Eddi Reader - Eddi Reader Sings the Songs of Robert Burns

Eddi Reader has proven her worth as a sublime singer of pop and folk material (and beyond), but this returns her full-bore to her Scottish roots. Born from the concerts she did at the 2002 Celtic Connections festival, it's a decidedly lush performance that hauls in several well-known Celtic names like Phil Cunningham, John McCusker, and Ian Carr to help her along. But it's Reader's rendition of Robert Burns' classics that's the key here. She picked familiar material, songs that have become part of the folk continuum that can be both a blessing and a curse. But she reinvents something like "My Love Is Like a Red Red Rose," investing it with rich emotion. She positively flies on the more romantic songs, such as "Ae Fond Kiss," but she brings a surprising depth to "Charlie Is My Darling" and the chestnut "Auld Lang Syne," and "Ye Jacobites" sizzles with tension. The arrangements go for the cinematic rather than the intimate, putting them on the dangerous edge of new age. But such is the quality of everyone involved that there's no danger of teetering over and it becomes a tour de force. It is one of the highlights of Reader's splendid career, and even "Wild Mountainside," decidedly not a Burns song, fits in perfectly. ~ Chris Nickson, All Music Guide

Name Credits Andrew Martin Violin Betsy Taylor Cello Bob Yeomans Violin Boo Hewerdine Producer, Arranger, Guitar (Acoustic) Christine Hanson Cello, Arranger Claire Dunn Viola Colin Dunsmuir Photography Colin Reid Arranger, Guitar (Acoustic) David Amon Viola David Inglis Double Bass Eddi Reader Arranger, Vocals, Guitar (Acoustic) Edwin Paling Violin Ewen Vernal Double Bass, Arranger Ian Budd Viola Ian Carr Piano, Guitar (Acoustic), Arranger Janet Reid Violin Jeff Teader Design, Layout Design Jeremy Fletcher Cello John Harrington Viola John McCusker Cittern, Whistle (Human), Arranger, Liner Notes, Violin Jon Kelly Mixing Marion Wilson Violin Pauline Dowse Cello Phil Cunningham Accordion, Piano, Whistle (Human), Arranger Robert Mitchell Double Bass Robin Rankin Engineer Roy Dodds Percussion Royal Scottish National Orchestra Strings Tim Young Mastering Wanda Wojtasinska Violin William Paterson Cello