Fairground Attraction

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l. to r.: Reader, Dodds, Edwards, Nevin

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.

1 Career
2 Personnel
3 Discography
4 Singles
5 External links

[edit] 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.

[edit] Personnel

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

[edit] Discography

[edit] Original albums

1988: The First of a Million Kisses U.K. #2, U.S. #137
1989: Kawasaki Live in Japan 02.07.89 (first released 2003)
1990: Ay Fond Kiss

[edit] 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

[edit] Singles

1988: "Perfect" (original release) U.K. #1, U.S. #80
1988: "Find My Love" U.K. #7
1989: "A Smile in a Whisper" U.K. #75
1989: "Clare" U.K. #49
1990: "Walking after Midnight" U.K. #97
1993: "Perfect" (Celtic Heart release)

[edit] 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:

[edit] Singles

Year	Title	Chart positions				Album
Year	Title	US Hot 100	US Modern Rock	US Mainstream Rock	U.K.	Album
1988	"Perfect"	80	23	-	1	The First of a Million Kisses