En 1996, Crowded House se separó oficialmente tras un concierto

de despedida en exterior de la Ópera de Sydney

al que asistieron más de 125.000 personas.

Crowded House.. cei care canta aceasta piesa superba.

a year ago, i started this blog. while i am still learning the ins and outs of blogging, i have attempted to write from the heart on subjects that are intriguing, interesting or important to me.

i am busier now than i was a year ago (book deal, new lifestyle site, examiner.com, etc.), so i haven’t been blogging as much as i once was but i don’t intend to give it up.

in honor or my anniversary, i am starting a new weekly post. photo of the week. i will upload a photo from my picture vault and tell you the story about that photo. hope you enjoy the first one:

this photo was taken in january 2000 in new zealand. the setting is karekare beach in the north island. a brief respite from all the craziness surrounding the turning of the “millenium.” the beaches in new zealand are enormous and fairly empty, with maybe one lifeguard on duty. swimming and surfing are at your own risk because the surf and tide can be pretty rough if you’re not careful. crowded house is one of my favorite bands and neil finn wrote a song called “kare kare” that fits the mood of the beach perfectly. eerie and vast.

i was standing on a wave, then I made the drop
i was lying in a cave in the solid rock
i was feeling pretty brave ’til the lights went off

sleep by no means comes too soon
in a valley lit by the moon

I’ve been everywhere but California today.  I mixed up some homework assignments and realized that I had far more homework than I thought I did, so today was stuffed with work, which wasn’t bad at all…although I was a little stressed because all of it is due tomorrow, it’d been a while since I’d really sat down and worked hard for a long time.  It was rather refreshing.  But it also meant that I was alone in my room all day with my pencils and my music.  Mmm…it’s so easy to space out when you’re in that situation for too long.  So I just now got back to my house after a trip around the world and beyond.

Random fact about me: I’ve watched every single episode of the show Moonlighting. 

Ah….it’s wonderful to kind of relax your mind after a long day…pardon my rambling, but at the moment I need to relase my mind from its educational cage to run free.

No, there’s no such thing as an educational cage.  Education is the huge field outside of the cage.  Sometime it feels like a cage, though, but only because of deadlines.  Don’t get me wrong – I love deadlines, but they cause unecessary stress.

Tomorrow is the girls’ sleepover.  Haha.  I’ve decided to go, even though a while back I swore I’d never got to another high school girls sleepover because sugar + high school girls + early morning hours is not a pretty sight.  It gets to the point where it’s not even fun anymore because of all the drama.  Oh drama.  But for some reason I think that this one might be different…

I have a sudden desire to learn “Private Universe” by Crowded House.  Hmm…I think…I will…

“Birds talk to me…”

מאזינות ומאזיני אנדרקאבר שלום!

אנו מתנצלים על האיחור בפרסום הפרטים אודות התכנית – אך עדיף מאוחר מאשר לעולם לא!

את הבוקר פתחנו עם ביצוע של ה Blind Guardian ל Surfing USA, למרות שמזג האוויר הסוער בחוץ לא באמת אפשר זאת…נאלצנו להישאר באולפן ולגלוש על גלי האתר משם עברנו לשמוע את הביצוע של מיכאל גריילסאמר לחלליות של ברי סחרוף במקור – וכצפוי שחר הביעה רתיעה מכך שמישהו מעז להתעסק עם מקור כמו של ברי…

גילינו מה קורה כשבירת הפסטה פוגשת את Crowded House …וכצפוי היה דביק  כשמר Antonello Venditti ביצע את Don’t Dream it’s over שגם ככה היה מתקתק!

כאן לפניכם – רשימת השירים מהתכנית עם אזכורי המקורות ושנות הביצוע,כמובן!

Antonello Venditti מתקתק מתמיד!

לואיס וקלפטון בשיתוף פעולה מיוחד!

Above, from left: my buddy Mark Sayre, Kermit Lynch, and me last night at Vino Vino for the Kermit Lynch listening party. A grand time was had by all. Photos by Tracie B.

Tracie B and I had a blast last night at the Kermit Lynch listening party at Vino Vino here in Austin. It’s been a while since I took the stage with a microphone in my hand and it was great to feel that energy again and the buzz that comes along with playing music (even if I was just cueing it from my Ipod). Click here for highlights from the event.

