Oh, New York, New York, so glad I moved out. It was hot, people were cursing each other out, the combined scent of urine and honey roasted nuts wafted out of every nook and cranny. But hey, we had a mission. And we had the coolest hotel ever (The Paramount), unlike Toronto, where the Four Seasons pulled the ol' bait and switch and none of you should ever stay there, but I digress.
Once again, we managed to be first in line. This afforded us the privilege of standing over a hot subway grating. We met a charming English teacher named David, in attendance with his mother, a big Tim fan. Well, hey, and why not? We also met a number of listies, and from the reviews I'm seeing, missed a couple too.
The venue was lovely, but staffed by an insufferable lot. One chap in particular spent the whole night yelling at people. No sitting on the floor, no leaning on anything, no setting things down... pretty much no anything. I thought, well, I've met people with attitude problems before and lived, but when he yelled at Neil's youngest son (although he did stop when informed that this was a VIP child), I realized he had no redeeming qualities and deserved everything Angela said to him. (You go, girl!)
Ron Sexsmith did a few new songs, all of which I loved. Funny, it's his songs I find myself walking around singing.
The Finns did the same set list from Toronto. It even said Toronto on it. I suppose they're saving paper. This show was marred a bit for me in that you couldn't hear Tim's vocals very well. Don't know if it was a mix problem or a Tim problem, but it sounded pretty much the same at the Conan taping today.
But hey, to paraphrase a bumper sticker, the worst day at a Finn Brothers concert is better than the best day pretty much anywhere else. Although they weren't as chatty as they have been at other shows, every song pretty much turned into a jam, and Tim's piano-string percussion innovation of the night before became a two-man operation in a very clever way.
The ukelele section of the evening always seems to be a highlight, and this was no exception. Tim had been rather reserved all night, but as Neil began playing the uke, Tim burst into what I'm fairly sure was an original number consisting mostly of the word "ukelele" and some very impressive pelvic gyrations. (Of course, I'm easily impressed in that regard, having a fused pelvis myself, which makes my Callanetics workouts a real bitch. Again, full disclosure.) He then did a spoken-word version of Matinee Idyll (fabulous) and provided the bitter counterpoint for Neil's "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" ("You will find..." "I wish!" "Happiness..." "Where?" "Love and happiness and all those things Neil can sing about..."). (I think it would be intrusive to try and analyse someone's state of mind based on musical ad libs, but were I to do such a thing, this woulda been the night and Tim woulda been the guy.) A pity no notice was taken of the airplane requesting "You Are My Sunshine," which would have flowed seamlessly here.
The Englebert jokes are *not* scripted. Yes, they tell Englebert jokes every night, but they're *different* Englebert jokes. Pretty impressive when you think about it. Also the Englebert songs have been different... last night it was The Green Green Grass Of Home, whereas the other shows featured wildly variant renditions of Please Release Me.
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The music was perfect - the quality was every bit as good as the recorded versions and the arrangements - using only two instruments at any given time - were excellent as well. I hadn't realized Tim was such a good drummer.
He seemed lost in the music much of the time, like he was playing for himself (this was a good thing). Neil was a bit more audience focused. The audience were really loving every minute of it. At one point early on Neil commented on how it was a good audience.
The stuff that grows out of Neil's head (for I daren't say the H word) reminded me of how it looked in the "Message to My Girl" video, the fact he was wearing a button down shirt reminded me of that as well. And Tim looked very Woodface-era and was in a brown suit - barefoot of course. When a paper airplane was read out, Neil read it as a ransom note for Tim's shoes. Tim said it was kind of Sandie Shaw-ish (I think it was Sandie Shaw he mentioned...) but he didn't want them back, said something about it being time for an exorcism and launched into Dirty Creature.
Someone up front had brought a photo of themselves in Te Awamutu and a conversation on that occured near the beginning of the show. They thought it was kind of pathetic that people travel to see Te Awamutu just because of them. Tim complained about how he hates roses and it kind of sucks to grow up in a town known for them. He asked Neil if he ever sent roses to anyone.
After Neil said yes, Tim asked him "Did it work?" Looking up into the balcony, Neil asked "I don't know; Sharon, did it work?"
My opinion on Ron Sexsmith was that he played well, but his music wasn't terribly original. Wouldn't care if I never heard him again.
Lisa Loeb was spotted up in the balcony. At one point I saw her hold up a piece of paper that said "Ron!". I didn't see her up there for very long after Tim and Neil came on, though. Gee, I wonder who she came to see? If indeed she did leave, she missed out on a terrific show.
I'm sure others will have things to say, so I leave you all saying: I loved it!
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I won't go into detail about the set list, but I saw many a folk writing down EVERY song played. A great combo of Finn, CH, Split and ad libs! Neil was terrific as usual and never disappointing! I also found myself strangely attracted to Tim as I have never been before. What charisma he has and what a stage presence. His improvs were marvelous although I sensed Neil sometimes had difficulty keeping him in line. Hee hee.
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I came away with great respect and an ever-renewed awe at the immense talent that runs in the Finn gene pool (after seeing the two brothers have a blast onstage, this is no exaggeration at all). Neil and Tim played all the instruments (from piano to guitars to bongos, to congas and bass drum, to maracas -- in a "tour de force" performance. Jeez, I guess they couldn't find a kitchen sink. I was thinking (perhaps oddly) that the sound might seem naked with only the two of them trying to cover so many musical bases, but what I left thinking was this....that if the sound appeared naked in any way during the show, it was the best kind of naked (when you've got a friend with you ;)).
