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Actors
turned musicians are usually a recipe for disaster- just look at
Russell Crowe- but British actress Minnie Driver seems to have managed
the transition with complete ease.
Having
climbed to the ranks of Hollywood A-list, the Good Will Hunting
star has now set her sights on her first love: music.
She
hasn't left her acting days behind her completely but as she began
her set of folky pop songs it was hard to imagine her as anything
but a singer.
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| Minnie
Driver |
Her
soft vocals were soothing and graceful as she sang her way through
whimsical tracks like the single, Everything I've Got In My Pocket,
with a style not dissimilar to Norah Jones. Rockier tracks had a
hint of Sheryl Crow and showed that Driver has achieved that all
important factor that has eluded most actors-turned-singers: credibility.
She
chatted warmly to the audience, telling tales of how she wrote her
songs on the beach at her LA home and declaring that Bournemouth
had given her one of the best days on the tour - she'd met a surfer
earlier that day and, being a keen surfer herself, joined him in
hitting the waves.
The
gentle lullaby Ruby Adeline proved once and for all that Everything
I've Got In My Pocket was no fluke and that she is a musical talent
to watch.
The
Finn Brothers, of course, are famous for their musical prowess.
As they walked on stage to old family cine-film footage it was clear
that this was going to be an intimate and friendly affair. An
incredibly relaxed atmosphere was instantly created as they shared
brotherly banter with themselves and the crowd.
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| Tim
Finn |
No
strangers to a great pop tune, they kicked off their career-spanning
set with
Won't Give In from their latest album, Everyone Is Here, showing
that their unmistakable songwriting style was still firmly in place
and sounding as fresh as ever.
With
such a huge back catalogue between them, it would be easy for the
Antipodean duo to rest on their past successes but they still clearly
love to perform - oozing
class with an act that's been honed through 20-something years in
the business.
Despite
both having successful solo careers, it was Crowded House that brought
the brothers worldwide acclaim and we were treated to a stunning
array of old favourites including the glorious Distant Sun, It's
Only Natural, the melancholic Four Seasons In One Day and the kooky
There Goes God.
But
this was to be a set of hits from all eras and the Finns took us
through all sides of their multi-faceted musical careers, all the
while aided and abetted by a terrific backing band, including the
supremely talented Stacey brothers from Dorset.
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| Neil
Finn |
As
well as new tracks like latest single, Nothing Wrong With You, we
were taken back to the days of 80s arthouse group Split Enz, the
brothers' first and most experimental venture together. The rocking
track I See Red received huge cheers from the army of Kiwis in the
audience, while a beautifully low-key rendition of Charley sung
by Tim sent shivers down the spine.
The
evening just wouldn't have been complete without the evergreen Crowded
House classic Weather With You and, naturally, the brothers didn't
disappoint. A show-stopping sing-a-long followed and ensured that
Neil and Tim left us with the hugest of smiles on our faces and
in no doubt that they are one of pop music's greatest brotherly
duos.
Did
you see The Finn Brothers and Minnie Driver at the Pavillion? Tell
us what you thought on our music
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