Tooraloo & Tender
ABC Radio, August 2006

Tooraloo & Tender gets out of the blocks quickly with ‘Try, Try Again’, a combination of contemplative lyrics and acoustic rhythm that sways in Brendan’s breezy vocals, it also features in the Australian film Subdivision. It is already apparent that this is music for listening while reading a book on a Sunday afternoon. ‘The Wonder Of It All’ carries a bouncing melodious chorus that has you humming along first time round and a verse that perhaps pays tribute to musical heroes ‘... when I’m 64, still rockin’ in the free world, knockin’ on heaven’s door...’ A gentle, almost sombre, tone then takes hold. Simple, yet subtle melodies meander through the rest of the album, including a cover of Van Morrison’s ‘One Irish Rover’. If this album were to read like a book then the climax would be in the first chapter, before settling into wistful poetry questioning love, loss and life. Brendan Gallagher will always be an intriguing protagonist, his musical legacy is well recorded and respected throughout the industry and his solo career will be worth following. This is an album from a man who has done a lot of living, yet has a lot of living still to do.

Tsunami mag 16 Oct 2009

ABC Radio ‘The Planet’ sept 09

Best known as Karma County's frontman, guitarist/crooner Brendan Gallagher's experience and conception of music is wide, ranging from pop to folk to jazzy sounds on his new CD, Tooraloo and Tender.

Born into a family of 6 music-loving brothers, Brendan was exposed to a lot of popular music from an early age, forming his first band at the age of 13. Seeing Ry Cooder on the ABC news was a revelation for Brendan that led him into investigations of slide guitar and guitar open tunings that led him to publish a book on the latter subject. His early interest in recording has made him an in-demand producer, taking part in more than 20 albums in that role, including Jimmy Little's ARIA-winning Messenger. Tooraloo and Tender, his second solo album, unites Brendan's warm voice with his original take on pop songs.

Lucky Oceans

Drum Media 24.11.09

The clue is in the title. There is a real tenderness to ‘DJ Old Brendo’s’ words and music in this simple collection.

The words tumble out in quiet conversations. His exemplary guitar playing has a warmth that, while having the technical skill of a man who’s even written books on the subject, has an ease and humanity which gains your attention, without stridently demanding it.

There are songs of love and long drives up the coast to somewhere you can see the sea. But the love is that between adults and the drive is in the family people mover rather than the sports car with the warm wind in your hair. Or what’s left of it.

To open with a song called Try, Try Again, is the honesty of a man who is still trying to get it – or make it – right. The arrogance has gone and you’re left with your craft and hopefully your faith in love. His experience gives him the knowledge of self – even knowing when you’re ‘three fingers into trouble’. Regrets, he’s had a few. But then again, you can usually get a song out of them. However, he can still appreciate The Wonder Of It All. Like that framed cheque on the wall from that David Bowie session.

See, Mr Gallagher has history. Of course he was/is the lugubrious tones of Karma County. Producer of note for the likes of the venerable Jimmy Little. But it still all comes back to the songs and the sincerity with which he can deliver them. And that’s the way it should be. Classy and crafted, as expected..

Ross Clelland

New album Tooraloo & Tender is out now.