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@stuartjb posted:

Sorry just putting down musings as I listen through . Neil mentioned that he’d “ unearthed “ a version of Archers Arrows ! So did everyone else who bought the Intriguer deluxe edition ! 😊

I also remember the competition to come up with new lyrics and melody for the Intriguer song ! I tried - didn’t win 😂

As far as I can tell the Archer's Arrow is indeed the same as on the deluxe. I noted that on the track info played when it started on Mixlr, it showed "Archer's Arrows Take 34 with drop ins from 9/5/09".

@stuartjb posted:

Odd version of Falling Dove ! For me it’s such and obviously folksy acoustic guitar song . The piano bit is weird !

Ooh, intriguing 😄! A weird piano bit sounds fascinating.

"... Neil once said “ and it might just be the best thing we’ve ever done “ , so I never got that feeling . Again he started of his show with some very warm words about it...

I also wondered if the personnel on the album has somehow subconsciously made him distance himself from the album a bit in recent months / years ?"

It's nice he gave the album a few compliments. It's no classic (in my opinion) but always puts a smile on my face.

Nah, I don't think personnel isn't the reason (even subconsciously) for distancing from playing the songs. The band is currently playing a large amount of Together Alone songs, which almost has the same lineup as on the Intriguer album (Matt instead of Paul). Including playing Locked Out, which you know who (!) made the suggestion to speed it up.

My speculation is, Neil will play the songs he believes the fans want to hear. And because Intriguer was the least commercially successful album, maybe he's a bit discouraged to play them then.

@Left Hand posted:

Ooh, intriguing 😄! A weird piano bit sounds fascinating.

"... Neil once said “ and it might just be the best thing we’ve ever done “ , so I never got that feeling . Again he started of his show with some very warm words about it...

I also wondered if the personnel on the album has somehow subconsciously made him distance himself from the album a bit in recent months / years ?"

It's nice he gave the album a few compliments. It's no classic (in my opinion) but always puts a smile on my face.

Nah, I don't think personnel isn't the reason (even subconsciously) for distancing from playing the songs. The band is currently playing a large amount of Together Alone songs, which almost has the same lineup as on the Intriguer album (Matt instead of Paul). Including playing Locked Out, which you know who (!) made the suggestion to speed it up.

My speculation is, Neil will play the songs he believes the fans want to hear. And because Intriguer was the least commercially successful album, maybe he's a bit discouraged to play them then.

Falling Dove sounds perfect to me on the album . It’s like something off the white album . Also worth noting it went through quite a few changes before the final version .

For one of the most creative people I know , Neil’s version of the song from the Radio show left me dumbfounded ! I love his radio shows , but I felt like some of his chat , it was “ phoned in “ . The rest of the show was tremendous . Saturday Sun was a sublime , skilled , crafted arrangement .

... Then comes falling dove , on the album -  a lovely delicate “ blackbird “ type verse with a rock out bridge . Lovely .  Comparing that to the radio show version - left hand on the piano “ clunk clunk clunk clunk “ .... so odd !

@stuartjb posted:

Falling Dove sounds perfect to me on the album . It’s like something off the white album . Also worth noting it went through quite a few changes before the final version ....

... Then comes falling dove , on the album -  a lovely delicate “ blackbird “ type verse with a rock out bridge . Lovely .  Comparing that to the radio show version - left hand on the piano “ clunk clunk clunk clunk “ .... so odd !

I don't listen to Fangradio so I appreciate your "clunk clunk clunk" description sound. Now I agree, that would be odd!

I thought it would be intriguing if the piano riff was more along the lines of Turn It Around or The Intriguer.

And yes, Falling Dove is one of my favourites from the album. That ballad to the rock then back is a joy to listen to 🎸🥁🎧

The version of Saturday Sun was wonderful. For me, some of the versions of the songs on Intriguer suffered from over working - I remember being underwhelmed by the studio version of Either Side Of The World - I didn't get into the kind of Bossa Nova ish rhythm they chose, compared to earlier live versions. Still, it was great to hear some really lovely versions of some of those songs on Fang radio yesterday... looking forwards to Together Alone next 🙂

@Left Hand posted:


Nah, I don't think personnel isn't the reason (even subconsciously) for distancing from playing the songs. The band is currently playing a large amount of Together Alone songs, which almost has the same lineup as on the Intriguer album (Matt instead of Paul). Including playing Locked Out, which you know who (!) made the suggestion to speed it up.