Above: Kermit’s producer Ricky Fataar, right, with his friend and awesome bass player, Austin-based Sarah Brown, who joined us for dinner. Ricky and the entire band will be fielding questions from the audience tomorrow night in Nashville at the Basement.

We’ve had a great time hanging out with Kermit, his wife Gail Skoff (who is delightful), and Ricky Fataar, who’s played with so many musical greats over the years (the Beach Boys, Bonnie Raitt, Jon Scofield, Boz Scaggs, Crowded House, The Rutles). I could have listened to Ricky tell stories from his years on the road all night long.

Above: What does this country boy pair with his pulled pork? Nebbiolo, of course!

After the event, I swept the entourage away in the Hyundai limo and we hit Lambert’s downtown for dinner (not my favorite barbecue, but solid and open late). Earlier I had raided my Nebbiolo stash and so we BYOBed some 2001 Barbaresco Moccagatta by Produttori del Barbaresco (which was deliciously chewy and tasted like sumptuous mud) and 2001 Barbaresco Faset by Castello di Verduno (wow, this wine was off-the-charts good, almost Baroloesque in its austerity, regal and elegant, and showing nicely with some aeration despite its youth). Some would say that it’s a shame to pair savory, tannic Nebbiolo with the tangy, smokey flavors of Texas barbecue but, man, o man, was it tasty — especially riding on the high and the brio of the evening and the event…

Thanks again to the staff at Vino Vino and to everyone who came out last night for the sold-out event!

Tomorrow night: Nashville! (It’s fun to be “on the road again,” even if for just one night).

Liam Finn live @ Dante's Portland, Oregon

New Zealand’s Liam Finn and Eliza Jane performed last month here in Portland. We weren’t sure exactly what to expect from this musical duo. We had read a few reviews on Liam’s debt album, I’ll Be Lightning, as well as listened to a few of his new tracks off his latest EP, Champagne in Seashells, and were excited to see him perform live.

Some background on Liam:

He was born in Melbourne, Australia but calls New Zealand his home as he moved there as a child. He is the eldest son of musician Neil Finn (of Split Enz and Crowded House) and Sharon Finn. A young Liam Finn learned to play many instruments in a very musically inclined family unit. One only needs to view the track listings on 2009’s 7 Worlds Collide, The Sun Came album to see that Mom, Dad, and uncle Tim (Neil’s brother who also played in Split Enz/Crowded House) and son, Elroy are all talented musicians.

Liam received alot of praise for his debut album I’ll be Lightening last year as well a featured musical guest on CBS’s Late Show with David Letterman on Thursday, February 28th, 2008, where he played “Second Chance”. Liam has also gone on to perform Second Chance on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and Later… with Jools Holland. In 2008 & 2009, Liam Finn opened for Eddie Vedder’s solo tour throughout America. Liam will also headline his first North American tour and head on the road with The Black Keys in November 2008 in the UK and Europe.

(Photos Courtesy of Vix @ YATM)

In December 2008 and January 2009, he participated on the recording sessions of the second album of 7 Worlds Collide. Since the reunion of the band Crowded House in early 2007, Finn has become part of its touring band, playing concerts such as Coachella Festival and Live Earth in Sydney.

It was clear by Liam’s performance, Liam comes alive on stage especially when he plays drums. He can sing and play guitar as good as anyone but he just goes off like a wild man drumming – it was mesmerizing. The passion and intent really show through in his eyes when he is performing. But as intense and aggressive as he is on his instruments, he is one of the nicest guys we have met off stage.

Eliza Jane compliments him perfectly in vocals and instrumentation. She played the autoharp in many of the songs they performed. Eliza-Jane also comes from a famous musical family. Her father, Jimmy Barnes is an Australian rock singer. He is famous both as a solo performer and as the lead vocalist with the rock band Cold Chisel. Combined he is one of the most popular and best-selling Australian music artists of all time. It was apparent that the apple did not fall far from the Finn and Barnes’ family trees.

myspace

Eliza-J and Liam Finn Podcast on Ampersand (a recent interview and 2 song set)

Buy Champagne for Seashells EP

Ja, jäklar ramlade inte lag nummer 60 också in idag. Vi är därmed fullt hus. En väntlista för ev. ytterligare music lovers kommer att upprättas via hemsidan. Ett fantastiskt gensvar. Men så är det ju också världens kanske viktigaste tävling. Lämplig videosnutt måste väl bli nåt med Crowded House, eller hur?

