Tea & Sympathy (Bernard Fanning album) and A Wednesday!: Difference between pages

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{{Infobox Film
:''This article is about the album by Bernard Fanning. For the stage play, see [[Tea and Sympathy]].''
| name = A Wednesday
{{Infobox Album <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums -->
| Name = Tea & Sympathy
| image = A Wednesday Poster.JPG
| Type = studio
| image_size =
| caption = Promotional poster for the film
| Artist = [[Bernard Fanning]]
| Cover = tea_and_sympathy.jpg
| director = [[Neeraj Pandey]]
| producer = [[Ronnie Screwvala]]</br>[[Shital Bhatia]]</br>[[Anjum Rizvi]]
| Released = 31 October 2005
| writer =
| Recorded = [[Real World Studios]], [[Bath, England]] <small><br />May 2005–June 2005</small><br />Leafy Bug Studios, [[Brisbane, Australia]]<small><br />July 2005</small>
| narrator =
| Genre = [[Alternative rock]], [[country music|country]]-[[folk music|folk]]
| starring = [[Anupam Kher]]</br>[[Naseeruddin Shah]]
| Length = 46:41
| Label = [[Dew Process]] (AUS)<br />[[Lost Highway Records|Lost Highway]] (US)
| music = [[Sanjoy Chowdhury]]
| cinematography =
| Producer = [[Tchad Blake]], [[Bernard Fanning]]
| Reviews =
| editing =
| distributor = [[UTV Motion Pictures]]
*''[[The Age]]'' {{rating|3|5}} [http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/tea-amp-sympathy/2005/11/03/1130823314010.html link]
| released = [[September 5]] [[2008]]
*[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] (positive) [http://www.abc.net.au/tasmania/stories/s1496975.htm link]
| runtime =
*[[Allmusic]] {{rating|3.5|5}} [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:2bklu3ldan4k link]
| country = {{flagicon|India}} [[India]]
*[[BBC]] {{rating|3|5}} [http://www.bbc.co.uk/nottingham/music/2004/09/get_cape_sebastian_teller_bernard_fanning_shaun_colvin.shtml link]
| language = [[Hindi language|Hindi]]
*musicOMH {{rating|3|5}} [http://www.musicomh.com/albums/bernard-fanning_0906.htm link]
| budget =
{{Singles
| Name = Tea & Sympathy
| gross =
| Type = studio
| preceded_by =
| single 1 = [[Wish You Well]]
| followed_by =
| single 1 date = 2005
| website =
| amg_id =
| single 2 = [[Songbird (Bernard Fanning song)|Songbird]]
| single 2 date = 2005
| imdb_id = 1280558
| single 3 = [[Watch Over Me (song)|Watch Over Me]]
| single 3 date = 26 June 2006
}}
}}
}}
'''''Tea & Sympathy''''' is the debut [[studio album]] by Australian [[rock music|rock]] musician [[Bernard Fanning]]. It was released on 31 October 2005 by [[Dew Process]] records during a [[Powderfinger#Era of side projects (2005–2007)|hiatus]] of Fanning's main band [[Powderfinger]]. Recording solo for the first time, Fanning decided to work outside of his band's traditional [[alternative rock]] sound, and instead wrote songs which blend alternative and [[country music|country]]-[[folk music]].


'''''A Wednesday''''' is a [[Hindi]] [[Bollywood]] film released on [[5 September]] [[2008]]. It was directed by [[Neeraj Pandey]], and produced by [[Ronnie Screwvala]], and [[UTV Software Communications|UTV]] Spotboy Productions. The movie stars [[Anupam Kher]] and [[Naseeruddin Shah]] in leading roles. The music score is by [[Sanjoy Chowdhury]]. The movie tells the story of events that unfold between 2 pm and 6 pm on a particular [[Wednesday]]—events which do not exist in any record but which deeply affects the lives of those involved. This movie marks the return of Kher and Shah together on screen after a gap of 12 years.
''Tea & Sympathy'''s lyrics are more solemn than Powderfinger's. This was in part because much of the album was written following the end of Fanning's twelve-year relationship with his girlfriend, and because he now drew inspiration from social and political issues. Fanning recorded four songs at his home studio in [[Brisbane, Australia|Brisbane]] and the rest at [[Real World Studios]] near [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]], England. Both sessions involved the American [[record producer|producer]] [[Tchad Blake]]. To support the album's release Fanning toured Australia twice and performed across North America and the UK.


