Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10
The art of the short story is one that is often undervalued by a society that acts almost as if it is loitering with intent by the writer to hammer out more information from them, the questions rapid, almost unceasingly, there is no care to understand that the words on the page contain all they need to see the story through, no extras, no different alley in which to watch a character act in a different manner. All that is required is the act of attention for a short period, to register the difference between the reflection of the moon which bathes the world in nightly reassurance, and that of the Starlight that reminds us there is more out there to be persuaded by.
We look upon Starlight in the same way as the short story, we understandably want more, like an urchin caught in the world of Dickens and the distaste of Victorian England, we hold our bowls of intrigue out and suggest that we would like another serving, more to the spoon of songs, and yet we should simply listen, play with the tunes in our minds and realise that what Eddi Reader has produced in this new E.P. is to fill our imagination to the brim. There is no need to ask for more when what you have placed before you is the most edifying, sumptuous and enjoyable offering you will ever require.
It is always with such select and charming company that Eddi Reader surrounds herself with when in the moment of creating beauty, and Starlight carries on that rich and deserved tradition. With compliment and with style across the five songs by Boo Hewerdine, Ian Carr, John Douglas, Martin Kershaw, Chris Greive, Tom Macniven, Steve Hamilton, Simon Morgan, Eunan McDonald, Stephen Fennelly, Jeremy Morgan, Barry Finn, Tom Gibbs, James Grant, Innes Winter, Alywn Cosker, Kevin McGuire, Alan Kelly, John McCusker, Charlie Bessa, Stuart Nisbet, Euan Burton, Louis Linklater Abbott and the tremendous members of the choir that grace through the track Scarecrow Song, the result is one of absolute cohesion, a family affair that brings the imagery and scintillating poetic thought of Ms. Reader fully to the forefront of the listener’s imagination.
Across the songs Starlight, My Favourite Dress, Scarecrow Song, No Reply Dot Com and Build High, Build Wide (In Contempt), Eddi Reader and the huge array of musicians bring the short story form to the world of music, each note pictures a mused thought, an almost foray into the vignette with the sound of instruments adding to the immersing dialogue. It is a sense of purity, of hidden noir within the scope of a musical experience and one that always treats the listener to the feeling of generous admiration.
A beautiful set of songs, ones that seal the warmth of the stars within the listener’s soul.
Eddi Reader’s Starlight is released on April 26th via Reveal Records.
Eddi Reader will be performing at the New Brighton Floral Pavilion on June 14th.
Ian D. Hall