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Sugar Mouse 05-21-2018 11:54 PM

Neil Finn's Lecture at Yale University
 
This is the video of Neil Finn's lecture at Yale from 2012. Neil was asked to speak on songwriting, creativity, and music.


Psychiatry Grand Rounds 09/21/2012 v. 2.0 from Yale School of Medicine on Vimeo.


Missy 05-22-2018 10:20 AM

He obviously likes trying new and different things, taking a risk occasionally. That's what can keep an artist creative.

I think the interview in first clip here is interesting too and has a few insights. A few years ago, Neil did some shows with Australian music artist Paul Kelly - another great songwriter. The idea of them performing together was like a dream come true. During the shows they were taking turns on and occasionally finding some interesting new angles in each other's work.

Neil and Paul both have their strengths as songwriters. I don't think Paul is well known overseas, and vocally he's probably along the same lines as Tom Petty and Bob Dylan - distinctive albeit limited range. But he's a very good storyteller, and can also write songs about the some of the most mundane, ordinary, everyday subjects - with vivid and evocative lyrics. (A review noted that Kelly despite his obvious talent 'remains a cult concern outside his native land. This is in no small part because his intimate story-songs have retained a strong identification with, and reflection of, Australian society.' I would probably agree.)

The second video is a medley they did on TV. The first tune is Kelly's, with Neil doing harmony. The second tune is one of my favourites from Neil - 'Four Seasons In One Day'.




Sugar Mouse 05-22-2018 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Missy (Post 1228884)
He obviously likes trying new and different things, taking a risk occasionally. That's what can keep an artist creative.

I think the interview in first clip here is interesting too and has a few insights. A few years ago, Neil did some shows with Australian music artist Paul Kelly - another great songwriter. The idea of them performing together was like a dream come true. During the shows they were taking turns on and occasionally finding some interesting new angles in each other's work.

Neil and Paul both have their strengths as songwriters. I don't think Paul is well known overseas, and vocally he's probably along the same lines as Tom Petty and Bob Dylan - distinctive albeit limited range. But he's a very good storyteller, and can also write songs about the some of the most mundane, ordinary, everyday subjects - with vivid and evocative lyrics.

The second video is a medley they did on TV. The first tune is Kelly's, with Neil doing harmony. The second tune is one of my favourites from Neil - 'Four Seasons In One Day'.

Thanks for posting those videos. Neil is such a magnificent songwriter and has so much wisdom and knowledge when it comes to his craft. I'm not sure whether Stevie and Christine have yet figured out just how great a songwriter they have in Neil. Once folks get into Neil's music, they quicly see that the list of great Neil Finn songs is seemingly endless.

And I agree with you about Paul Kelly. Just like Neil, Paul Kelly is an incredible songwriter. The two songs of his that have stuck with me the most are "You Can Put Your Shoes Under My Bed" (see below for Neil's incredible version of it) and "They Thought I Was Asleep" (see below as well) which breaks my heart every single time I hear it. Neil and Paul are songwriting royalty.




Missy 05-22-2018 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugar Mouse (Post 1228887)
Thanks for posting those videos. Neil is such a magnificent songwriter and has so much wisdom and knowledge when it comes to his craft. I'm not sure whether Stevie and Christine have yet figured out just how great a songwriter they have in Neil. Once folks get into Neil's music, they quicly see that the list of great Neil Finn songs is seemingly endless.

And I agree with you about Paul Kelly. Just like Neil, Paul Kelly is an incredible songwriter. The two songs of his that have stuck with me the most are "You Can Put Your Shoes Under My Bed" (see below for Neil's incredible version of it) and "They Thought I Was Asleep" (see below as well) which breaks my heart every single time I hear it. Neil and Paul are songwriting royalty.

Everything that was said in the introduction for Neil's talk was true for any Australian/NZ kid who grew up with that music. It's a cliche! but truly was 'soundtrack for our lives'. With Paul Kelly, it's just song after song bringing back key memories.

If FM get to Australia, hoping they will perform both these songs. As can be seen here, Neil is very capable on keyboards. He won't be doing that on this tour, but am looking forward to hearing Christine perform them and her vocals with Neil.


