Eddie Reader: Peacetime (Shock)

The former voice of Scotland's pop hitmakers Fairground Attraction has been a very credible solo act for many years now, but it's a fair bet not too many signed on for her album of songs by the great people's poet Rabbie Burns, wonderful though it was.

This collection of traditional songs rearranged, some adaptations of Burns' poems, and some originals (from the likes of cult-figure Boo Hewerdine, John Douglas and others) may be more to the taste of those who like sensitively delivered and deeply felt folk, especially of the Scottish persuasion.

Even if this doesn't sound like you -- and folk has never, ever, been my thing -- then you can simply sign on for Reader's honest and quite beguiling voice, and lyrics which speak of the great truisms: love, lost love, faith, forgiveness, friendship, and the beauty of Scotland.