Tonight is a superb example of what makes Eddi Reader such a consummate performer over the many years that she has been regaling us with her superior vocal talents and witty tales of all that keeps us human. Her generosity of spirit and her joy of life are so apparent throughout the concert and are to be embraced and celebrated. She has the capacity audience in the palm of her hand from the outset and her four piece band rise to the occasion in delivering wonderfully nuanced expertise in the musicianship. John Douglas (guitars), Boo Hewerdine (guitar), Alan Kelly (accordion) and Kevin McGuire (upright bass) shine throughout the evening.
It's a captivating performance from beginning to end with Eddi completely immersed in the music, playing imaginary violin and using her arms in expressive movement to the rich melodies of her band. Her stories of growing up in Glasgow and regular family parties delight the audience, with hilarious memories of drunken uncles and scattered aunts, together with neighbours adding plenty of colour in song. Of course, in the late 1980s she starred as the key figure in Fairground Attraction and their run of success included some great hits such as Perfect, and Find My Love, both of which are performed tonight. Eddi also includes another old favourite from those times in Comedy Waltz as she remembers touting their acoustic songs around record labels who were more interested in techno and drum machines at the time.
Eddi is also a great proponent of Scottish heritage and her song interpretations of the poetry of Robert Burns, for example, are wrapped in loving reverence. Traditional songs like Charly Is My Darling and Leezie Lindsay pay due reverence and tribute to her roots and influences, with her Scottish brogue emphasising the joy of the culture and history. When it comes to exploring emotions and sensitivities of the heart there are no better examples than the songs Patience Of Angels and Kiteflyer’s Hill. Both songs date back to early releases in the 1990s and give insight into love lost, with innocence and dreams abandoned. Is there a better description of the isolation and loneliness of urban life, and feeling anonymous, than the lines ‘There's a door in a wall, in a house in a street, In a town where no-one knows her name, She's the patience of angels.’
The song I Won’t Stand In Your Way was written by John Douglas after he reflected upon his sons pulling away from the guiding hand of parents and Eddi admits that she struggles to get through the emotion of the song at times. Other highlights are the trio of songs, Hummingbird, Vagabonds and Dragonflies; all received with great enthusiasm and played with great reverence, the lines from the latter song reminding us to try and live in the moment ‘As soon as we're here, we disappear, like dragonflies.’
Boo Hewerdine is such a talented musician, songwriter and producer in his own right, and Eddi highlights his contributions, giving him the spotlight to perform The Night Is Young. There is also reference to Donald Trump and the fact that his mother hailed from Scotland. Mary MacLeod left her homeland in 1930 and Eddi takes her subsequent actions in America as an unfortunate influence and something that Scotland regrets. Other stories of Elvis Presley and her father’s love of his music are part of the overall fun on the evening. Finishing the show with a beautiful performance of Moon River sees Eddi acting the role of an aunt at one of her family gatherings, pretending to drink a brandy and smoke a cigarette while being urged to sing. She is a natural of course and has the audience joining in the dynamic as she includes snatches of the song Secret Lover into her performance. There is no encore but after two hours of such engaging performance nobody is disappointed and the standing ovation from the captivated crowd is enough proof that Eddi Reader continues to hold a special place in the hearts of the Irish people. Long may she continue to entertain and inspire. A very special show.
Eddi’s husband, John Douglas, opened the show with a six-song set. His sweetly textured vocal blends so perfectly with his dextrous and understated guitar skills and it set the perfect atmosphere for what followed A new song that John wrote for Eddi is played and Still Or Sparkling references the time before they married, and is performed with great élan. The other songs played are all included on John’s solo album which is on sale in the foyer after the show. A cover of the Paddy McAloon song We Let The Stars Go is particularly memorable and sits nicely alongside Maid O The Lough, The Sleeping Policeman, Weightlifting and I’m Not the Fella.
Review and photographs by Paul McGee