Very occasionally a group of people get together on the Touchedmix blog and post mixes on a particular theme. Last week, the theme was HEADS, with their features and their functions. I thought readers of this little corner of the music blogosphere might be interested in the two mixes I banged together.

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OVER MY HEAD MIX
1. Aztec Camera – Head Is Happy (Heart’s Insane) (1985)
2. Crowded House – Pineapple Head (live) (1996/2006)
3. Johnny Cash – Mean Eyed Cat (1996)
4. The Dillards – I’ve Just Seen A Face (1968)
5. The Holmes Brothers – Smiling Face Hiding A Weeping Heart (2006)
6. Paul Anka – Eyes Without A Face (2006)
7. The Undisputed Truth – Smiling Faces Sometimes (1971)
8. Justine Washington – I Can’t Wait Until I See My Baby’s Face (1964)
9. The Flamingos – I Only Have Eyes For You (1959)
10. Mississippi Sheikhs – I’ve Got Blood in My Eyes For You (1938)
11. Robert Mitchum – Mama Looka Boo Boo (Shut Your Mouth-Go Away) (1958)
12. Emile Ford & the Checkmates – Them There Eyes (1960)
13. Lewis Taylor – Blue Eyes (2000)
14. Andrew Bird – A Nervous Tic Motion Of The Head To The Left (2005)
15. Nada Surf – The Way You Wear Your Head (2002)
16. The Sweet – The Lies In Your Eyes (1975)
17. Ben Folds – Doctor My Eyes (2002)
18. Josh Ritter – One More Mouth (2006)
19. Kaki King – Saving Days In A Frozen Head (2008)
20. The Lilac Time – The Darkness Of Her Eyes (1991)
21. Thomas Dybdahl – Pale Green Eyes (2009)
22. Ryan Adams – Halloweenhead (2007)
23. The Cardigans – Give Me Your Eyes (2005)

Download

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Justine Washington is better known as Baby Washington; this is the original version of the song covered to good effect by Dusty Springfield.

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SENSES WORKING OVERTIME MIX
1. David Bowie – Can You Hear Me (1975)
2. Tim Buckley – I Can’t See You (1966)
3. Herman Düne – I Wish That I Could See You Soon (2006)
4. Devics – If We Cannot See (2006)
5. Richard Hawley – Can You Hear The Rain, Love (2001)
6. Scott Walker – You’re Gonna Hear From Me (1967)
7. The Righteous Brothers – See That Girl (1965)
8. Chris Montez – The More I See You (1966)
9. Cass Elliot – I’ll Be Seeing You (1973)
10. Blind Boy Fuller – What’s That Smells Like Fish (1938)
11. Smiley Lewis – I Hear You Knocking (1955)
12. The Supremes – I Hear A Symphony (1965)
13. Jim Messina – Seeing You (For The First Time) (1979)
14. Baby Huey – Listen To Me (1971)
15. The Jesus and Mary Chain – Taste Of Cindy (1985)
16. K’s Choice – A Sound That Only You Can Hear (1995)
17. Mull Historical Society – Watching Xanadu (2001)
18. Ron Sexsmith & Don Kerr – Listen (2005)
19. Rosanne Cash – I Was Watching You (2006)
20. The Magic Numbers – I See You, You See Me (2005)
21. Paul Anka – Smells Like Teen Spirit (2005)

DOWNLOAD

Когда-то давно Тим Финн сказал своему младшему брату Нилу, что тот – творческий импатент и ни на что не способен, и выгнал его из группы, в которой верховодил. Спустя несколько лет Нил взял в свою группу "Сrowdede House" музыканта по имени Тим Финн в качестве гитариста и клавишника. Так Тим Финн стал известным человеком.

Я просто обожаю эти две песни, Fall at your feet и особенно Don’t dream it’s over с которой я познакомился во время просмотра фильма Противостояние (Tha stand)

This is the first of two mixes prepared by Any Major Dude With Half A Heart, whose music blog lives HERE, concentrating on the physiognomy of the head theme.

