Eddi Reader

Infobox musical artist
Name = Eddi Reader
Img_capt = Eddi Reader during the "Sings the Songs of Robert Burns" album photoshoot (2003)
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Sadenia Reader
Born = birth date and age|1959|8|29|df=y
Origin = Glasgow, Scotland
Instrument = vocals, acoustic guitar, concertina, harmonica, piano, ukulele
Genre = Pop, Folk
Occupation = Singer, songwriter, musician
Years_active = 1984 - present
Label = RCA Blanco y Negro Rough Trade Compass
Associated_acts = Fairground Attraction
URL = [http://www.eddireader.co.uk/ Official Website]
Notable_instruments =

Eddi Reader MBE (born Sadenia Reader, 29 August 1959) is a Scottish singer, known both for her work with Fairground Attraction and for an enduring solo career, which in 2003 saw her showcase the works of Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns.

Early career

Reader was born in Glasgow, the daughter of a welder, and the eldest of seven children (her brother, Francis, is vocalist with the band Trashcan Sinatras). Living at first in a two-bedroomed flat, the family was re-housed in Irvine, Ayrshire; however, Reader returned to Glasgow (where she lived with her grandmother) in order to finish her schooling. She began playing the guitar at the age of ten, and started her musical career busking, first in Glasgow's Sauchiehall Street, then in the early 1980s around Europe (where she also worked with circus and performance artists).

Back in Scotland, she joined the punk band Gang of Four as a backing singer which led to her first U.S. tour. Back in the UK, after leaving the band she started working as a session vocalist in London, singing with such acts as Eurythmics and Alison Moyet.

Fairground Attraction

In 1984, Reader sang for a brief time with disco group Outbar Squeek. Around the same time she teamed up with Mark E. Nevin, a guitarist and songwriter, to record a few of his songs. They subsequently formed Fairground Attraction, together with Simon Edwards (guitarrón — a Mexican acoustic bass guitar) and Roy Dodds (drums & percussion). In 1988 the band released their first single, "Perfect", which became a UK number one, winning best single at the 1989 BRIT Awards. Their first album, "The First of a Million Kisses", was also a success, reaching number two in the UK Albums Chart, and winning best album at the 1989 Brits.

This success was short-lived, however. In November, 1989, after a break, during which Reader had her first child, Charlie, with her French-Algerian partner Milou, Mark Nevin abandoned a recording session for the second album, which eventually led to the splitting of the band. A makeshift second album, a collection of B-sides and live tracks, "Ay Fond Kiss", was rushed out the following year.

olo career

Reader returned to Scotland, but before she embarked on her solo career she took a temporary detour into acting. She played Jolene Jowett, a singer and accordionist, in John Byrne's "Your Cheatin' Heart", a comedy-drama series for BBC Television, set in the country music scene in Scotland.

Returning to London, Reader worked on new material with a backing band calling itself The Patron Saints of Imperfection (made up of Roy Dodds, Neill and Calum MacColl, and Phil Steriopoulos). This became her first solo album, recorded for RCA Records: 1992's "Mirmama". It was followed by "Eddi Reader" (1994), which won her the "Best female singer" BRIT Award that year, "Candyfloss and Medicine" (1996), "Angels & Electricity" (1998), "Simple Soul" (2001) and "Driftwood" (2002) - a "homegrown" release of songs recorded during the "Simple Soul" sessions. During this time, Reader also recorded the song "Ocean Love" for the soundtrack of the animated film "Help! I'm a Fish" (2001). Reader also contributed vocals to one of Big Country's final singles before Stuart Adamson's death, "Fragile Thing."

Reader continued to tour (England, Scotland, Japan, Australia, Spain, the United States, and Ireland). In 2003, she recorded her album of material by Robert Burns, with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, leading to good reviews and an international resurgence in interest in Scotland's "bard".

She spent April 2006 touring Australia with Boo Hewerdine and Alan Kelly, following the release of "St Clare's Night Out: Live at The Basement", with Australian acts such as David Hosking invited to open the concerts.

Her eighth studio album "Peacetime" was released in the UK on 29 January 2007 on the Rough Trade record label. Produced by fellow Scottish folk musician, John McCusker, the album features a few Burns composed songs, alongside brand new material with longtime collaborator Boo Hewerdine and Trashcan Sinatras' John Douglas. Reader promoted the album with a fifteen date UK tour.

In spring 2008, Reader was a special guest at the Hotel Cafe Tour hosted by Tom McRae. In late summer, she revealed on her official MySpace blog that she will be performing in upcoming period-drama Me and Orson Welles, directed by Richard Linklater and starring Zac Efron, Christian McKay and Claire Danes. Reader will perform re-arranged, 1930s standards, with Jools Holland. Reader has previously collaborated with Holland on the single "Waiting Game." The film is expected to be released in 2009.

Her ninth studio album "Love is the Way" will be released on 3 March 2009. In a special arrangement with record label Rough Trade she will be selling an exclusive, pre-released and minimally-packaged version of the disc on her autumn UK tour in October and November. The album, which will only be available at venues until the official release, will be sold in a wallet with the official release expected to have more detailed artwork and packaging.

Support for the upcoming, 19 date tour will be provided by Lucy Wainwright Roche, daughter of Loudon Wainwright III and Suzzy Roche of The Roches.

Awards

The Robert Burns project saw Reader awarded an MBE for outstanding contributions to the arts in the New Year's honours list of 2006.

In May 2007 she was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Strathclyde.

Later that year she was recognised for her contributions to music and to the education and encouragement of young musicians with an honorary doctorate and a Doctor of Letters from Glasgow Caledonian University.

In June 2008 she received another doctorate for her musical work, this time from the University of Stirling.

Discography

* "Mirmama" (1992) UK #34
* "Eddi Reader" (1994) UK #4
* "Candyfloss and Medicine" (1996) UK #24
* "Angels & Electricity" (1998) UK #49
* "Simple Soul" (2001) UK #92
* "Driftwood" (2001)
* "Sings the Songs of Robert Burns" (2003) UK #86
* "Peacetime" (2007) UK #93
* "Love is the Way" (2009)

Live albums

* "Eddi Reader Live" (2001)
* "Eddi Reader Live: Edinburgh" (2003)
* "Eddi Reader Live: Newcastle" (2003)
* "Eddi Reader Live: Leeds" (2003
* "Eddi Reader Live: London" (2003)
* "St Clare's Night Out: Live at The Basement" (2006)
* "Port Fairy Folk Festival" (2008)

Fairground Attraction

* "First of a Million Kisses" (1988)
* "Ay Fond Kiss" (1990)
* "Kawasaki - Live In Japan 02.07.89" (2003)
* "The Very Best of Fairground Attraction" (2004)

External links

* [http://www.eddireader.co.uk/ Official website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/eddireader Official MySpace site]