Looking back over my notes, one word jumps out – wow.
I had written it three times after seeing Eddi Reader deliver a show that was as close to a perfect masterclass in musical entertainment as you could get.
Giving her extraordinary vocal chords a good workout with her opening number, What You Do With What You’ve Got, she followed it with Fishing, a new song – as yet un-recorded – and one of several which she was trying out for audience reaction.
Backed by a superb five-piece band, the slick show contained a mixture of songs from a host of genres raging from old Scottish favourites such as The Loch Tay Boat Song to swinging up-tempo numbers such as Sail Baby Sail along with Burns’ classics Willie Stuart and a deeply moving version of Ae Fond Kiss.
But it was the stories between the songs which made this a memorable show.
Lifting the lid on her past and demonstrating great comedy timing and story-telling skills, she regaled the audience with tales of childhood family Hogmanay parties, her days as a busking musician, and appearing on Top of the Pops with Annie Lennox and co before she struck the big time with Fairground Attraction.
Her final song, Moon River, was dedicated to her mum Jean, who turns 80 this year, and was delivered in the style of her mum performing it at a family do, complete with imaginary ciggie in one hand and a drink in the other, which was simultaneously funny and moving at the same time.
A generous performer, Eddi also praised highly her support act, Adam Holmes, telling the audience to “remember where you saw him first, because you’ll hear a lot about him from now on.”
I couldn’t agree more, the Edinburgh-based singer is definitely one to watch.
Having performed non-stop for more than 90 minutes, Eddi and her band got a well deserved standing ovation from the Eden Court Theatre audience she’d wowed, before heading for the theatre foyer where dozens and dozens of fans were waiting to meet her in person.