Project 1001: Woodface by Crowded House; June 16, 2024
When you wake up with me / I'll be your glass of water
The only thing I knew about Crowded House was the, in my mind, over-played and over-rated hit single Don’t Dream It’s Over. Good song. But not great. In fact, I remember finding it rather dull at the time of release. Although I recognize for many folks it’s beloved. So, I never gave Crowded House much of a chance.
Then the generator spits out this stunning gem of an album, a record of which I was completely unaware. The first thing that stands out is the really lovely and beautiful harmonizing vocals performed by brothers Neil and Tim Finn.
I very much enjoyed this record and wish I’d been more open-minded 33 years ago because I missed out on three decades of enjoying this music. I won’t make the same mistake for the next 33 years! (knock wood)
My Rating:
Woodface has been called “the crown jewel from one of pop music's most brilliant, and surely most consistent writers”1 and “vibrant, compassionate, witty and wise”.2
In a review for AllMusic, Chris Woodstra praised the album for combining “flawless melodies and the outstanding harmonies of the (Finn) brothers' perfectly matched voices.”3
Woodface was a major hit in Australia and New Zealand as well as giving the band their first top ten hit album in the UK. It was listed at No. 3 in the book 100 Best Australian Albums in October 2010.4 However, it peaked at just #83 in the US.5
What was happening at the time of Woodface’s release (July 1, 1991)
• Number one single: Rush Rush by Paula Abdul.6
• Nuber one album: Four Unlawful Carnal Knowledge by Van Halen.7
• Number one movie: Terminator 2: Judgment Day. by James Cameron8
• Number one TV show that season: Cheers.9
• Number one NYT Bestseller, fiction: Heir to the Empire by Timothy Vaugn.10
• Number one NYT Bestseller, non-fiction: The Commanders by Bob Woodward11
Sports12
• Jul 5 MLB owners approve Colorado Rockies and Florida Marlins as new NL franchises to start play in 1993.
• Jul 6 Steffi Graf beats Gabriela Sabatini 6-4, 3-6, 8-6 for her 3rd Wimbledon crown.
• Jul 7 Wimbledon Men's Tennis: In the first ever all-German final Michael Stich beats Boris Becker 6-4, 7-6, 6-4.
• Jul 8 Major league umpire Steve Palermo and former NFL defensive lineman Terence Mann shot trying to help 2 waitresses from being robbed.
• Jul 9 South Africa re-admitted to Olympics.
• Jul 14 Meg Mallon wins US Open Women's Golf at Colonial CC.
• Jul 20 Mike Tyson is accused of raping a Miss Black America contestant.
• Jul 21 Ian Baker-Finch wins The Open Championship Men's Golf at Royal Birkdale GC.
• Jul 21 Ferguson Jenkins, Gaylord Perry, Rod Carew, Tony Lazzeri, and Bill Veeck, Jr are inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
• Jul 28 Dennis Martínez pitches the 13th perfect game in baseball history.
• Jul 28 Spanish rider Miguel Induráin wins 1st of 5 consecutive Tours de France.
Notable births:
• Jul 9 Mitchel Musso, American actor (Hannah Montana -"Oliver'; Pair of Kings), born in Garland, Texas.
• Jul 12 Erik Per Sullivan, American actor (Malcolm in the Middle), born in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Notable deaths:
• Jul 1 Michael Landon, American actor (Bonanza - "Little Joe"; Little House on the Prairie - "Charles"; Highway to Heaven - "Jonathan"), dies of pancreatic cancer at 54.
• Jul 2 Lee Remick, American actress (Days of Wine & Roses), dies of cancer at 55.
• Jul 8 James Franciscus, American actor (Beneath the Planet of the Apes), dies of emphysema 57.
• Jul 15 Bert Convy, American actor and game show host (Tattletales), dies at 57.
Enjoy and listen without prejudice. Cheers!
Full video playlist: You're Welcome 99 by Crowded House
Prime version: 99. Woodface by Crowded House
Ibid
Ibid.