Nyssa Collins – Don’t Dream It’s Over
While we’re talking about cover versions, here’s X Factor NZ runner up Nyssa Collins with a beautiful Samoan take on “Don’t Dream It’s Over.”
Miley Cyrus and Ariana Grande – Don’t Dream It’s Over
Miley Cyrus and Ariana Grande have covered the Crowded House classic “Don’t Dream It’s Over”. It’s part of Miley’s Backyard Sessions with funds raised going toward the The Happy Hippie Foundation, creating digital support groups for LGBT youth and their families.
Neil tweeted today:
“DDIO well covered for a good cause, Miley and Ariana well covered too.”
When Billboard contacted Neil, he said “What a life that song has had. I’m happy to see them enjoying it so much and hope it inspires some donations to a good cause.”
Crowded House radio session, 2007
Photo credit: Jeremy Ansell/Radio NZ
Radio New Zealand is highlighting a selection of live performances recorded over the years, presented one-a-day for the month of May – New Zealand Music Month 2015. Today it’s Crowded House live at Neil Finn’s Roundhead Studios, 13th July 2007.
You And I Know
“You And I Know”, a previously unreleased track from Neil Finn’s Dizzy Heights sessions, kicks off The Kitchen Sink III, the latest volume in our collection of rare studio and live tracks, demos and oddities from Neil Finn, Crowded House, Split Enz, The Finn Brothers and more.
We’ll add more audio from the archives to this album in the coming months. Listen to more rarities in The Kitchen Sink I and II on the Music page
Neil demonstrating nilfun site, October 2000
The nilfun team films the 60 Minutes team filming Neil Finn. Nilfun only lasted a few years but a few musical games and art pieces similar to those shown here have been collected on our nilfun page.
60 Minutes interviewer: Cameron Bennett. Video captured by in October 2000 by nilfun web designer, Rakai Karaitiana.
The family tree
“Anzac Day on a nostalgia trip with the best boy rider in Te Rore.”
Neil’s father Richard Finn stands beside the family tree.
Record Store Day – Neil at Slow Boat Records
Neil’s performing today at Slow Boat Records in Wellington for Record Store Day. He’s joined by Lisa Tomlins and Jesse Sheehan.
Here’s the line up:
Jesse Sheehan – 11 am
Tami Neilson – 11.30am
Neil Finn – 12 midday
Orchestra Wellington String Quartet – 2pm
UPDATE:
Read a report and photos on Stuff.
See One News footage on TVNZ
SETLIST:
Private Universe
Catherine Wheels
Dizzy Heights
One Step Ahead
Golden Child
Blue Smoke
In My Blood
Distant Sun (extra backing vocals from Tami Neilson)
Fall At Your Feet
Blue Smoke – Neil’s extended video
I had the great pleasure of meeting and playing music with Jim Carter and this is my own document of our day.
– Neil Finn.
Download “Blue Smoke” at iTunes NZ and Australia.
UPDATE, AUGUST 2015: Now available worldwide on iTunes and Google Play
Commemorating the centenary of the Gallipoli landing, Neil Finn and Jim Carter have re-recorded “Blue Smoke“, composed by New Zealander Ruru Karaitiana on his way to war in 1940. Jim Carter played steel guitar on the 1948 recording with singer Pixie Williams.
A portion of funds raised will support the RSA’s 2015 Poppy Appeal which funds support services for New Zealand’s veterans, former and current servicemen and women and their dependants.
Neil Finn solo in Melbourne and Sydney – more shows added
Live Nation by arrangement with Artist Voice present Neil Finn Solo – Intimate Melbourne and Sydney Solo Shows
MELBOURNE RECITAL CENTRE, MELBOURNE
WEDNESDAY 27 MAY 2015
TICKETS ON SALE 10AM FRIDAY APRIL 17
via Live Nation and Ticketmaster.
MELBOURNE RECITAL CENTRE, MELBOURNE
FRIDAY 29 MAY 2015
TICKETS ON SALE 10AM FRIDAY APRIL 17
via Live Nation and Ticketmaster.
