[.ca] Simple Soul

From Amazon.com:
Glasgow native Eddi Reader returns for her fourth solo album of ingratiating, smart songs, most of them seeking answers about what we're supposed to make of this big, ol' sweet mess of a world. Acoustic and folk-based, Simple Soul gleans much of its power from its stripped-down production, which allows for the up-close immediacy of Reader's quiet, earnest vocals, which are at times reminiscent of Maria Muldaur ("Wolves") and Edie Brickell ("Adam"). Alternately meditative ("Simple Soul"), reflective ("Lucky Penny"), and restless ("The Wanting Kind"), Reader especially shines on "I Felt a Soul Move Through Me," about the death of her father, one of several songs she co-wrote with Boo Hewerdine. But she's impressive as an interpreter, too, proving unforgettable on "Footsteps Fall," which correctly declares, "The loneliest sound of all / Is the sound of love / Through a stranger's wall." Somehow, she manages to make all this sadness uplifting, as a testament to the resiliency of the soul, and to the power of music. Soothing salve, indeed. --Alanna Nash

Light Touch:
A lot of singers show buckets of technical or artistic vocal talent but come up short on interesting material. Eddi Reader though a sorceress with all 3 powers, continues with expectation, and does not try and prove what she's proven before. This recording may not fit your mood, but it is still worth listening to for the amount of heart in the singing as well as the words. Every review so far is right. Those wanting to hear a more energetic Eddi will be disappointed. The concept here, as indicated by the album title, is a pared down approach to musicianship and arrangements. This won't be my favourite Eddi album. I could use a big epic number like "Dolphins" or "Kiteflyer's Hill", and others may long for the more standard stylings of Fairground Attraction. On the other hand, if you are prepared to listen, this album will reward in its own unrushed way. In mood and thought it achieves what it sets out to do. The singer sincerely shares her thoughts, and her quiet art here is as masterly and uncopied and beautiful as ever. Also significant to note, unlike other recordings of popular solo artists, the musicians here sparkle and do not take a back seat to the star. You'll be mesmerised with the opening to the song "Adam", and warm to the acoustic jangle and very human foibles contained within "Wanting Kind".

You go, girl. Nashville, probably:
Oops! Time for that Joni Mitchell cover album, Eddi.

Returning to that Peaceful Place:
This Glasgow, Scotland native (born named Sadenia) possesses not only staggering vocal technique, but also the rare talent of being able to transmute the emotion she feels in a song to her audience. On this, her 5th solo effort, she offers her most stripped down & spare recording to date, with the overall sound dominated by acoustic guitars. The album is a beautiful acoustic work of 11 captivating, personal, light-hearted & heart-breaking songs. Many of the tracks were written or co-written by Eddi, confirming her true coming of age as a songwriter of considerable skill. An underlying serenity is one of the most potently alluring qualities, paradoxically enabling her to transport the listener to the extremes of love and longing, desolation and dreamy rapture. # 1 is specifically about the pressures of the daily grind, the fear that this is all there is. # 2 is about those who just seem to keep desiring more no matter what they have. #4 is about returning to that simple, peaceful place. # 5 is about the pains of modern masculinity, using the story of the Garden of Eden as imagined from Eve's perspective. # 6 is about isolation & loneliness, & # 8 is about the impact of her father's death. The wider urge to escape life's mundanities and complexities, be it on an actual or a spiritual level, is a sentiment she explores in 2 more songs, 9 & 10. According to Eddi herself, however, perhaps the most directly personal track is "The Girl Who Fell In Love With the Moon" (11). Featuring appearances by Adam Kirk (Joan Baez) on Dobro & electric guitar; Tim Harries (Steeleye Span) on bass guitar; Johnny Scott (music director for Van Morrison) on pedal steel & guitars; Teddy Borowiecki (music director for k.d. lang) on keyboard & accordion; Roy Dodd on drums/percussion; & longtime collaborator Boo Hewerdine.

Marginal:
I'll admit I like to have my own personal Women's Music Festival at my desk in the office every once in a while, but the recent glut of female singer/songwriters has made them a dime a dozen and I was a bit disappointed. I won't say I'm shutting the door in Eddi Reader, 'cause I'd heard good things about her, but I heard very little in the CD to distinguish her from a million other acoustic folksingers. She has a few great lyrics, but none of the sophisitication of early Suzanne Vega; she can't match with the quirkiness of Dar Williams or the Nields; doesn't have the sharp wit of softer Ani Difranco (can't really compare harder Ani to this); obviously can't harmonize like the Indigo Girls; doesn't have a really distinctive voice like Kristin Hersh or Mary Fahl; no jazzy savoir faire like Erin McKeown or Amy Correia. It's not a BAD album, and I respect the effort, it's just not exciting and therefore there's no real reason to keep it from sitting in the back of my cd rack, while I play others I can't get enough of.

Another treat from Ms Reader:
Having always been a huge fan of Ms Readers work, this album came as no surprise to me. Whilst there is nothing new on this album, anyone who is familiar with Eddi's songwriting and musical efforts won't be disappointed. A little bit more emotive than the last album, Angels and Electricity, songs like Adam and the Wanting Kind hit home. Eddi's lilting vocals trip lightly, giving us more of what we've come to expect from her, truly insightful heartfelt lyrics. With so many "folk / pop" performers out there at the moment, it's good to know that there are some artists you can rely on to come up with the goods everytime. An excellent effort.

• Wolves
• Wanting Kind
• Lucky Penny
• Simple Soul
• Adam
• Footsteps Fall
• Blues Run the Game
• I Felt a Soul Move Through Me
• Prodigal Daughter
• Eden
• Girl Who Fell in Love With the Moon