Customer Reviews

7 Worlds Collide - Live At The St. James

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(1)
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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.

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.

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

Rivaling his ability as a songwriter, is the fact that Neil Finn knows how to bring together some of the most talented artists of the day, give them their share of the glory, thus making Seven Worlds Collide a contender for the top live album of the year. Technically the album shines like polished steel, yet the performances bring a close human warmth, allowing the listener to feel part of the live audience. There's something for everyone to like here - early Neil fans to first time listeners will not be disappointed.

Most notable among the Magnificent Seven is the amazing, multi-talented Lisa Germano. Instrumentally, she ranges from piano, to her trademark violin, electric guitar and even ukulele. But the real gift here is her voice. Fans of Lisa's albums know her vocals as subdued and whispery, but on 7worlds, she holds nothing back. Blending sibling-like harmony with Neil, her passion and emotion make "Turn and Run" and anthem for the times. And speaking of siblings, brother Tim Finn's collaboration on "Angel's Heap" and "Weather with You" is nothing short of ecstatic. Guitarist Johnny Marr, though somewhat reserved in his playing, offers a fine performance overall, especially with Neil on the Smith's "There is a Light That Never Goes Out". And Eddie Vedder isn't to be counted out either, offering an honest, gritty vocal on "Take a Walk".

It's a shame Neil Finn doesn't garner the same accolades in the US as he does abroad. Here's hoping Seven Worlds Collide and One All, to be released in the States later this year, will change all of that.

I usually dislike live albums - even if they are from my favorite artists. In my opinion, for every song that is given new life when captured live, there are about four or five songs that remain superior in their original studio versions. Other pet peeves about live albums include the fact that they usually just contain the "hits" or songs that have already appeared on other live albums by the artist, or the release itself is a way of biding time between studio albums. _Seven Worlds Collide_, however, should serve as an example of how to make a live album stand comfortably alongside the rest of an artist's catalog.

Neil Finn breaks a lot of "live album rules" on _Seven Worlds Collide_. Most notably, nothings sounds "doctored" up. These are fresh and raw performances. In addition, Finn doesn't rely on just putting his "hits" on the album (the Split Enz and Crowded House international hits "I Got You" and "Something So Strong" are no where to be found). Also, Finn doesn't fill half the album with songs from his most recent studio album, _One Nil_. Instead, he gives all the members of his superstar backing band moments to shine. As it's always been with Neil Finn - it's about the music.

Things start off spectacularly with a poignant version of "Anytime" (one of the best tracks on _One Nil_), and the powerful Eddie Vedder-led version of Split Enz's "Take a Walk." Fans of Neil's _Try Whistling This_ get to hear "Loose Tongue" and "She Will Have Her Way" given new life, as well as a beautiful version of "Angel's Heap" with Tim Finn. Johnny Marr takes lead vocal on "Down on the Corner", and Neil delivers a beautiful performance of The Smiths' "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out." The album closes with a soothing "Don't Dream It's Over" and the world is once again reminded of just how important a songwriter Neil Finn is.

I'm hoping that the release of _Seven Worlds Collide_ is just the beginning of Neil Finn's action here in the US for the next few months. With this album and DVD, _One Nil_ being remixed/remastered/rearranged as _One All_, and hopefully a spring/summer tour, the US finally gets to hear more from one of the most underrated musicians of the last 25 years.

Upon first listen to this album I was fairly dissapointed. Initially, the vocals on the One All songs seemed weak and I didnt care for the work of Eddie Vedder on several other tracks. However, after a few more listens this album has become a favorite. Neil Finn's voice has an incredible pure resonance live and it shines brighter than any of the other vocalists who are not as strong. Vedder's renditions of Stuff and Nonsense and Parting Ways are surprising gems after a few listens. The Finn standouts are the cover of There is a Light That Never Goes Out (even better than the original), She Will Have Her Way, and Weather With You.

Recommended.

Neil Finn first broke onto the music scene in the 70's as one of the founding members of Split Enz, one of New Zealand's most successful pop/rock/punk bands, and garnered worldwide attention with minor hits "I Got You" and "I See Red." Split Enz, as their name suggests, eventually split ends and Neil went on to form Crowded House in the 80's. Neil enjoyed more success with Crowded House and the hit singles "Don't Dream It's Over," "Something So Strong," and "Weather With You." Crowded House eventually became a little too cramped as Neil and his brother Tim disbanded the group to focus more on their solo work and brotherly collaborations. Try Whistling This, Neil's first proper solo album, shyed away from the Split Enz and Crowded House material as Finn began to take a darker edge with his songwriting in tunes like "She Will Have Her Way," "Sinner," and "Addicted." Despite much critical success, as is par for the Finn family, Whistling failed to take off commercially in the states. Never one to take a day off, Neil promptly went back to work on crafting One Nil, his sophomore solo release. Once again released to critical acclaim in Europe, Australia, and Asia, American record execs at Sony/Work didn't hear another "Don't Dream It's Over" on there. As the Work label was collapsing and Sony was cleaning it's roster of established acts, Neil went back into the studio to re-work One Nil into One All - partly due to label pressures, partly due to his perfectionistic tendencies. The traditional record label stories follow leaving Neil with a refurbished version of an album which was already fine to begin with, but without a company to release it in the States. In steps Nettwerk, a Canadian-based artist-friendly label that was for all intensive purposes founded on the international success of Sarah McLachlan, to release One All. Always the showman, Neil continued to tour throughout all this to sold-out audiences across the world culminating in 7 Worlds Collide, an experiment as he says to form a band of his friends and some of the greatest musicians today, play a week of shows, and disband before things start going bad.

