Anyone else think Neil Finn has incredible tones?

[Matt-o-caster]

I was a fan of Crowded House in the 80s (even though I was still a very young lad during that decade). I was a huge fan of Neil's "Try Whistling This" album that came out in the late 1990s, partly because of the ingenuity of his songwriting, but also because his tones were unbelievable. Plus, the production was incredibly interesting. His followup solo album One Nil also did not disappoint. The Finn Brothers album that came out in 2004 similarly possesses the same brilliant qualities, in my opinion. Even the latest Crowded House release (from 2007) has a great variety of awesome tones and really smart guitar parts. Anyone agree?

[Matt-o-caster]

Great story! Thanks for sharing, Jakey! It's great to know that guys like Neil are out there.

[loudboy]

Interviewer: Are you the best songwriter out there, right now?

Paul McCartney: Not as long as Neil Finn's around.

He's the whole package. Incredibly smart and sophisticated pop music, for adults.

I like the fact that live, he really goes for the Neil Young guitar thing, in the midst of those amazingly subtle songs.

[jhvox]

I saw Crowded House a number of times and every show was amazing. Musical, energetic and incredibly funny! They could have been a comedy act as well. Neil is definitely one of my favorite songwriters ever

[atquinn]

The only album I have by Neil is Try Whistling This. Great songs and tones, but I'm not surpised by the tone excellence given the Mitchell Froom factor. I need to get some more of Niel's stuff!

-Austin

[Curly]

Love all his stuff!

saw 'em years ago with some young hot stoner chick opening ... let's see ... what was her name ... oh, yeah ... Sheryl Crow


anyway ... I've heard Neil is a BIG gear hound, and has never sold a thing.

[Jahn]

did you check him out on Austin City Limits? he has the sweetest LP Deluxe (minihums) that had that cleartone going on in spades - nice playing too of course! One of my fave tracks is Finn with Johnny Marr doing "There is a Light that Never Goes Out" - I think you can find that on youtube, but I bought the CD. Great stuff.

[Catoogie]

The greatest pop song writer since John Lennon.

Hmmmmmm, that's a pretty bold statement. Neil Finn is a good songwriter but to say he's the greatest since John Lennon? I don't think so. But we can all have our own opinions.

I saw him on the Woodface tour, he has great tone and was using an AC30 and a Hotcake.

[flyingvees]

Well when Sir Paul gives you the nod, your pretty much the shite!

[slopeshoulder]

I have worshipped at the alter of Finn since seeing the first CH tour from 8 feet away in '87. My wife adores him too. I'm in the US, where he is an 80's 2-hit wonder. But in the rest of the world he is huge. I was in London and coudn't get tickets to sold out albert hall show. Try whistling this was #1 on UK chart. Three days later I'm in Germany and he's playing in front of an enormmous outdoor crowd. And forget about Asia Pacific where he is legendary. But here in the US I get to see him every so often in small intimate venues with real musos who freak out and sing along.
He is the real deal. Picks up where Los Bee-Attel-Boys left off.
Yes, the best songwirter (my fave at least), a genius, incredible blend of hooks and substance, accessibility and wierdness. And a voice from heaven.
And great tones!!! P-90 and Filteron into Vox and Tweed, with all sorts of cheapo's used in the studio.
Thanks Neil for over 20 years of wonderful soul-moving, knee-trembling, smile-making music!! And MANY laughs live. From spilt enz to CH to solo to brothers. And for inspiring a few songs of my own (where I imagined your voice). DON'T STOP NOW!
OK, I'm a fan!!!!!!!! There's no one I enjoy or admire more in the world of music.
A little story: I grew up on Beatles and then later was a jazz student in conservatory and studied with SEVERAL TOP NAMES, practicing 12 hours a day trying to be Jim Hall meets Holdworth. Then my brother plays CH's first record for me and that did it! No more jazz or woodshedding. Hello songs. Glad to be back. Thanks Neil.

[Z_Zoquis]

He's been fantastic since Split Enz.

[sgsupremep90]

"Silent House" is one of the best conceived and executed songs I can think of. Incredibly moving lyrics, dynamics that take you low and then carry you up. When he puts his incredible tone on top of that framework you have a masterpiece.

[229someday]

Ever since I started playing guitar in high school he's been a favorite of mine. I still distinctly remember pedaling my bike (no license yet) three miles to the Sam Goody at the mall with my Walkman cassette player in my backpack to buy "Temple of Low Men" the day it came out. I cracked it open in the parking lot and remember hearing "I Feel Possessed" (the first track) as I started riding home. Even as a high-schooler I really dug the lyrics of what I think is one of the creepiest and coolest relationship songs I've heard. Now some 20 years later my 3 and 6-year-old kids shout along to "She Called Up" from the new album.

