You may not have heard of Scottish vocalist Eddi Reader if you live in the states since she’s not on the most renowned city touring circuit nor does she perhaps primarily appeal to most Millennials. That said, her music (most notably the lyrics) are so emotionally moving that if you listen carefully enough, you’ll be profoundly lifted from a place of non-presence to one that grounds you regardless of your age or where you hail from.
We don’t really profile musicians regularly on We Blog the World, although we certainly have a Music Section. We also love strong women — and, even have a section entitled Women for the Goddesses among us trying to change the world, even if its one bowling ball at a time. Eddi falls into the Goddess category and the reason she warrants a spot here now is that after years of knowing her work, she continues to touch my heart.
You see, I first met Eddi Reader more than a decade ago, when she first performed on the TED stage in 2004. (see her performing one of my favorite of her songs about heartbreak: Kiteflyer’s Hall, a spot in London). Every time I listen to her voice, chills run down my spine. There’s no shortage of authenticity and passion in this Scottish singer who is about as far from ordinary as you can get.
Sadenia Reader (aka Eddi Reader) once worked with Fairground Attraction, is the recipient of three BRIT Awards and has topped both the album and singles charts. She also famously harmonized with Annie Lennox touring with the Eurythmics, after her time with successful punk outfit Gang of Four.
Eddi Reader grew up in Glasgow and Irvine, Scotland and when we first had an in-depth chat, she learned that my ex-husband was the last of the Robert Burns line, and at the time, had just finished working on a collection of songs about this very famous poet known for his countless affairs.
Because Eddi Reader spent so much of her formative touring years in Europe, she is far more known here (and in London specifically) than in other parts of the world. Some of her earlier work includes Mirmama (1992), Eddi Reader (1994), Candyfloss & Medicine (1996), Angels & Electricity (1998) and Simple Soul (2001).
‘Love Is The Way’, Eddi’s seventh solo album, which I’ve yet to listen to, is now nearly ten years old. Produced by Eddi Reader herself, it was recorded in a matter of days with her band in Glasgow. The song led to her debut in a Hollywood movie where she played a chanteuse and was featured singing ‘Lets Pretend That There’s A Moon’ with the Jools Holland Orchestra.
Her voice and authentic vocals will truly melt you in that old fashioned romantic kinda way that get so lost with a lot of contemporary singers.
All photo credits: Genevieve Stevenson
For more information on Eddi Reader and her world, visit her website for details on her concerts, CD releases and more news.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
