Yesterday we got a rare glimpse of Phil Selway singer-songwritering at one of the 7 Worlds Collide shows in Auckland this week. As mentioned, the series yielded something just as rare and even more bloggable in Jeff Tweedy’s take on “Fake Plastic Trees.” And here it is. The world-collision quota is nearly fulfilled by this performance alone: Jeff on vocals, RadioEd and Phil on their respective instruments, Johnny Marr on his. (The footage is sorta crappy, but you can also make out BTW Liam Finn playing the role of Jonny, which would make sense ’cause this whole party series is papa Neil’s baby.) As you’d expect from a makeshift band comprising 40% of Radiohead and 100% of awesome, it’s a very faithful and dynamic cover, all big guitars and perfect sound swell for “She looks like the real thing…” Also not surprising but great to hear — Jeff gives good Thom.
The performance is in conjunction with the reprise of Neil Finn’s 2001 all-star live album 7 Worlds Collide, all the musicians were in New Zealand to record the followup. Jeff’s a new addition to the team. Good one, too. Expect the 7 Worlds Collide Part Deux this year. More details here.
BONUS: Some “Bodysnatchers” from the show with the same lineup sans Tweedy.
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isn’t that john stirrat on bass to tweedy’s left?
Not bad at all. I almost got that same chilling feeling during the 3rd verse (she looks like the real thing…) that I get when I hear Thom sing it. Almost.
people will be pissed about Tweedy singing what instead of who.
YES. absolutely NOTHING gets me more pissed than hearing Jeff Tweedy say “WHAT” instead of “WHO.” Jesus CHRIST what a wanker.
that’s definitely john stirrat on bass. i believe pat sansone and is there as well.
ed o’brien, liam finn, and johnny marr make a pretty great guitar section.
anyway. liam finn is awesome. this needs to keep getting mentioned.
Crowded House/Neil Finn do not get enough love for the quality of music they have produced over the years. It still pisses me off until this day seeing Rage fans throwing bottles and everything else on the stage during the Crowded House set at Coachella a couple of years back. Fucktards!
I can’t watch it until later, but I need to know if Tweedy hits the falsetto well. Anyone?
Why fly all these talented people halfway across the world for a by-the-numbers cover of this song. There’s a lot of talent on that stage but if we’re honest, without visual confirmation of the players involved, none of us would be remotely impressed by this performance.
Why? Because it’s publicizing their upcoming project. Quite well too. And the reason you may not be blown away by the song is that the quality is terrible. Ask any of those lucky fuckers in attendance if they were “remotely impressed”.
speaking as a lucky fucker that was there that night, it was AMAZING.
Liam Finn is great… very under-rated.
PS – Have you seen my son’s blog yet?…
The most buyable AC imitation I ever heard is probably “I’m a Wheel”…almost all those other imitators never come close. More fun little throwaways Jeff!
Anal Cunt?
27 drunk chinese teenagers on an upside down karaoke bar could do Bodysnatchers better than that
just because this all-star jam took place doesn’t mean it’s good. on paper? great! in practice? not very good at all.
“Bodysnatchers” is just embarrassing. Those vocals…yikes.