In her warm, glorious voice, Eddi Reader sings thoughtful songs about love, longing and introspection.
Why you should listen
Scotland-born Eddi Reader was an '80s pop star in the UK, where her band Fairground Attraction had a #1 hit with the supercatchy "Perfect." Now, as a solo artist, her sounds has matured; quiet acoustic arrangements and gentle harmonies put her lush voice front and center. TED Music Director Thomas Dolby calls her his favorite singer of all time.
Albums such as Candyfloss and Medicine and Angels & Electricity established her as a thoughtful songwriter and interpreter, with an affinity for wistful songs of longing and loss -- and a nice sideline in what used to be called "message" songs, which call to the listener to think about war and peace, the Earth and our place in it.
Reader has also become a noted interpreter of the poems of Robert Burns. Her latest album, Peacetime, offers a compelling mix of Burns lyrics, traditional folk tunes and new songs written by Reader and her longtime songwriting partner, Boo Hewerdine. Fun fact: The title song on the album, "Peacetime," Eddi first learned backstage at her 2003 TED performance.
What others say
Some voices just do the job, don't they? For me, Eddi Reader is up there with, for instance, Bonnie Raitt and k.d. lang, singers who combine amazing technical control with emotional authority to make their heart-lifting music sound as natural as breathing.
Eddi Reader’s TED Talks
More news and ideas from Eddi Reader
Music
Thomas Dolby: Spot the Billie Holiday lyrics
May 7, 2010
Via The Official Thomas Dolby Blog: Thomas Dolby has posted the lyrics to his brand-new song “Love Is a Loaded Pistol,” which premiered today on TED.com. He throws out a challenge: “See how many of Billie’s song titles you can spot.” Get the lyrics >> He writes that an MP3 of studio version of “Pistol” […]
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4 great talks for International Women's Day
March 8, 2009
To celebrate March 8, International Women’s Day, we suggest these four TEDTalks gems from some amazing speakers — artists, scientists and economists who think deeply about the role of women. Author and activist Isabel Allende discusses women, creativity, feminism — and the power of passionate thinkers and doers: The former Finance Minister of Nigeria, Ngozi […]
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Eddi Reader on TED.com (with Thomas Dolby)
April 20, 2007
Singer/songwriter Eddi Reader performs “What You Do With What You’ve Got,” a meditation on a very TED theme: how to use your gifts and talents to make a difference. With Thomas Dolby on piano.
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