Rating: 
Summary: Amazing
Review: I have been a fan of Neil Finn since 1980 and have loved his music with Split Enz, Crowded House and now on his own. In the states, you either know who Finn is and get it, or you don't. When I am asked who is my favorite musician, I have spent lots of time explaining who Finn is, and humming "Don't Dream It's Over." He deserves better than my "hey now, hey now's". This dvd is such a great mix of Split Enz songs, Crowded House favorites, his solo stuff and other musicians' music, as well. Hearing Finn play "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out", my very favorite Smiths' song with the great Johnny Marr, is unbelievable. Don't miss this music - even if you're only familiar with "Don't Dream It's Over," there is so much more to Finn. His brother Tim appears, as does Eddie Vedder, Ed O'Brien, Phil Selway and Lisa Germano. It's time Neil Finn was discovered here - about 20 years later than his beautiful music deserves, but better late than never. This is an absolute gem. It is perfection.
Rating:
Summary: The Finns Score with a New Generation
Review: I have been a longstanding Finn fan since the late 70s. Their influence - musical and otherwise - has been life changing, culminating with moving to Sydney and extensive traveling around NZ (check out Titirangi). My son was probably fluent with Split Enz/Crowded House/Finn Brothers/Tim Finn/ALT music in utero. My total joy is that he is now 8 and has formed a very real interest in the music, not too heavily biased by his mum. This DVD was his first visual experience with the Finns and he was very impressed. So, we both recommend it. And frankly, anytime I can see Tim is a bonus. Finn fans must have this. Signed - Lesley & Cooper
Rating: 
Summary: (4.5 stars)
Review: I have no doubt that Radiohead, Pearl Jam or Soul Coughing fans may be a little surprised by this DVD--what are Eddie Vedder, Sebastien Steinberg, Phil Selway and Ed O'Brien doing in Auckland, New Zealand, playing pop songs with a relatively obscure 40-something songwriter? It should be apparent upon viewing this DVD, however, why Neil Finn, who remains relegated to cult status here in the United States, has quietly become one of the most respected pop songwriters of his time--by critics, his peers and his exceedingly loyal worldwide fan base. The performances on this DVD were selected from a week's worth of shows shot at the St. James Theatre in Auckland, New Zealand, and also include musicians Lisa Germano (former violinist for John Mellencamp) and Johnny Marr (of Smiths fame), as well as cameos from Tim Finn and Neil Finn's son Liam's band, Betchadupa. In practical terms, the DVD is quite sparse; there are no special features to speak of. What you do get is a straight-forward concert film with a crisp picture and pristine sound, mixed in Dolby 5.1 surround by Bob Clearmountain. The film opens with a brief voiceover by Finn that explains the conception and execution of the project, with footage of the band arriving and rehearsing at Kare Kare beach. Preceding songs throughout the DVD are brief interludes where the various band members share their thoughts and are warmly introduced by Finn. Other than that, you get the performance--and it's excellent. There are numerous highlights, including the opening tune "Fall At Your Feet," during which the crowd eagerly sings along with not only the song's familiar chorus but the entire bridge as well; when Finn adds his own harmonies to the audience's singing, the effect is magical. Finn admirably chooses not to make this DVD a "greatist hits" concert, and instead showcases songs from his two most recent albums, "Try Whistling This" and "One Nil"--as well as a few obscure numbers from his days in Split Enz, such as the successful updating of "Take A Walk" with Eddie Vedder singing. A few Crowded House classics are present, including a haunting acoustic rendition of "Private Universe," "Four Seasons In One Day" and "Weather With You." Though the band only had a few days to prepare 40+ songs, the performances are incredibly loose. In addition to the eclectic selection of Finn songs, Marr, Germano and Vedder offer a few of their own, and Betchadupa give energetic, if not all that original, punk renditions of the Split Enz favorites "I See Red" and "History Never Repeats" with Vedder singing. One of the DVD's finest selections is the atmospheric, sweetly understated version of the Smiths classic "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out," which Marr had reportedly not played for years. For those unfamiliar with Finn's music, he has given his songwriting style the tongue-in-cheek description of "Leonard/McCartney," meaning the dark themes of Leonard Cohen superimposed upon the classic pop sensibilities of the Beatles. Overall the DVD is a good representation of Neil Finn's remarkable songwriting--we've seen other talented songwriters, but few if any can boast the rock-solid consistency of Finn's catalogue. He's written more than his fair share of sublime pop songs during his 20+ years as a pop artist, and he continues to be at the top of his game. The DVD ends with a fragile, tender version of Finn's most recognizable song, "Don't Dream It's Over." Hopefully this DVD, with its celebrity cameos, will give Finn some of the attention and exposure he deserves.
