Fairground Attraction
l. to r.: Reader, Dodds, Edwards, Nevin
Background information
Origin	Scotland
Genre(s)	Acoustic pop
Years active	1987–1990
Label(s)	RCA
Former members
Eddi Reader Mark E. Nevin Simon Edwards Roy Dodds

Fairground Attraction was a Scottish acoustic-pop group, best-known for its hit single "Perfect", and for helping to launch the career of its lead singer, Eddi Reader.

Contents 1 Career 2 Personnel 3 Discography 3.1 Original albums 3.2 Compilation albums 3.3 Singles 3.4 Videos 4 External links

Career

After the usual career-beginning playing in local clubs and pubs, in 1987 Fairground Attraction were signed to RCA, and released their first single, "Perfect", in April 1988. It was an immediate success, reaching number one on the U.K. singles chart. Their album The First of a Million Kisses was a characteristic blend of folk, jazz, country, and cajun elements (all but one of its songs being written by Nevin). Released in May 1988, it followed the success of "Perfect" by entering the album chart at number three, and rising to number two; it was eventually certified platinum. Three other singles were released from the same album: "Find My Love" (which reached number seven on the U.K. chart), "A Smile in a Whisper", and "Clare".

At the 1989 BRIT Awards "Perfect" won the award for best single, and The First of a Million Kisses won best album.

Although they were popular in European countries, and toured the United States, their main success outside the U.K. was in Japan, where they toured in 1989 (a tour that produced their only live album, Kawasaki Live in Japan 02.07.89).

In September 1989, however, during the recording of their second album, rumours of arguments circulated, apparently as a result of Reader seeking a greater writing role, and in January 1990 the rumours were confirmed when the band split up. An album called "Ay Fond Kiss" was released in 1990, and one of its songs, "Walking after Midnight", became their last single. It should not be considered a true second album, as it is made up of B-sides and other material recorded alongside the first album (many being collaborations by just two members apiece). It was originally available at mid-price. Material for the true second album went on to be recorded with Brian Kennedy under the name Sweetmouth, although six tracks have since appeared sung by Reader on the Kawasaki Live in Japan 02.07.89 album.

Personnel

• Eddi Reader — vocals
• Mark E. Nevin — guitar
• Simon Edwards — guitarrón
• Roy Dodds — drums

Discography

Original albums

• 1988: The First of a Million Kisses
• 1990: Ay Fond Kiss
• 2003: Kawasaki Live in Japan 02.07.89

Compilation albums

• 1994: The Collection: Fairground Attraction, featuring Eddi Reader
• 1995: Perfect: The Best of Fairground Attraction
• 1996: The Very Best of Fairground Attraction, featuring Eddi Reader
• 1997: The Masters
• 1998: 80s Eternal Best: Fairground Attraction Best
• 2004: The Best of Fairground Attraction

Singles

• 1988
  • "Perfect" (original release)
  • "Find My Love"
• 1989
  • "A Smile in a Whisper"
  • "Clare"
• 1990
  • "Walking after Midnight"
• 1993
  • "Perfect" (Celtic Heart release)

Videos

• 1990: The First of a Million Kisses

  Collection of music videos: "Perfect", "Find My Love", "A Smile in a Whisper", "Clare"

• 1990: Live at Full House

  Live performances from German television show called Live at Full House:

External links

• Eddi Reader — official Web site
• Mark E. Nevin's Web site