SINCE she left behind the commercial swings and roundabouts of Fairground Attraction, things seem to be moving along at a leisurely pace for Eddi Reader. So far, her solo career hasn't delivered any megahits like Pegect, but it has brought forth some semi precious gems like Patience Of Angels. The Glaswegian singer with the gold encrusted voice has just released her third album, Candyfloss And Medicine, and she came to Whelan's of Wexford Street last Saturday night ready to deliver equal doses of the sweet and the sour.
Accompanied by a band which included co writer Boo Hewerdine on guitar, Reader stoked up the home fires with her gentle, folksy delivery, then burned the house down with some incendiary torch songs.
Reader has lost none of the talent which made her a sought after session singer before the sideshow of fame beckoned, and her singing matches the longing of k.d. lang with the plaintiveness of Billie Holiday, adding in a dash of Aimee Mann's injured innocence. Her backing band, The Patron Saints Of Imperfection, retain a low key, understated presence, framing Reader's voice in an organic mix of acoustic guitars, accordions and percussion.
Although Reader brings out some of her best songs and performs them with shimmering style, she didn't manage to push this concert above the level of a cosy family reunion. Despite the faultless singing, there wasn't the sense of occasion which Reader's extraordinary ability would seem to warrant. Basically, she was preaching to the converted, and she didn't need to get too close to the edge to deliver her message. "I'm going to turn myself on", she announced mischievously at one stage, then switched on a set of lights sewn into her top. It was a bizarre party piece and the tiny winking lights seemed like beacons leading us to a safe and unchallenging haven.
Sometimes you just wish it didn't have to be so perfect.