[Matt-o-caster]

Well, it's good to know I'm not alone in my admiration (okay, obsession) with the Kiwi Tunesmith (thanks for that, Jakey)!

[Matt-o-caster]

I haven't yet, but I definitely will.

[Zelja]

He's been fantastic since Split Enz.

Yep. I was just thinking that everybody who digs CH should also check out Split Enz. Both Tim & Neil Finn were in the band & some great, great tunes. Not as straight ahead as CH but still some perfect accessible pop/rock.

[loudboy]

Yep. I was just thinking that everybody who digs CH should also check out Split Enz. Both Tim & Neil Finn were in the band & some great, great tunes. Not as straight ahead as CH but still some perfect accessible pop/rock.

I saw them open for Tom Petty on the "Hard Promises" tour, in 1981.

Pretty good night of entertainment... <g>

[loudboy]

"Silent House" is one of the best conceived and executed songs I can think of. Incredibly moving lyrics, dynamics that take you low and then carry you up. When he puts his incredible tone on top of that framework you have a masterpiece.

I was obsessed for a month or so w/that tune. Co-written w/The Dixie Chicks - it's about Natalie's grandmother's death.

Loved "Pour Le Monde" off that record, too. What a melody, and really meaningful lyrics.

[JKoeth]

My favorite songwriter period.

He plays his vintage LP Deluxe Goldtop alot through his AC30. He has a '68 Starfire I believe too.

The Sessions at West 54th St is a KILLER video and has amazing tones. It's what eventually pulled me toward AC30s as my amp of choice. I saw a Blues Driver on his board too.

One Nil was a fantastic album. He changed the title for the US release to One All after 9/11. It's a different mix and Finn Fans should really have both versions.

[gkinsingapore]

The Finns have pretty much provided the soundtrack to my life. We come from the same town in NZ and I worked about 3 months in their fathers accountancy practice in Te Awamutu NZ where I saw Split Enz play a 'homecoming' gig on the local rugby field....wonderful.

I've been in a band that, when we were 17 years old, was called the next Split Enz in a TV guide magazine...purely because we were from the same town!

I can remember (as clear as yesterday) getting the first CH single 'Mean to Me' and running to my girlfriends place from the shop to play it on her grandparents Stereogram...and remember how excited we were that it had a reference in it to our shitty little town.

I've seen CH play in school gyms and was there on the Sydney Opera House steps when they played their farewell to the world show in front of hundreds of thousands of people, a truly magical experience. I've seen Neil doing a warm up 'secret gig' in the local pub with Johnny Marr and Eddie Vedder, who both sang Split Enz songs. There is a DVD called When Seven Worlds Collide which is worth getting for all Finn fans.

Gotta admit, I was kind of disappointed when they carried on with CH after Paul Hester because, to me, CH was as much Paul Hester as it was Neil Finn.

Funny when you listen to a song like 'Our Day' on Split Enz's Conflicting Emotions which is all about waiting for the birth of his first son and now that same son (Liam) is now grown up rock star in his own right......wonderful!

[robelinda2]

Matt

As a footnote, he also related a story about playing a solo acoustic set at the Austin Blues festival.

Apparently it was the same day that Nathan Astle (Kiwi cricketer) smashed England to all parts of Wellington for the fastest double hundred in test history (130 balls or something?).

Anyway, Neil had hi-jacked an OB truck and was watching when he got his stage call. COntinued to watch for 10 mins, until Astle got out for 220-odd.

Finn pegs it onto the stage, and, full of awe for the Astle innings, regales the crowd for 5 or 6 mins about the brilliance of Astle, talked them thorugh it ball by ball and apologies for being late on. Then realised he was the middle of bloody Texas and no-one had a clue what he was blathering on about and that by now, all of Austin either thought he was certifiable or on hard drugs! He said it was the first and only time he'd been forced to open a set with Don't Dream it's Over to get the crowd back!!

That Astle innings was superb! Sixes raining everyhere, great display!

Neil Finn is a genius, love the guitar tones all over CH cd's.

[Grenville]

I loved the way he retitled one of his solo albums for different markets:

I think it was
'Nil Fun' for New Zealand (Nil Fun ="Neil Finn" said in a Kiwi accent")
'One Nil' for Australia
'One All' for the USA

[franksguitar]

Both Neil & Tim Finn do solo tours.

[JohnK24]

Brillant singer/songwriter/player...I have followed Neil since the Split Enz era...HUGE Crowded House fan and his solo "Try Whistling This" is high on rotation in my iPod...along with the last CH "Time on Earth". There ACL show from a few years ago was amazing.

Yeah...Neil is great !