RECITAL CENTRE ANGEL PLACE, SYDNEY
SATURDAY 30 MAY 2015
TICKETS ON SALE 10AM FRIDAY APRIL 17
via Live Nation and Ticketmaster.
RECITAL CENTRE ANGEL PLACE, SYDNEY
SUNDAY 31 MAY 2015
TICKETS ON SALE 10AM FRIDAY APRIL 17
via Live Nation and Ticketmaster.
Frenz of the Enz/Official Neil Finn Fan Club Members will have an opportunity to purchase tickets before the general public from midday, Thursday April 16, to 10pm Thursday April 16.
For more information on the Club, email peter@frenz.com . Put “Fan Club Information” in the subject area.
My Live Nation members can also be among the first to secure tickets during the pre-sale on Thursday April 16, midday to 10pm. No pre-sales for Friday May 29th Melbourne show.
The set-list will range right across Finn’s extensive repertoire as he dips in and out of a vast catalogue that spans compositions he’s made famous with Split Enz, Crowded House, The Finn Brothers and through the course of his three solo albums, playing a mix of acoustic and electric, guitar and piano.
Finn said, “I find playing solo to be a very free environment where I’m able to explore strange tangents, reinvent old songs, reminisce with friends and lampoon at will. I love it.”
The chance to see Finn perform solo certainly doesn’t come around very often. Other than two shows at Sydney’s Seymour Centre in 2010 and a set at the Meredith Festival, these forthcoming shows will be Neil’s only solo East Coast performances in Australia during the past decade, and these are absolutely shows not to be missed. What’s more, it’s Neil’s birthday on May 27th…
Neil & Liam Finn with friends at Largo – setlist 14-4-15
Setlist from the second show at Largo at the Coronet by Neil and Liam Finn, Tuesday night. Distant Sun wasn’t performed but additions included Helter Skelter and Whip It.
Thanks again to Kathleen for the photo. Expect to see fan reviews at http://www.frenzforum.com/topic/largo-april-14-reviews after they’ve recovered.
– Team Neil Finn
Neil & Liam Finn at Largo – setlist 12th April
A selfie of Neil, Liam and a few friends at Largo, Los Angeles on Sunday. They were joined through the night by Ceci Herbert, Matt Eccles, Sebastian Steinberg, Sharon Finn, Mark Hart, Connan Mockasin and Jon Brion.
Read fan reviews at the Frenz Forum , where there’s also a list of the covers played at the aftershow.
Neil, Liam and friends do it again on Tuesday night!
Tuesday April 14th, 2015
Largo at the Coronet Theater, Los Angeles, CA.
Sold out – but check Ticketfly just in case on Tuesday.
Melbourne and Sydney solo shows in May
Updated 16/4/15 with two more shows
Live Nation by arrangement with Artist Voice present Neil Finn Solo – Intimate Melbourne and Sydney Solo Shows
MELBOURNE RECITAL CENTRE, MELBOURNE
WEDNESDAY 27 MAY 2015
TICKETS ON SALE 10AM FRIDAY APRIL 17
via Live Nation and Ticketmaster.
MELBOURNE RECITAL CENTRE, MELBOURNE
FRIDAY 29 MAY 2015
TICKETS ON SALE 10AM FRIDAY APRIL 17
via Live Nation and Ticketmaster.
RECITAL CENTRE ANGEL PLACE, SYDNEY
SATURDAY 30 MAY 2015
TICKETS ON SALE 10AM FRIDAY APRIL 17
via Live Nation and Ticketmaster.
RECITAL CENTRE ANGEL PLACE, SYDNEY
SUNDAY 31 MAY 2015
TICKETS ON SALE 10AM FRIDAY APRIL 17
via Live Nation and Ticketmaster.
Frenz of the Enz/Official Neil Finn Fan Club Members will have an opportunity to purchase tickets before the general public from midday, Thursday April 16, to 10pm Thursday April 16.
For more information on the Club, email peter@frenz.com . Put “Fan Club Information” in the subject area.
My Live Nation members can also be among the first to secure tickets during the pre-sale on Thursday April 16, midday to 10pm.