==Synopsis==
Critics were generally moderate in their praise for ''Tea & Sympathy''. Fanning's vocals and lyrics were typically well received, however the album was often characterised as being sometimes dull. Despite this the album topped the [[Australian Recording Industry Association|Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA)]] [[ARIA Albums Chart|albums chart]] and won three awards at the [[ARIA Music Awards of 2006|2006]] [[ARIA Awards]] as well as an [[APRA Award]] and a [[J Award]].
The [[Mumbai]] Police Commissioner, Prakash Rathod (played by Anupam Kher) is going to retire the next day and he recalls a certain event when he got a call from an anonymous caller (played by Naseeruddin Shah) demanding the release of four militants in lieu of information on bombs that the man had planted in various parts of the city. At first, Prakash suspects it to be a prank call but his doubts are dispelled once he actually finds a bomb planted in the police station right opposite his Police Headquarters. He gets a team of his best men together and taps all his resources to track down the man.


Meanwhile, he comes across Naina Roy ([[Deepal Shaw]]), a wannabe TV news reporter who also has been tipped off by the anonymous caller. Time passes without any concrete results on the identity of the caller. Ultimately, Prakash Rathore gives in to caller's demand and puts two of his best men, Arif ([[Jimmy Shergill]]) and Jai ([[Amir Bashir]]) to hand over the four militants at the [[Juhu Aerodrome|Juhu Aviation Base]] Strip as demanded by the caller.
==Background and production==
[[Powderfinger]] took a hiatus in 2004 following the release of ''[[Fingerprints: The Best of Powderfinger, 1994-2000]]''. Several members played in the side projects [[Drag (band)|Drag]] and [[The Predators (band)|The Predators]]. Fanning chose to work independently, and followed a musical direction he had been unable to explore while working with Powderfinger. Part of his inspiration came a desire to discover if he had the ability to create a solo album,<ref name=Australian>{{cite web|url= http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,17032570-16947,00.html |title=Love and other bruises|publisher=[[news.com.au]]|work=[[The Australian]]|author=Iain Shedden|date=29 October 2005|accessdate=2008-05-23}}</ref> especially considering his limited guitar playing abilities compared to [[Darren Middleton]] and [[Ian Haug]].<ref name=dB /> Both the distance from the band and writing process of ''Tea & Sympathy'' helped Fanning unwind from the stress endured during his 10 year career with Powderfinger. He told Australian newspaper ''[[The Age]]'', "the lyrics of the record are pretty sad overall. I'm probably offering myself sympathy."<ref name=White>{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2005/10/20/1129775894691.html |title=White with one|publisher=''[[The Age]]''|author=Andrew Murfett|date=22 October 2005|accessdate=2008-05-23}}</ref>


Arif decides to not hand over one of the militants so as to ensure that all the bomb information can be forced out of the caller. But as soon as they leave the rest of the militants by a bench, they find that the bench is blown up by powerful explosives killing all three militants. The anonymous caller then forces them to kill the fourth (and last) militant and reveals that he (the caller) is a common man who was sick of living in terror and decided to act. They eventually trace him to an abandoned building but everybody in the department is reluctant to catch him as they are pretty moved by the common man's narration about his life and the motive behind all the happenings. But Prakash Rathod goes to the location to find the man coming out of the building. They shake hands and depart. Prakash Rathod spares the common man. Prakash Rathod discusses the issue with the [[Chief Minister of Maharashtra|Chief Minister of the state]] and decide to bury the matter and destroy all records of the episode.
Fanning wanted to create a politically-oriented album with which he could attack then [[Prime Minister of Australia]] [[John Howard]], following Howard's [[Australian federal election, 2004|2004 election]] victory over [[Mark Latham]]. The death of Fanning's brother to [[cancer]], coupled with the end of a twelve-year relationship brought Fanning into the tabloids' spotlight, and saw him steer the album in a different direction.<ref name=dB>{{cite web|url=http://www.dbmagazine.com.au/371/iv-BernardFanning.shtml |title=Bernard Fanning. |publisher=''dB''|author=Matt Connors |accessdate=2008-10-11}}</ref><ref name=Oakland>{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20060811/ai_n16655093 |title=Powderfinger's Bernard Fanning enjoying going solo|publisher=''[[Oakland Tribune]]''|date=11 August 2006|accessdate=2008-05-24}}</ref> Fanning explained that after going through "a pretty weird time in the past twelve months", he did not intend to talk about his experiences, instead expressing them through music.<ref name=smh /> The motivation for some songs came from the 2005 [[Big Day Out]]; disappointment with the antisocial nature of the event and the [[heavy metal]] music played spurred him to "make music that was the opposite of that".<ref name=smh />


