New Crowded House Project

[Brian]

Thank you, Sharon, for posting the link to that L.A. Times review on the previous page, otherwise we would have missed it. It's very well written, but I have to say that unlike the reviewer, I welcome a jam at a Crowded House concert because I love seeing guys my age stretch, opening themselves to improvisation and inspiration, even taking chances with the audience. Then succeeding.

Just 24 hours ago, Anni and I sat on the patio outside our huge room at Humphrey's Half Moon Inn and Suites facing the marina on Shelter Island in San Diego, enjoying the noise from the roadies 70 feet away moving the last of the equipment and talking about who we'd love to see there next.

It was the best $600 I ever spent. Perhaps because I was wearing a sportcoat when I checked in, we got upgraded from a Junior Suite to Suite 316. Only 314 was closer to the backstage suite that served as the dressing room and equipment storage area behind the amphitheater's stage, where the members of Crowded House, Lawrence Arabia, employees and friends hung out before and after the show. We listened to the soundcheck, talked to the musicians and crew and ate a wonderful dinner within steps of our door.

Our second row seats became the best when Neil invited the crowd to rush the area in front of the tall stage. The first row of chairs became an necessary barrier from guys my age who never stopped drinking and bellowing at concerts since the 1970's and felt some kind of need to become part of the show. The audience at Club Nokia last Friday in the balcony, at least, was enthusiastic, attentive and respectful.

Because of the 10:30 curfew, Neil kept the performance under two hours with fewer jams and only five songs from the new album compared to seven at the Nokia. Besides the vast differences in the venues and audiences between Los Angeles and San Diego, I have to wonder if the two nights varied because of the opening songs, from "I Feel Possessed" to "Mean to Me."

I was surprised how few fans lingered afterwards to meet Matt, Mark and Nick. We didn't hang around for Neil. I wanted to ask him why his brother Tim played only three dates on three coasts this month, looking for a message board scoop, but my sweetheart convinced me the suite was much sweeter.

[anni]

Having consulted with Martine I'm now of the opinion that Brian's question might have impressed Neil, offering something obviously well thought out, prescient, with an answer requiring more than a bland thank you. I also wish I'd spoken my sincere appreciation for Matt's (the newest member of Crowded House) drumming. He fits so well with the other members (or at least appears to) while adding so much richness. Crowded House is one tight M.F. And though an extravagant few days, they were so loving and stress free I feel like a new woman. Thanks to my beloved sweetie!

[Brian]

A week later, some guy posted a great sounding video on You Tube from Club Nokia capturing the song Neil improvised during equipment problems followed by the exquisite "Fall at Your Feet" from 1991. I'd seen another clip that started after Neil's beautiful introduction that was shot was too close to take in most of the action onstage yet captured all of the audience chatter among the drunken riff raff downstairs. But this one, despite the herky jerky camera and bad light setting, puts you in the balcony last Friday:



Martine is offline as much as she can possibly be for 11 days while following Crowded House from Portland to Seattle, Vancouver, Victoria and Edmonton before going home to Winnipeg. So it's safe to admit that she was right when we talked on the phone Monday night: I should have already called the Largo to book Neil Finn tickets there on Saturday, Sept. 11. I waited until Tuesday, then heard from the Largo on Wednesday that Saturday was sold out. Luckily, tonight I secured seats to his other show on Sunday, Sept. 12.

[martine]

I'm baaaack.

Shows were fabulous, I have lots of new stories but I need about a month to recover from all the whirlwind/travelling/time changes/exhaustion.

This was a very ambitious run for me and probably won't be looking to ever do it again, way too expensive and tiring. Six shows seemed too much for one go. Four would probably have fit the bill better (Remember, each show was in a different city!!)

It's been odd not sitting in an audience at 8:30 the last two nights.

Never doubt me again, Brian (re Largo) If you want me to see if I can find some extra tickets for the Saturday, I might be able to ...or you may be totally happy with just Sunday.

[Brian]

Sept 4, 2010 20:08:05 GMT -8 martine said:

This was a very ambitious run for me and probably won't be looking to ever do it again, way too expensive and tiring. Six shows seemed too much for one go. Four would probably have fit the bill better (Remember, each show was in a different city!!)

Of course, you went to the first three shows of their North American tour in eastern Canada last July too. Did any other fan see nine concerts? I've been closely following the posts by you and other friends of ours on Frenz Forum, and I believe you have no rival. By the way, your interactions with the four members of Crowded House on the road, both onstage and off, were priceless.

Never doubt me again, Brian (re Largo) If you want me to see if I can find some extra tickets for the Saturday, I might be able to ...or you may be totally happy with just Sunday.

I thought I knew L.A. ticket sales patterns better than you understood Neil Finn fans who would never miss him at the Largo. I was arrogant and wrong, though only by a few freaking hours. Yet everything turned out for the best: because we don't hold tickets for Saturday, Anni and I can attend the interfaith gathering on 9/11 at Paige's church (see other thread).

But thank you for your kind offer, Martine. I've been playing Neil's catalog and getting pumped up thinking of the surprises he may have for us next Sunday. Wish you were here!