[JKoeth]

I loved the way he retitled one of his solo albums for different markets:

I think it was
'Nil Fun' for New Zealand (Nil Fun ="Neil Finn" said in a Kiwi accent")
'One Nil' for Australia
'One All' for the USA

Actually, he re-titled One Nil after 9/11. I read it in an article at the time. He didn't want people to think it was in reference to the attacks. I think he was being smart and sensitive.

[Matt-o-caster]

Glad to see this thread is still going! Someone mentioned the song "Silent House," off the latest CH album. What a great song! I like the Dixie Chicks version too, but the production on CH is tops, as are Neil's vocals.

Songs like Gentle Hum on the Finn Brothers album are why I love Neil Finn. So inventive in his songwriting and yet so melodic and accessible. Brilliant guy.

[reverber8]

Yes, superb tones and part of the reason I play a Gretsch Jet. He's also a truly gifted songwriter with an immediately recognizable voice. A nod to all the comments and praise here.

I've been a fan of his since he joined Split Enz, thru Crowded House, the solo stuff and his work with his brother Tim. My favorite live performance DVD is Farewell to the World, the final CH show in Sydney.

I was pleased to see CH reunite which finally allowed me to see the band on the last tour. One of the best shows I've ever seen although I must admit that Paul's personality and spirt are missing from the new line up. Neil mentioned Hessie a few times during the show. I was deeply saddened by Paul's passing. Such a tragic thing for someone who appeared to be so full of life.

[Steve L]

I agree with all the positive sentiments!
I've been following Neil and his different configurations for years. In fact, CH first album was the first CD (as opposed to vinyl) that I ever got--back in '87 or so, I believe.
Great songs, singing, playing, production, etc. GREAT in concert (I've lost track of how many times I've seen him!) The whole package. And you can tell he's a good guy, too.

Several years ago, I heard Neil Finn being interviewed and I "got it." It reminded me of hearing Paul McCartney interviewed....there's something lyrical and musical in the way they even talk and, apparently, think. Something melodic in their souls. Something special that, obviously, not too many people have....
His songs put me in a "different place"....even after all these years.
At the time, I suggested that THERE would be a great songwriting duo! Glad to read here (and elsewhere) that there is a mutual respect and acknowledgment and appreciation between them.

Don't understand why he never seems to get the acclaim in the US like he has elsewhere....

[hb_nz]

I loved the way he retitled one of his solo albums for different markets:

I think it was
'Nil Fun' for New Zealand (Nil Fun ="Neil Finn" said in a Kiwi accent")
'One Nil' for Australia
'One All' for the USA

Actually as far as I know, "Nil Fun" wasn't a reference to the NZ accent (only an Australian would exaggerate it to an extent that it might sound like that, and Neil's a Kiwi after all) but as far I'm aware it was a self mocking reference to his nick name: "Nil Fun", as in "not much fun to work with" - due to the fact that he is quite the perfectionist. That's what I heard anyway...

[Kentano2000]

Had the iPod on shuffle yesterday in the car and "Private Universe" popped up. Unfollowable; I couldn't listen to anything else after that. Been a big CH/Finn fan for a long time. Kudos to all the love shown on this thread!

[JimmyR]

I once got some free tickets to see CH when they were first starting out. They were just fantastic and Hester was quite the jester. So sad to see what happened.

I always prefered the Split Enz songs that Neil sang. Tim wrote some good songs but was never as good as Neil IMHO and I can't quite get on with Tim's voice. Plus whenever I have seen Tim perform or be interviewed he seems to extraordinarily up himself. I once saw the Finn brothers perform as a duo and the condescending attitude to the audience rather spoilt the gig.

But Neil Finn really is a songwriting master. I love his guitar stuff too. There is a song somewhere which sounds uncannily like a Lennon Beatles era song - can't remember where I heard it though. I thought it entirely appropriate when NZ used a CH song to promote NZ tourism.

[srgreen]

I would have to say the two greatest gigs that I have ever seen have involved Neil Finn and CH.

Its a toss up between their final gig played on the steps of the Opera House in Sydney where something like 200,000 people showed up to say farewell. It would have to be one of the most emotional and powerful gigs I have experienced.

But I think the one that just pips it is seeing both Neil and Tim reunite to play a duo gig at the Sydney Wave Aid (Tsunami benefit concert) back in 2006 I think it was. That was a moment I will never forget, when the sun was beggining to set after a hot Sydney Summers Day and the two of them came on stage with acoustic guitars only to run through a gamut of all there hits including 'Throw your arms around me' which they finished off with. The crowd was singing along to every song with so much passion and emotion - All I remember is the hairs standing on the back of my neck as that first D-sus Chord of Don't Dream its Over rang out and everyone just prepared themselves to sing the first line in as loud a voice as was humanly possible.

A day I will never forget and not just for their performance....