Presenting the Glen Hansard Soul Orchestra. Converted: Pat Carty
We were under instruction to be in our seats by 8.15. Glen’s “people” had posted that this was the aimed for start time “to give us a bit more wiggle room”. It would be half an hour later before kick off but we needn’t have worried, there was to be plenty of wiggling over the next few hours. Hot Press picked up it’s pass as per usual in the ticket office but was persuaded to donate €10 anyway, as all the proceeds from tonight’s show were going to the Inner City Helping Homeless charity. This seemed more than fair. All profits from the merchandising desk were headed in the same direction, including prints of our own David Rooney’s stunning Homeless illustration, signed by both Hansard and the artist. A good example of the man’s propensity to put his money where his mouth is.
There’s no expense spared on the stage either. Opening number, ‘Winning Streak’, features a full twenty-five odd member choir (Songs In The Key Of D) who’ll pop off and on all night, as well as a proper sting section. ‘High Hope’ will then add a further three-piece brass contingent. Hansard himself is all grin and beard, calling to mind some mountain-bound prospector who has just hit the big strike and has come down into town to celebrate. As the song’s title might suggest, he looks like one of those lost looking lads to whom a traffic light had previously been the height of voodoo magic, who finds themselves on the lotto’s TV show, doing the big spin. The stage, with its array of lamps that Hansard’s Ma probably threw out at the end of the seventies, and the decorative bass drum head which reads “Save A Soul Mission”, is almost sepia toned and resembles those evocative early photos of The Band taken by Elliott Landy, which though taken in the late sixties, could be from a hundred years earlier. I suspect this is intentional.
‘Roll On Slow’, from the forthcoming Between Two Shores, is a meaty thing, all brass and guitar solos, which could pass as a relative at a wedding of the Stones and Springsteen, who also gets a mention in the lyrics. It segues into a rockin’ take on Them’s ‘Gloria’ and they don’t seem out of place up against each other, which is high praise. ‘Wheels On Fire’, also from the new album, sounds better here then it did when released on Spotify, but it’s not his best. The pizzicato opening of ‘My Little Ruin’ is beautiful, and when the string section then bow their instruments, it catches the breath. The piano glissando at the other end of the tune goes a bit Mike Garson/Aladdin Sane, which is just as welcome. The band at full tilt for ‘When Your Mind’s Made Up’ reminds you of The Waterboys around the time of This Is The Sea, and when they come crashing back in after the crowd have sung a verse and a chorus, it’s damn impressive.
“What can you fucking do?” Hansard’s initial reaction to the homeless crisis was the same as everyone else’s, but, as he says himself, “cups of tea turned into pints turned into meetings” which lead onto his involvement in Apollo House this year - something that he’s obviously, and justifiably, proud of. ‘Shelter Me’, a song that grew out of a conversation with a young lad who had been recently made homeless, proving that we’re living in a town where you’re only “a couple of fuck ups from destitution”, is marvelously lifted by the choir and Hansard’s passionate hollering. When you see Chris Martin emoting away during the latest piece of Coldplay “heartfelt” mush, this is the kind of song he imagines he is singing.
After a lovely ‘Bird Of Sorrow’, dedicated to his mother, we get an appropriately rambling introduction to Woody Guthrie’s ‘Vigilante Man’. Fred Trump, Mr. Malaprop’s father, was once Guthrie’s landlord, and Woody wasn’t his biggest fan. Hansard, on a trip to the Woody Guthrie Centre in Tulsa, was allowed a glimpse at the original hand written lyrics, and vowed to include the unused line “What I wouldn’t do to him if I thought I could get away with it” in his version. He does just that in a verse attacking Trump, Jr. and referencing the wall, the travel ban and the Klan, to a raucous reception, the crowd reacting to the frisson of rebellion. A younger person beside me visibly sighed when Guthrie’s name was first mentioned, either in disappointment or confusion, but they were whooping at the song’s end, proving that Hansard is very good at his job. ‘Didn’t He Ramble’ is then dedicated to Guthrie as a fitting follow up.
‘Way Back In The Way Back When’ spotlights an Italian mate beating, I’m not kidding, two clothes brushes against a waistcoat he appears to have fashioned from an old washboard, on which he even takes a solo, before ‘Falling Slowly’ raises the roof. I suspect people waiting for the Luas up at St. James are wondering what that noise is. From the ridiculousness of a bloke banging on a board to the sublimity of the poetry of Michael Hartnett, as Hansard reads Death Of An Irishwoman aloud. The poem, written for the grandmother that raised him, sees Hartnett juxtapose her connections with the Gaelic past against her presence in the modern world. There is more than a little of Hansard’s musical attitude in this. ‘Wedding Ring’, with its trombone solo, veers from Salvation Army Band to New Orleans Second Line, and if it still could be mistaken for The Waterboys’ ‘Strange Boat’ if you heard a snatch of it from the next room at a party, then Mike Scott’s couplet, “Turning flesh and body into soul”, is as appropriate to Hansard’s work as Hartnett’s verse.
