Eddi Reader: Still channelling power of music to move us
Eddi Reader tops Craigie Hill Music Flater this month occasions and featured in Phil Cunningham’s annual Christmas shows alongside Karen Matheson.
This year she’s been lured to the second Craigie Hill festival, headlining alongside a string of local bands that are being showcased.
“Whenever I’m called I will take to the road and bring the band. Perth is always a great place to play and I enjoy visiting.
“I don’t play golf myself but I have played Turnberry a few times over the past 10 years or so. There was a Jools Holland gig and a couple of benefits, I remember.
“I admire people who can golf but I am more of a fan of crazy golf and I was brought up on pitch and putt at Largs.
“I might get a few tips for my computer golf at Craigie Hill!
“It’s great to see so many local bands getting a platform. I remember the help I got when I was younger so I am always intrigued and impressed by young energy and how they re-invent music.
“I love seeing that happen in front of my eyes.
“I have been given so many gifts and thrills and I love to see the kids going along a similar path.”
While she’s delighted to see emerging bands rubbing shoulders with veterans of the local music scene, Eddi refuses to castigate a generation weaned on a string of fast-track talent shows such as the X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent mould.
“There but for the grace of God go I,” she says, philosophically. “If I was 17 now and that was the only platform I had to express myself I would imagine it would be tempting.
“I have been made aware of Jessie Buckley who comes from Killarney. She got second place in the Andrew Lloyd Webber search for his new Nancy in a West End production.
“She has now been in Taboo and is making a new major film. So these things can be doorways to a brighter and bigger future. That can’t be dismissed even though I don’t really respect some of the judges on these shows.
“But look at the amount of work these shows create, including ‘Strictly.’ They use musicians and singers performing live. So I’m liking the employment aspect.
“And what did we have in our day? Hughie Green and ‘Opportunity Knocks.’ So maybe things are not so bad after all!” ●Eddi Reader and her band top the Craigie Hill Music Festival bill on Saturday, August 26. Tickets are available from the golf clubhouse, Bandwagon, China China, The Abbotsford and from ticketweb.co.uk priced £28.50 plus booking fee.
Perth is always a great place to play and I enjoy visiting