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 America
• ASIN: B000060NUQ
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #150,420 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Anytime

2. Take A Walk

3. The Climber

4. Loose Tongue

5. Down On The Corner

6. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out

7. Paper Doll

8. Turn And Run

9. Angels Heap

10. Edible Flowers

11. Stuff And Nonsense

12. I See Red

13. She Will Have Her Way

14. Parting Ways

15. Weather With You

16. Paradise (Wherever You Are)

17. Don't Dream It's Over

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Neil Finn's restless creative spirit didn't lounge during Split Enz's and Crowded House's two decades of achievement. In this live recording (culled from five shows at New Zealand's St. James Theatre in April 2001), Finn not only pauses to take stock in his rich career, he often generously shares the spotlight with an impressive array of guest musicians (brother Tim, guitarist Johnny Marr of the Smiths and Electronic, violinist/vocalist Lisa Germano, Radiohead's Phil Selway and Ed O'Brien, and Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder) who've come to back him and express a little fandom of their own. The results are gratifying cross-pollinations: Vedder sharing vocals on Enz's "Stuff and Nonsense," "Take a Walk," and a jagged version of "I See Red"; Finn tipping his hat to Morrissey on the Smiths' "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" after Marr's jangly "Down on the Corner"; and sharing an always-welcome harmony with Tim Finn on material from their various projects together. If there's a criticism to be made, it's that Finn occasionally shortchanges himself here. --Jerry McCulley

Product Description

Formerly of Crowded House and Spit Enz, Neil Finn has embarked on a successful solo career, which can be heard and seen on the CD and DVD release of his live album, Seven Worlds Collide, which features such guests as Eddie Vedder, Lisa Germano, and others...

In April 2001, Neil banded together with Johnny Marr, Eddie Vedder, Radiohead's Phil Selway and Ed O'Brien, Neil's brother Tim, Lisa Germano and Betchadupa (featuring Neil's son, Liam, on vocals) for a 5-night stint at the St. James' Theatre in Auckland, New Zealand. The resulting album and DVD, 7 Worlds Collide, features the best and highly memorable moments from each of the aforementioned artists in what was a week of enchanted evenings. Making a memorable event even more poignant, all artists contributing to the CD and DVD are contributing their royalties to Doctors Without Borders to assist with medical work in Afghanistan.

This product is manufactured on demand using CD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

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

By yvonne demerdash

Format: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.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful

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

By JD Cetola VINE™ VOICE

Format: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 The Magnificent Seven March 6, 2002

By "j1byers"

Format:Audio CD

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.