Eddi Reader – Cavalier
Reveal Records – 28 September 2018
More years ago than I care to remember, a dear friend introduced me to Eddi Reader’s first solo album, Mirmama. I was immediately transfixed by her truly beautiful re-working of Si Khan’s What You Do With What You’ve Got, subsequently marvelled at her vocal range in Fred Neil‘s Dolphins, and in awe of her own skill as a lyricist in Cinderella’s Downfall. Mirmama was released in 1992, this year Eddi Reader marks her 40th year as a performer with the release of an equally enthralling new album – Cavalier.
Eddi started singing in public in Ayrshire and Glasgow folk clubs in the late 1970’s. She soon moved to London in search of work as a session singer, a move which saw her work alongside Gang of Four, Alison Moyet and The Eurythmics. It was with Fairground Attraction‘s huge hit, Perfect, that Eddi started to make a UK-wide impact. The band’s debut album, The First of a Million Kisses, reached number two in the album charts, and won Best Album in the 1989 Brit Awards. The album was a kaleidoscope of country, folk and jazz and ever since, Eddi’s music has remained a colourful, constantly changing, fascinating mix of styles.
Cavalier offers just such a mix, with traditional songs, covers, and new compositions by Eddi, her husband John Douglas (Trash Can Sinatras), and Boo Hewerdine. The album opens with a return to traditional song in Maiden’s Lament (An Charraig Donn). As with everything Eddi sings, there’s a personal connection to this song as it was discovered, along with others on the album, after the passing of her great-uncle. Described by Eddi as a song about “Women waiting for men to come back from murdering other men”, the soft, sleepy qualities of Eddi’s vocal are enhanced by Martin Kershaw‘s clarinet and a singing sisterhood of Eddi, Siobhan Miller and Annie Grace. Maiden’s Lament gives the album a beautiful start, and introduces some of the fine friends, far too many to list here in detail, that joined Eddi during the recording sessions at Glasgow’s Gloworm studios. Those sessions were all recorded live over the course of 2017, and with the likes of John McCusker, Ian Carr and Michael McGoldrick on board, it pays to keep things real.
Continuing in the trad vein; based on a brace of Robert Tannahill poems, Meg O’ The Glen adds an irresistible canter and is perfectly paired with Brand Stubbert’s Reel. The Loch Tay Boat Song is dedicated to the memory of guitarist Davey Steele (who recorded the song on his Chasing Shadows album), with Eddi’s languid vocal and Steve Hamilton‘s piano weaving a tranquil spell. John Douglas contributed a few extra lines to the story of The Scholar and His Cat, for the jaunty Pangur Bán And The Primrose Lass and a gorgeous instrumental bridge that sees McCusker & Goldrick joined by Alan Kelly‘s accordion. It’s with the evocative Deirdre’s Farewell To Scotland, though, that the extent of Eddi’s flair for arrangements really shines. This is the second time recently that I’ve seen my favourite legend (The Three Sons of Usnach), brought to life in song. Eddi’s ethereal vocal is a haunting sea breeze above the rolling waves of Euan Burton‘s bass and Steve Hamilton‘s piano, as fluid and enchanting as the most inspired improvisations. In the song, which was first performed on Radio Scotland’s Quay Sessions in 2016, the exiled Deirdre thanks the land that saved her; and Eddi draws parallels with the hardships endured by refugees making their way to the hope of a safe haven in Europe.
Wonderful presents a contrast so stark you’d barely believe it was on the same album, but Eddi’s distinctive vocal skips along happily and gives the game away. Written by Eddi with husband, John, it’s a delightful piece of pop that explores the joys of abandoning control. From a similar creative base comes John’s own song, and the album’s title track, Cavalier; given a more raucous edge by James Grant‘s guitar and some lovely, punchy brass.
The mood mellows once again, and an element of soft jazz is introduced, for My Favourite Dress. Composed by Eddi, John and music producer Simon Dine (Adventures in Stereo), and sung by Eddi with a gorgeous, softly building fervour; it’s heart-rending, a piano-led song about a woman lost in dementia, but still living her past
“I want to walk Argyle Street / one more time, for you / and turn their heads”.
Boo Hewerdine’s Starlight features a rich chorus of male voices (The Keynotes) and comes waltzing to us straight from a glittering ballroom. The soft drums, clarinet, Boo’s beautifully light touch on guitar and, of course, Eddi’s soft enchanting voice evoke images of two dancers, lost in their own rapture of movement, music and love.
Two of Eddi’s own compositions also shine. With Innes White‘s gentle folk guitar, Go Wisely serves as a reminder that kids will grow up, it’s what they do. Eddi Reader is living proof, though, that they’re never too old to help or to sing to. There’s A Hole In The Desert Dear Darling was written in tribute to her former partner Milou Bessa. Quirky on the surface, but dig a little deeper to unearth a gem.
Fishing is a song from John Douglas that takes us firmly into the territory of Caledonian Soul in a song about how hope perseveres and seems to relish mesmerising interplay between bass, sax and trumpet. John’s Maid O’ The Loch features Phil Cunningham and was performed with Eddi at a benefit for the paddle steamer ‘Maid o’ the Loch’ – moored at Loch Lomond and in desperate need of restoration (http://www.maidoftheloch.org/). John was also inspired by one of Phil Cunningham’s own melodies, performed during his popular Christmas Party gigs, A Sailor’s Farewell To The Sea – an irresistible sing-along where drummer Louis Linklater Abbott‘s harmonies are a perfect match.
Which brings us to the album’s closing song, and another perfect match – Eddi’s Reader’s passionate approach to song, and the songs of Robert Burns. Her 2003 album celebrating those songs marked her return to Glasgow, from London; was internationally acclaimed, and performed; and was more than likely a major factor in her being awarded the MBE in 2006 for services to singing. Cavalier brings us one more Burns song – A Man’s A Man For A’ That. One of many politically charged songs by Burns, it’s a joy to hear Eddi sing this at last. The style is typically contemporary and laid-back, but still, when she sings Burns, every single time she sings Burns, there’s a quiet devotion in the delivery that has no comparison.
That could, in fact, summarise just what is so irresistible about Eddi’s voice. She sings with a gentle passion that you draw in like a soft breath of clear, fresh air. Every genre she performs, she’s totally comfortable. This is an album that moves in several directions, and each time it’s a journey of discovery. After almost 40 years as a performer, Cavalier proves that Eddi Reader’s talent as a singer, arranger and writer has never diminished, her music shines bright as ever.
Mirmama is one of those albums I’ve had to buy a few times – it’s lent out and subsequently disappears (no surprise, really). I’ve just checked, looks like I need to buy it again. I’ll be holding on to Cavalier, though, go and buy your own.
Live Dates
Eddi plays the following intimate UK October concerts, which are on sale this week (details of Scottish, Irish and international shows to follow soon).
18/10 Southport Atkinson
19/10 Bewdley Festival
21/10 London Bush Hall
22/10 Worthing Pavilion Theatre
23/10 Basingstoke Haymarket
25/10 Leeds City Varieties
26/10 Gateshead Sage
27/10 Sheffield Firth Hall
Tickets from
www.thegigcartel.com/artists-
http://www.eddireader.co.uk/
New album Cavalier is released September 28th on Reveal Records strictly limited edition blue vinyl LP/CD https://revealrecords.
Photo Credit: Genevieve Stevenson