Neil Finn - Sessions at West 54th

Rating:
Summary: Neil Finn in an Intimate Setting
Review: This is a must for any Neil Finn fan. It's especially necessary if you're a big fan of _Try Whistling This_, as most of that album is performed on this excellent DVD. The audio and visual aspects of this DVD are exceptional. In addition, it enables you to display the lyrics to all of the songs. Hearing and seeing Finn perform "Try Whistling This" at the piano is worth the price of this DVD alone. Other highlights include the acoustic versions of "Fall at Your Feet" and "Don't Dream It's Over," as well as the rocking versions of "Twisty Bass", "Loose Tongue" and the Split Enz hit, "I Got You." All in all, this is a great DVD for any fan of Finn, Crowded House and/or Split Enz. Everyone knows that Finn is a tremendous songwriter, but this DVD showcases his abilities as an excellent and captivating performer as well.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent - fans will love it.
Review: This is as good as a DVD can be for Neil Finn fans. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Neil live on DVD finally
Review: This long rumored dvd of Neil Finn's Sessions has finally been released. Having been at the taping, it captures the terrific sound quality of the Sessions studio and the performances perfectly. Long time Finn fans will lap this up. First timers should jump in because he is truly a gifted songwriter, a great live performer and his voice, which remains a thing of beauty, all of which come across clearly and cleanly on this release. The song selection, mostly from "Try Whistling This", does feature an outstanding version of "Don't Dream Its Over", which knocked me over at the taping. His reference to the Everly Brothers' "Dream" shows that Neil Finn appreciates a good tune as he incorporates it seamlessly into his song.. When you see him on stage it is clear that Neil Finn has a place at the top of the class of songwriter/performers/vocalists. Other standouts are "She Will Have Her Way", which should have been a huge hit, and one of his many Split Enz favorites "I Got You". The band stands out as well, including a nice cameo by former Crowded House musician Mark Hart. The picture and sound quality are excellent. Music lovers everywhere should not miss the opportunity to enjoy this treasure.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Show BUT.....
Review: What an entertainer Mr Finn is. from the Enz, to the Crowdies & beyond. I am a huge collector of his work, BUT I am also a collector of DVD's & am very picky about my disks. Why should we just settle for a movie when you can get the same thing on a video tape??? I mean you get the better quality, but please... With all the things DVD players can do we expect so much more. Unfortunately this DVD does not deliver in the Extras front AT ALL. What extras are there you ask?? Well an incomplete discography & an out of date & incorrect biography (well I guess it was going to go out of date sometime) ;-) The concert itself is brilliant as is the video & audio quality, but would it have killed them to get the license for some CH or Enz video clips?? Or even a Neil Finn interview would have done me, with some behind the scenes footage. A great show, but not a great DVD. Sorry

Rating:
Summary: Treat Yourself!
Review: Wish this DVD concert were longer!
Neil Finn is the best songwriter mainstream America has never heard of. Granted we all know Crowded House, but his solo outings have largely gone unnoticed in the U.S., and we are the poorer for it. This concert DVD is a bit more mid- to low-tempo compared to some of his Crowded House material, but he still gets to flex his songwriting and singing chops. Be warned, though. If you start to become a Finn fan, chances are you will look at the large part of your CD collection with a bit of derision -- why can't all songwriting be this good? Finn raises the bar for the rest of us.

Rating:
Summary: Treat Yourself!
Review: Wish this DVD concert were longer!
Neil Finn is the best songwriter mainstream America has never heard of. Granted we all know Crowded House, but his solo outings have largely gone unnoticed in the U.S., and we are the poorer for it. This concert DVD is a bit more mid- to low-tempo compared to some of his Crowded House material, but he still gets to flex his songwriting and singing chops. Be warned, though. If you start to become a Finn fan, chances are you will look at the large part of your CD collection with a bit of derision -- why can't all songwriting be this good? Finn raises the bar for the rest of us.