Ever since I was a pre-teen (mid 1980’s) I have LOVED the band Crowded House. Fronted by kiwi lead vocalist Neil Finn and backed up by Australian band mates Paul Hester (drums) and Nick Seymour (bass), Crowded House ruled the radio after the 1986 release of their self tilted debut album. This first record included the hits:
Their second album, released in 1988 and titled Temple of Low Men, was another favorite of mine back in the day. Some of my faves from that album include:
These songs all got constant play in my room middle school through high school.
And at the time I also thought Neil Finn was pretty cute. 😄
The year is 1998… By this time Crowded House had released three more albums of new music and a “best of” collection. In September that year I packed the “Best of” CD in my Case Logic and headed to the other side of the planet for a 40 day bus tour of Europe. In my travels I met MANY New Zealanders and Australians who were also big Crowded House fans. So that “Best of” CD was played almost every day on our tour bus.
And now Crowded House forever reminds me of this life changing trip and the people I met along the way.
In all of these years, I had never been able to see Crowded House perform live. UNTIL LAST NIGHT!!! Neil, Nick and an assortment of new band mates played Seattle’s Paramount Theater. This was the second stop of the rescheduled Dreamers Are Waiting North American Tour. It was fabulous.
At almost 65 years old, Neil’s voice was as crisp, clear and melodic as it had been in 1986. Crowded House played every one of my favorite tunes. The main set was 19 songs, followed by a four song encore. I loved it all!
The Set List
“Pineapple Head”
“Don’t Dream It’ Over”
“Weather with You”
(This one is probably my all time fave. Plus, it always reminds me of a particular sunset drive through southern Italy.)
