A Musical Lovefest

Earlier this week, I had the distinct pleasure of hearing two musical artists I adore, Neil and Tim Finn, performing live on KCRW amidst dates on their first U.S. tour in eight years. Neil, the younger, headed one of my all-time favorite (and, sadly, defunct) bands, Crowded House, after first playing with his brother Tim in their eccentric early band, Split Enz. With their flawless harmonizing, the Finns won me over as a teenager and continue still to write meticulous, brightly melodic pop songs. Their mum must be so proud.

Had the duo made a tour stop here on the north coast, I'd have eaten my big toe to be in the audience, grinning dorkishly, soaking up every last note by their inimitable voices, all the more sweet since they tour together so rarely. As a matter of fact, their last tour together--in support of their 1996 debut as Finn Brothers--was significant for me, being the only time I've attended a concert alone. Just me, myself and I. Lacking a fellow fan to head to Hollywood's John Anson Ford Theatre with me for that particular show would not keep me from the Finns. I happily went solo, enjoyed a drink while chatting with fans around me in the cool air of the outdoor amphitheatre and breathed in a thoroughly magical evening of music that moved me intensely. That was me, leaping out of my seat with thunderous applause when Neil and Tim delved deep into their catalog of Crowded House and Split Enz tunes from waybackwhen.

It wasn't the first time I'd seen Neil and Tim perform together--that was when Tim joined Crowded House for the Woodface tour in 1991. One of the most intoxicating concerts I've ever attended (and not just for witnessing CH's famously zany drummer disrobe entirely and boldly prance across the stage). CH was simply a wonderful group and for me, hearing Neil and Tim sing so beautifully together is one of the true joys in life. As I'm known to declare, it's the little things.

That said, come August 24, I'll do something I rarely do these days: purchase a new CD in a record store. That's when Neil & Tim's latest--Everyone Is Here--is released stateside. The first single is haunting in recorded form and the live radio performance gave me goosebumps, something only music can do.

Posted by ayelet at July 17, 2004 11:25 PM