This is the debut solo album by Powderfinger's lead singer Bernard Fanning.
Personnel include: Bernard Fanning (vocals, various instruments); Tchad Blake (pedal steel guitar); John Bedggood (mandolin, piano, keyboards, background vocals); Jerry Marotta (drums, percussion); Stu Miller (background vocals).
Recording information: Leafy Bug, Brisbane, Australia.
Formerly lead singer of the Australian alt-rock band Powderfinger, Bernard Fanning makes his solo debut with TEA AND SYMPATHY. An actor in Australian indie films alongside his music career, Fanning has a casually powerful voice that, thankfully, never quite shades into bombast, but powers songs like "Songbird" and "Wish You Well"--both of which were hit singles in Fanning's native land--with a decent amount of soul. The crisp, guitar-based production recalls both the 1970s American country-rockers (Neil Young and the Eagles, primarily) that are Fanning's key influence, as well as more recent hitmakers like Counting Crows and the Wallflowers.
What the critics say...
No Depression (p.138) - "In addition to his flair for intelligent, introspective lyrics, Fanning also has an intoxicatingly expressive voice."
