Performings
In the Sofa of Fools, Spookmeister Stephen Taberner (double bass, vocals) is joined by two enchanted musical souls in Jack Fitzgerald Sice (guitar, voice, things), and Coral Reid (fiddle and singings).
The repertoire is largely comprised of ST’s originals, which are known for the creation of a barely describable pastiche of quirkiness, funkiness and outright melancholia, but there’s plenty of other musical bonbons to nibble on, too…
Burning Slow is Stephen’s debut album, made in 2002 while he was living in the blue mountains, taking a good hard look at himself and undergoing what can only be called a most remarkable midlife songwriting rennaissance.
Burning Slow reflects different aspects of love in relationships including the anguish, the exhilaration and the toe wrestling. To capture these different moods Stephen drew on his experience as film and theatre musician as well as a wide array of collaborators. This album is an aural road trip featuring lush vocal ensembles, demonic organ solos, string quartets, pygmy glee clubs, intimate piano ballads and filthy blues, as well as influences from Celtic and South African music, with the enigmatic and inspired guitar work of Lenny Marks. The album was conceived in the airy big jesus burger studios using the technical wizardry and intuitive guidance of Chris Townend. Other artists featured on the album include the legendary Hamish Stuart on drums and percussion and the sweetly lurid vocals of sirens Janet Swain and Robyn King.
“Small intimate truths presented without pretense but with considerable artistry. His unassuming but compelling voice soars over quirkily imaginative accoustic backdrops....it’s like gatecrashing someone else’s dreams” - John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald Metro
“Very much a songwriter’s album, and a delicious cornucopia as such” - Michael Smith, Drum Media