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Neil Finn brings strings for solo show at Largo at the Coronet

Neil Finn, left, shown with Crowded House drummer Matt Sherrod during a 2010 concert in Los Angeles, is returning to L.A. for a solo show at Largo.
Neil Finn, left, shown with Crowded House drummer Matt Sherrod during a 2010 concert in Los Angeles, is returning to L.A. for a solo show at Largo.
(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
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Neil Finn says he has something special up his sleeve for his sold out solo show on Tuesday at Largo at the Coronet Theatre.

To help him pull back the curtain on several songs from his forthcoming album “Dizzy Heights,” Finn is bringing along seven string players to replicate orchestral arrangements from the album, which finds him exploring strings more expansively than the New Zealand rocker has on previous solo efforts or in his days fronting Crowded House and co-leading the Finn Brothers with his brother Tim from the band Split Enz.

Finn told Pop & Hiss on Monday that the more extensive use of strings emerged after he worked with arranger Victoria Kelly on his contribution to the film of “The Hobbit,” the track “Song of the Lonely Mountain” that plays over the closing credits.

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“I really enjoyed working with her,” he said during an interview at his West Hollywood hotel. “When I got to recording these songs, most of which I had recorded as demos, I just kept handing her more and saying, ‘Well what about this one?’ and she’d come back with something wonderful.”

Finn also said that he saw Brian Wilson on tour recently with his large band of multi-instrumentalists and got to thinking, “It would be great at some point to go out and tour with a big band — I would love that.”

He hasn’t decided if it makes economic sense to bring the massed forces with him next year when he embarks on a more extensive North American tour after “Dizzy Heights” is released. For now, he’s playing just three tour stops in Los Angeles, New York (Thursday) and London (Nov. 27). He’ll return to L.A. for an April 2 show at the Orpheum Theatre.

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“I’ll have some special guests along [Tuesday],” he said, declining to specify which of his many musical friends he’s invited. When he performed at Largo a couple of years ago, he concocted a virtual real-time duet with older brother Tim, who was in Australia at the time. By way of Skype, they were able to perform live during the show.

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“I’m surprised more people haven’t taken up the idea,” he said. “It opens up many possibilities.”

The new album is slated for release Feb. 10. Pop & Hiss recently premiered the video for “Divebomber,” a track from “Dizzy Heights,” which can be seen here:

ALSO:

Album review: Crowded House’s ‘Intriguer’

Neil Finn: A crowded house expected for solo Largo shows

Watch Neil Finn’s video ‘Divebomber’ from new album ‘Dizzy Heights’

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Follow Randy Lewis on Twitter: @RandyLewis2

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