== Cast ==
Fanning worked with producer [[Tchad Blake]] and was funded by record label [[Dew Process]]. Sessions for the album began in February 2005 when Fanning and several other musicians recorded tracks at Blake's Brisbane studio. Four of these—"Not Finished Just Yet", "Believe", "Wash Me Clean", and "Hope & Validation"—appeared on the album after being mixed by Blake.<ref name=Australian /><ref name=AMO /> The other tracks were recorded and mixed at [[Real World Studios]] near [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]], England. In Bath, Fanning worked with musicians including [[Jerry Marotta]], [[Keith Duffy (bassist)|Keith Duffy]], and John Bedggood.<ref name=AMO>{{cite web|url=http://www.amo.org.au/release.asp?id=7506 |title=Tea And Sympathy|publisher=[[Australian Music Online]]|accessdate=2008-05-23|author=[[Bernard Fanning]]}}</ref> While writing Fanning listened to music of guitarists [[Lightning Hopkins]], [[Tom Petty]], and [[singer-songwriter]] [[Gillian Welch]], who all influenced his work. "I'd love to play guitar like that, but I simply don't have the skill to do it", said Fanning of Hopkins' work, noting he had always wanted to make a [[country blues]] record.<ref name=smh>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/music/sadness-love-and-the-gospel-truth/2005/10/30/1130607140325.html |title=Sadness, love and the gospel truth|publisher=''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]''|date=30 October 2005|author=Christine Sams|accessdate=2008-05-24}}</ref>
* [[Anupam Kher]] .... Commissioner Prakash Rathod
* [[Naseeruddin Shah]] .... SANKA ROY
* [[Jimmy Shergill]] .... Inspector Arif Khan
* [[Deepal Shaw]] .... TV reoprter Naina Roy
* [[Amir Bashir]] .... Inspector Jai Singh


==References==
The album's title comes from a [[saying]] which Fanning explained to ''The Age'' as "you offer someone tea and sympathy, you sit down with them, have a cup of tea and you just talk." He noted that there is a credit on an album by [[The Rolling Stones]] for the provision of "tea and sympathy".<ref name=White />
{{reflist}}


==Reviews==
==Touring and promotion==
*Subhash K. Jha, [http://www.newkerala.com/topstory-fullnews-15490.html newkerals.com], August 27 2008, "Anupam Kher impresses Narendra Modi with 'A Wednesday'"
Fanning toured much of Australia to support ''Tea & Sympathy'', including two major concert tours.<ref name=DewP3 /> He held a number of intimate launch shows before releasing the album. These shows had drawn praise from critics—''[[Time Off]]'' magazine's Ben Preece reported, "The chemistry between the Powderfinger frontman and his band (nicknamed The Gap Jazz School Choir) is excellent and their constant in-between song banter is hilarious. Then, of course, there’s the music." He commended the multiple genre changes during the 90-minute performance, as well as Fanning's vocal showcase.<ref name=DewP3 />
*Elvis D'Silva, [http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/sep/05wed.htm Rediff India Abroad], September 5 2008, "Watch Wednesday"
*Nikhat Kazmi, [http://o3.indiatimes.com/mytimes/archive/2008/09/06/4938902.aspx The Times of India], September 5 2008, "A Wednesday - Best shot by Anupam Kher and Naseeruddin Shah"
*Gaurav Malani, [http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/3447419.cms The Economic Times], September 5 2008, "A Wednesday: Movie Review"
*Rajeev Masand, [http://www.ibnlive.com/news/masands-verdict-any-day-watch-a-wednesday/72967-8.html IBN Live], September 6 2008, "Masand's Verdict: Any day, watch A Wednesday"
*Nikhat Kazmi, [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/moviereview/3449896.cms The Times of India], September 5 2008, "A Wednesday"
*Nikhil Kumar, [http://www.apunkachoice.com/dyn/movies/hindi/a_wednesday/a_wednesday-review.html ApunkaChoice.com], "'A Wednesday' -Could make your day"
*A Common Man, [http://www.moviejini.com/bollywood-news/a-wednesday-movie-a-must-must-watch-movie/], "'A Wednesday' - A Story of an Aaam Aadmi that gives you the feel of Freedom!. A must watch movie!"