1. Aztec Camera – Head Is Happy (Heart’s Insane)
2. Crowded House – Pineapple Head (live)
3. Johnny Cash – Mean Eyed Cat
4. The Dillards – I’ve Just Seen A Face
5. The Holmes Brothers – Smiling Face Hiding A Weeping Heart
6. Paul Anka – Eyes Without A Face
7. The Undisputed Truth – Smiling Faces Sometimes
8. Justine Washington – I Can’t Wait Until I See My Baby’s Face
9. The Flamingos – I Only Have Eyes For You
10. Mississippi Sheikhs – I’ve Got Blood in My Eyes For You
11. Robert Mitchum – Mama Looka Boo Boo (Shut Your Mouth-Go Away)
12. Emile Ford & the Checkmates – Them There Eyes
13. Lewis Taylor – Blue Eyes
14. Andrew Bird – A Nervous Tic Motion Of The Head To The Left
15. Nada Surf – The Way You Wear Your Head
16. The Sweet – The Lies In Your Eyes
17. Ben Folds – Doctor My Eyes
18. Josh Ritter – One More Mouth
19. Kaki King – Saving Days In A Frozen Head
20. The Lilac Time – The Darkness Of Her Eyes
21. Thomas Dybdahl – Pale Green Eyes
22. Ryan Adams – Halloweenhead
23. The Cardigans – Give Me Your Eyes

Download

Justine Washington is better known as Baby Washington; this is the original version of the song covered to good effect by Dusty Springfield.

Another lot of songs on the theme of heads (and other bodyparts) is on the So Much Beauty Out There blog, including songs by Etta James, Florence Ballard, Françoise Hardy, Serge Gainsbourg, Sparklehorse, Herman Düne, Lou Reed & John Cale, Palace Brothers, and much more.

The music of Crowded House has hovered over my personal space since they flew into the world’s orbit back in the 80’s. It began during my first year at Bowling Green when my friend, Bob, made sure that I won a drawing at Finders, the record store he worked at in town. The prize was the soundtrack to “Tequila Sunrise”, Robert Towne’s underappreciated movie from that era. I was plenty excited to have my own copy of the epic power ballad, sung by Ann Wilson and Robin Zander, that plays over the end credits. After about two listens, I grew tired of the big drums and discovered another track on the LP, an obscure Crowded House song, “Recurring Dream”. I was hooked. A couple of years later, I spent the summer in L.A., just as their album “Woodface” was released. The second song, “It’s Only Natural”, became an instant favorite and showed up on one of the first mix tapes I made for Julie. The mysterious, chiming qualities of “Recurring Dream” are what first drew me in to the music, and the intricate vocal harmonies and brilliant word play of “It’s Only Natural” made me a big fan. In 1994, Crowded House released what would be their last studio album in over a decade, “Together Alone”. That year was one of the most pivotal times of my life. Recently married, a big move west, starting a career, and still trying to figure out the meaning of life, it was an exciting, emotional time, full of happiness and doubt. Thankfully, I wasn’t alone. Julie was by my side. We were figuring it out together. That year, Crowded House released their single, “Distant Sun”, one of the most brilliant, poignant, tormented love songs I have ever heard. Neil Finn’s lyrics are, at times, a bit obtuse, so I’m not a hundred percent sure it’s even love song. But what I take away from it is a feeling of hope. “Distant Sun” is embedded in my soul. Each and every time I come back to it, I fall in love with the song again, making it one of my favorite basement songs.

More than any other song from that period, “Distant Sun” speaks volumes about my time uncovering and slowly realizing who I was as an adult, a professional, and most importantly, a husband. When Julie and I moved to California in ‘94, we were just two kids in our early 20’s. I was following my dream and Julie, bless her heart, just wanted to be with me. When I really dwell on this fact, it is humbling to think that another human being was willing to change her life just to be with me. You have to understand the remarkable sacrifice she made to move out here. She left her family, her safety net, and everything she knew, to embark on a journey with me, some schmo with bad clothes, awkward hair, and ugly glasses. I’m not going to pretend it was easy. Julie HATED being here. Yet, she never said, “It’s time to go back.” To this day, she has never said, “You’ve given it a shot; time to move on.” I’ve said many times that Julie is my rock. She is the foundation to which our family finds its strength. And the groundwork for our family was laid down in those years in the mid-90’s. “Distant Sun” is one of the essential songs to the “soundtrack of our life” (I know, kind of corny).

