Eddi Reader's voice falls like a soft autumn rain. Despite its cleansing nature, it carries a touch of melancholy for the coming darkness of winter; it bears a hint of sadness and solitude for the one who longs for sunshine and warmth. Simple Soul is a sweet setting for
Reader. Although it's not overflowing with catchy pop songs, it's the kind of soothing record you might listen to while making a quiet, candlelight dinner or meandering around the house on a lazy Sunday morn. While
Reader's honey voice swirls beautifully around, the pristine acoustic guitar sounds dance with Indian tamboura and harmonium, creating an almost mystical ambience. Again, don't expect to tie on your dancing shoes. This is definitely more of a slipper and robe kind of thing. The main musical and production support comes from
Boo Hewerdine,
Roy Dodds, and
Teddy Borowiecki -- talented fellows one and all. (Hewerdine also gets credit for a big chunk of the songwriting.) As for the songs themselves, "Wolves," "Lucky Penny," "Footsteps Fall," and the title track are all lovely offerings that would fit well on any
Reader album, while the slow, bluesy shuffle of "Adam" brings in some smoky dobro and pedal steel guitar for added effect. Simple Soul (or any
Reader selection) would do well in a five-disc changer alongside
Shawn Colvin's Steady On,
k.d. lang's Ingenue, and maybe some early releases from
Joni Mitchell and James Taylor. Not bad company. ~ Kelly McCartney