==External links==
The Which Way Home? tour, named after the album's sixth track, was announced on 2 December 2005. It went through February and March 2006; Fanning performed in [[Sydney]], [[Canberra]], [[Adelaide]], [[Melbourne]], [[Hobart]], [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]], and [[Brisbane]]. He was joined on tour by Perth band [[The Panics]] and Brisbane singer Andrew Morris.<ref name=DewP3>{{cite web|url=http://www.dew-process.com/artists-newsfull.cfm?id=3&artist=1 |title=Bernard Fanning announces Which Way Home? Tour|publisher=[[Dew Process]]|date=2 December 2005|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> On 11 August, Fanning also announced that tours across the United States and Canada would follow the album's 8 August release in North America. An 11 September UK release was also announced with [[Dew Process]] revealing that numerous London shows had already been sold out.<ref name=DewP46>{{cite web|url=http://www.dew-process.com/artists-newsfull.cfm?id=46&artist=1 |title=Bernard Fanning Announces Yesterday's Gone Tour|publisher=[[Dew Process]]|date=11 August 2006|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref>
*{{imdb title|id=1280558|title=A Wednesday}}
*[http://www.awednesdaythefilm.com/ ''A Wednesday'' Official Website]


{{movie-stub}}
Performances in London attracted much expatriate support; he joked, "I think I have about 14 English fans." The performances were received positively; musicOMH's Barnaby Smith rated his 4 September showing at London's [[Arts Theatre]] four stars, commenting on Powderfinger-esque "loud, anthemic, guitar-driven rock in a '70s vein", and praising Fanning's utilisation of the piano and guitar as part of his performance. As part of his show, Fanning dedicated the song "Give It All Up" to the recently deceased [[Steve Irwin]], an Australian television personality.<ref name=OMHlive>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicomh.com/music/gigs/bernard-fanning_0906.htm |title=Bernard Fanning|publisher=musicOMH|author=Barnaby Smith|date=4 September 2006|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref>

==Album and single releases==
{{Sound sample box align right|Music sample from ''Tea & Sympathy''}}
{{Listen|filename=Bernard Fanning-Wish You Well-20s.ogg|title="Wish You Well"|description=The optimistic chorus of "Wish You Well" was written by Fanning during an "unusually positive frame of mind".<ref name=loner />|format=[[Ogg]]}}
{{sample box end}}
''Tea & Sympathy'' was released by Dew Process in Australia on 31 October 2005, and in the United Kingdom on 18 September 2006.<ref name=musicOMH /> The album peaked at number one on Australia's [[ARIA Albums Chart]] and number 11 on New Zealand's [[RIANZ Albums Chart]].<ref name=AusCharts>{{cite web|url=http://www.australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Bernard+Fanning&titel=Tea+%26+Sympathy&cat=a |title=Bernard Fanning - Tea & Sympathy|publisher=australian-charts.com |accessdate=2008-05-24}}</ref> The [[Australian Record Industry Association]] has since certified ''Tea & Sympathy'' platinum five times over for sales in excess of 350,000 units.<ref name=ARIAaccred>{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/ARIACharts-Accreditations-2006Albums.htm |title=ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2006 Albums|publisher=[[Australian Record Industry Association]]|accessdate=2008-05-29}}</ref>