The music itself is so lovely. I’m a sucker for the acoustic guitar, electric combo. The song begins with just Finn strumming his six string acoustic, before the rest of the band joins him. Mark Hart playing a wrenching 12 string, Nick Seymour’s understated bass playing, and the late Paul Hester’s great drumming and perfect harmonies. It’s glorious. I swear, the first few times I ever heard the song, I had to literally stop what I was doing to listen to every note, take in each word I could follow, and try to keep from tearing up. This being Los Angeles, the stop and go traffic was quite accommodating. There were days when I would sit in my car on the freeway and get to hear the song in its entirety before moving up 10 feet. Lucky me. Of all of the elements to this song, it is the bridge that fills me up with emotion. And it is the twelve words ending that bridge (leading into the guitar solo) that have made this song such a favorite.

12 words. That’s it. Each time I reach them, those same twelve words tear me in half. They come at you from out of nowhere. What was already one of the prettiest songs written becomes something new. Finn cries out, in torment, in desperation, with all of his heart, “I don’t pretend to know what you want, but I offer love.”

Ponder those words a moment. Has any phrase ever spoken so plainly explained what marriage is supposed to be? There have been many instances when I didn’t have an answer, I couldn’t fix what was hurting Julie. And believe me, I used to be one of those people who had to fix everything. But the words I had were pointless. The writer in me didn’t know what to say. The only thing I had to offer was love.

Through the tears, confusion, heartache, betrayals and anger, we learned how to act. And in 1994, we had only known each other a couple of years. We were figuring out together who Scott and Julie were. So many times, we had to go with our instincts. “I love you and nothing will change that.” And then we hugged, or cried, or made love. We connected.

“I don’t pretend to know what you want, but I offer love.”

Each time I hear Finn sing that, I can’t help but clench my fist, imagining I’m the singer, Julie is my audience, and I’m declaring with everything in me that nothing will change how much I love her and that she is the center of my universe. I look at this woman and I marvel. “Damn. I can’t imagine my life without you.”

To paraphrase the song, seven worlds collide whenever she is by my side. Our love has been a mighty force since the first time we kissed. We’ve been through so much together. I know that there is so much more to come. As I said, “Distant Sun” is embedded in my soul. Damn you, Crowded House; and bless you for this basement song I hold so dear to me. It will be with me forever, just as my love for Julie will go on forever.

Originally posted on Thunderbolt 5/04/07

This record (for it is indeed on vinyl) was in the first dozen or so I ever purchased.  And this trio were one of the first I saw live on a semi-regular basis.

For a pimply-faced 15 year-old, these guys were a substantial step beyond the world of big-hair metal and unadulterated teen-targetted pop. Here were songs with substance and meaning, and music that was complex but approachable. Meanwhile, the three band members had sufficiently quirky personalities to make the stage show extra special.

23 years later (!!!) I return to give the album another spin.  And it holds up very well. 

The songs, of course, have that familiarity that springs from obsessive teen scrutiny (and regular mainstream radio rotation). But, more than that, they are still engaging, slightly obtuse compositions.  The lyrics retain that universality and comtemporariness (a word?), while the music is lush.

Side A of the album is much poppier and laden with their classic singles (Mean to Me, Don’t Dream…) and more directly invokes the skiffly-Beatles aspect of Finn’s songwriting.  Side B is the darker, artier set with less traditional verse-chorus etc structures. This is when the band get closer to The Cure in sound.

These guys deserve their accolades.

File under: It’s nice when your memories aren’t sullied

p.s. I know there’s a NZ-Oz ownership dispute on these guys, but I believe there are sufficient Melbourne links here to warrant me labelling the ‘Oz Artists’

That would give away too much…”

Lightning struck the day we met…

You cast a magic spell…

You stole my heart leaving me forever in your debt…

You make my life Heaven, never Hell…

Though we have had our up’s, our down’s…

I’m proud to stand here and say…

You make me want to be a better man, all smile’s, no frown’s…

I love you more with each passing day…

Catching up with my blog with photos from last month. This was from a charity night gig held at the Pan American bar in Liverpool’s Albert Dock. It was a bit of a gruelling day after doing a 12 hour photo shoot of ice sculptures but the gig was great. I’d heard of this group before I’d met them and they were really good. Liverpool’s version of Crowded House (you’d probably guessed that hadn’t you?) and they did a great set of covers. Everyone was dancning or nodding their heads during the gig.

