Customer Reviews

Peacetime

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Stunning recording. I bawled my eyes out. The sentiments are wistful and sad and sweetly delivered. Isn't that the yin-yan perfection that makes the heart ache? Consistent from beginning to end, with nary a clunker (first time ever for her, though she's never had many clunkers). She discovered the most lovely-with-heartsickness Burns poem ever in "Aye Waukin-O" (always awake) and made a charming tune to go with it.

I always find songs about finding a true home and being promised care and protection to be the most moving, and "The Shepherd's Song" is one of those songs. Maybe such songs are so moving because we know that--in this life at least--we can never be guaranteed either.

The other tracks that got 5 stars in my iTunes library were "Should I Pray?", "The Afton", and "Peacetime." All of these songs are about the scary side of something beautiful, about lost and compromised goodness, and the yearning for things many of us desire most: pure intentions, restored nature, and especially peace.

Perhaps if Eddi Reader had stuck to pop, she might just about be remembered as the crystalline-voiced housewives' choice who topped the pop charts in 1988 with Fairground Attraction's Perfect. However, she has displayed remarkable longevity by moving between other genres. Her latest show skips from pop (Perfect, Patience of Angels) to Celtic folk and Lucinda Williams-style country rock, songs by Robert Burns and, on her new album Peacetime, songs that hopefully suggest alternatives to pelting the world with bombs.

The timeless redhead's constant is her voice - which, at 47, sounds even more crystalline and perfect than ever. However, Reader's trump card is a salacious down-to-earth wit that allows her to take her audience with her. Perhaps Burns's 18th-century Brose and Butter might seem a little highbrow if Reader didn't helpfully explain that it's about masturbation. "The boys are going to fire away at it," she shrieks.
The "boys" are a consummate band, including Fairground drummer Roy Dodds, longtime cohort Boo Hewerdine and folk protege Kris Drever, who provide the butt for Reader's saucy jokes and handle the Glaswegian's moods with note-perfect precision.

Prisons is a shimmering pop wonder. Declan O'Rourke's Galileo is a spine-tingling love song. The Afton, from her new album, is a stirring homage to an Ayrshire river which remains beautiful "even with the trolleys and nappies".

A spectacular scat remodel of Elvis Presley's Mystery Train suggests yet another new direction. However, it is perhaps most wonderful to see her fail to keep a straight face singing Burns's Charlie Is My Darling, a traditional, stirring, romantic stomp about, according to Reader, "how easy it is to make love in a kilt".

Eddi Reader's last album, a tribute to Robert Burns was not only highly acclaimed; it also cemented the great singer's position as a true stalwart within the UK music scene.

Always humble and a favourite on the live circuit, she recently supported Willie Nelson, playing with Sharron Shannon's Big Band.

"Peacetime" is her sixth solo album and it's another stirring and personal collection.

The tracks have an authentic appeal as Eddi has chosen to work with traditional folk musicians, such as John McCusker. Stunning versions of Mary And The Soldier and Aye Waukin-O reminds you of how timeless folk music can be, if produced with as much as heart and soul as this.

Fans of Reader's writing though need never fear as she has penned some verses for Robert Burns' "Leezie Lindsay".

She has developed a real affinity for Burns' work and delivers, yet again with real panache and makes the song her own.

She is backed by some fine musicians who give the album the traditional feel, even on the more contemporary tracks.

Eddi's own "Safe As Houses" sounds like it was written years ago. Her soft vocals work wonderfully well, at creating an image in your mind of a long winter evening, warmed by her recognisable honeyed delivery.

The title track builds slowly, filling mind with imagery, yet again. That is the great things about this album; it lives on in your mind as all great music should do.

Sure, there is nothing here to match the foot tapping excellence that is, You're Welcome, Willie Stewart - a particular live favourite ( check her "Live: London 05.06.03" or " St Clare's Night Out: Eddi Reader Live at the Basement " ).

Also the style Eddi tends to adopt here lacks the variety of previous albums. But with folk music, more popular than ever, she has taken the baton and ran with it.

She does the genre justice and "Peacetime" whets your appetite for more live shows, which is where this artist, truly is perfect.

Eddi continues to pay tribute to traditional Scottish words and music, but also seamlessly mixes in new music by frequent collaborators. It's all typically gorgeous. There's no better voice in music and her taste in material is unerring. "Ye Banks and Braes O' Bonnie Doon" joins the ranks of my all time favorite Eddi cuts. Glorious.

Peacetime sees Eddi Reader delving into the songs of Celtic Mystic and delivering a very fine album. The album is indeed littered with musical gems from start to finish. As a collection it is a very well-balanced affair with older tracks such as 'Aye Waulkin-O' and 'Leezie Lindsay' complimented with modern days tracks like the sublime 'Galileo', 'Muddy Water' and 'Peacetime'. It is a very emotional collection that tugs at the heart-strings. Music as it should be - heart-warming and honest.

I've been a fan of Eddi Reader ever since I first heard her glorious cover of "Nobody Lives Without Love" on the Batman Forever soundtrack. (this was the mid-90's) I spent that summer back in the UK with my grandparents. While everyone else was reveling in Seal's "Kiss From a Rose" (and rightly so) I immediately went out hunting for more of Eddi Reader's music.

Rummaging through a used records bin in Dorking I came across her self-titled album. From "Patience of Angels" to "Siren", and every song in between, I didn't think it could get any better than that! I was so glad to finally have this music in my life.

