7 Worlds Collide - Live At The St. James [Live]

Neil Finn | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 26, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Nettwerk
• ASIN: B000060NUQ
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #112,338 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jam Session Kiwi Style, February 27, 2002

By 

yvonne demerdash (Goldsboro, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 7 Worlds Collide - Live At The St. James (Audio CD)

Neil Finn is not your average rocker. He is probably the most underappreciated lyricist and melody writer of our time! His themes are simple, yet far-reaching, and touch the places in the heart that most rock music today does not approach. This live album from Finn records a very personal performance reviewing his career from his days with Split Enz to his most recent solo work, with fellow musicians who just happen to be his friends. Eddie Vedder is having a rocking good time singing "I See Red", but he shifts gears quickly to croon the love ballad "Stuff and Nonsense" (both songs from Split Enz years). Tim Finn joins his brother for two songs from their collaboration FINN. "Angel's Heap" tells a personal story for the brothers, while "Paradise, Wherever You Are" captures the South Pacific spirit of their island home. Contributions come from Lisa Germano on "Turn and Run" and "Paper Doll" and Johnny Marr on "Down on the Corner". Neil himself shines on this album with a passionate, accoustic version of "Don't Dream It's Over" and the darkly romantic "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" and the musically Dali-esque "The Climber". When listening to this album, don't expect a completely polished performance. That was not Finn's goal. He wants to just have a good jam session with some good friends and family (his eldest son plays guitar on "I See Red"), and he invited a couple thousand of his best fans over for a listen. If you are a fan of Finn himself, Crowded House, or Split Enz, this album is well worth the money.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sublime and Inspired, February 26, 2002

By 

JD Cetola (Omaha, NE USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 7 Worlds Collide - Live At The St. James (Audio CD)

I'll make this short: Neil Finn is one of the greatest songwriters of the past 25 years. In fact, he may be the single best writer of the pop song since those guys in the Beatles. He's also a terrific live performer who's not afraid of a little improvising and on this 77 minute disc, he's invited some friends (at least that's what they're called in the cd's title) to help in play a varied set covering nearly 25 years of output. And what a set it is.

Details: Eddie Vedder sings lead vocals on four tracks (and plays (I'm not kidding) ukelele on another. These tracks are fairly subdued with the exception of the conclusion of the only raucous track on the album, "I See Red". And all are terrific. Johnny Marr plays guitar on eleven tracks and sings lead vocals on his own "Down on the Corner". Fans of Radiohead may get excited about Phil Selway playing drums on ten tracks and Ed O'brien plays some guitar on thirteen of these seventeen tunes. Neil is also joined by his brother Tim on five tracks, three of feature his delightful piano playing ("Edible Flowers", co-written by Neil and Tim is a standout track as is the version of the Smiths "There is a Light That Never Goes Out" sung wonderfully by Neil and backed up on guitar by Johnny Marr himself). The disc closes with an acoustic "Don't Dream It's Over" preceded by terrific versions (featuring both Neil and Tim) of "Weather With You" (with some slightly annoying piano plunking by the otherwise fine Lisa Germano) and "Paradise (Wherever You Are)".

These are inspired performances by some terrific artists at the peak of their form, playing some terrific pop music. Very Highly Recommended.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 7 Worlds, 5 Stars., April 13, 2003

By 

G. Merritt (Boulder, CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 7 Worlds Collide - Live At The St. James (Audio CD)

His solo career has confirmed my suspicion that Neil Finn was, in fact, Crowded House. Experiencing his recent, sold-out performance at the Gothic Theater in Denver inspired me to buy this CD along with the companion DVD. This live CD was drawn from five shows at The St. James in Aukland, New Zealand in April, 2001. With Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam), Lisa Germano, Johnny Marr (The Smiths), Sebastian Steinberg (Soul Coughing), and Ed O'Brien and Phil Selway (Radiohead) backing him, Neil's performance here not only includes Split Enz and Crowded House material, but songs from his more recent, solo career as well. While Neil shines brightly with his Morrissey-like vocal cover of The Smith's classic, "There is a Light that Never Goes Out," it is ultimately The Smiths' guitarist, Johnny Marr, who steals the show from everyone with his song, "Down on the Corner." (Neil covered both songs sans Johnny Marr during his Denver show.) Worth noting, the companion DVD contains more songs than the CD, including an amazing version of Tim Finn and Neil Finn singing the Crowded House tune, "Four Seasons in One Day."

G. Merritt