Palataksemme viime sunnuntain pikaheittona soitettuun Uusi-Seelantilaiseen Split Enz -bändiin. Siinä perustajajäseninä hääräilivät veljekset Tim ja Neil Finn, joista Neil oli bändin keulahahmo ja biisien säveltäjä sekä sanoittaja. Split Enz pysyi kasassa vuodet 1971-1984 ja niitti mainetta suurimmalti tuolla eteläisellä pallon puoliskolla, kotimaassaan ja Australiassa. Toki bändin musiikki ylti listoille myös Amerikassa ja Britteissä. Split Enzin hajottua Neil Finn perusti uuden bändin, jonka tuotannosta soitettakoon tämän päivän klassikko:

- Weather With You -

Tuo uusi bändi nimeltään, Crowded House, perustettiin Australiassa vuonna 1984. Tämä bändi tuli puolestaan tunnetuksi ympäri maailman ja taisipa nousta 80-luvun lopulla Suomilistoillakin aika korkealle ‘Don’t Dream Until It’s Over’ -biisillä. Päivän klassikoksi valikoitui ‘Weather With You’ aivan pelkästään sen vuoksi, että se on hieman nopea tempoisempi kuin bändin biisit yleensä ovat. Lisäksi tässä on -90 luvun biisiksi joitain klassisia 60-luvun elementtejä. Näiden kummankaan Finnin poikien bändiä ei löydy levyhyllystäni, eikä myöhemmin perustettua The Finn Brothers -bändiä. Menköön nyt tällaisena pophistorian palasena ja jatkokertomuksena huomattuani viime sunnuntain bändin olleen aivan tuntematon suurimmalle osalle kuulijakuntaa.

Im really close tonight
And I feel like Im moving inside her
Lying in the dark
And I think that Im beginning to know her
Let it go
Ill be there when you call

And whenever I fall at your feet
You let your tears rain down on me
Whenever I touch your slow turning pain

Youre hiding from me now
Theres something in the way that youre talking
Words dont sound right
But I hear them all moving inside you, go
Ill be waiting when you call

Hey and whenever I fall at your feet
Wont you let your tears rain down on me
Whenever I touch your slow turning pain

The finger of blame has turned upon itself
And Im more than willing to offer myself
Do you want my presence or need my help
Who knows where that might lead
I fall

Whenever I fall at your feet
Would you let your tears rain down on me
Whenever I fall, ever I fall

Lezers,

door de tijd heen is 3vandaag natuurlijk een bekend medium geworden onder het muzikantenvolk. Het verbaast dan ook niet dat uw Redactie met de regelmaat van de klok uitnodigingen ontvangt voor fuifjes in de muziekscene. Wij blijven daar natuurlijk heel gewoon onder. Lang niet altijd zijn wij in de gelegenheid om aan de uitnodigingen gehoor te geven. Misschien dat u tijd hebt?

The Quireboys – Sex Party
You all been invited to a sexparty

The Beatles – Golden Slumbers / Carry That Weight
I never give you my pillow
I only send you my invitations

Crowded House – Into Temptation (vanaf 4.25min)
You looked at me for half a second
With an open invitation for me to go
Into temptation 

Steel Harmony play a caribbean steelband version of “Transmission” by Joy Division

A  choral version of “Gold Heart Mountaintop” by Guided by Voices (from Germany, I think).

PS22 sings “Don’t Dream It’s Over” by Crowded House.  Also, “Pictures of You” by The Cure.

Los Smiths molaban. Con su estilo altivo y elegante, con Morissey y Johnny Marr. Con Hand in glove y, sobre todo, con There is a Light.

A partir de la versión original ha habido unas cuantas réplicas. Hasta Mikel Erentxun se ha apuntado a la lista con su versión en español. Pero yo últimamente tengo mi cuelgue con esta:

Crowded House tienen canciones muy populares. No tanto como Michael Jackson, pero Neil Finn no está muerto. De hecho, como dirían Simple Minds, está alive and kicking. Su último proyecto es coordinar una mega banda que ha dado en llamar 7 Worlds Collide.