My speculation is, Neil will play the songs he believes the fans want to hear. And because Intriguer was the least commercially successful album, maybe he's a bit discouraged to play them then.

I think this is right. Apart from the new songs, the only thing in the current set which approaches a “rarity/obscurity” is Silent House. All of Intriguer would be an obscurity to most of the people at the shows, I suspect, and this tour has been about playing big obvious songs in a big obvious way to big crowds - and by all accounts it’s been terrific. Very much inspired by the FM experience I’m sure.

It will be interesting to see whether this continues to be Neil’s approach. Back to back shows with identical setlists was unheard of for Neil until a month ago.

I’ve read a couple of complaints online saying there were only a few hits in the NZ tour live show and it was mostly new stuff!

“In My Command” was replaced in the setlist by “Don’t Stop Now” halfway through the tour, which I think works better for most of the audience.

This is the first time Crowded House has worked with such an elaborate lighting design and image projection on a tour. This alone means sticking with the same setlist each time. But it’s also a very well paced show.

But I’m off topic...

@Jaffaman posted:

I’ve read a couple of complaints online saying there were only a few hits in the NZ tour live show and it was mostly new stuff!

“In My Command” was replaced in the setlist by “Don’t Stop Now” halfway through the tour, which I think works better for most of the audience.

This is the first time Crowded House has worked with such an elaborate lighting design and image projection on a tour. This alone means sticking with the same setlist each time. But it’s also a very well paced show.

But I’m off topic...

Just in case you meant me, I just want to add that it wasn’t a complaint - I just found it interesting and noted that it was new. And clearly it’s going down a storm, and I really hope it gets to the US someday so I can see it.

Also, he was goaded into playing Elephants - Elephants! - the other night, which shows you can never truly take Neil out of going with the moment, which I think is a wonderful thing.

I think for a lot of people out there, Crowded House is perceived as an 80s band? So anything after the first two records would be “new” maybe.

Sorry, continually taking this off topic from "Fangradio" but I that's an interesting observation for the era.

I think it depends on where one was living at the time.

Probably for USA - Crowded House was a 80s band. UK and Europe - a 90s band. Australia and NZ - 80s and 90s band.

@Left Hand posted:

Sorry, continually taking this off topic from "Fangradio" but I that's an interesting observation for the era.

I think it depends on where one was living at the time.

Probably for USA - Crowded House was a 80s band. UK and Europe - a 90s band. Australia and NZ - 80s and 90s band.

Good point...for some reason I had a mental blank about Woodface being a 90s album, and of course it was a big hit here in Australia and in NZ.

Re. The Intriguer, I’d love to be able to sit down and listen to it with a few Frenz sometime.

Even in the US, at Finn gigs, all the international hits are considered hits these days. Hard to see what “hits” are being left out of the current set lists unless you literally only know one album. Also hard to imagine people attending CH shows at this point who aren’t at least familiar with the the Very Best of album of nothing else. And I’d say that collection is very well represented.

Last edited by Paināporo

1st April 2021
Crowded House - Album By Album: Together Alone
Neil, Nick, Liam, Mitchell, Elroy
Roundhead Studios, Auckland
songs pre-recorded as well as performed Live

In My Command
Black And White Boy
Nails In My Feet
Pineapple Head - Live, Elroy joining in
Private Universe - Live, ... snippet of In The Year 2525 [Zager and Evans] in the outro , Neil had a pre-recorded version lined up but on the spot it was decided to have a go Live .. and what a take !
Fingers Of Love - alas abruptly ended
Distant Sun
Catherine Wheels - alas ending buffered out
Walking on the Spot – Live, Nick whistling the melodica part
Together Alone  -  WAAAW
* Skin Feeling, as Neil pointed out, being Paul's song .. was not peformed but Paulo was "in the room"

BRILLIANT SESSION ... already archived on mixlr

next broadcast: CROWDED HOUSE (self-titled)  Thursday 8 April 2021 at 11am (NZ time) .. Neil already revisited the debut album during a solo acoustic session on Monday 2 November 2020 .. but it's getting yet another (band) visitation .. ooohwyess !

Was really hoping for an acoustic version of “Kare Kare,” but alas it was not to be. I guess the 2013 Halloween webcast performance is the closest I’m ever going to get. On the up side I was happy to get a studio acoustic rendition of “Walking on the Spot” for what I believe is the first time ever.

really enjoyed the show and the memories shared!

