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| Eddi Reader | |
|---|---|
| Name | Eddi Reader |
| Birth name | Sadenia Reader |
| Birth date | 1959-08-29 |
| Birth place | Busby, East Renfrewshire |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter |
| Years active | 1970s–present |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
| Associated acts | Fairground Attraction, The Waterboys, Mark Nevin |
Eddi Reader is a Scottish singer and songwriter known for her versatile vocal style and interpretation of folk, pop, and traditional songs. She emerged in the 1980s as the lead vocalist of Fairground Attraction and later established a solo career spanning collaborations with artists across pop music, folk music and rock music. Her work includes chart successes, critically acclaimed albums, and contributions to soundtracks and theatrical productions.
Born Sadenia in Busby, East Renfrewshire, she was raised in a working-class family in East Kilbride and nearby areas of Glasgow. She began performing in local folk clubs and community venues, developing influences from Scottish folk traditions and contemporary songwriters such as Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Bert Jansch and Nick Drake. Her formative years included appearances at regional festivals and collaborations with musicians from the Scottish folk circuit and touring networks connected to venues like The Barrowland Ballroom and Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.
She rose to prominence as the frontwoman of Fairground Attraction, formed in the late 1980s with songwriter and guitarist Mark Nevin, bassist Simon Edwards, and drummer Roy Dodds. The band achieved immediate commercial success with the single "Perfect", which topped the UK Singles Chart and earned widespread radio play on stations such as BBC Radio 1 and Capital FM. Their debut album, The First of a Million Kisses, blended elements of skiffle, jazz and acoustic pop, and won the Mercury Prize nomination and attention from critics at outlets like NME and Q (magazine). Internal tensions led to the band's split early in the 1990s, after which she pursued a solo path.
Her solo debut explored folk-inflected arrangements and interpretations of traditional material alongside original composition, emphasizing intimate production and acoustic instrumentation. She recorded albums with producers and musicians from scenes including British folk revival contributors and members of touring ensembles linked to The Waterboys and Camera Obscura. Her repertoire spans cabaret standards, contemporary songwriting, and Scottish balladry, often arranged for strings, accordion, and nylon-string guitar, reflecting influences from Roxy Music, Van Morrison, Cole Porter and Johnny Mercer. She has performed at major venues and festivals such as Glastonbury Festival, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and Royal Albert Hall.
She has collaborated with a wide range of artists and ensembles, recording and performing with figures like Mark Nevin post-Fairground Attraction, members of The Waterboys, singer-songwriters such as Bert Jansch and Lindsey Buckingham, and producers associated with Trevor Horn-era pop production. Notable recordings include contributions to soundtrack projects and tribute albums honoring songwriters like Bobby Darin, Randy Newman, and Ewan MacColl. She has appeared on recordings alongside performers from Sinead O'Connor-linked sessions and contributed vocals to projects involving BBC Radio 2 specials, theatrical productions in collaboration with National Theatre of Scotland, and charity singles benefitting causes connected to Comic Relief and arts organizations.
Her achievements include chart success with singles and albums, industry awards for vocal performance, and nominations from institutions such as the BRIT Awards and the Mercury Prize. She won accolades from folk and popular music bodies and has been recognized in polls and lists by publications like Q (magazine), The Guardian, and Mojo (magazine). Her album work earned certifications in the United Kingdom and sustained airplay on outlets including BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio Scotland.
She has balanced a performing career with family life in Scotland, engaging with causes in the arts, environmental advocacy, and community music education. She has supported campaigns and benefit concerts involving organizations such as Friends of the Earth, Creative Scotland, and grassroots music charities. Additionally, she has participated in cultural events promoting Scottish music heritage alongside institutions like Scottish Arts Council and heritage festivals across Scotland.
Category:Scottish female singers Category:1959 births Category:Living people