Missy 05-23-2018 04:15 AM

A guide to Neil Finn's 'Infinity Sessions' where he livestreamed the recording of his most recent solo album, to everyone on Internet.:)

https://thespinoff.co.nz/music/29-08...nity-sessions/

Missy 05-25-2018 06:10 AM

At that seminar, I was a bit surprised nobody really asked Neil about emotional process of songwriting? Because I'm a great believer - music can be very therapeutic. But he seems to touch on it here, in this 1986 interview with Beat magazine.

http://www.beat.com.au/music/archive...-crowded-house

Interesting interview about making his latest album - love the story about the mixing machine and its history (once used by The Who, Jeff Buckley, R.E.M. etc)


Sugar Mouse 05-25-2018 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Missy (Post 1229109)
At that seminar, I was a bit surprised nobody really asked Neil about emotional process of songwriting? Because I'm a great believer - music can be very therapeutic. But he seems to touch on it here, in this 1986 interview with Beat magazine.

http://www.beat.com.au/music/archive...-crowded-house

Interesting interview about making his latest album - love the story about the mixing machine and its history (once used by The Who, Jeff Buckley, R.E.M. etc)


Thanks for posting. Great interview! Really like this Neil album that they're talking about "Out of Silence". Really great songs with beautiful arrangements. I think I mentioned in another thread that there were several songs that didn't make the cut for "Out of Silence" that could end up being Fleetwood Mac songs such as "Serious In Love", "Still Got It", and others.

Sugar Mouse 05-25-2018 12:30 PM

And fans of Chris Hardwick (from The Nerdist Podcast and The Talking Dead TV Show) may want to check out this great hour + interview Chris did with Neil Finn.


Missy 05-26-2018 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugar Mouse (Post 1229136)
And fans of Chris Hardwick (from The Nerdist Podcast and The Talking Dead TV Show) may want to check out this great hour + interview Chris did with Neil Finn.


I am very interested in the process of making music - that quite often fascinates me more than anything else, even if it's 'nerdy'.:)

Great questions and answers, and he talks quite a lot starting at around 7:30 about working with Mick Fleetwood in the studio on some of his own recent work. I thought the first time they met would've been at end of last FM tour in 2015, but apparently they'd run into each other one time before that.

It seems like there are signs of good working partnership. At heart I think he takes the music seriously but he also likes to have some fun and I think Mick would enjoy his sense of humour and spontaneity. That's something they could probably do with a bit more of at FM shows. It used to be a feature in their earlier days.

(There's some talk about how the second Crowded House album didn't get as good a reception as the first. I guess I'm in the smaller crowd of people who probably liked the second one better!)

Sugar Mouse 05-26-2018 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Missy (Post 1229227)
I am very interested in the process of making music - that quite often fascinates me more than anything else, even if it's 'nerdy'.:)

Great questions and answers, and he talks quite a lot starting at around 7:30 about working with Mick Fleetwood in the studio on some of his own recent work. I thought the first time they met would've been at end of last FM tour in 2015, but apparently they'd run into each other one time before that.

It seems like there are signs of good working partnership. At heart I think he takes the music seriously but he also likes to have some fun and I think Mick would enjoy his sense of humour and spontaneity. That's something they could probably do with a bit more of at FM shows. It used to be a feature in their earlier days.

(There's some talk about how the second Crowded House album didn't get as good a reception as the first. I guess I'm in the smaller crowd of people who probably liked the second one better!)

I too adore the 2nd Crowded House album "Temple of Low Men." I think it was a let down for the band as it didn't have a huge hit like "Don't Dream It's Over" from the debut album. "Better Be Home Soon" was expected to be the big hit on the 2nd album, but it didn't do as well as expected although it's become a staple for Neil over the years. The 2nd album has "Love This Life" which is one of my favorite Neil songs. "Love This Life" has a great lyric (about embracing the chaos and pain of life) and an incredible Finn melody.

"Maybe the day will come
When I'll never have to feel pain
But after all my complaining
I'm gonna love this life
Love this life."


Sugar Mouse 05-26-2018 05:41 PM

And here's an interesting interview that Neil did with the Sodajerker Podcast where they interview some of the best songwriters in the world. Good stuff about the art and craft of songwriting ...


Missy 05-27-2018 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugar Mouse (Post 1229270)
And here's an interesting interview that Neil did with the Sodajerker Podcast where they interview some of the best songwriters in the world. Good stuff about the art and craft of songwriting ...


I was cracking up over the comments about the 'kitchen' references in his lyrics - lol!

Always been thoughtful lyrics, without 'overthinking' the process. I get how he doesn't like to overanalyse the 'mystery' of it - of something that usually starts out intuitive or from deeper level.

It sounds like he usually begins writing the song on his own, with few distractions, and not really in collaboration with others (aside from his own family). Then he enjoys sharing it with other musicians and seeing what they may do with it, or what they find in it.

As he seems to feel, I think it helps musicians to occasionally go outside their own box, to try something new and different. That's something that may help the Mac at this point. I have feeling Neil's sense of fun and camaraderie may bring something out of them.


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