Encores:
Message to My Girl
Spirit of the Stairs

by Bénédicte Kusendila

Neil + His Guitar = Tons of Energy!

Mark Hart happily joins in for the first time since Farewell Concert.

Brussels - On Friday 5 June, ex-Crowded House ringleader Neil Finn showcased his debut solo-album, Try Whistling This (EMI/Parlophone), to the cream of the crop of the Belgian media and music industry -- and oh yes, some 20 fans, too. Only a couple of days after the Smashing Pumpkins had paid a rather unique visit to the botanical gardens of Brussels, Le Botanique was glad to welcome another distinguished musical act. And we were happy to see him well on the go.

We waited a good two years for this album to come out. Yet the soundcheck before its showcase took half an hour longer than expected, and those 30 minutes seemed to last about five or so boring years. But lo, after those seven meager years, who jumped on stage, grabbed his guitar and dared us to Try Whistling This? There he stood: Neil Finn, probably one of the finest and brightest songwriters in pop ever. To those present, it suddenly felt like he had never been away.

Hopes were running high. After all, Finn had blown up the House to start afresh and set out for inspiringly new musical directions. The opening title song did sound a wee bit different from the so-called usual Finn-stuff but due to the acoustic guitar, still highly recognisable. If he had played the tune a few times more, most of us would have been able to whistle along on third listen, I reckon. Fortunately, he spared us, himself and the local human rights organisation from that degrading cacophony, and quickly moved on.

"Only me and my guitar, it's good. It makes me feel like a beginner", Finn said with a happy smile on his face. After having been in bands for almost 20 years, he no longer bears responsibility for one. The man did look relieved. Which I could understand all the better after the next two songs, already (a divine "Distant Sun" and a powerful "Sinner"(!!)). We had the pleasure of witnessing a cracking talent entertaining about 70 people, singing, doing a little bit of talking, explaining what the songs were about. In short, showing us what music is all about. If we expected to have the bare essence of music laid out for us, we got it. Few songwriters have understood that essence as well as Neil Finn does. Fewer still possess the same writing skills to pass on that knowledge and riches to their audiences -- for us to feel it, and finally understand ourselves.

From this moment onwards, the gig almost got into top gear with an energetic Neil looking back at and skipping through some older songs. It was a coincidence that keyboard player/guitarist Mark Hart (Supertramp/ex-Crowded House) arrived in Brussels on the same day as his former fellow band member. But both seized the occasion with both hands to play and sing together again. The last time they had done that was back in November 1996 when Crowded House performed on the steps of the Sydney Opera House for what was to be their biggest ever gig and legendary "Farewell to the World" concert.

In Brussels, however, "Fall At Your Feet" and a stunning rendition of "Four Seasons In One Day" eeeasily bridged the two-year gap between Neil (guitar and lead vox) and Mark (magic piano and harmonies). It even took Sir Finn by surprise. "Sweet, Mark, that was sweet. You did that so well", he gasped. The audience, who at first did not seem to grasp the significance of the moment -- ("Mark who??") -- now responded enthusiastically to the short reunion. The two musicians, seemed extremely pleased with what they had just achieved. We heard "Four Seasons in One Day" like we had probably never heard it before. So let's hope the cheers and applause for that really beautiful moment are still ringing in the ears of both Neil and Mark.

Instead of always looking back, though, we should now peer into the future which Neil gave us a sneak preview of. "Low World (King Tide)" followed on an up beat "Last One Standing." Neil also sat down at the grand piano to play us "Addicted" and "Faster Than Light;" the latter with that mighty fine Neil Finn-chorus, leaving you hungry for more. And the London (?) photographer next to me kept on wildly taking what must have come out as gorgeous pictures, no doubt. I glanced at him and his top-professional camera, green with jealousy.

Meanwhile, Mark Hart was invited to mount the stage once more for a very happy "Don't Dream It's Over" -- the faces of the old Crowdie boys just beaming like a pair of freshly stuck glow-in-the-dark stickers. They looked that content.

A bit of a shame then that the sound engineers, during the last song, nicely illustrate the meaning of the English expression 'pull the plug on someone.'

So "She Will Have Her Way" #1 -- verse1 + broken monitor -- and "She Will Have Her Way" #2 -- the whole song full blast -- wrapped up the showcase. When I heard this first European single for Neil Finn almost completely stripped off, I could not help wondering if its rather traditional arrangement had not dulled the brightness of the original tune. It is a very, very good song, dear people out there. Should you come across an acoustic version of it, do not think twice.

Neil Finn, right on top and ever so tireless, returned for the encores. After "Message To My Girl," a classic from his Split Enz era, he jumped up from behind the piano, hopped over the monitor to pick up his guitar and play a song called "Spirit of the Stairs." He explained: "It's about that feeling you have after a confrontation with someone. And when you leave the room, you think, 'Damn, I should have told him that, and that!'"

I am pretty certain each one of us could subscribe to that feeling. Neil thanked us all for coming down at what was an unusual hour in the afternoon, promised to come back soon, then took a final bow.

This showcase had been filled with mostly melancholic tunes. Yet we all shared this happy feeling by the end of Neil Finn's set of songs. The only way you could account for this is by saying, or honestly admitting, that he truly is One of the Great Ones. Also great to notice that a super-relaxed Finn seemed to have given up part of his striving for absolute perfectionism! He dealt with a couple of mistakes and technical defaults wonderfully. As usual, I should add, but then, he did not seem to care as much as he did in the past. Which was brilliant.

Like most of his new songs, apparently. The How-on-Earth-does-he-do-that? feeling still prevails as far as I am concerned. So yes, yes, yes -- Finn brought the spirit to us again, although I slightly hesitate to use the word 'magic' this time. You see, magic, that is Neil not necessarily having to prove himself (what showcases are for). Or a banging version of "Sinner." Or "Four Seasons" together with Mark Hart, all right.

And when I left the small but cosy music hall, it suddenly dawned on me: "Sugar!! I should of asked that photographer to send me some of his pics! ... Oh, what was it called again about that feeling you have ...? That song, that song. My bedsit for that song!!"Neil, thank YOU.