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True to her Scottish heritage and inimitable style, Glaswegian Sadenia Reader MBE aka Eddi Reader tries to get into the soul of the legendary Robert Burns with great success, celebrating his 250th birthday anniversary in 2009.
Not professing to be a ‘Robbie’ expert by any means, this brilliant songbird who once fronted Fairground Attraction (Perfect no.1 April 1988, UK chart, Find My Love) who I saw supporting Hue and Cry at Birmingham Symphony Hall in 1991, attempts to engage in his ordinary humanity.
Now released as a deluxe version of her 2003 version, it comes with seven extra songs – two from the original recording session – Green Grow The Rashes O, Of A’ The Airts, three from 2007’s Peacetime – Ye Banks And Braes O’ Bonnie Doon, Ay Waukin-O, Leezie Lindsay, unreleased Dainty Davie from that session and brand new recording Comin’ Through The Rye.
The Ploughman Poet’s work comes to an even higher profile through this masterful collection that’ll do much to boost Reader’s already critically acclaimed career.
A leader of the 18th century romantic movement, Burns wrote some of the most memorable work of his generation, such as the poem Auld Lang Syne (Old Long Since or more idiomatically Long Long Ago) in 1788, regarded as a collection than original work (revised / adapted) , and unsurpassed gem My Love Is A Red Red Rose, both included here.
Her treatment is both empathetic and modern in approach in terms of arrangements ( a mix of classical and traditional) by the late Kevin McCrea, backed by nine musicians and The Royal Scottish National Orchestra is bettered by a singer of Reader’s class and vocal dexterity, with only somebody of her calibre able to do justice to such beautiful lyrics.
There are, as you’d expect some deeply profound moments which have been tapped into by Reader, especially since the loss of her father, from which she has drawn much comfort and inspiration and it shows at every level, such the stunning lilting ballad Winter It Is Past.
We also get buckets of genuine Gaelic flavours on the perky Willie Stewart, the equally jaunty Charlie Is My Darling and chirpy Comin’ Through The Rye, bringing images of campfire dances.
Burns had a reputation as a ladies man with several affairs, one of which resulted in Ae Fond Kiss, arguably the best song here. For drama alone, the string assisted John Anderson My Jo is absolutely stunning; a very evocative piece, followed closely by the Gaelic-infected Leezie Lindsay.
Interesting to note, she hasn’t chosen some of his better known songs like, A Man’s A Man For A’ That, To A Louise, To A Mouse and The Battle Of Sherramuir. Another day maybe?
1. Jamie Come Try Me
2. My Love Is Like A Red Red Rose
3. Willie Stewart / Molly Rankin
4. Ae Fond Kiss
5. Brose And Butter
6. Ye Jacobites
7. Wild Mountainside
8. Charlie Is My Darling
9. John Anderson My Jo
10. Winter It Is Past
11. Auld Lang Syne
12. Green Grow The Rashes O
13. Comin’ Through The Rye / Dram Behind The Curtain
14. Ye Banks And Braes O’ Bonnie Doon
15. Aye Waukin-O
16. Dainty Davie
17. Leezie Lindsay
18. Of A’ The Airts
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Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.