Neil Finn released the subtle and understated One Nil in 2001 to most parts of the world except the U.S., where he remained without a record deal. By 2002 Finn signed a distribution deal with Nettwerk America for the album, though by this point, the widely imported One Nil had already fallen into the hands of his die-hard fans. With that deal, Finn rethought the album's U.S. incarnation, maybe for commercial reasons and maybe for artist reasons (most likely a bit of both). The resulting album, One All, evolved into a different record, which dropped two tracks (the quirky rocker "Don't Ask Why" and the awkward and moody "Elastic Heart") in favor of two others ("Lullaby Requiem," an achingly beautiful role-reversed lullaby sung by a son to his dying mother, and "Human Kindness," a seeming B-side made good). Four songs were also remixed: "The Climber," "Driving Me Mad," "Hole in the Ice," and "Turn and Run." Additional resequencing of the tracks led to a much better flow and consistent feel. Overall, One All is a stronger album than the already great One Nil, though the differences are quite subtle. Anyone who missed the album the first time around will undoubtedly be impressed by Finn's masterful songwriting, which is here in abundance. Those who picked it up in the earlier form will certainly need this version as well -- the first take seems somewhat of a work-in-progress in comparison. ~ Chris Woodstra, All Music Guide
Joe T. Cook (Assistant), Lynn Williams (Vocal Director), Wendy Melvoin (E-Bow), Sam Gibson (Drum Programming), Liam Finn (Vocals (Background)), Tchad Blake (Engineer), Reg Mombassa (Slide Guitar), Virginia Read (Engineer), Wendy Melvoin (Fuzz Guitar), Neil Finn (Producer), Sam Gibson (Programming), Malcolm Welsford (Mixing), Wendy Melvoin (Shaker), Neil Finn (Optigan), Mitchell Froom (Pennyosley), Neil Finn (Guitar (Synthesizer)), Mitchell Froom (Wurlitzer), Tchad Blake (Mixing), Mitchell Froom (Celeste), Lisa Coleman (Vocals), Wendy Melvoin (Choir, Chorus), Wendy Melvoin (Drums), Mitchell Froom (Producer), Neil Finn (Vocals), Wendy Melvoin (Bass), Bob Clearmountain (Mixing), Mark Smith (Photography), Lisa Coleman (Keyboards), Neil Finn (Harmonium), Jim Keltner (Drums), Jim Keltner (Vocals), Susannah Melvoin (Choir, Chorus), Neil Baldock (Engineer), Scott McPherson (Drums), Mitchell Froom (Chamberlin), Shon Sullivan (Keyboards), Sam Gibson (Mixing), Sheryl Crow (Vocals), Wendy Melvoin (Vocals (Background)), Shon Sullivan (Guitar), Neil Finn (Vibraphone), Lisa Germano (Wurlitzer), Lisa Germano (Violin), Rakai Karaitiana (Design), Dave McDougall (Assistant), Neil Finn (Guitar), Sebastian Steinberg (Bass), Sheryl Crow (Accordion), Sam Gibson (Engineer), Mitchell Froom (Organ (Hammond)), Tchad Blake (Producer), Neil Finn (Guitar (Acoustic)), Bob Ludwig (Mastering), Wendy Melvoin (Percussion), Neil Finn (Chamberlin), Neil Baldock (Assistant), Lisa Germano (Choir, Chorus), Neil Finn (Bass), Tchad Blake (Rhythm), Mitchell Froom (Keyboards), Neil Finn (Piano), Neil Finn (Orchestra Bells)
