Eddi Reader's rare blend of meltingly true vocals and towering romanticism combine with an astute and pragmatic nature to make her a unique and powerful figure in contemporary British music. She has effortlessly developed into one of popular music's most thrilling and affecting performers.
Whilst the perfection of her technique is widely acknowledged, what sets Reader apart is the depth and quality of the emotional performance; her ability not only to move the listener but to connect her experience to that of her audience. Her passion and instinct move people in a way reminiscent of those who have influenced her work.
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Eddi grew up in Glasgow and it was there that she learned to use music as a vehicle for communicating with others. In the early 1980s, Eddi traveled around Europe with circus and performance artists before moving to London where she quickly became a sought after session vocalist. She famously harmonised with Annie Lennox touring with the Eurythmics after her time with successful punk outfit Gang of Four. It was the short-lived but warmly remembered Fairground Attraction that really brought her into the limelight and to the attention of a much wider audience. The single 'Perfect' and parent album First of a Million Kisses both topped the British charts.
However, it was perhaps the four subsequent albums which signalled her increasing ability to assimilate different musical styles and make them all very much her own. Her unerring instinct for fine material, whether self penned, collaborative or a carefully chosen cover version resulted in Mirmama (1992), Eddi Reader (1994) and Candyfloss & Medicine (1996). Having built on this considerable body of work, Eddi then delivered Angels & Electricity (1998) - an album which she expertly co-produced with her long term musical partner Boo Hewerdine. The album included compositions and collaborations with former Fairground Attraction colleagues as well as Neill and Calum MacColl, sons of Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger. To her pride and delight, the much respected songwriter Ron Sexsmith composed a song just for her. |
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One of Eddi's recent releases, Simple Soul (2001/Rough Trade) was described by The Independent as, 'the fully-fledged emergence of a songwriting talent'. Since the release of Simple Soul in 2001 Eddi Reader has toured in England, Scotland, Japan, Australia, Spain, USA and Ireland, collecting rave reviews from every performance.
In spring 2003 she recorded and released an album of material by 18th century Scottish poet Robert Burns with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Eddi Reader Sings the Songs of Robert Burns. She performed these songs at the Burns festival in Ayr in 2002 and 2004. Michael Tumelty of the Glasgow Herald wrote of her performance in Ayr, 'By any measure this was a great vocal performance and writing this 36 hours later, I'm still haunted by the sound and emotional depth of Reader's interpretation.' She further performed the songs of Robert Burns in two sell-out shows at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and a sell-out UK tour in 2003. The album has gone on to receive rare reviews in the UK and abroad.
USA Today - 'Reader's elegant renderings of such songs as 'My Love is like a Red Red Rose' and 'Jamie Come Try Me' seem fresh and magical.'
She is currently promoting her album of material by 18th century Scottish poet Robert Burns that she recorded with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and released in Spring 2003. She performed these songs at the Burns festival in Ayr in 2002 and 2004. Michael Tumelty of the Glasgow Herald wrote of her performance in Ayr, 'By any measure this was a great vocal performance and writing this 36 hours later, I'm still haunted by the sound and emotional depth of Reader's interpretation.' She further performed the songs of Robert Burns in two sell-out shows at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and a sell-out UK tour in 2003. The album has gone on to receive rare reviews in the UK and abroad.