The set-list will range right across Finn’s extensive repertoire as he dips in and out of a vast catalogue that spans compositions he’s made famous with Split Enz, Crowded House, The Finn Brothers and through the course of his three solo albums, playing a mix of acoustic and electric, guitar and piano.
Finn said, “I find playing solo to be a very free environment where I’m able to explore strange tangents, reinvent old songs, reminisce with friends and lampoon at will. I love it.”
The chance to see Finn perform solo certainly doesn’t come around very often. Other than two shows at Sydney’s Seymour Centre in 2010 and a set at the Meredith Festival, these forthcoming shows will be Neil’s only solo East Coast performances in Australia during the past decade, and these are absolutely shows not to be missed. What’s more, it’s Neil’s birthday on May 27th…
Blue Smoke – Neil Finn with Jim Carter
Download “Blue Smoke” at iTunes NZ and Australia.
UPDATE, AUGUST 2015: Now available worldwide on iTunes and Google Play
Commemorating the centenary of the Gallipoli landing, Neil Finn and Jim Carter have re-recorded “Blue Smoke“, composed by New Zealander Ruru Karaitiana on his way to war in 1940. Jim Carter played steel guitar on the 1948 recording with singer Pixie Williams.
A portion of funds raised will support the RSA’s 2015 Poppy Appeal which funds support services for New Zealand’s veterans, former and current servicemen and women and their dependants.
In February, Neil Finn travelled to Nelson to the home of Jim Carter to record Blue Smoke. Jim, who will turn 96 this year, played steel guitar on the original recording released back in 1949 – the first record to be fully composed recorded and pressed in New Zealand.
Also in attendance were Neil’s son Liam and journalist Chris Bourke, both with cameras to record this precious moment in time. Chris Bourke set up the collaboration, having met Jim Carter in 2008 when researching his book Blue Smoke. He has written, “If there is a ‘big bang’ moment in New Zealand’s music history, it was made by the gentlest of melodies. For a delicate song, Blue Smoke carries a lot of weight – it marks the real birth of New Zealand/s indigenous record industry.”
This project resonated strongly with Neil on both a personal and professional level and the resulting recording done in Jim’s lounge is both gentle and moving.
Neil’s father Dick was among the first to hear the new recording. Dick Finn who served in WW2, remembers hearing the song being played and sung on the darkened deck at night aboard his troopship. He says it was a powerful reminder of the family he’d left behind as he lay in his bunk facing an uncertain future, wondering if he would make it home. Dick absolutely loves Neil’s treatment of this historic recording.
When talking about the day of the recording Neil says “Jim made us feel very welcome and it was great to talk to him about music, instruments, his influences. I think he enjoyed having a face to face exchange with another musician and his humility was very endearing. He didn’t think he had much to offer anymore to a potential recording but I just gently encouraged him to play along on ukulele with me. Once he was involved in the song again and it was sounding good he even tried his hand at the lap steel. His guitar part was simpler and leaner than the original but still elegant and soulful. On the day we had no real idea if this would end up as a good recording but it feels so right to me now. The original recording is perfect really but I feel that with this humble new recording we have some of the original spirit and there is an authentic experience at the heart of it. Thanks Jim.”
Jim responds “It has given me so much pleasure to meet Neil and to play Blue Smoke again after all these years. I still can’t believe it.”
The Executive Producer of Blue Smoke, Murray Thom, is the man who created the best-selling ˜The Great New Zealand Songbook’ in 2009. Murray says “This project started out as an idea for a full album utilising the finest Australasian artists, however my motivation over time changed to just wanting to release Blue Smoke with Neil. For the last couple of years I could just ‘hear’ Neil performing Blue Smoke. There was no-one else that I could hear recording it. This recording is exactly what I was hoping for.”
Blue Smoke was originally written by Ruru Karaitiana on the troop shop Aquitania in 1940. Back in New Zealand after the war, Karaitiana assembled a quintet to record and release a version with singer Pixie Williams in 1948. The backing music was Hawaiian-style and the instruments included guitars, ukulele and a lap-steel guitar. The song topped New Zealand radio hit parades for six weeks and it sold more than 20,000 copies within a year.
