Roddy Frame: Oblivious

Continuing on from the same performance of songwriters in yesterday's post, here is Roddy Frame performing "Oblivious." You may remember Aztec Camera from my series of songs from "Survival Sampler" where I included the video for "Pillar to Post."

Neil Finn: Throw Your Arms Around Me

Here is a performance from a gathering of prominent songwriters and performers, this one including Neil Finn, Roddy Frame (Aztec Camera), and Graham Gouldman (10cc). 

This song, as Neil explains, was written by Mark Seymour, the brother of Crowded House bassist Nick Seymour. Mark fronted the Australian band, Hunters and Collectors. 

It wasn't until recently that I realized this song was also performed in that same MTV beach concert from yesterday's post. 

Crowded House: Recurring Dream

Here is another recent discovery on YouTube. I'm so glad that someone posted this concert - I too videotaped it over 25 years ago, but I don't know where it is anymore. It's been years since I've seen it but now I can! 

Each song is individually posted and today's video is of a song that I like in particular. I never knew where to find a recorded version, and I didn't even know the name of it. Looking around online, I found that it is called "Recurring Dream" which is the name of one of their compilation albums. This song was originally recorded when Crowded House called themselves "The Mullanes" - after Neil's middle name. 

Looking on Wikipedia just now, I just learned something new, that as The Mullanes, there was a fourth member of the band named Craig Hooper, who co-wrote this song. 

By the way, the fourth member on stage here is Eddie Rayner helping out on keyboards.

This is from the MTV concert: Spring Break from Daytona Beach - 1987 

Crowded House: Don't Dream It's Over

After Split Enz, Neil Finn formed Crowded House along with Nick Seymour and Paul Hester. 

I have a clear memory of when I first became aware of Crowded House. It was back in college at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. I was arriving at the University Union building (Cal Poly's name for the student union) to study, and saw my friend Jeff sitting at a table. He was surrounded by his books and was listening to his portable cassette player. How's that for dating how old I am? 

Jeff was already into Split Enz, and he told me that Neil had formed a new band and they had released an album, which is what he was listening to. So he handed me his headphones and I listened to at least a few songs. And the song that appealed to me the most was "Don't Dream It's Over." 

Split Enz: I Walk Away

After Tim Finn left Split Enz, that left the small lineup of Neil Finn, Eddie Rayner, Nigel Griggs, Noel Crombie, and Paul Hester. Their final album was called See Ya 'Round. 

Here is a song that was later re-recorded for Crowded House's debut album. 

Tim Finn: How'm I Gonna Sleep

Eventually, Tim did leave Split Enz. Over the years, he's released several solo albums, as well as joined Crowded House for their album "Woodface." 

I bought one of his earlier solo albums, simply titled "Tim Finn." It's been quite awhile since I've listened to it and now looking over the liner notes, I see that it was produced by Mitchell Froom, producer extraordinaire who also produced Crowded House's first three albums, amongst many, many other bands and performers. 

According to Wikipedia, where I'm getting much of this information, Mitchell Froom was once married to Suzanne Vega and is currently married to Vonda Shepard. A lot of music in his life. 

And playing bass on Tim's album here? None other than Tony Levin, whom I mentioned in an earlier post about King Crimson. 

Split Enz: Message to My Girl

As I've mentioned in previous posts, Split Enz went through several lineup changes. If you've read at all about Neil's later band, Crowded House, you'll have seen that among their members were bassist Nick Seymour, and ex-Split Enz members Neil Finn and drummer Paul Hester. The band started with the three, but changed a little bit too as time went on. 

Split Enz itself went through four drummers that I know of: Emlyn Crowther, Malcolm Green, Noel Crombie, and finally, Paul Hester. 

The video included in this post shows a glimpse of Paul playing drums, as Noel Crombie went back to playing his preferred percussion. This is one of my favorite Split Enz songs and one I wasn't even aware of until I bought their compilation CD, History Never Repeats: the Best of Split Enz.

Although I am mentioning Paul as if he was still alive, tragically he committed suicide back in 2005.