EDDI READER’s path into music was not as straightforward as some.

Growing up in Glasgow and Irvine, she busked and performed at the local folk clubs – normal enough, it is true – before running off to join the circus in the early 1980s.

After travelling around Europe with performance artists, Eddi moved to London, where she became a sought-after session vocalist. She harmonised with Annie Lennox touring with the Eurythmics, after her time with punk outfit Gang of Four.

The short-lived but warmly remembered Fairground Attraction pushed her into the limelight, thanks to the single Perfect and parent album First Of A Million Kisses.

In 2001, Eddi moved back to Glasgow, where she recorded the classic Songs Of Robert Burns album, which she toured all over the world.

Eddi was awarded the MBE in 2006 for services to singing, and the same year she released Peacetime featuring leading traditional players and produced by John McCusker. This was followed by Love is The Way, Eddi’s seventh solo album, released in 2009.

In 2010, she played sold-out shows to promote Love Is The Way. That year saw a her Hollywood debut when she featured in Me And Orson Welles, playing a chanteuse singing Let’s Pretend That There’s A Moon with the Jools Holland Orchestra.

This year, Eddi has been touring with the now legendary Transatlantic Sessions (this year’s line up included Aly Bain, Jerry Douglas, Raul Malo, Ruth Moody and Karen Matheson).

Known for not rehearsing or compiling set lists, fans have come to expect her shows to be a relaxed affair. “Yes, you all know how spontaneous I am,” she says. “The energy in the room will inform what, and how we play.”

Joining Eddi on stage will be “my old friends Boo and Alan and my new hubby on his ukulele”.

So what’s it like hanging out with a bunch of men for a month? “I don’t think there’s any difference because they are males. I take people as they are, individuals with many delights, worries, laughter, music, poignancy.

“When I’m on tour I’m focused on my physical ability to communicate, I kinda ignore everyone.”

A new album is on the way, but in the meantime Eddi plays Harrogate Royal Hall on Tuesday, November 6. For tickets visit royalhall.co.uk or phone 01423 502116.