In the ten years since their final show was recorded, Crowded House have seemingly become both legendary and forgotten. Australia and New Zealand worship them as their Beatles, and give leader Neil Finn the mythic songwriter status of someone like Bob Dylan, while the US long ago discarded them as an 80's one-hit pop band.

Thankfully, over time more and more people are realizing that Crowded House had something very special going on, and like the aforementioned Beatles, to call them a "pop band" seems reductive and a little vulgar. Finn's songs have a way of sneaking up on you. What might sound crafted and catchy, if inconsequential, on the first few listens, can suddenly reveal itself to be brimming with imagery and almost frighteningly empathetic. Anyone who's sighed during the chorus of "Whispers and Moans" or "Nails In My Feet" knows what I mean.

"Farewell To The World" captures their final show in front of the Sydney Opera House. Well-known as a stellar live act in the UK and Europe, Crowded House were famous for making up songs on the spot, mixing bits of new songs in with the old ones, and generally messing around a lot while sounding effortlessly tight and solid. This show finds them reeling the antics and spontaneity in, just a bit, considering the weight of the occasion.

Neil Finn was in fine voice that night (as they all were; all provided backup vocals, chiefly drummer Paul Hester), and the band, in his words, "played as well as we ever have." Almost every notable song from their catalogue makes an appearance here, making it a decent enough place to get acquainted with them.

Aware of the poignancy of the event without succumbing to it, the boys still make room for some nice interludes and extended jams. "Hole In The River," about the suicide of Finn's aunt, ends with a tight, bluesy jam that gradually disintegrates into guitar feedback, dazzling keyboard runs, and wild drumming. "Sister Madly" stops in the middle for a Tina Turner impersonation from Paul Hester, and toward the end we're given a chorus-only singalong of "Throw Your Arms Around Me," a Hunters and Collectors favorite. Overall there's a feeling that Crowded House were still capable of anything at any moment, but chose to give us faithful renditions of their songs this last time.

"Farewell to the World" shows that the band were not only a songwriting force with four great studio albums, but could also deliver onstage in a way few other bands can. It'll probably be overlooked for the time being, but don't be surprised if in the future, this comes to be regarded as one of the better live albums around.

Crowded House officially called it quits in a 1996 press release (although the band broke up in April, 1994, when their "mercurial" drummer Paul Hester left the band mid-tour in Atlanta). Six months later, on November 24, 1996, the band played one last concert to 120,000 fans from the steps of Sydney Opera House. The show was a benefit for the Sydney Children's Hospital. With a little "brotherly presence" from older brother Tim, Neil Finn and Company band played songs from their entire eleven-year catalogue, making this something of a live greatest hits package, ending with--in the words of Nick Seymour--"the best last song ever," "Don't Dream It's Over:"

Disc: 1
1. Mean to Me
2. World Where You Live
3. When You Come
4. Private Universe
5. Four Seasons in One Day
6. Fall at Your Feet
7. Whispers & Moans
8. Hole in the River
9. Better Be Home Soon
10. Pineapple Head
11. Distant Sun
12. Into Temptation
13. Everthing Is Good for You

Disc: 2
1. Locked Out
2. Something So Strong
3. Sister Madly
4. Italian Plastic
5. Weather with You
6. It's Only Natural
7. There Goes God
8. Fingers of Love
9. In My Command
10. Throw Your Arms Around Me
11. Don't Dream It's Over

Crowded House was my favorite "eighties' band." But this ten-year anniversary release of its Farewell concert reveals the enduring quality of the band's music. As for the quality of the performance, Neil says, "we broke up better than anything else we ever did really."

G. Merritt

Yes, the Crowdies were one of the few truly great bands to come out of the '80's. I first read about them in a rave review of their 1st album in the pages of Musician magazine (circa '86), bought the c.d., and have followed their brilliant but less than prolific output ever since.

Those who are reading this review are probably somewhat familiar with the band's history (Split Enz, etc.), but one fact bears repeating for U.S. listeners: Only here were they known as one hit wonders; the rest of the world quickly figured out how good they were and the band's star rose accordingly. In fact, the Very Best of Crowded House (from '96) entered the charts at number one in both England and Australia.

This live c.d. is a welcome addition to their catalogue capturing the band in 1996 in front of 100,000+ in a perfect display of the dual professionalism and looseness of their live shows.

I can't help but recommend the DVD too. In fact if you can only plunk down for one, then get the DVD. I recommend both.

Of course, with the news that Neil Finn, Nick Seymour, and Mark Hart will be touring again with a new drummer, this isn't really a 'farewell' as it were, but for hardcore CH fans, it is, and with the recent death of drummer Paul Hester, this recording attains an added bit of ironic melancholy and increased appreciation.

This is a great double CD, and for even casual fans of the band, it is well worth purchasing. The production is fabulous, and the performances are excellent. One will find so many of the "greatest hits" ("Distant Sun", "Weather With You", "World Where You Live", "Don't Dream It's Over", and my personal favorite, "Fall At Your Feet") done well, especially "Don't Dream", the last song of the show, complete with crowd-sung chorus and deafening applause at the conclusion. But fans will also enjoy other non-single album tracks like "Whispers And Moans", "Fingers of Love", and "When You Come", songs that are terrific but didn't make the Greatest Hits cut. Also included are some elements of the personality of the band, something that separated them from the majority of bands who take themselves way too seriously. Neil adds alternate lyrics in "Into Temptation" when he realizes the crowd in front needs water; during "Sister Madly", Paul does an imitation of Tina Turner, and the songs ends with the line, "Climb every mountian...". The guys are fully enjoying this last show, and you can tell it is not just for the 100,000+ fans there and the MTV Europe audience watching it live, but for themselves as well, and this recording captures that nicely.

I will say this: I bought a VHS copy of this show a few years ago before this CD was officially released, and this recording takes out some of the in-between song banter that made the concert feel even more like a concert. But on the up-side, more songs from the show were included in this 2 CD set than on the original film, especially a few more songs with neil's brother Tim, and the Hester-penned song "Italian Plastic".

I highly recommend this release.

Just so everyone knows, they officially are back together (minus Paul Hester obviously).

Neil and Nick recorded a new album and it should be out later this year with a world tour as well!

They better get the respect they deserve over here in the U.S. finally!!!!