Without wanting to get into a whole thing about it again it’s just crazy that we heard the broadcasts for TA, ToE, and Intriguer without any mention of Mark.

But these were some very nice versions. The remarks from Mitchell reinforced what I’ve thought every time he’s spoken during this era - he seems like a great guy and I’d like to hear more from him.

Last edited by Thom Bullock

Without wanting to get into a whole thing about it again it’s just crazy that we heard the broadcasts for TA, ToE, and Intriguer without any mention of Mark.

I've asked around if that was the case or not. I'm not necessarily surprised he wasn't mentioned but I agree, especially at least on Together Alone, just a line, "and Mark Hart played on this album" could have been sufficient.

Just overthinking (!), perhaps it is hard for Neil to mention Mark. In my opinion, they got on well before all this. So Neil finds it easier to not mention Mark in all of this.

Just my 2 cents.

Finally got around to listening to the TA episode. I really enjoyed some of the earlier album run-throughs but this one was disappointing. There's a fine line between "charmingly off-the-cuff" and "just kind of a mess" but I felt this was more the latter...Neil was jokingly slagging off professionalism but man, it was awkward at times. Felt more like a reality show at times but maybe people like that.

I feel silly now when I recall pointing out that Neil was only using a single cheap mic for both vocal and guitar in their first lockdown performances, and wishing his setup was more pro like the other band members. How about a single mic for the whole room, band members wandering in and out, Neil cutting off half the songs early? lol had I made the same helpful, critical note that day Neil would've probably told me to f-off

I DID enjoy the more extended commentary and remembrances about the album, and especially hearing Mitchell Froom's take on some things. I complained that there wasn't enough of that stuff in the TOLM broadcast so, I guess I'm just impossible to please.

I realize they're just coming off the tour so that may be why it was somewhat hastily thrown together. There's just been such a wide range of quality in Neil's streamed stuff, from the really well done lockdown performances to...this :shrug:

Last edited by slowpogo
@slowpogo posted:


I realize they're just coming off the tour so that may be why it was somewhat hastily thrown together. There's just been such a wide range of quality in Neil's streamed stuff, from the really well done lockdown performances to...this :shrug:

I admit that I didn't enjoy this one as much as some of the previous podcasts, but it's worth considering that Neil provides for free what many other artists won't.  For example, Lindsey Buckingham recently charged fans for an online 'concert', that was frankly half-baked...just a rehash of stuff we'd already seen with nothing new.  We are definitely spoiled as Finn fans.  Neil's engagement with his fanbase is incredible, and in that context, it's hard to be disappointed with his Fangradio output.

I admit that I didn't enjoy this one as much as some of the previous podcasts, but it's worth considering that Neil provides for free what many other artists won't.  For example, Lindsey Buckingham recently charged fans for an online 'concert', that was frankly half-baked...just a rehash of stuff we'd already seen with nothing new.  We are definitely spoiled as Finn fans.  Neil's engagement with his fanbase is incredible, and in that context, it's hard to be disappointed with his Fangradio output.

I agree to an extent. I don’t follow many artists as closely as Neil but they all tend to be generous so maybe I’m spoiled. Even so I don’t think hoping for a certain standard of quality is necessarily being entitled or “looking a gift horse in the mouth.” Neil himself built up expectations a fair amount and has delivered great stuff in the series, so my disappointment is measured against Neil’s own standards.

I admit that I didn't enjoy this one as much as some of the previous podcasts, but it's worth considering that Neil provides for free what many other artists won't.  For example, Lindsey Buckingham recently charged fans for an online 'concert', that was frankly half-baked...just a rehash of stuff we'd already seen with nothing new.  We are definitely spoiled as Finn fans.  Neil's engagement with his fanbase is incredible, and in that context, it's hard to be disappointed with his Fangradio output.

I remember reading reports that Lindsey introduced Big Love at the 2017 FM shows as being a new take on an old song… that arrangement of Big Love goes back at least to The Dance, if not before…

Neil is much more adventurous.

@c.houser posted:

So there won’t be an Afterglow set on Fangradio?   No Recurring Dream?

🙃

Emphasis added.

This isn't such a far-fetched prospect. No, i'm not referring to the actual album but the recent bonus disc as featured on the reissued version.

What if the band perform the "Album 5" that would have been?

There's clearly an album's worth of material they could cover.