Neil's constant touring resulted in the all-star 7 Worlds Collide shows, recorded in Neil's native New Zealand. From the One Nil/One All sessions, Germano and Steinberg return, this time accompanied with Radiohead's Ed O'Brien and Phil Selway, the Smiths' Johnny Marr, Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder, brother Tim Finn, and son Liam Finn and his popular Kiwi rock band, Betchadupa. Highlights include an acoustic version of Crowded House's "Fall At Your Feet" and "Don't Dream It's Over." Eddie Vedder and Betchadupa shine on the Split Enz classic, "I See Red," taking it into new territory. Lisa Germano's bewitching "Paper Doll" and "Cry Wolf" would give anyone goosebumps while Neil does a fine job with the Smiths' classic "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out." Try Whistling This's "Loose Tongue" has one of the most memorable bass lines this author has ever heard, and the live rendtion of "She Will Have Her Way" brings out the fun and energy inherent in the original. Guiding us through all this is Neil's traditional Kiwi charm and wit which is unmatched by any live performer today. If Neil Finn considered 7 Worlds Collide an experiment, and the cd/dvd of the shows his published results, someone fund this sonic scientist again.

Have you ever met someone for the first time and you feel instantly comfortable with them? Like you have know them all your life. Well, that's the feeling I get when I hear a Neil Finn song. For that matter and song from the entire Finn brother career (Split Enz, Crowded House, Etc.). While always being new and fresh, I am always how easily the songs flow through me and fit my mood.

On 7 Worlds Neil brings some truly old friends, (Johnny Marr,Phil Selway and Ed O'Brien,Eddie Vedder, Lisa Germano, his son Liam, and ofcourse Tim) all adding to the warmth and fun of this live CD.

Along with the Neil Finn songs we get some from our buddies, Johnny Marr's "Down on the corner," Lisa's "Paper Doll" and who can forget the dead-on Smith's classic "There is a light...."

So buy this CD and hang out with some old buddies.

Neil Finn has been performing and writing music in the public eye for nearly three decades, yet he continues to deliver fresh, invigorating performances. And it's the performance that shines through on 7 Worlds Collide, an ambitious live set that spans tunes from the Split Enz era through Finn's post-Crowded House catalog and beyond.

More than Neil Finn, though, are the performances here of the band and the many guests. Yes, as one reviewer for the BBC points out, Finn has yielded to CPI-that is, celebrity pal involvement. But these celebrities are real musicians, not wannabe celebs (Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thorton, Kevin Spacey, various pro athletes, or politicians, etc) jumping on stage to stoke and stroke their egos. With a crew of Johnny Marr (Smiths), Ed O'Brien and Phil Selway (Radiohead), Lisa Germano, and Pearl Jams' Eddie Vedder plus his son's Liam's garage band and his brother Tim augmenting a solid band, it would seem easy for Neil to be upstaged, but his presence shines through even when he relinquishes the mike.

Moreover, there is no pretension or posturing here---more signs of musical maturity.

There are some songs I don't personally connect with, such as Paper Doll, but others, including Anytime, The Climber, and Weather with You, will worm their way into your subconscious and having you humming through the day. Others, such as the blistering rendering of the old Split Enz number I See Red, demand turning up the volume. Neil does a superb cover of the Smith's There Is a Light that Never Goes Out-of course, having Johnny Mar provide some shimmering guitar only ups the ante.

Unlike many live recordings that either serve to fill in the time between studio sessions or fulfill record company contracts, 7 Worlds Collide, much like other classic live sets such as Talking Heads' Stop Making Sense, Family's Live in Concert, or 801 Live, is more about celebrating the joy of music and collaborating with one's peers.

The recording quality is quite execllent as well. This CD, it should be noted, is a subset of the whole concert, which is captured fully on a DVD of the same title.

Only one person in the world could sing a "Smiths" number better than Morrisey and that person , Neil Finn , has decided to include an example , "There's A Light" on this . Along with a list of guests (friends and peers) Finn goes thru some of his back catalogue and songs off his new one "One Nil" to create a live album with a difference - everyone gets a turn at being the frontman - brother Tim , Johnny Marr , Ed Vedder , son Liam , even Lisa Germano who basically sleeps with her mouth open on the album's low point "Paper Doll" . But despite the oft shifting of singers , the album still carries the Finn sound throughout - a nod to the Beatles and for that matter anyone carrying the can for Brit rock , embellished by a naivity and beauty that one can only create having been brought thru the "pub rock" nursery of the southern hemisphere . This man is not scared to lay his mind on the table for all to dissect and that bravery is blatently apparent on "Anytime" as well as the singer's signature "Don't Dream It's Over". Also son Liam's band Betchadupa with Ed Vedder out front blow the album apart with a scorching version of "I See Red" that truly accentuates the vastness of the songs included hear - the introspection of "The Climber" to the powder keg of the old Split Enz chestnut "I See Red".