadelia. A small pinch of Mesey-beat with a garnish of power-pop. Light & airy and at times deep & delicious. The album Breathe Paradise is all this and more. It is a delight for the pop purveyor & a treat for the musical connoisseur. Each track is different in its own way yet the tracks progress through the album in a seemless manner. From the opening track "Touch Me Now" into the chart friendly "Lorraine, Lorraine" the album opens with a sound that welcomes the listener straight into this majestic mix of aural delight. The title track soars into a sonic stratosphere and then glides back to a sweetly chilled out resumption. There really is something for everyone on this album. It's a box of chocolate choonery that will have you dipping back in time & time again for more. VisionarySoundSystem (aka Drew Relf)