Actually, I'd been a fan longer than I knew only I didn't know it. Turns out the heavenly voice coming through my speakers was the same voice that I loved during my childhood, when Fairground Attraction put out "Perfect" and "Find My Love". It was like coming full circle.

So, fast forward almost 20 years and Eddi has released her best record yet. Each listen and it still remains fresh and inspiring. The arrangements, the songwriting, the brilliant interpretations of traditional tunes... it truly doesn't get any better than this!

Much stronger album than some of her recent ones. I lost interest in Eddi after Simple Soul - she was boring.
This new album has some great songs in the folk style but who cares about musical categories? What a thrill to rediscover her voice again after half a decade of not listening! I echo somewhat the reviewer who wishes she'd tour outside of England. Come to Australia Eddi, you'll find an audience.

Now I must go and search out that Burns album she put out a few years back that all you people keep talking about....

I can't emphasize enough how great this CD is, SO out-of-body experience great, greater than Fairground Attraction even. I think that those people who made comments about its 'folk' based genre missed the point: we KNOW Eddi sings great, but this one also has great SONGS all over it; that it was perhaps largely inspired or focused by, folk music is immaterial. That Eddi is now truly as great or even greater than she's ever been, must truly be a satisfying accomplishment for her. Maybe John Douglas' 3 all-time classic songs from the past 2 CD's helped push her over the top--"Wild Mountainside," "Prisons," and "Should I Pray?" But she now knows I'm sure that no one does what she does better than she does it. Bleep Amazon that this tape didn't make their Top 100 CD's of the year: you see, in my less than intelligent country, one has to make room for Hilary Duff and Britney. (shudders).

For those, like me not long ago, who are now 'catching up' on the Eddi Reader solo tapes we've missed, I'd like to warn though, that some of those are much more ordinary, more fair to good than great. R n R history it appears is replete with singers from great groups who go on to make less great solo tapes (like, er, Paul Weller? anyone), and until her recent artistic triumphs--especially this one, I can see how people might have included Eddi into that group. One has to think back to the 90's to remember the context of those releases: you had the riot grrls, hip-hop like TLC and gangstar rap, you had those horrid Seattle things that drove Crowded House and R.E.M. off the radio, and you had Lillith performers. This, I guess is the genre that Eddi usually had in mind with releases such as "Mirmama" and "Candyfloss and Medicine" (surprisingly bad); "Eddi Reader" (not bad); and "Angels and Electricity" (not good)-with the exception of course of the Ron Sexsmith song "On a Whim" which critics would fall all over themselves had it appeared on a CD of a critics darling such as Cat Power or P.J. or Liz or whoever--and yes, would in and of itself, justify the purchase of that CD. Whoever listened back and decided to keep Eddi's laugh near the end of that song (amongst the ghost woo-woo background voices) deserves SUCH a pat on the back, it's profound, because really that song does not have to be all fragile and vulnerable like an Amy Winehouse suffering song, but more like Brian Wilson's "Don't Worry Baby," there's some yin there to balance; I mean the words are "It's a cold and raining day, but it feels so RIGHT, to be out on a limb..."(not on a ledge, and gosh if Scottish people don't pronounce 'limb' like 'lamb') Right? Like there's a connection maybe between dissatisfaction or an outsider's perspective to creativity and change that I think the modern day Eddi would bring out more defiantly. Yes, of course, she still sang great back then--how could she not? and her lyrics have that kind of Costello intelligence to them and are usually interesting. But she can't really write songs. Not very well, anyway, although yes, she still received help from others, notably from Mark Nevin. I also see Kristy MacColl's name on one, and Sexsmith, and Boo Hewerdin (man, it's really an embarrassment of my life to admit that I never associated Fairground Attraction or Eddi with Scotland...until the Burns tribute CD...ohhhh!). So, while yes these efforts might compare favorably to the Cowboy Junkies or Lone Justice--whom I and a lot of people maybe bought one CD from--each, they are far from the upper Lillith people like Sarah Mac and Suzanne Vega. I mean I LOVE Eddi, but I got to admit it. Many of these 90's songs meander. They are "atmospheric" if that means, less than classic songwriting, you know, cool sounds and mood rather than hooks: which is to say they have 'bum' even 'boring' songs. They lack the authority and skill of "Peacetime." [So Buy this one already. You'll love it].

As a side-bar, I--slow to catch onto things apparently like my country--the U.S.?, rediscovered by connection, the Trashcan Sinatras (remember "Obscurity Knocks"?), who now I also have to rebuy a number of CD's which I didn't know existed (after the first 2). I am running out of Eddi tapes to buy, and frankly, leary of repeating the disappointment that came with buying "Miramama" and "Candyfloss & Medicine." So, could some Eddi expert please advise me: are "Driftwood" and "A Simple Soul" worth it? I mean, are they better than those 2? Thanks very much!

If you've never heard Eddi sing, you've been missing a major talent.

Her last CD was a tribute to the poet Robert Burns, and while that may sound like a career's death knell, it was well worth owning and hearing.

Her work with Fairground Attraction was extraordinary, and live recordings, often with Boo Hewerdine and Clive Gregson, have her belting out songs with all the gusto she can muster.

She's the kind of artist whose talent will hook you immediately.

I wish she would come to the States and blow more people away!