“I want to tell you how the next song we’re going to play was written. One night, I was at a party with my girlfriend. Everyone was dressed in his or her nicest suit or dress, and the mood that filled the room was perfect. I was talking with my girlfriend in a corner of the room when she offered to get us some punch. Of course, I couldn’t refuse. She was gone a few minutes when I found myself absorbed by a woman in a backless red dress. Imagine how I felt. I had come to a beautiful party, on a beautiful evening, with a beautiful woman by my side; and the only thing I could find myself thinking about was another woman. Then it happened. The woman turned around, and I was happy to see that it was actually my girlfriend I had been floored by. The funny sense of love, happiness, pride or whatever I was feeling became the base for this next song.”
I’m a lucky guy. Above are the words spoken one night in Boston before one of the greatest concerts I’ve ever seen. My Irish music experience started with Damien Rice, eventually Fionn Regan. Somewhere in between I ended up in a seat at the Orpheum Theater, surrounded by Damien Rice fans and Boston’s music types. The concert was a success, and not only for Damien. I think everyone left that night wondering who Glen was, and how to get their hands on his music. 
The Frames is a band started by Glen Hansard in the 1990s. Ireland has produced some great artists in the past, and Glen’s talent has proven that it’s not only the British who can produce special music. Glen’s home, “the house of frames”, got its nickname after friends were sick of maneuvering around bicycle frames when they visited his Dublin residence (Glen worked in bicycle repair shop.) Hence, where the band got its name. Although The Frames have put out a number of great albums and are extremely popular in Ireland, they’ve yet to make a big impact on American music. That’s just fine with me, though. I think Glen made his mark when he released “The Swell Season”, a beautiful album combining his powerful voice and soulful guitar with the talent of Czech singer and pianist Marketa Irglova. The Swell Season became the soundtrack for “Once,” a movie released in 2007 (Worth seeing if you haven’t). So what does the music sound like? For starters it is powerful. The Swell Season takes you on a roller coaster that shows you first hand what it is like to have loved and lost. His music is sweet sounding and emotional, but can still be enjoyed by anyone willing to appreciate strong lyrics and an even stronger guitar.
I think the most important quality of a great musician is being able to make your listeners feel how you feel. Not only do I love an artist willing to give it everything they’ve got, I also respect them. I think this is a test that Hansard’s music passes with flying colors.
On an ending note, the introduction I quoted at the beginning of my post today was a story Glen told before playing “Falling Slowly”. Falling Slowly won an Academy Award for Best Song in 2008. Below are some of the videos I think showcase Hansard’s talent. Let me know what you think.
-Andrew
Albums to download:
- The Swell Season (Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova)
- Fitzcarraldo (The Frames)
Songs to make sure you get a hold of:
- Falling Slowly
- When Your Mind's Made Up
- Leave (rumored to have been co-written by Damien Rice)
- Lies
Clip from the film "Once", song played is "Falling Slowly"
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoSL_qayMCc&feature=related]
Live recording of "When Your Mind's Made Up" by Glen and Marketa
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdQhFXaUqLM]
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