"[[Wish You Well]]" was the first single released from the album. Although it did not chart in Australia, it peaked at number 24 in New Zealand,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://charts.org.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Bernard+Fanning&titel=Wish+You+Well&cat=s |title=Bernard Fanning - Wish You Well|publisher=charts.org.nz|accessdate=2008-05-31}}</ref> and topped the [[Triple J]] [[Triple J Hottest 100|Hottest 100]], [[Triple J Hottest 100, 2005|2005]].<ref name=JJJ100>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100/history/2005.htm |title=Hottest 100 {{!}} History {{!}} 2005|publisher=[[abc.net.au]]|work=[[Triple J]]|accessdate=2008-06-27}}</ref> Fanning explained that the inspiration for the song came to him when he woke one morning, "and Wish You Well just arrived in a splurge. There were swallows flying around. I was in an unusually positive frame of mind."<ref name=loner>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/gig-reviews/bernard-fanning/2006/10/12/1160246251381.html |title=Solo success doesn't make Bernard Fanning a loner.|publisher=''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]''|author=Barry Divola|date=12 October 2006|accessdate=2008-05-31}}</ref> MusicOMH's Barnaby Smith described "Wish You Well" as reminiscent of [[Daryl Braithwaite]] and a "basic song with [a] catchy chorus you might sing round a campfire".<ref name=OMHWishYouWell>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicomh.com/singles/bernard-fanning_0906.htm |title=Bernard Fanning - Wish You Well (Lost Highway)|publisher=musicOMH.com|author=Barnaby Smith|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> The online release "[[Songbird (Bernard Fanning song)|Songbird]]" was the albums second single. The song was broadly popular, and lead to Fanning's win of Songwriter of the Year at the 2006 [[APRA Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,19371554-5001026,00.html |title=Songwriter Fanning is year's best|publisher=[[news.com.au]]|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|author=Kathy McCabe|date=6 June 2006|accessdate=2008-06-01}}</ref> "Songbird" won Most Performed Blues and Roots Work at the 2007 ceremony and was nominated for Most Performed Australian Work.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21857902-1702,00.html |title=APRA winners announced|publisher=[[news.com.au]]|work=[[The Australian]]|date=5 June 2007|accessdate=2008-06-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21700352-29277,00.html?from=public_rss |title=APRA music nominations announced|publisher=[[news.com.au]]|author=Michael Gadd|date=9 May 2007|accessdate=2008-06-01}}</ref> The single did not appear on the ARIA Singles Chart, but peaked at number 11 on the Australian national airplay charts.<ref name=BFnews /> It also reached number 14 on the Triple J Hottest 100, 2005.<ref name=JJJ100 />

"[[Watch Over Me (song)|Watch Over Me]]" was released as the final single on 24 June 2006.<ref name=Rave>{{cite web|url=http://www.ravemagazine.com.au/content/view/323/ |title=Bernard Fanning Youngcare concert sold out!|publisher=''Rave Magazine''|accessdate=2008-06-02}}</ref> All proceeds from the single were passed on to Australian charity Youngcare. Fanning also toured with [[Kasey Chambers]], again giving proceeds to the charity.<ref name=Rave /> Fanning said that "the aim of this show and the single release is to raise money for Youngcare but also to raise awareness of the terrible situation that these young people face", refer to children in forced to live in aged facilities.<ref name=Max>{{cite web|url=http://maxtv.com.au/Max/Article.aspx?id=68 |title=Bernard Fanning's new single and Brissy concert|publisher=''Max''|date=5 May 2006|accessdate=2008-06-02}}</ref> "Watch Over Me" spent eight weeks on the ARIA Singles Chart, where it peaked at number 16.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?key=251268&cat=s |title=Bernard Fanning - Watch Over Me|publisher=australian-charts.com|accessdate=2008-06-02}}</ref> The song was performed by Fanning, Chambers, and [[Clare Bowditch]] at the [[ARIA Music Awards of 2006|2006 ARIA Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,23663,20667181-5008322,00.html |title=Rock rules the Arias|publisher=[[news.com.au]]|author=Justine Parker|date=30 October 2006|accessdate=2008-06-02}}</ref>

==Music and lyrics==
Opening track "Thrill is Gone" was written by Fanning as a joke about a hypothetical ending in his relation with rock music.<ref name=Australian /><ref name=dB /> The song is reminiscent of 70s country/folk [[Led Zeppelin]],<ref name=Harp>{{cite web|url=http://harpmagazine.com/reviews/cd_reviews/detail.cfm?article_id=4664 |title=Bernard Fanning, Tea & Sympathy|publisher=''[[Harp (magazine)|Harp]]''|author=Brian Baker|date=September 2006|accessdate=2008-06-30}}</ref> setting the mood for the rest of the album.<ref name=CST>{{cite web|url=http://www.countrystandardtime.com/d/article.asp?xid=983 |title=Bernard Fanning stirs up "Tea & Sympathy"|publisher=''Country Standard Time''|author=Brian Baker|date=October 2006|accessdate=2008-06-30}}</ref> Numerous songs on the album are influenced by [[Neil Finn|Neil]] and [[Tim Finn|Tim]] [[Finn Brothers|Finn]]; "Believe", "Sleeping Rough", "The Strangest Thing", and "Wish You Well" all have comparisons drawn to the brothers.<ref name=musicOMH /><ref name=Harp /><ref name=OMHWishYouWell /> "Not Finished Just Yet" and "Songbird", meanwhile, are reminiscent of Neil Young—a long-term Powderfinger influence.<ref name=Harp /><ref name=OMHlive /> Much of the album was emotional, as opposed to Powderfinger's habitually critical music; "Wish You Well", "Not Finished Just Yet", and "Yesterday's Gone" were noted as examples of "Fanning frankly prodding and probing matters of the heart" by ''dB''.<ref name=dB />

