Oh Eddi, dear sweet Eddi. A plumped up re-release of a soothing balm of heather scented romance and whiskey soaked melancholy by the woman with one of the most beguiling voices in British folk/pop, not to mention probably the most famous jaw line. Now I think about it, have you ever seen her and David Coulthard in the same room? Coincidence? I may be on to something ... And who said Scots were stingy, 'cos we're getting an extra seven tracks to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns. Not a bad idea at this time of year as a Valentines gift to melt your true love's heart too. In keeping with the Scottish theme it'll be a lot cheaper than a posh meal out somewhere too. Instead you can stay at home, boil up some left overs in an old leather bag, swap clothes with your lassie and dispense with underwear for the evening. Win ”“ possible win ”“ major win!The anniversary provides a valid reason, and at least a decent time has elapsed since the original emerged in 2003. Am I the only one boycotting the current rash of rip-off Deluxe editions? - for which read 'pay again for what you've already got plus some later discarded songs from the same session that we could have let you have the first time around'. Two of the tracks are from the original sessions and 'Green Grow the Rashes O' alone is an argument for this purchase alone, which makes you wonder who decided to discard it earlier. Four more have been culled from the recording of the subsequent album Peacetime. One is previously unreleased, but Eddi Reader fans who have both albums already would therefore need to think twice. For them there is the dangling carrot of brand new song 'Comin' Thro The Rye/Dram Behind the Curtain'. It ties for most energetic track present, skipping along at a reel as does 'Willie Stewart/Molly Rankin' Or it may be a jig - I'm not the expert on such things, and once the toes are tapping who cares. Fairground Attraction fans will note that a version of 'Ae Fond Kiss' was even present on their post-break up runt of a second album.This album is almost a total joy (except when it’s full of sorrow that is) of traditional folk with a tender touch but reaching down into deep emotions. Eddi is as you would expect majestic in her ability to inhabit a song and the range and textures she applies - from hushed intimacies to uplifting notes to match her soaring heart; from faltering tearfulness to energetic highland yelps. With her connections in the folk scene the band are top notch - especially the now seemingly omnipresent and infallible John McCusker, and those tracks featuring orchestration by the late Kevin McCrea are as sweeping and sumptuous as Vaughan Williams in a kilt.The whole project had its beginnings in a personal upheaval in Eddi's life. The death of her father found her contemplating her roots and finding solace in the poetry of Burns. She decided to return back home to Scotland after many many years - having virtually run away in her late teens to escape the constrictions of life in the Glasgow housing schemes. Did you know that she was a backing singer for punk band Gang of Four? Anyway, certainly no rural Western Isles upbringing for her - the fuller folk scene and Celtic heritage was an exotic voyage of discovery for her. Asked by chance to sing during a Burns festival, more and more songs came together and her interest and her audiences reactions grew until an album seemed inevitable. Purists will also note that the album does also contain a song from her brother's band the Trashcan Sinatras: 'Wild Mountainside'.Eddi Reader is quite literally a British institution (the original project led to her being awarded an MBE for contributions to the Arts) except as a Celt she might rail at the 'British' bit. I'm contemplating ripping out the central heating to make way for a peat burning hearth to cosy up beside. Really, if you don't like this then you don't have a heart - only die hard Kraftwerk fans need use their Christmas music tokens elsewhere. Then start saving for her next album Love Is The Way due in March. 92%Eddi Reader - My Love is Like a Red Red Rose, Ae Fond Kiss & Dainty Davie[youtube]http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=jXH9DVS76yM[/youtube] [youtube]http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=YIKWHuxljFE[/youtube] [youtube]http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_BT8DeSB7r8[/youtube]Eddi Reader on MySpace