Eddi Reader

Eddi Reader

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 13, 1994)
• Original Release Date: September 13, 1994
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Reprise / Wea
• ASIN: B000002MT7
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #161,011 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Stateside listeners have scant knowledge of Scottish singer and songwriter Eddi Reader past her fleeting blip of recognition as the deliriously lovely voice of Fairground Attraction, which sneaked momentarily onto pop radar in the late '80s. That's more than a pity: Reader's vibrant mezzo soprano and finely detailed songs are emotionally engaging, ear-filling wonders, marked by a wonderful balance of vocal power and unalloyed feeling, and this, her failed bid at an American career, is proof positive. Its lovely mix of acoustic folk accents and pop bloom is the result of an unlikely gestation in Ojai, California, which says nothing about the music--what tells the tale are Reader's smart, tender songs, which capture romantic enchantment ("The Right Place") and disillusionment (the heartbreaking "Dear John") against bejewelled settings that place this squarely within the canon of the best British folk-pop. Think of Nick Drake's younger, saner sister, and you're on the right path. --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pleasant Detour, November 22, 2003

By	Kelly L. Norman "lil rock & roller" (Plymouth, MI United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this CD by mistake. I had heard part of Reader's "Footsteps Fall" from her other CD, "Simple Soul", on the radio program "Thistle & Shamrock." Not knowing the exact title, I assumed this was the recording on which I'd find it. But not finding that song didn't disappoint me too much once I'd heard the entire CD. In fact, a couple of cuts, especially "Right Place" and "Joke", are pop jewels.

Most of these songs have a thrust behind them, as if singer, band, and audience are on a journey at sea and the music skims quickly like a yacht in a race; or, at times, like in "Wonderful Lie" it ebbs and swells as if the journey has taken us to deep uncharted waters. Many of the songs are penned by Reader herself, or her partner, Boo Hewerdine. And they do tell of journeys and adventures in human relationships: bonds forged, infidelity, jealousy, attempts to reconcile, and regretful acceptance when one realizes one can't have what one wants.

And it is with the voice of a siren that Ms. Reader delivers this delightful itinerary. A Scottish brogue comfortable with country-hewn harmonies, and even a bit of Western swing, as in the song "Exception."

Weaknesses here, which are less noticeable in Reader's later recordings, are overproduction in some songs, such as "Wonderful Lie", and a bit of redundancy in the lyrics. An artist needs room to grow. And Reader continues to grow from this lovely stateside debut.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great storyteller with an angelic voice., December 12, 1999

By	Liz Williams (Utah) - See all my reviews

I bought this album after falling in love with the song "Nobody Lives Without Love" from the Batman Forever soundtrack. I was completely unprepared for the emotions this album elicited from me. Every song is beautifully written, and Eddi's voice can reduce me to tears. "Dear John" and "The Right Place" are favorites.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm a new fan!, May 22, 2000

By	"karenzpanickd" (Lake Charles, LA United States) - See all my reviews

I got this cd because I LOVE the song "The Right Place" from the movie "Bed of Roses." I didn't expect to like the rest of the cd so much, but I do! Her voice is lovely; the music has an ethereal quality. I find myself listening to it over and over. I don't know why I've never heard her on the radio; a voice like this shouldn't be overlooked. I will definitely be buying more of her music.