Mirmama
(Album, '92)
BMG Victor, BVCP-176 (JP)
RCA, 4509-96177-2 (UK)
Compass, 7 4242 2 (US)


Tracks

Mirmama Cover
Above is the US artwork.

1. What You Do with What You've Got
2. Honeychild
3. All or Nothing
4. Hello in There
5. Dolphins
6. The Blacksmith
7. That's Fair
8. Cinderellas Downfall
9. Pay No Mind
10. The Swimming Song
11. My Old Friend the Blues
12. Broken Vows
13. Ole Battermilk Sky
14. I Wish You Were My Boyfriend
15. The Girl with the Weight of the World in Her Hands
*Only Japanese release has 15 songs while US release does not contain track 13, 14 and UK release without tracks 12 to 15.

You can hear sound samples here.

Credits
(Songwriter)
1. Si Kahn
2. Eddi Reader/Neill MacColl/Roy Dodds/Phil Steriopulos
3, 7, 8. Eddi Reader
4. John Prine
5. Fred Neil
6. Traditional arranged by Reader/MacColl/Dodds/Steriopulos
9, 12, 14. Eddi Reader and Roy Dodds
10. Loudon Wainwright III
11. Steve Earle
13. Carmichael/Brooke
15. E. Saliers
(Producer)
The Patron Saints of Imperfection except for 1, by Kevin Moloney and The Patron Saints of Imperfection

Notes
Released in January of '92 in Japan, Mirmama (though titled as "Eddi Reader" in Japan) is Eddi's first solo album. The jacket artwork is also different on Japanese release.

After Fairground Attraction's breakup, Eddi was dissapointed in music industry and almost retired until she decided once again to sing her songs, cheered up by the ex-bandmate Roy Dodds. She wanted to release this album under the name of The Patron Saints of Imperfection, which was not approved by the record company.

The members of The Patron Saints of Imperfection are:
Eddi Reader (voice/noises)
Roy Dods (percussion/drums)
Phil Steriopulos (S-string double bass)
Neil MacColl (guitar)

Calum MacColl was added later in the following tour. With the help from Dominic Millar(guitar) and Jools Holland(hammond organ and piano) among others, this album was recorded in just two weeks at a tiny '30s station like studio(dubbed as "Helicon Mountain").

When I first got this album, my attention was caught by the jacket artworks (of the Japanese release). It had three more pictures, but on none of them could see Eddi smiling. She's looking down in the cover picture and does not look she's fine at all. Later she told in interviews, this album sort of acted as rehabilitation(and actually she was receiving therapy at the time), which proved my worries.

This album has lots of cover tunes, which gives one impression that she collected the songs she wanted to sing for this album. It may sound sober, but this album surely holds many impressive tracks: solemn sounding What You Do with What You've Got, her trademark song Honeychild, cheerful All or Nothing and That's Fair with Eddi's relaxing vocal, can't be missed. You will get different impression if you hear this album after listening to Eddi Reader and will be able to reevaluate it(this is recommended). This is Eddi Reader in the most primitive form.

The bonus tracks on Japanese release(sadly now it's deleted): Ole Battermilk Sky, I Wish You Were My Boiyfriend and The Girl with the Weight of the World in Her Hands, can not be heard anywhere but the last The Girl with the Weight of the World in Her Hands. This was on All or Nothing single too, but if you have not heard this song, I strongly recommend to do so. Recorded in Eddi's garden "under the cherry tree" with DAT, Eddi's singing here will surely carry you away, sounding so raw and direct. The backing by The Patron Saints of Imperfection is excellent too.

Back to Eddi Reader Discography

Back to Home