Fairground Attraction “Beautiful Happening”

34 years after the band broke up, Fairground Attraction are back with their ‘proper’ second album. It may be imperfect but its release marks a new beginning for a band aiming to pick up where they left off.

Fairground Attraction was a very successful band for a brief period in the second half of the 1980s; consisting of guitarist Mark Nevin, singer Eddi Reader, Simon Edwards (who plays guitarrón (a Mexican six-stringed acoustic bass)) and drummer Roy Dodds. The group’s first single, ‘Perfect’, released in March 1988 reached number one on the UK charts; it also reached the top spot in Australia, South Africa and Ireland and made top five in six other countries. Their debut album, the double platinum-selling “The First Of A Million Kisses“, was issued later in 1988 reaching number two in the UK albums chart and finding some success in numerous other countries, although in the USA it peaked at number 137 on the Billboard 200. Fairground Attraction won BRIT Awards for Best Single and Best Album of 1988. A second single from the album, ‘Find My Love‘ reached number seven in the UK.

When it came to the recording of their sophomore record, the band members fell out and singer Eddi Reader quit the band; the album that was subsequently released, “Ay Fond Kiss” comprised mainly of tracks that had previously formed the ‘B’ sides of singles, alongside outtakes from the debut album’s recording sessions and a live track. The band formally disbanded in 1990.

Vocalist Reader went on to enjoy a successful solo career, making 10 solo albums, collecting honorary degrees from five universities, as well as an MBE along the way. The band’s principal songwriter Nevin has released seven solo records and has collaborated with many other artists, notably writing songs for Morrissey and Kirsty MacColl, as well as co-writing with Carole King. The pinnacle however was to have one his songs, ‘I Know It’s Gonna Happen Someday‘ (a co-write with Morrissey) recorded by David Bowie on his 1993 release, “Black Tie White Noise“. Edwards and Dodds worked as session musicians.

For this new LP, “Beautiful Happening” the original band is augmented by Roger Beaujolais (vibraphone) and Graham Henderson (accordion), musicians who had toured with the band previously. Recording took place at London’s Master Chord Studio which has previously hosted a wide array of artists from Dame Shirley Bassey, through Robbie Williams and Jamie Cullum to Claire Martin.

The record opens with the title track, which Nevin originally wrote for Andrea Bocelli, however the Italian tenor opted not to use the song; Bocelli must have had some amazing material to work with, because this is a beautiful song and makes a great start to the album. ‘Sing Anyway’ is a song that originally appeared on Nevin’s 2017 solo album “My Unfashionable Opinion“, however it sounds brighter and more uplifting here, sung by Reader. It features the pedal-steel guitar playing of Melvin Duffy who has played with a who’s who of artists, such as Uriah Heap, KT Tunstall, Squeeze, Joe Cocker, Tina Turner and First Aid Kit.

‘What’s Wrong with the World?‘ was the first single released from the album; it’s one of a few catchy tunes here, while lyrically Reader poses questions about all that’s wrong with the world, but ponders whether the source of the problem lies within “I come face to face with my imperfections, ‘Cos you can change the mirror but not the reflection“, then later “What’s wrong with the world? Maybe it’s me?” ‘A Hundred Years of Heartache‘ was the first song recorded when the band gathered in the studio and it’s a good one. Although it’s not immediately clear where she has been for the intervening 100 years, it’s good news; “I’m coming home, the end is in sight, I’m coming home, I’m gonna rest my head, rest my head, And a hundred years of heartache are over now, A hundred years of heartache, I made it somehow” sings Reader. This is one of the standouts on the LP.

‘Learning to Swim‘ is an amusing ditty with a catchy tune and lyrics that bring a smile to the lips; “When I was a little kid learning to swim, I didn’t want to get my kit off and get in” then “When it’s cold, you gotta be bold, Now here’s the thing, when you’re learning to swim, you gotta dive in“. While ‘Gatecrashing Heaven‘ is a change of style; it’s slower and soulful, with Reader delivering her best vocal performance of the record.

Another standout cut is ‘The Simple Truth‘, the writing of which sees Nevin collaborate with American singer-songwriter Kimmie Rhodes and Blaine Harrison (Mystery Jets) and the song benefits from the addition of a string arrangement. Closer ‘Lullaby For Irish Triplets‘ is as you would expect from the title, a gentle lullaby with lyrics highlighting the practicalities of trying to get three babies to sleep. “There’s only room in her arms for two, so when there are three, what’s a mother to do? She turns down the cover and shuts down the light, and sings this lullaby“. Obviously, that works every time.

It’s clear that Nevin knows how to write a good tune and although some of the content could be described as ‘inoffensive’ and overall there’s certainly nothing ground-breaking the album is enjoyable and there’s enough quality here to make the band’s comeback more than worthwhile.