Tim Would Be Delighted
Crowded House
Rod Laver Arena
November 5, 2010
Michael Dwyer's statement that Crowded House are enjoying a "second life" is actually quite fitting. Last time I saw them on home soil was back in November 1996, at The Corner Hotel, just before they played their farewell show at the Sydney Opera House. Nearly fifteen years later and with so much having transpired in between, it does indeed seem as though this did occur in another lifetime. The guy sitting next to me at last night's show took a look around Rod Laver Arena and pointed out to his wife how many young folk were in the crowd. Lots of these young folk weren't necessarily there with their parents either, who were perhaps more likely to have been the ones that had grown up with Crowded House playing on their stereos during their adolescence.
I still have a fuzzy interview on cassette between Tony Martin and Mick Molloy and Neil and Tim Finn from 1995. They were asked what it's like to have so much material to choose from when they're deciding what to play on stage together. Tim likened the process to having a big basket of apples and pondering the question of which ones to have that day. Last night, although new numbers from the latest release, Intriguer, got an airing, overall it was a set that leaned heavily on older records such as Woodface and Together Alone . The natural chemistry and playful banter remain a hallmark of any Crowdies show, and the mutual respect between Neil and Nick is obvious. Having both lived in Melbourne for many years but now based abroad, their awareness of and affection for the large fan base here is sincere. It also lets them get away with making fun of our town's obsession with sport and the ridiculous weather that helped spawn "Four Seasons In One Day". On the other hand, California native Mark Hart is still reticent and says little, whilst Matt on drums is so confident and comfortable, he can't realistically be thought of as the new kid on the block anymore. Although it's clear that Neil is still the dominant creative force in the group, what's just as obvious is that the guys really do seem to be enjoying themselves.
Considering the breadth of material, it's always hard to pick favourites. I'd never heard "I Feel Possessed" live before, and I have to admit that prior to last night I never realised how good a song it actually is. "Amsterdam" and "Isolation" (the latter written by the whole band, with Sharon Finn on board) were two good examples of new tracks that still have the unmistakeable Neil Finn sound stamped on each of them. It's also testament to how good the music is that songs like "Whispers and Moans", "Four Seasons In One Day", "Fall At Your Feet" and "Fingers of Love" can still have new life breathed into them, sounding far from old and tired, so many years after they were first penned.
Shows like last night's are indeed like comfort food for the mind. I'm sure I've abused this quote before, but Neil Finn once said that music does "clear the mind of its garbage". It might not present any solution to other things that are going on in one's life, but it has a familiarity to it like nothing else, and it soothes, even if only temporarily.
Rod Laver Arena
November 5, 2010
Michael Dwyer's statement that Crowded House are enjoying a "second life" is actually quite fitting. Last time I saw them on home soil was back in November 1996, at The Corner Hotel, just before they played their farewell show at the Sydney Opera House. Nearly fifteen years later and with so much having transpired in between, it does indeed seem as though this did occur in another lifetime. The guy sitting next to me at last night's show took a look around Rod Laver Arena and pointed out to his wife how many young folk were in the crowd. Lots of these young folk weren't necessarily there with their parents either, who were perhaps more likely to have been the ones that had grown up with Crowded House playing on their stereos during their adolescence.
I still have a fuzzy interview on cassette between Tony Martin and Mick Molloy and Neil and Tim Finn from 1995. They were asked what it's like to have so much material to choose from when they're deciding what to play on stage together. Tim likened the process to having a big basket of apples and pondering the question of which ones to have that day. Last night, although new numbers from the latest release, Intriguer, got an airing, overall it was a set that leaned heavily on older records such as Woodface and Together Alone . The natural chemistry and playful banter remain a hallmark of any Crowdies show, and the mutual respect between Neil and Nick is obvious. Having both lived in Melbourne for many years but now based abroad, their awareness of and affection for the large fan base here is sincere. It also lets them get away with making fun of our town's obsession with sport and the ridiculous weather that helped spawn "Four Seasons In One Day". On the other hand, California native Mark Hart is still reticent and says little, whilst Matt on drums is so confident and comfortable, he can't realistically be thought of as the new kid on the block anymore. Although it's clear that Neil is still the dominant creative force in the group, what's just as obvious is that the guys really do seem to be enjoying themselves.
Considering the breadth of material, it's always hard to pick favourites. I'd never heard "I Feel Possessed" live before, and I have to admit that prior to last night I never realised how good a song it actually is. "Amsterdam" and "Isolation" (the latter written by the whole band, with Sharon Finn on board) were two good examples of new tracks that still have the unmistakeable Neil Finn sound stamped on each of them. It's also testament to how good the music is that songs like "Whispers and Moans", "Four Seasons In One Day", "Fall At Your Feet" and "Fingers of Love" can still have new life breathed into them, sounding far from old and tired, so many years after they were first penned.
Shows like last night's are indeed like comfort food for the mind. I'm sure I've abused this quote before, but Neil Finn once said that music does "clear the mind of its garbage". It might not present any solution to other things that are going on in one's life, but it has a familiarity to it like nothing else, and it soothes, even if only temporarily.
posted by yossarian | 2:00 PM
1 Comments:
Yay! Great write up Yoss and how strange that they've gone separate ways and returned after a few years revolutions in other projects- sounds like there was a good mix of songs which would have delighted many a fan too! :)
Hope everything is alright and you're well!
:)
m
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