Rating:
Summary: The next best thing to being there
Review: I purchased a copy of this dvd from a local store, and every time i watch it i wish i could have seen it live. Over 2 hours of live music in 6 channel surround make for a concert in your own home. Highly recommended, definately consider this before the cd edition.
Rating:
Summary: The next best thing to being there
Review: I purchased a copy of this dvd from a local store, and every time i watch it i wish i could have seen it live. Over 2 hours of live music in 6 channel surround make for a concert in your own home. Highly recommended, definately consider this before the cd edition.
Rating:
Summary: Proof that there's still good music out there
Review: In a fair world, Neil Finn would have the recognition in the US that he has in other part of the world... one of the leading songwriters out there, he's often considered McCartneyesque. With that being said, this DVD proves that the cool acts of the 80s and 90s worship the man as much as I do. Why else would Eddie Vedder fly all the way to New Zealand for a handful of live shows? Or Johnny Marr (the Smiths)? Or Radiohead's Ed O'Brien and Phil Selway? Or Lisa Germano? It probably didn't take much, though, to get brother Tim Finn out to ham it up, but it's well worth it. The DVD covers the whole career, from Split Enz to the latest solo stuff. It's worth every penny.
Rating:
Summary: Goodness!
Review: Just beautiful, moving, and wonderful. I am now totally in love with Lisa Germano. Been listening to the CD and this DVD for several months now and absolutely can not get it off my CD player or TV screen. I give it my highest recommendation.
Rating:
Summary: Sublime and brilliant.
Review: Neil Finn has never gotten the attention he deserves in the U.S. I really enjoy watching this concert - hearing the audience sing along with Fall at Your Feet at the beginning nearly brings me to tears (one of my fav songs and almost no one I know has ever even heard it, and there's a crowd that knows it by heart). The cover of my all-time favorite Smiths song was an unexpected but beloved bonus. The whole thing is just marvy, trust me you won't be disappointed if you like well-crafted Beatle-based pop.
Rating:
Summary: this is so great!
Review: OK, first I see the annotated version of this DVD on Direct TV, I tape it and practically play it into the ground. Then I see neil in DC playing live. I get home and order this thing on Amazon right away. I love it even more, mostly because of Neil's delivery of "There is a light that never goes out" and J Marr's "Down on the Corner." I think we sell neil short if we say we hear a bit of Lennon in his muse and in his voice. But the same spirit that comes through in lennon's "Julia" and "Across the Universe" is undeniable. I love Neil's modesty and openness to his fans. Next time he's in my town, I'm going to be first in line to get on stage with him. Can't wait for more and more and more........
Rating:
Summary: this is so great!
Review: OK, first I see the annotated version of this DVD on Direct TV, I tape it and practically play it into the ground. Then I see neil in DC playing live. I get home and order this thing on Amazon right away. I love it even more, mostly because of Neil's delivery of "There is a light that never goes out" and J Marr's "Down on the Corner." I think we sell neil short if we say we hear a bit of Lennon in his muse and in his voice. But the same spirit that comes through in lennon's "Julia" and "Across the Universe" is undeniable. I love Neil's modesty and openness to his fans. Next time he's in my town, I'm going to be first in line to get on stage with him. Can't wait for more and more and more........
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