On "Wash Me Clean", Fanning aimed to imitate [[Nick Drake]]; songs that "you to sleep because they've got so much air and space in them". This came as a contrast to the louder, more vocal Powderfinger work he was accustomed to.<ref name=CST /> "Watch Over Me", released and promoted in support of Australian charity Youngcare,<ref name=Max /> was one of the slowest and most emotional songs on the album—''The Age''{{'}}s Daniel Ziffer described it as "emotionally wrenching". It was written alongside "Believe" following the 2005 Big Day Out.<ref name=smh /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/the-power-of-one-in-fanning-farewell/2006/11/03/1162340051028.html |title=The power of one in Fanning farewell|publisher=''[[The Age]]''|author=Daniel Ziffer|date=4 November 2006|accessdate=2008-06-30}}</ref> Sometimes construed as a relationships-based song, "Watch Over Me" was written by Fanning after watching [[Pope John Paul II]]'s funeral.<ref name=dB /> "Down To The River" was equally slow in portions, mixed in with sections of "searing, heart-rending pleading"—praised as the best song Fanning had written by musicOMH's Barnaby Smith.<ref name=musicOMH />

==Reception==
''Tea & Sympathy'' was awarded "Best Cover Art" and "Album Of The Year" at the [[ARIA Music Awards of 2006|2006]] [[ARIA Music Awards]], having also been nominated for "Best Blues & Roots Album" and "Highest Selling Album". "Wish You Well" won "Best Video", while "Watch Over Me" was nominated for "Single Of The Year".<ref name=ARIAAwards>{{cite web|url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-artist.php?letter=B&artist=Bernard%20Fanning |title=Artist: Bernard Fanning|publisher=[[ARIA Music Awards]]|accessdate=2008-05-25}}</ref> The song topped the [[Triple J Hottest 100]], [[Triple J Hottest 100, 2005|2005]],<ref name=loner /> and was the most broadcast song on Australian radio in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/music/and-the-most-played-song-is-/2007/01/08/1168104915488.html |title=And the most played song is ...|publisher=''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]''|date=8 January 2007|accessdate=2008-05-31}}</ref> Fanning won "Best Male Artist" for his work on the album, and as part of his acceptance speech challenged fellow Australian musicians to write protest songs—something they had been criticised for a lack of by [[ARIA Hall of Fame]] inductee [[Rob Hirst]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/veronicas-get-aria-gong/2006/10/29/1162056867302.html?from=rss |title=Trio gets top gong, Fanning gets Sympathy vote|publisher=''[[The Age]]''|author=Patrick Donovan|date=30 October 2006|accessdate=2008-06-05}}</ref> ''Tea & Sympathy'' was nominated for the inaugural [[J Award]] in 2005,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/jaward/tea_and_sympathy.htm |title=Nominated albums: Tea and Sympathy / Bernard Fanning|publisher=[[abc.net.au]]|work=[[Triple J]]|accessdate=2008-06-27}}</ref><ref name=BFnews>{{cite web|url=http://www.bernardfanning.com/news.cfm |title=Bernard Fanning news|publisher=[[Bernard Fanning|BernardFanning.com]]|date=18 November 2005|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5Y4br760j |archivedate=2008-05-25 |accessdate=2008-06-01}}</ref> and Fanning won "Songwriter of the Year" at the 2006 [[APRA Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.apra.com.au/awards/music/winners2006.asp |title=2006 Winners|publisher=[[APRA Awards]]|accessdate=2008-05-25}}</ref> [[MTV Australia]] named ''Tea & Sympathy'' "Album of the Year" at its 2006 [[MTV Video Music Awards|Video Music Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2006/04/13/1615274.htm |title=Fanning takes out MTV's top award|publisher=[[abc.net.au]]|date=13 April 2006|accessdate=2008-06-05}}</ref>

