Saw Crowded House In Concert Last Night

[Fierce Critter]

I can probably guess there might be all of 2 other people on this board who might have a CD of theirs. But I wanted to share anyway.

This was the first concert Jon and I saw together, except for some outdoor special events with bands like Cheap Trick. Also the first concert I've seen since the mid 90's.

What a good damned concert. I've seen them twice before. I've seen a decent number of concerts over the years, and hands down, CH are the best I've ever seen. The best sounding, the most interesting, the most engaging.

You actually look forward to breaks between songs because the banter between the band members is sharp, witty and fun. It was at it's best with Neil Finn's brother Tim was in the band for a short period. And prior to reuniting for this tour and album, their original drummer, Paul Hester, committed suicide. He had been one of the wittiest of them, and he was missed.

The audience participation bits were not annoying like most are to me. I really hate when the lead singer drops out to let the audience sing. But in Neil's case, what he does is sing the whole song, and goes into a vamp, and then brings in the audience at the end. It was much more enjoyable that way. He did start one of my favorite songs strictly with the audence singing, which should have pissed me off. But it was actually surprisingly lovely - it's a slow song called "Four Seasons In One Day". I have some history with that song - they played it on an early episode of MTV's Unplugged, well before the album itself came out. I taped the episode, and learned the song overnight. I played it within a couple days at a place I did regular acoustic gigs. Some friends who were also into CH were blown away that they'd just heard that song and I was up there doing it. It became a staple of my small list of covers.

Jon remarked at how I tend to not participate in stuff like that. I never did well in chorus or choir because I really don't blend well with a group. And I don't like to make a spectacle of myself, so I don't like to sing along at concerts. But I did during that song, and it was like coming home to a safe, familiar friend.

The sound quality was just short of phenomenal. Their voices are clear, bright and undiminished by time. Which is a lot to say for guys singing in a higher register - these tenors/altos tend to dry up a bit over the years and lose some of their high notes, like Sting for instance. Not these guys. And the instrumentation was really superb, too.

This was my first time at the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor. I'm not of particularly strong ear when it comes to good/bad acoustics. But I would guess that this was an instance of the better. I'd definitely go back - and sit in the balcony again. GREAT seats.

I haven't bought the new album. So I didn't know any but one of the new songs they played. Ordinarily, this can be boring for me. Not this time. I'm really anxious to buy the CD now because I enjoyed the new songs greatly.

I almost didn't go. Laziness and some lack of motivation struck, and I didn't feel like getting ready and going. I'm so glad I didn't give in to the temptation to hermit.

[Hellion]

I can probably guess there might be all of 2 other people on this board who might have a CD of theirs. But I wanted to share anyway.

This was the first concert Jon and I saw together, except for some outdoor special events with bands like Cheap Trick. Also the first concert I've seen since the mid 90's.

What a good damned concert. I've seen them twice before. I've seen a decent number of concerts over the years, and hands down, CH are the best I've ever seen. The best sounding, the most interesting, the most engaging.

You actually look forward to breaks between songs because the banter between the band members is sharp, witty and fun. It was at it's best with Neil Finn's brother Tim was in the band for a short period. And prior to reuniting for this tour and album, their original drummer, Paul Hester, committed suicide. He had been one of the wittiest of them, and he was missed.

The audience participation bits were not annoying like most are to me. I really hate when the lead singer drops out to let the audience sing. But in Neil's case, what he does is sing the whole song, and goes into a vamp, and then brings in the audience at the end. It was much more enjoyable that way. He did start one of my favorite songs strictly with the audence singing, which should have pissed me off. But it was actually surprisingly lovely - it's a slow song called "Four Seasons In One Day". I have some history with that song - they played it on an early episode of MTV's Unplugged, well before the album itself came out. I taped the episode, and learned the song overnight. I played it within a couple days at a place I did regular acoustic gigs. Some friends who were also into CH were blown away that they'd just heard that song and I was up there doing it. It became a staple of my small list of covers.

Jon remarked at how I tend to not participate in stuff like that. I never did well in chorus or choir because I really don't blend well with a group. And I don't like to make a spectacle of myself, so I don't like to sing along at concerts. But I did during that song, and it was like coming home to a safe, familiar friend.

The sound quality was just short of phenomenal. Their voices are clear, bright and undiminished by time. Which is a lot to say for guys singing in a higher register - these tenors/altos tend to dry up a bit over the years and lose some of their high notes, like Sting for instance. Not these guys. And the instrumentation was really superb, too.

