Fairground Attraction
This jazz-tinged Anglo/Scottish pop band comprised Eddi Reader (b. 28 August 1959, Glasgow, Scotland; vocals), Mark Nevin (guitar), Simon Edwards (guitaron, a Mexican acoustic guitar shaped bass) and Roy Dodds (drums). After art school Reader made her first musical forays as backing singer for the Gang Of Four. She moved to London in 1983 where session and live work with the Eurythmics and Alison Moyet kept her gainfully employed. She first hooked up with Nevin for the Compact Organisation sampler album THE COMPACT COMPOSERS, singing on two of his songs. Nevin and Reader began their first collaborations in 1985, after Nevin had graduated by playing in one of the numerous line-ups of Jane Aire And The Belvederes. He was also closely involved with Sandie Shaw's mid-80s comeback. Around his songs they built Fairground Attraction, adding Edwards and Dodds, a jazz drummer of over 20 years’ standing who had spent time with Working Week and Terence Trent D'Arby. They signed to RCA and quickly set about recording a debut album, as the gentle skiffle of Perfect topped the UK singles charts in May 1988. They subsequently won both Best Single and Best Album categories at the Brit awards. A slight hiatus in their career followed when Reader became pregnant. They followed their natural inclinations by filming the video for their 1989 single Clare in Nashville, and were supplemented on tour by Graham Henderson (accordion) and Roger Beaujolais (vibes). The group's promise was then cut short when the band split, and Reader went on to acting (appearing in a BBC drama YOUR CHEATIN’ HEART, about the Scottish country and western scene) and a solo career.