Cuando las estrellas de la música se unen suceden cosas curiosas. Recuerdo los Travelling Wilburys (Dylan, Harrison, Orbison, Petty y Lynn) o Temple of the Dog (Cornell con partes de Peral Jam en los 90, con la magnífica “Hunger Strike”). Más recientemente tenemos The Velvet Revolver (Guns and Roses con Stone Temple Pilots), Audioslave (Soundagarden y Rage), The Minus 5 (Tweedy de Wilco, Stringfelow de The Posies con “el 5º REM”). Luego están los conciertos homenaje (a alguien que las ha pichado) en este caso están Concert for George (Harrison) o anteriormente a Black and White night, homenaje a Roy Orbison, con un plantel impresionante: Jackson Browne, T-Bone Burnet, Elvis Costello, k.d. lang, Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Springsteen o Tom Waits.

Y sin que se haya de morir nadie, míticos son los conciertos del Prince Trust de los 80 con Knopfler, Clapton, McCartney, etc. Que también se juntaron por el incendio de Montserrat (no el de la moreneta, precisamente):

Volviendo a 7 Worlds Collinde (sacado de Distant sun, de Crowded House: 7 worlds will collide whenever I am by your side and dust from a distant sun will shower over every one): se trata de una interesante formación austral, con incorporaciones de Radiohead y Wilco y, especialmente, de Johnny Marr.

Esta aventura empezó en 2001 con un concierto. Está todo en You tube, por supuesto. Pero acaba de publicar este mes pasado un disco con canciones nuevas (casi todas, ya que You never know está también en el último trabajo de Wilco, aunque aquí esta canción tan ELO, cuenta con nuevos músicos).

Merece la pena conocerlo. Se llama the sun came out y cuenta con colaboraciones de casi toda la familia Finn, de casi todo Wilco, casi todo Radiohead, Lisa Germano, KT Tunstall, Johnny Marr y varios músicos de Nueva Zelanda y Australia. La música es buenísima y muchas veces original.

Como conclusión, decía antes que en estas reuniones pasan cosas muy curiosas. En genral el gusto de escuchar versiones de otros interpretadas por grandes artistas. Esto es lo que me pasa cada vez que vuelvo a escuchar There is a Light. Un temazo, que en la voz de Neil Finn (Crowded House) gana calidad. Me pone la piel de gallina cada vez que escucho:

And if a ten-ton truck Y si un camion de diez toneladas

Kills the both of us, nos mata a ambos

To die by your side… morir a tu lado

Well, the pleasure, the privilege is mine. Bueno, el placer, el privilegio es mío.

In celebration of Youtube lifting its music video block and in the course of procrastination (I really do have better things I could be doing), I have decided to link to a selection of my favourite music videos, via youtube, which hopefully you will enjoy as much as I do.

Firstly, Morrissey- The More You Ignore Me The Closer I Get because I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t find a way to mention Morrissey and this song and video show him at his best. Interesting fact for political types; there was a track on Morrissey’s first solo album, Viva Hate, called Margaret on the Guillotine. Morrissey also said of Thatcher in a 1984 interview “She is only one person. She can be destroyed. It is the only remedy for this country at the moment.” His views and song led to an official investigation by the British Police, who searched his home. Amusingly many of the police officers involved were said to be embarrassed by the situation and even asked Morrissey for autographs. Sorry Maggie.

Next, Ash – A Life Less Ordinary the title track of the film of the same name, starring Ewan McGregor and Cameron Diaz. There are many Ash videos I could have chosen but a highlighted upon this one. If you’ve never listened to Ash I think this song is a great one to start with.

I had to choose Duran Duran – Ordinary World simply because it is one of my all time favourite songs and I could watch the video all day. This video may be partly responsible for my love of Simon Le Bon, his hair in this video is amazing. It’s not as flashy as their high-budget, international video epics of the 80’s but I think it’s even better.

Finally, Crowded House – World Where You Live. Going back several year here, as you can probably tell by the video, but Crowded House and I do go back a long way. They were my favourite band throughout primary school, when everybody else was raving about various boy bands and the Spice Girls. I spent a great deal of my time listening to them as a youngster and watching a video full of their videos. What I like about Crowded House videos is the lack of pretentiousness. In nearly every video they seem to be just messing about, grinning and having a good time. RIP Paul Hester 1959-2005 (drummer).