Neil Finn and Paul Kelly - Goin’ Your Way (Omnivore Recordings)

Everything that Neil Finn touches turns to gold, at least in my eyes. I admit that I wasn’t an ardent follower of Split Enz or Crowded House, though I certainly enjoyed tunes from both bands. It wasn’t until the fantastic live album 7 Worlds Collide in 2002 and his collaboration with his brother Tim Finn on 2004’s Everyone is Here that I really started to take notice. Neil has this uncanny way of attracting great musicians to his band, and on this 2013 collaboration with Paul Kelly recorded at the Sydney Opera House, he once again hits paydirt. Recorded during their tour together in New Zealand and Australia, this album reached the Top 5 on the charts and was certified Gold. However, until now, it was only available as an expensive import. Thanks to Omnivore Recordings, this great recording is now available to the rest of us.

Goin’ Your Way contains 29 tracks on two disks, including Paul Kelly’s “To Her Door” and “Before too Long” and Finn’s “She Will Have Her Way” and “Sinner”. The two musicians also dip into the archive and perform such staples as Split Enz’ “One Step Ahead” and Crowded House’s “Don’t Dream It’s Over”. I may never get to see Neil perform live, but I can easily become immersed in the live experience listening to this beautiful release. The sound is crystalline (courtesy of Bob Clearmountain), the singing and playing are seamless and marvelous, and there is a synergy between Neil and Paul and their band that is obvious when you hear these songs. Joining them on stage is Neil’s son Elroy Finn on drums, Paul’s nephew Dan Kelly on guitar, and Zoe Hauptmann on bass.

Paul Kelly’s marvelous tune “Don’t Stand So Close To The Window” starts off Disk 1, and the harmonies between him and Neil remind me a lot of classic Everly Brothers. These two guys “get” each other, and it’s obvious they’ve delved deep into one another’s catalogs. Someone (not credited) adds harmonica, and it works well here. “Four Seasons In One Day” is luminous and somber, and I cannot help but think of the sad demise of Crowded House member Paul Hester. The keyboards sound like a harpsichord here, and it’s gorgeous. “Before Too Long” kicks up the energy, and Paul and Neil switch off on vocals so effortlessly it’s like they’ve been playing together forever. Crowd favorite, “She Will Have Her Way”, is well executed here, as is the down home “For the Ages”, a collaboration between Paul Kelly and his nephew Dan. “Sinner” has that lovely keyboard line underpinning some fine vocal work from Neil Finn, and is one of my favorite songs on the first disk. Neil just has this magical way about him that draws me in as a listener, and I often wonder why he’s not a huge star over here in the US. “Won’t Give In” is another great tune by The FInn Brothers, and while it doesn’t have quite the power of Neil’s recorded version with his brother Tim, it comes damn close. Kelly’s “Careless” follows close on its heels, and it just soars. Once again, Paul and Neil’s vocals mesh together perfectly on the harmonies, and neither one tries to dominate. “Leaps and Bounds” is Paul’s song that he often used to jump on stage and perform with Crowded House when his band toured with them, and it wraps around you warmly like a comfortable old blanket. Paul Kelly does the vocals on Crowded House’s “Into Temptation” and does a fabulous job, while Neil sings lead on Paul’s song, “You Can Put Your Shoes Under My Bed.” These guys can switch off anytime; they both are equally well versed on all these tunes. Finn sings on his own Crowded House composition, “Private Universe”, and it’s a somber masterpiece.

Paul Kelly starts off Disk 2 with a bang. His “Dumb Things” is a high energy rocker fueled by cool organ. The Split Enz song “One Step Ahead” follows, and it’s a great version. I like the icy synths sliding under the harmonies. “Deeper Water” is yet another great Paul Kelly tune, full of his storytelling skill. I also love the way it starts off quietly, comes to a dead halt, and then springs to life with the whole band and Neil Finn taking the vocal lead. The popular Crowded House song, “Better Be Home Soon”, is replete with an audience sing along. “How To Make Gravy” starts off like an Allman Brothers song (the guitar, for sure) but when Paul starts singing, it veers off completely from this track. “Distant Sun” is fine indeed, with a great lead guitar and equally wonderful singing. “Winter Coat” is grand chamber pop, while the hit “Fall At Your Feet” is a shining example of how much Finn is akin to a modern day Paul McCartney. Finn contributes two classic songs in a row, “Don’t Dream It’s Over” and “Message To My Girl”. Songs like this are well-deserved hits, and I wish there were many more like this on the radio. These live versions are terrific and lovingly performed, giving them the attention they deserve. I really dig the piano on “Message To My Girl”, and it’s hard to believe the song goes back so many decades. It’s held up extremely well. The second disk closes with a pair of covers, Buddy Holly’s oft covered “Words of Love” and Henry Mancini’s romantic classic, “Moon River”.

In summary, this is a really great live performance from some of the finest songwriters of the past 30 years. Sounds from the audience are kept to a minimum, and there is no chatter between songs. Perhaps this would have added some atmosphere to this pristine recording, but it’s a delightful trek through the musical histories of these two veteran performers. And while it’s undoubtedly stuffed full of hits, these songs are indelible. And believe me, this is the highest praise from someone who as a rule doesn’t care for live albums. If you buy one live recording, make it this one.