''Tea & Sympathy''{{'}}s critical reception was moderate. It was generally seen as being less entertaining than Fanning's Powderfinger work—''[[The Age]]'' said Powderfinger were a "rock band ingrained in the national psyche" like [[Cold Chisel]], but that ''Tea & Sympathy'' showed little resemblance to [[Jimmy Barnes]]'s debut album, ''[[Bodyswerve]]''.<ref name=AgeRev>{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/tea-amp-sympathy/2005/11/03/1130823314010.html |title=Tea & Sympathy|publisher=''[[The Age]]''|author=Craig Mathieson|date=4 November 2005|accessdate=2008-05-23}}</ref> Barnaby Smith of musicOMH said the album was not "a work to suggest [Fanning's] solo career might better Powderfinger".<ref name=musicOMH>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicomh.com/albums/bernard-fanning_0906.htm |title=Bernard Fanning - Tea and Sympathy|publisher=musicOMH|author=Barnaby Smith|accessdate=2008-05-22}}</ref> The [[BBC]]'s Jenna Bachelor wrote that the album is "pleasant enough without pulling up any trees".<ref name=BBCrev>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/nottingham/music/2004/09/get_cape_sebastian_teller_bernard_fanning_shaun_colvin.shtml |title=Bernard Fanning - Tea and Sympathy|publisher=[[BBC]]|author=Jenna Bachelor|date=September 2006|accessdate=2008-05-20}}</ref>

Despite Fanning's claims he could not write a country song,<ref name=ABCrev>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/tasmania/stories/s1496975.htm |title=Disc of the week: Tea & Sympathy|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|author=Tim Cox|date=3 November 2005|accessdate=2008-05-22}}</ref> the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] (ABC) and BBC drew comparisons to [[Neil Young]] the [[Supergroup (music)|supergroup]] [[Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young]]. The ABC said ''Tea & Sympathy'' resembled the band's work, "though without the hippy, drippy lyrics",<ref name=ABCrev /> while the BBC observed a "harmony porch style sound" highly similar to that of Young.<ref name=BBCrev /> [[Allmusic]] wrote that "Fanning's influences are strictly old school", noting [[Manassas (band)|Manassas]]' [[Manassas (album)|self titled album]] and [[Elton John]]'s ''[[Tumbleweed Connection]]'' as similar.<ref name=AMGrev>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:2bklu3ldan4k |title=Tea & Sympathy > Overview|publisher=[[Allmusic]]|author=Andy Whitman|accessdate=2008-05-19}}</ref>

Fanning's vocals drew praise; Allmusic's Andy Whitman said he was a "fine, soulful singer" whose "vocal presence alone merits attention".<ref name=AMGrev /> Other aspects of the album, though, were seen in a more negative light. musicOMH said songs like "Wash Me Clean" "simply lack a strong enough melody",<ref name=musicOMH /> while the BBC wrote that Fanning "might have to be happy with 'straight in at 101,' in the UK" despite topping the ARIA Albums Chart.<ref name=BBCrev /> ''The Age'' concluded its review by calling ''Tea & Sympathy'' "a low-key but worthy personal offering".<ref name=AgeRev />

==Track listing==
#"Thrill Is Gone" – 3:11
#"[[Wish You Well]]" – 2:31
#"Not Finished Just Yet" – 3:17
#"[[Songbird (Bernard Fanning song)|Songbird]]" – 2:36
#"Believe" – 3:07
#"Which Way Home?" – 3:21
#"Wash Me Clean" – 2:37
#"Hope & Validation" – 3:09
#"Sleeping Rough" – 4:34
#"The Strangest Thing" – 3:14
#"Further Down The Road" – 4:41
#"Down To The River" – 4:13
#"Yesterday's Gone" – 2:34
#"[[Watch Over Me (song)|Watch Over Me]]" – 3:31
#"[[Weekend of Mystery]]" ([[iTunes]] bonus release) – 3:36

==Personnel==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
===UK sessions===
''Tracks 1, 2, 4, 6 and 9–14.''
*Bernard Fanning – guitars and vocals
*Jerry Marotta – drums and percussion
*Keith Duffy – bass guitar
*John Bedggood – guitars, keyboards and backing vocals
*Tchad Blake – lap steel guitar
*Ben Quinn – backing vocals
*Stu Miller – backing vocals

===Australian sessions===
''Tracks 3, 5, 7 and 8.''
*Bernard Fanning – guitars and vocals
*Duane Billing – drums and percussion
*Matt Engelbrecht – bass guitar and lead guitar
*Chris Bosley – bass guitar
{{col-break}}

