Any release from Eddi Reader is a gift to admirers of crafted, thoughtful, and emotive music. 40 years into her lauded career, she continues to produce material that can make the listener smile or cry, but always connects with her audience. This release is no different. Ostensibly it’s a collection of songs that were recorded at the time of her ‘Vagabond’ and ‘Cavalier’ Albums but didn’t make the final albums.
This is no reflection of the quality of the songs, merely that they didn’t fit in neatly to the flow of the pieces involved. The twelve tracks taken together form a fine cohesive album on their own. Eddi’s albums have reflected her quite eclectic taste in genres, Folk, pop, torch songs, jazz, and big band, which have all found a place in her wonderful body of work. On this album, we have a collection of self-penned, traditional, and carefully selected covers.
Instrumentation is kept simple, allowing Eddi’s vocals to take centre stage as they should.
Gerry Rafferty’s beautiful message of support to an older friend, who feels life may have passed her:
Mary Skeffington, when you wake
You mustn’t be afraid to face another day
Think of what you have, you’ll get by
You’ve always been a lady so hold your head up high.
The song requires a sympathetic reading, and Eddi’s voice oozes empathy
‘Mary Skeffington’ is one of the most loved in the much missed Rafferty’s canon, and Eddie gives it the simple, poignant treatment it deserves. On the traditional songs, Eddi’s voice could command the Albert Hall, yet here feels as homely as if she’s singing in the local pub. Her faithful, warm, and emotive rendition of ‘Love is Pleasing’ is a case in point.
Her versatility is quite evident too, and her command of that laid-back jazz feel is unmistakable on songs such as ‘Fools Rush In’ and ‘April Blues’. One also wonders why writer Boo Hewerdine is not a household name, given the quality of his writing.
The highlight is always Eddi’s soft, emotive vocals, which can shapeshifter to enhance any genre of music.
It’s far from perfect, I could have done a few more up-tempo tunes, but there’s plenty here to delight and beguile fans and casual listeners alike.