EDDI READER WEAVES HER MUSICAL TAPESTRY AT HOLMIRTH PICTURE DOME, HOLMIRTH UK 8TH OCTOBER 2022 Holmfirth Picture dome

October 12, 2022
UK Concert Reviews
by Billy Seagrave Photographer/Writer

“If You Have Never Seen Eddi Reader, You Must, For Me She Is Simply A National Treasure And One Of The Best Female Vocalists Of All Time”

Holmfirth Picture Dome is the venue for Billy Seagrave who has hopped over the Pennines to catch the enigmatic Eddi Reader in concert.

Jill Jackson is the perfect support act for Eddi Reader. She has toured with her previously and is an acclaimed and award-winning singer-songwriter in her own right.

From the moment she stepped on stage Jill built an instant rapport with the capacity audience with her often self-effacing, but always witty, repartee. Her latest album “Are we there yet”? Produced with Boo Hewerdine, who has worked and produced on many of Eddi readers albums.

I particularly enjoyed the title track and the whimsical “Are We Nearly There”; a track recalling childhood holidays in Blackpool, when her father used to play a Buddy Holly cassette endlessly in the car. The same memories inspired her final song tonight a cover of “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore”.

Her sensitive and sympathetic storytelling, heart-rending vocals, and sheer love of Americana music, have earned her a loyal fan base around the world and not surprisingly, drawn comparisons to the likes of Brandi Carlile and Joni Mitchell. A natural born storyteller and award-winning artist, Jill effortlessly marries swinging American charm with Scottish heart.

Eddi Reader grew up in Glasgow and Irvine, Scotland and it was in those towns that she learned to use music as a vehicle for communicating with others through busking and performing at the local folk clubs. In the early 1980s, Eddi travelled around Europe with circus and performance artists before moving to London where she quickly became a sought-after session vocalist. She famously harmonized with Annie Lennox touring with the Eurythmics, after her time with successful punk outfit Gang of Four. It was the short-lived but warmly remembered Fairground Attraction that really brought her into the limelight and to the attention of a much wider audience. The single “Perfect” and parent album “First of a Million Kisses” both topped the British charts.

So, I made the hop over the Pennine border to Holmfirth, and the splendid Holmfirth Picture Dome, that is a little gem of a venue. This is a sold-out gig, and the crowds are queuing well before the doors are opened. I make no secret of having seen Eddi on many occasions, so I know what a special evening this will be.

Eddi Reader is best known as the voice of Fairground Attraction, she offers far more as a performer, her vocal range is powerful, her harmonies are sublime, and simply drags you in, its her stage presence and the way she tells her stories that have you captivated. Once again, we were regaled with many a tale of her family and growing up in Glasgow.

One thing I have found out over the years is Eddi never has a set list, quite simply she is able to draw from such a wonderful tapestry of music that has developed over a 40 + year span, what you can be certain of, whatever is chosen has a story, one which adds more emphasis to its delivery.

We open with “The Moon is Mine”, Fairground Attraction straight off the bat, instantly the audience are in singalong mode, “Kiteflyers Hill”, is introduced as a personal favourite and of love long lost. Explaining her love of Fairgrounds and in particular fortune tellers, leads us into “Fairground Attraction”. There is no doubting that Eddi’s voice is one of the best and how she delivers a tune is mesmerising. I think that she would be one of the first to recognise the support she has on stage, that quite simply compliment, but bring out the best from Eddi. John Douglas Eddi’s husband of 10 years is on Ukulele and guitar, Alan Kelly on Accordion, Kevin Maguire on Double Bass, and finally Boo Hewerdine on Guitar and vocals. No fancy lighting, just a simple but magical set up that allows everything to flow so easily to a very attentive audience.

“Baby’s Boat”, has a very up lifting story as to why it was being aired tonight, a belief in good people and hope for the future. Eddi Introduces Jill Jackson onto stage as help with Fairground Attractions hit “Find my love”, which actually went up another level, both vocals and harmonies from two powerhouse performers was exceptional, Eddi asking Jackson to stay on stage and a tribute to Olivia Newton John, “The banks of the Ohio”, has the audience in fine voice. As the songs keep coming, Eddi asks Boo Hewerdine to perform one of his own songs, and we where treated to “The night is Young”, Boo has a great way with words and also has a remarkable voice and delivery, you could of heard a pin drop as the audience held on every word, next up was “Patience of Angels”, written by Boo, made famous by Eddi, Eddi making way for Boo to take the lead and Eddi providing the harmonies.

Eddi tells the audience that the next song was written for her by her husband who wanted to declare his love in a song, “Wild mountainside”, is a beautiful piece of work which saw them duet the song which was fabulous. “Charlie is my Darling”, written by Robbie Burns lights up the crowd as a mass sing along is encouraged from all those on stage.

Eddi tells another story about her dada and how he was the ultimate Elvis fan, that comically let us into the biggest hit of her career “Perfect”, and it really was. Once again, the crowd are in their element.

For the final song we are brought back to her early days growing up in Glasgow and family parties and all they threw up, delivering this story like she was performing at the Globe theatre, introducing family, and friends in character ahs the place in uproar, as the crowd are urged to usher the ghost of Eddi’s mum Jean on stage to sing her favourite song at one of those fabulous parties. This we duly did, eventually, we are rewarded with a spellbinding and spinetingling version of “Moon River”, whilst staying completely in character, must be the highlight on a set that has lasted 1 hour 40 minutes of pure joy. As she came on stage, she leaves with an appreciative wave with rapturous applause ringing from the audience.

If you have never seen Eddi Reader, you must, for me she is simply a national treasure and one of the best female vocalists of all time.