This was my first time at the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor. I'm not of particularly strong ear when it comes to good/bad acoustics. But I would guess that this was an instance of the better. I'd definitely go back - and sit in the balcony again. GREAT seats.

I haven't bought the new album. So I didn't know any but one of the new songs they played. Ordinarily, this can be boring for me. Not this time. I'm really anxious to buy the CD now because I enjoyed the new songs greatly.

I almost didn't go. Laziness and some lack of motivation struck, and I didn't feel like getting ready and going. I'm so glad I didn't give in to the temptation to hermit.

Weren't they originally called Split Enz years ago?

[Fierce Critter]

Weren't they originally called Split Enz years ago?

Wikipedia has good entries on Split Enz, Crowded House, Tim Finn and Neil Finn.

Split Enz started in New Zealand as an experimental, progressive group in the early 70's. They weren't real radio-friendly. Tim Finn was one of the founders of the group.

In 1977, Tim had little brother Neil join as guitarist. They changed to a more radio-friendly pop sound, and got a little more success. Songs you might know from this period are "Six Months in a Leaky Boat" and "I Got You."

Tim had always dabbled in solo work. He quit in 1983, and Neil made one more album with Split Enz. Then the Enz Ended.

Neil formed Crowded House around 1985. Paul Hester was the drummer for the last Split Enz album, and joined as an original member of Crowded House.

They had minimal success, their most famous song being "Don't Dream It's Over". They split up around 1996.

At one point in their time together, Tim and Neill were working together on a "brothers" album. They instead ended up just having Tim join CH for one album and released the songs as CH songs.

Both brothers have put out solo albums since they broke up, and a couple albums as "Finn Brothers".

This current tour is a reunion of Neil, Nick Seymour - the original bassist for CH - Neil's son Liam, a session/touring musician Mark Hart, and a new drummer. They're promoting a new album, "Time on Earth".

[SuZQZ]

Listened to their greatest hits cd's while driving up north! Sounds like it was a good concert. I've never had the opportunity to see them live.

[Falstaff]

Heard them on XM, closing out one of the Live Earth concerts. Was very impressed, and surprised they still had such a big following. The crowd was way more into it than I ever would have expected.

They also sounded excellent live, and really knew how to work the crowd.

[Homicidalheathen]

Thanks for giving me a new band to check out M'lady.

[Fierce Critter]

Thanks for giving me a new band to check out M'lady.

You're welcome.

Just so you know what to look for:

Crowded House - 1st album. Their best-known hits (Don't Dream It's Over and Something So Strong) are from that album. It's a lighter mix, more upbeat than albums to come.

Temple of Low Men - this one gets more deep. Almost gloomy in mood, actually. Best known song would probably be "Better Be Home Soon." But my favorite is "Into Temptation," a truly lovely, dare I say almost gothy number that is always included on my "Sex & Seduction" compilations.

Woodface - the one where brother Tim joined. More upbeat, more commercial. The "Chocolate Cake" song - with lyrics about Tammy Faye Baker, etc - is included. Tim can be kinda maudlin, but listenable. Really a very good disc, with many of my very, very favorites.

Together Alone - probably the hardest listen. Good songs, many lovely. But the overall mood is introspective and can be a bit draggy. Still, some of the best songs including Pineapple Head, one of the more upbeat numbers, and radio number "Distant Sun".

Afterglow - a collection of rarities and b-sides. Some good stuff, but recommended only if you get the rest of their albums and haven't had enough.

Recurring Dream - a hits collection. Not bad if you want to stick to "hits", but so many of their album cuts are good, I don't usually recommend starting with it.

Their newest is "Time on Earth". I loved the songs played in concert, but I haven't listened to the album itself yet.

If you want to try Split Enz, do start with Enz of an Era, the greatest hits. Even later in years, they were very experimental, disjointed, and hard to listen to if you aren't REALLY into them. Even so, if you want to try something else, Waiata (also called Corroboree) includes one of their biggest hits - One Step Ahead - and is pretty popular. True Colors has "I Got You" their biggest hit. "Time and Tide" is my favorite of their albums, including "Six Months on a Leaky Boat".

Oh, I forgot, there's another greatest hits collection, History Never Repeats. It's o.k, but I like Enz of an Era better.

Now, if you REALLY get into them, there's also Tim & Neil's solo albums, their albums as Finn brothers, and even some rarities like EnzSo - members performing with the Sydney Orchestra, live albums, etc.

[Fierce Critter]

And yes, Split Enz/Crowded House/Finn are probably the most obsessed I've ever been with any musical act. So I know more about them than the average Josephine.