By: David de Young
Personnel:
Scott McPherson - drums
Shon Sullivan - additional guitar
John Walsh - acoustic guitar
Sebastian Steinberg? - bass and stand up bass
Official Website: http://www.nilfun.com
Neil Finn's performance at the Fine Line Thursday was for me only an eensy weensy bit nostalgic. Otherwise it was a straight up and damn fine pop/rock show, and in fact one of the better shows of its kind that I've seen in a long, long time.
I brushed up a bit on Mr. Finn's background in preparation for his arrival in town, so indulge me in sharing a bit of that now. First off, in case you didn't realize it, Neil Finn is a huge international star. He's certainly best known in our own US of A for songs with his former band Crowded House ("Don't Dream It's Over"). Even older folks (like me) might remember he probably saved his older brothers Tim's band Split Enz from splitting up by contributing the song "I Got You" to their 1979 album True Colors. (Neil wasn't a founding member of Split Enz because he was too young. In fact, he had just turned 19 when he joined Split Enz in 1977 as lead guitarist.) The Neil Finn nostalgia that I mention is derived from the fact that in 1980 I used to listen to Split Enz on my very first Walkman (which cost me a dear $100) while walking home from high school. And I'll be damned if Shark Attack didn't make those walks home some of the most memorable experiences of my younger years.
Born in 1958, Mr. Finn will be 45 this year, and I swear he's still getting better! There is truly spirited energy in his performance and a serious attention to the details of delivering a good rock show. If Rhett Miller's fine opening solo set wasn't already enough, Finn's set of 14 songs and 5 encores showed the utmost respect for an audience who paid $25 to see this sold out show. Damon Gough of Badly Drawn Boy could learn a thing or two about pleasing his audience from Mr. Finn.
Neil Finn even responded when a guy in the audience yelled out his name and made a request. And then did the unthinkable by actually playing it.
Songs at this show included the rocking opener "Locked Out," and "Driving me Mad" which included a jam on a stand up bass. Rhett Miller got back up on stage to play along on a song I did not recognize. (Maybe someone who's seen this tour can clue me in?) Mid set included "Loose Tongue," and "The Last to Know." "She Will Have Her Way" was a sing-a-long.
Covers for the night included a Yoko Ono penned B-side to a John Lennon song about snow, and "There Is A Light" by Morrissey. Other songs included "I Got You," "Private Universe" and the fitting finale meant to please the crowded house fans and make some of us nostalgic for our nightclub days (er nights) in the mid-90's, "Don't Dream It's Over."
I don't know where to tell you to start if you want to explore Neil Finn's music, but it's probably a compliment to say that with his catalogue you can start with the most recent stuff and work your way backwards. Although released in most parts of the world except here in 2001 as "One Nil", the 2002 release "One All" might be a good place.
Location Info:
Fine Line Music Café
Artist Info: Neil Finn
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