The Empathist
Ging, 2025
10/10
The JUNO Award Winner and multi-instrumentalist Stephen Fearing brings along many players for 10 tracks of his timeless and wise storytelling.
The punchy spirit and soaring vocals of “Bring This Song” finds itself in the lead off position, where Ken Coomer’s skilled drumming and Jim Hoke’s animated sax add much warmth, and “Far From The Middle” follows with Sue Foley’s rugged guitar and John Dymond’s strategic bass that makes for an animated, rootsy delivery.
“Marie” and “Best Road I’ve Known” land in the middle. The former is an intimate moment that benefits much from Kelly Prescott’s pretty voice and MC Hansen’s gentle acoustic guitar, while the latter showcases Hoke’s frisky piano that complements Fearing’s lively singing.
Arriving near the end, “Where Will I Be” offers a minimal tune via Dala’s expressive pipes and strong attention to ambience and mood, and “Valentine’s Day” exits with Kristen Webber’s aching viola and Austin Hoke’s graceful cello that adds even more elegance to the heartfelt finish.
The company Fearing surrounds himself with is unparalleled, and the songs are fantastic, too. An effort with plenty of harmonies, finger picking, protest songs and nods to folk, blues and country, this is some the finest music in the area of modern Americana.
Travels well with: Julian Taylor- Pathways; Howard Gladstone- Crazy Talk