Finntastic show. Not too much spontaneous jocularity, but what was, was pretty scripted (the Englebert songs and repartee) and still funny. Neil really did look very happy to be there -- very relaxed and looking surprisingly more boyish than he has in a while (It was the casual button down shirt or (gasp) the hair). Tim was very together and proved to be quite the consumate performer (aside from his usual foray into strangeness and charm, a.k.a. bare feet and his very special brand of dancing -- Tim please don't quit your night job). I was so impressed with the lot of them -- they are so dammed talented!! Just watching the show seemed to be the epitome of that phrase in Apollo 13 -- "And that is how we do that!". It was real fun for everyone, them and us. The audience couldn't get enough of them.
Thunderous pplause and adreniline ran high. Sales of shirts and CDs were swift. If you can catch them on this brief jaunt to our shores, I strongly suggest you do so (unless you have something against having a really great time, then avoid this at all costs).
Sharon and the kids were there (a sweet bit from Neil onstage about how roses worked for him -- getting to know Tim and how he can't stand roses). Also a nice way to meet some of the Net people (hello to you all out there, enjoy Conan (I've got to work :( ) and finally got to shake hands with Peter Green (superb head of all that is Enz/CH) (Hey Peter -- sorry we couldn't work out getting together for a pint or two, or three or four; maybe next time you're in town for a longer stay...). A brilliant way to spend the evening I believe. If only there were more Finnish evenings like that one. I'm sure if you've seen them, you'll agree with me. Until next time....:)
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But it was a rhetorical question. At the very least, the shows in Toronto and last night were presented on a way higher plane. Wherever it was, I quite honestly haven't come down yet. Amidst the mind altering shows and the already mentioned cosmic cherry pits, I am having a fantastic time.
Tim Finn's performance was just as it has been described in the other reviews so far - brilliant, fantastic, etc.. But there was this added indescribable intensity about it. I guess he was just really really into it with all of his senses. Full-on unique. Another wow from me.
Two words - Duct Tape. That's how the lights were attached to the piano and percussion ensemble, not staples as the frightened Dina suggested. And, that's how the set lists were attached to whatever they were attached to, and a bitch to remove (yank!) without the wrath of the surly (you finish the rest) person working at the club who enforced with great pride the "no sitting down on the dance floor" rule.
And as for the Traveling Listies - I highly suggest that you become one.... I've been laughing until I have tears in my eyes regularly. I have been told that I bring out the mischief in other Traveling Listies (reason enough to become one). I now know someone other than me who checks e-mail before they brush their teeth in the morning. I hid in the service elevator of a famous hotel to avoid embarrassment, had a long conversation with a member of the house keeping staff of said famous hotel in a language I didn't speak, and have been told by someone we all know and love in a loud whisper, "quiet! and stop laughing!" I've had the best hotel roomies too, even if they were a little confused and forgot where they were. Good thing Cynthia was there to wake everybody up, or else we would have never gotten our next modes of transportation.
But seriously, if anybody mentions "road trip to a Finn show," do it. We are meeting listies from everywhere. I can't tell you how many times I've heard the phrase "Not THE Elizabeth Setler" already. Then of course there's that familiar "Ohhh" when somebody tells you their e-mail address. And Angela Lauria alone I am sure has increased list subscription exponentially with her "What?! Not on the list?! monologue." Finn fans are a great group of people. I hope to meet more of you.
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Let's get all of the superlatives out of the way then, shall we? Wonderful, exciting, exhilirating, phenomenal, blah blah blah.
Although it was a stifling day (and a VERY bad hair day to boot--however, the humidity didn't seem to affect NEIL'S hair one way or the other. With Tim's you can't be too sure though! Hee hee!), I had no problems standing on line for as long as I did.
Once inside I parked myself in front of the stage and left only long enough to go meet Debbie and Peter at the concession stand (yes, Deb, you CAN sell! And thanks, Peter, for the wonderful autographed picture. Tim signed it "I need you." Well, now I have a purpose in life. Tim needs ME! Time to quit my job and help Tim go shoe-shopping!).
I won't go into details about the show--we've all read many fine accounts already. Although I will say that my personal fave moment was during "It's Only Natural." When Neil sang the line "Let me have my way with you," he LOOKED RIGHT AT ME! At that point, I started giggling like a school girl, my knees turned to jelly, and I was tempted to tell my husband to go home right then and there! Haha! Unfortunately, reality quickly set in...although it was fun to forget that I was a 37 year old married woman for a brief second.
Yes, a wonderful, wonderful show, and something I will always remember.
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I was feeling badly for Tim on this one -- the fourth (or fifth) selection of the show. His voice bailed out on him on this one - was forced to go low or to compensate with a forced falsetto. I thought he had lost it for the evening, but rebounded spectacularly on later numbers. Someone said Phil Judd was in the audience, and that's why they performed Time For A Change. It was a pale visage of its former live self on Enz albums. The only dark point of the evening.
The Supper Club was a great venue for a Finn concert. The architecture seemed a hybrid of the last 3 Crowded House album covers. And a deep blue interior. Very classy.
By my count, the boys covered every song on FINN except for Bullets in my Hairdo. Not bad. Good medicine for Crowded House withdrawal. "Yummy, yummy, yummy I got love in my tummy!"
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