One can never go wrong with Neil Finn - anything that he touches is almost pure gold and this DVD proves it again and again. Later Split Enz? Two versions of Crowded House? Two albums with brother Tim? Two solo efforts? Pajama Club? All gold. And who else could pull something off like this, especially with Crowded House essentially known as one-hit wonders in the US with 1986's "Don't Dream Its Over"? To me, the Seven Worlds Collide projects are a testament to the genius of Neil Finn - and Jeff Tweedy in this documentary comes out and says it.
An interesting cast of characters, including left-overs from the first 7 Worlds Collide in 2001 (Radiohead's Ed O'Brien and Phil Selway, Lisa Germano, Soul Coughing's Sebastian Steinberg, and Johnny Marr), KT Tunstall, members of Wilco, wife Sharon, sons Liam and Elroy, Bic Runga and others, this documentary shows the songwriting process for a charity album for OXFAM, created in three weeks over Christmas in New Zealand in 2008 in Neil Finn's Roundhead Studios and home. Most of the documentary is shot in the studios, with songs intertwined with footage of the one-off concert that featured many of those songs written in that three week period of time. Neil is featured in this for sure, but the majority of the documentary shows others in the group writing songs.
The concert featured in the DVD bonus is the 2001 Seven Worlds Collide - I was confused if it was the 2008 concert or the one from 2001. Its the 2001 concert, which has already been released a long time ago. So if you think its the latest, you're out of luck. And maybe one day the 2008 concert will see the light of day.
If you are a fan of Neil Finn and his music, don't hesitate - buy it.