So, why not take those tracks, rehearse them and just play "Album 5"?

If anyone within Neil's cohort is reading this, please pitch the idea.

I remember reading reports that Lindsey introduced Big Love at the 2017 FM shows as being a new take on an old song… that arrangement of Big Love goes back at least to The Dance, if not before…

Neil is much more adventurous.

Yes, Lindsey has been performing his solo acoustic rendition of Big Love since 1992. Amazing to think that 29 years can qualify as ‘new’.

By contrast, Neil regularly changes his set lists, his arrangements, and responds to the occasional audience request for obscurities. What he’s been doing over the past year with Fangradio has been an absolute delight.

I really enjoyed the first-album show with just Neil singing and playing on piano. Such different renditions - well some of them I recognized as being closer to the demos, which he acknowledged, like Something So Strong. But I don't think I've heard any of those songs on just piano, outside of some singing lessons years ago (I had bought the songbook).

Neil's comments about the show being too scripted or the next show would be unscripted just went to show his spontaneity.

I also just finally got the Deluxe version of Temple of Low Men and had to go listen to that episode of Fang Radio again.

I feel very grateful for the amount of time and free music Neil has broadcast during lockdown. I mean yes, you can look at it as a commercial thing to (edit:  ... keep ... ) the fans hooked, but he could have done that with a lot less effort.

Last edited by Chris Camfield

I’ll admit that I’ve had a love/hate relationship with Fangradio. At times it felt a little too much like, “spend 40 minutes listening to Neil Finn forget the lyrics of your favorite songs.” But these album-focused shows have been mostly terrific. I wish he would have stuck with his originally stated intent of performing each album in its entirety and that he would have avoided talking over his pre-recorded guitar/piano versions during the Woodface show and that he hadn’t cut short the endings of both “Fingers of Love” and “Catherine Wheels” on the TA show, but overall it has been super enjoyable.

In order to enjoy his performances outside the context of Fangradio, I’ve spent a lot of time “fixing” Neil’s tracks so that they don’t stop abruptly or buffer or whatever the case may be. I’ve done so many tracks at this point and have been so pleased with the results that it’s become quite a bit of a hobby. I’m now looking go forward to going back through all 83 shows and finding the highlights that I missed when they first came out. Should keep me busy for many months to come!

What are people’s favorite performances from Fangradio? One that I recently discovered was a very nice (and rare) acoustic performance of “As Sure As I Am,” which I went looking for because it was not included in the Woodface show. I did fix the part in the first verse where Neil’s forgets the chords (but you would never be able to tell).

It was a brief broadcast, just Neil on piano - about 15 mins. I didn’t catch the first few mins. But after some instrumental performance he sang a cover of “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” the Shirelles #1 written by Gerry Goffin/Carole King and he ended with “Walking On The Spot” and a message that he will do it again soon.

Coincidentally, Liam Finn had also broadcast earlier in the day from Roundhead with EJ Barnes on Instagram Live.

@Plug posted:

I got a "Fangradio is live" e-mail last Thursday.  Anything interesting?

(Also, did anyone catch the "album release" recording?  What happened there?)

Neil acknowledged the 30th anniversary of the Woodface release in the Fangradio broadcast on 7th/8th July. He began by chatting while playing a new song he's working on in the background and asking for fan questions before re-airing the Woodface Fangradio broadcast from 4th March.

In response to questions he confirmed that Crowded House recorded a version of “Throw Your Arms Around Me” during the Woodface sessions with Ricki Fataar on drums, revealed that "Dreamers Are Waiting” has a title track which didn’t make it onto the album.

After the Woodface rebroadcast concluded he signed off by airing four Woodface-era recordings: “Anyone Can Tell”, the Murchison St.. demo of “In Love With It All” and interestingly a recording of “I May Be Late” which sounded like it might be the Crowded House recording referred to in the Woodface Deluxe Edition sleeve notes - it certainly wasn’t the solo home demo included on the Deluxe Edition. He ended the broadcast by playing what sounded like a demo of a song presumably titled “She’s A Thought”.

The "Dreamers Are Waiting" album release broadcast on Fangradio featured the entire album playing multiple times while Neil, Liam and Elroy hosted a party with guests in the main studio at Roundhead - cameras also broadcast the event on Instagram Live. Neil stopped by to chat from time to time; Nick and Mitchell checked in via zoom to talk with Neil on air.

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