Preview: Prepare to be thrilled - unlike Eddi Reader

Published on 08/11/2012 17:30

EDDI Reader shot to fame as the voice of Fairground Attraction - but while her chart-bothering days appear to be behind her, she has gone on to carve a solo career that most artists can only dream of.

The Scottish songstress has evolved a lot musically since topping the charts with Perfect more than 20 years ago, and has become something of a national treasure.

In 2001, she moved back to her native Glasgow, where she recorded the classic Songs Of Robert Burns’ album which was released to international acclaim.

She toured the album all over the world, finding connections to the Scottish bard everywhere she went.

A regular visitor to the Capital, her gigs are renowned for the magical organic chemistry on stage between singer and band.

Surprisingly, she doesn’t rehearse and doesn’t have set lists. “It’s basically a musical experience,” she says ahead of Saturday’s visit to the Festival Theatre. “It’s quite raw actually.

“I didn’t realise how unusual it was until my husband, who’s also a musician said, ‘You know, I don’t think there’s any musician who goes on stage as unprepared as you are.’”

Reader relies on songs she knows work. “If I sing you something like Burns’ Ay Fond Kiss, then I’ll want to be cheering you up a wee bit afterwards, something a bit lighter and a bit more cheeky,” she says.

• Eddi Reader, Festival Theatre, Nicolson Street, Saturday, 7.30pm, £25 (£22.50), 0131-529 6000