[Brian]

Just about the only thing that could console me on a day that the Giants tied for first place in the National League West was a magical, intimate acoustic Sunday evening at the Largo on La Cienega with Neil Finn and friends -- his and mine -- and a setlist like this:

• Take a Walk
  
• Faster Than Light
  
• The Devil You Know
  
• Blue Hotel
  
• Try Whistling This
  
• Into the Sunset
  
• Lester
  
• Titus
  
• Give It a Whirl
  
• Strait Old Line
  
• Wherever You Are
  
• Only Talking Sense
  
• Four Seasons In One Day
  
• Something So Strong
  
• She Will Have Her Way
  
• Love Is All That Remains
  
• Weather With You
  
• How Will You Go
  
• One Step Ahead
  
• Sinner
  
• Road to Nowhere (Talking Heads)
  Encore:
  
• Moonage Daydream (David Bowie)
  
• Fall at Your Feet
  

Neil was joined onstage at various times by Jon Brion on guitar and keyboards, Grant Lee Phillips on vocals, Sebastian Steinberg on stand-up bass, a percussionist whose name I failed to get -- and Tim Finn via Skype from New Zealand with his children Harper and Elliot joining in on "Weather With You" and "How Will You Go." Neil joked that Skype could provide the Finn Brothers another touring opportunity, except it would be hard to divide the money: "Hey, I took the plane!"

As Neil pointed out, it's a school night. I'll write more about the show in 24 hours.

[anni]

Sept 12, 2010 23:52:12 GMT -8 Brian said:

As Neil pointed out, it's a school night.

Yes, I know...still can't help kicking mice elf...we didn't wait around for this:
frenzforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/7701061171/m/993109109?r=375100419#375100419

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH.

Still, WHAT A SHOW! What a beautiful spirit!

[Brian]

Martine, the same doorman you and I tried to befriend last year at the Largo announced to the people in line for the Little Room, which spilled into the sidewalk, that he had no confirmation that Neil and company would play there after the show, but everyone was welcome to go in and buy some beers. Most of them left. I hung around the courtyard for awhile, then went inside looking for Ginny, who had the best table of course, to compare setlists and say good bye. The bar was not full. If I had stayed until last call ended the jam, I would have been wrecked at work for the week. But Neil would have gotten some Kinks requests -- and probably would have played one or two of them.

Back to the show I saw: Neil sat down at the piano after opening with "Take a Walk" and held up a setlist, promising many obscurities. He said that he and Sharon had sat down backstage to list every song Neil had written and came up with more than 200 initially. Crowded House has performed all of the most popular Split Enz songs by now, so it's amazing hear the 52 year old Neil approach "The Devil You Know," "Give it a Whirl," "Strait Old Line" and "One Step Ahead" 30 years later -- fresh but wise, making them new.

When Neil strapped on a mandolin and strummed the first chord of "Titus," I couldn't believe it. "Titus" is actually on the first two Split Enz albums before Neil joined the band, so you'd have to classify it as a cover tune. I cried and not just because that song meant so much to me when I was 18. It felt as if part of my life had reached full circle -- and that Neil was commenting on Phil Judd's mental illness and legal travails while breathing life into his genius onstage. At least three worlds collided.

What better encore could there be than an acoustic version of "Moonage Daydream" so electric that Mick Ronson up in heaven pressed his space face close to mine.

[martine]

Brian, the mysterious interwebs have this week divulged both of Neil's Largo shows so I am sitting here writing this posting listening the the last of the trifecta of Split Enz songs that Neil presented to you and Anni (and the other 298 people) from the 12th September show (Titus, Give it a Whirl, Strait Ol Line)

Interesting to juxtapose a 25 year old Neil's reading of Strait ol Line with the 52 year old's version. Softer, gentle, less urgent, less militant and foreboding. It's safe up here in middle age, young man....fear not.

Also now listening to the original version of Something so Strong--I remember it from last year being absolutely gorgeous and this recording is a fair rendition of what I remember. The guitar work on this sends shivers up my spine, I absolutely adore it.

Of course these will be in the care package that is growing by leaps and bounds here on my desk for you

;D

[Brian]

Sept 21, 2010 11:32:13 GMT -8 martine said:

Interesting to juxtapose a 25 year old Neil's reading of Strait ol Line with the 52 year old's version. Softer, gentle, less urgent, less militant and foreboding. It's safe up here in middle age, young man....fear not.

Beautifully put, Martine. We thought of you constantly at the Largo last week, which makes me so glad that you at least get to hear the show. How's the recording? You know how great the sound is in that room for an acoustic performance and, unlike most venues, no alcohol is served and no jabbering allowed.

I spent the weekend listening to a lot of Split Enz, especially the songs Neil played, but the one that's still playing constantly in my head is "The Devil You Know," the rendition I heard onstage. Instead of the kid who wrote, "All we need is the courage to begin," we saw a man taking incredible chances all alone, hitting the same notes with greater ability and assurance yet never sacrificing his vulnerability or innocence.

Before tonight, I had never seen that You Tube clip embedded above. You have to admit that despite Neil's enthusiasm, Eddie steals the video with his smile.