===Production===
*Bernard Fanning – producer
*[[Tchad Blake]] – producer, engineer and mixer <small><br>(Real World Studios, Box, UK)</small>
*Claire Lewis – assistant engineer <small><br>(Real World Studios, Box, UK)</small>
*Mark McElligott – engineer and mixer <small><br>(Leafy Bug Studios, Brisbane, Australia)</small>
{{col-end}}

==Notes==
{{reflist|2}}
<br />
{{s-start}}
{{succession box
| before = ''[[Intensive Care (album)|Intensive Care]]'' by [[Robbie Williams]]
| title = [[ARIA Charts|Australian ARIA Albums Chart]] [[Number-one albums of 2005 (Australia)|number-one album]]
| years = 7 November 2005–13 November 2005
| after = ''[[Ancora]]'' by [[Il Divo]]
}}
{{end}}


[[Category:2005 albums]]
[[Category:2008 films]]
[[Category:Bernard Fanning albums]]
[[Category:Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Tchad Blake]]
[[Category:Indian films]]

Revision as of 11:37, 11 October 2008

A Wednesday
Promotional poster for the film
Directed byNeeraj Pandey
Produced byRonnie Screwvala
Shital Bhatia
Anjum Rizvi
StarringAnupam Kher
Naseeruddin Shah
Music bySanjoy Chowdhury
Distributed byUTV Motion Pictures
Release date
September 5 2008
CountryIndia India
LanguageHindi

A Wednesday is a Hindi Bollywood film released on 5 September 2008. It was directed by Neeraj Pandey, and produced by Ronnie Screwvala, and UTV Spotboy Productions. The movie stars Anupam Kher and Naseeruddin Shah in leading roles. The music score is by Sanjoy Chowdhury. The movie tells the story of events that unfold between 2 pm and 6 pm on a particular Wednesday—events which do not exist in any record but which deeply affects the lives of those involved. This movie marks the return of Kher and Shah together on screen after a gap of 12 years.

Synopsis

The Mumbai Police Commissioner, Prakash Rathod (played by Anupam Kher) is going to retire the next day and he recalls a certain event when he got a call from an anonymous caller (played by Naseeruddin Shah) demanding the release of four militants in lieu of information on bombs that the man had planted in various parts of the city. At first, Prakash suspects it to be a prank call but his doubts are dispelled once he actually finds a bomb planted in the police station right opposite his Police Headquarters. He gets a team of his best men together and taps all his resources to track down the man.

Meanwhile, he comes across Naina Roy (Deepal Shaw), a wannabe TV news reporter who also has been tipped off by the anonymous caller. Time passes without any concrete results on the identity of the caller. Ultimately, Prakash Rathore gives in to caller's demand and puts two of his best men, Arif (Jimmy Shergill) and Jai (Amir Bashir) to hand over the four militants at the Juhu Aviation Base Strip as demanded by the caller.

Arif decides to not hand over one of the militants so as to ensure that all the bomb information can be forced out of the caller. But as soon as they leave the rest of the militants by a bench, they find that the bench is blown up by powerful explosives killing all three militants. The anonymous caller then forces them to kill the fourth (and last) militant and reveals that he (the caller) is a common man who was sick of living in terror and decided to act. They eventually trace him to an abandoned building but everybody in the department is reluctant to catch him as they are pretty moved by the common man's narration about his life and the motive behind all the happenings. But Prakash Rathod goes to the location to find the man coming out of the building. They shake hands and depart. Prakash Rathod spares the common man. Prakash Rathod discusses the issue with the Chief Minister of the state and decide to bury the matter and destroy all records of the episode.

Cast

References

Reviews

  • Subhash K. Jha, newkerals.com, August 27 2008, "Anupam Kher impresses Narendra Modi with 'A Wednesday'"
  • Elvis D'Silva, Rediff India Abroad, September 5 2008, "Watch Wednesday"
  • Nikhat Kazmi, The Times of India, September 5 2008, "A Wednesday - Best shot by Anupam Kher and Naseeruddin Shah"
  • Gaurav Malani, The Economic Times, September 5 2008, "A Wednesday: Movie Review"
  • Rajeev Masand, IBN Live, September 6 2008, "Masand's Verdict: Any day, watch A Wednesday"
  • Nikhat Kazmi, The Times of India, September 5 2008, "A Wednesday"
  • Nikhil Kumar, ApunkaChoice.com, "'A Wednesday' -Could make your day"
  • A Common Man, [1], "'A Wednesday' - A Story of an Aaam Aadmi that gives you the feel of Freedom!. A must watch movie!"

External links

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