The original recording attracted strong overseas interest. English duo Anne Ziegler and Webster Booth met Karaitiana and recorded a version. In the United States covers were released by Dean Martin, Al Morgan, Teddy Phillips and Leslie Howard. In 1951 New York music trade magazines described Blue Smoke as one of the major hits of the year a ˜musical jackpot’ with both jukebox and radio listeners. Dean Martin even phoned Karaitiana from the United States seeking more songs.
Hear Neil Finn talking about Blue Smoke with The Panel on Radio New Zealand National:
See TVNZ’s One News item from April 12th.
NZ Herald published an article on April 2nd: Neil Finn revives Anzac anthem.
Read more about Blue Smoke’s history on Audioculture. Written by Chris Bourke, Crowded House biographer and author of Blue Smoke: The Lost Dawn of New Zealand Popular Music 1918-1964.
Left photo: Liam Finn, Jim Carter and Neil Finn at Jim’s home in Nelson, 13th February 2015. Photo by Chris Bourke.
Right photo: Jim Carter playing guitar in late 1940s.
Read Chris Bourke’s profile of Jim Carter on Audioculture . There are some great pictures there too.
Here’s an extended cut of the video. Neil says “I had the great pleasure of meeting and playing music with Jim Carter and this is my own document of our day”.
iTunes Radio Guest Host
Neil is guest hosting iTunes Radio in Australia.
(Available for those with an Australian iTunes account and iTunes 12 or iOS 8)
Neil & Liam Finn with special guests at Largo, April 2015
Neil’s intimate shows at L.A.’s Largo at the Coronet are legendary. This month he plays two dates there, joined by son Liam Finn and a few extra guests.
Sunday April 12th, 2015
Largo at the Coronet Theater, Los Angeles, CA.
On Sale at Ticketfly, Thursday April 2nd at noon, PDT
Tuesday April 14th, 2015
Largo at the Coronet Theater, Los Angeles, CA.
On Sale at Ticketfly, Thursday April 2nd at noon, PDT.
Neil’s Largo gigs in 2013 sold out in two minutes so be quick… and good luck!
Neil Finn at Iona College 27/3/15
“An Evening With Neil Finn” raised funds for the development of the Blyth Performing Arts Centre at Iona College, Havelock North, New Zealand on Friday night. Neil performed the entire gig on piano.
Setlist 27/3/15
Private Universe
Dizzy Heights
Fall At Your Feet
Pineapple Head
Four Seasons In One Day
Not The Girl You Think You Are
Last Day Of June
Divebomber
Edible Flowers
Faster Than Light
Anytime
Don’t Dream It’s Over
Message To My Girl (with choir)
Voices (with choir)
Together Alone (with choir)
Better Be Home Soon
Gentle Hum (with choir)
See more photos on Neil’s Facebook page. Thank you to Iona College Parents and Friends Association for the above photo.
Thanks to aFINNity at the Frenz Forum for the setlist. Read her review here.
– Team NF.
Paul’s anniversary
This is how I remember him. Paul Hester 1959 – 2005.
– Neil Finn.
And a video chosen by Nick Seymour:
Crowded House footage courtesy of fan club pres, Peter Green:
Record Store Day appearance
(Updated 17/4/18)
Neil’s performing at Slow Boat Records, Wellington, on Record Store Day, April 18th. Neil’s joined by Lisa Tomlins and Jesse Sheehan.
Here’s the line up:
Jesse Sheehan – 11 am
Tami Neilson – 11.30am
Neil Finn – 12 midday
Orchestra Wellington String Quartet – 2pm
SJD – Saint John Divine article
Neil contributes a few words to Lydia Jenkins’ NZ Herald article about SJD’s new album, Saint John Divine, on which Neil plays piano, organ and some guitar. The album is released in New Zealand on March 27th.
Neil Finn book – your tribute to Neil
A few dedicated fans of Neil’s are compiling a book of fans’ stories. Perhaps a song influenced a life-changing decision; have you met a special friend at one of Neil’s concerts; where you there when Neil dived off the stage and no one caught him?
Email everyoneishere.book@gmail.com with your story or query, or find more details on the Everyone Is Here Facebook page.
Team Neil Finn.