Hansard is obviously generous to a fault, giving the stage over to guitarist Rob Bochnik for his ‘Love Evolve’ - it’s not the greatest thing I’ve ever heard, but, you know, good luck to him. The late Mic Christoper’s ‘Hey Day’ takes on a suitably heavenly air when the choir leads a verse on their own, followed by a run at ‘Song of Good Hope’, before a marvelous ‘McCormack’s Wall’, complete with stories of Currachs in Spain, love, and sweet, sweet pints.
‘Grace Beneath The Pines’ goes into the Otis-Redding–Sings-Bird-On-A-Wire ‘Her Mercy’ which finds time to include bits of ‘Star Star’, ‘Pure Imagination’ – yes, the Willy Wonka one - and even Belgian headers Deus’ toe-tapper, ‘Hotellounge (Be The Death Of Me)’. After the Songs In The Key Of D choir dash through ‘Rocky Road To Dublin’, it’s guest spot time. The Pale give it a bit of space mandolin on the great ‘Butterfly’ and a bit of gypsy wedding on ‘Dog With No Tail’, and then the mighty Mark Geary throws out ‘Christmas Biscuits’, the charity single from himself and Hansard, and ‘It Beats me’, complete with Clarence Clemons style sax break. The Colm Mac Con Iomaire lead ‘Fitzcarraldo’ is a wonder altogether, building to a swirling maelstrom, pulling the ship over the mountain, towards the respite of the following ‘Friends and Foe’. ‘Wreckless Heart’, again from the new record, “rides the river to the sea” offering a balm against the vagaries of love.
We’re into celebratory territory – ‘This Gift’ is sung with Hansard’s niece Amy, and his grin is now so wide, it threatens to swallow his whole head. ‘Gold’, the beautiful Interference song included on the Once soundtrack, is performed unamplified by the band at the lip of the stage, and when it goes all Led Zep III in the break, it does no harm at all. If the closing version of ‘The Auld Triangle’, where everyone including the road crew takes a verse, goes on too long, sure what harm at this stage, the last bus is long gone. Three and a quarter-hours since they stared, the band finally walk off to a genuinely rapturous noise.
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m only a recent convert to Hansard’s charms, having unfairly disdained him, although he was hardly losing sleep, for years – look at the Jaysus brown rice and lentils head on him for a start, and turning up at the Oscars in a suit that the Eager Beaver probably rejected? Come on man! - but a chance encounter with him this year, as well as reviewing his support slot with Eddie Vedder, were enough to change my much mistaken mind. One could argue, if, like me, you spent most of Saturday listening to his complete solo catalogue in preparation, that it can all get ever so slightly samey, but there’s no sign of that during tonight’s triumph. The incredible band he has assembled around him could probably inject soul into K-pop if they felt the need. It may go against cool, but he’s peddling songs of hope, and his all-round good eggness suggests that he is “the good heart that will find us again”. A class act.
Having only just given and exquisite performance at Dublin's Vicar street a few weeks ago, Glen Hansard is back with the news that he will return to the venue for two pre-Christmas gigs.
Read More It was a night of laughs and passion, punctuated by some touching poignant moments as Glen Hansard and friends played a stunning medley of tunes at Vicar Street, with sterling support from Dublin quartet Mongoose.
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Glen Hansard will perform in the stunning setting of St Patrick’s Cathedral on Saturday 25th November, as one of the highlights of the inaugural Jonathan Swift Festival.
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Folk hero Glen Hansard has today announced he will join the Boomtown Rats and some of the nation’s biggest acts for a major concert, in response to the shameful, even shocking, homeless crisis in Ireland, which is taking place in the Olympia Theatre tomorrow, Friday 7th April.
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Honorees included Zachary Quinto, Ruth Negga, Glen Hansard, and Caitriona Balfe.
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The night is full of twists and turns for Glen's near three hour home visit!
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One of the leading lights of Irish music for the past 25 years, Glen Hansard has been chosen as the recipient of the Oscar Wilde Award for 2017 – which will be presented during Oscar week in the Los Angeles. No one is more deserving...
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Music to raise spirits and money for the homeless
Read More Glen Hansard, Bronagh Gallagher and many more will perform on the night
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With his two forthcoming solo shows at Vicar Street next month selling out, Glen Hansard will return to the same venue in November with a full band in tow.
Read More The hometown hero returns to his familiar haunt in November
Read More Skibbereen shows will remember the Interference frontman and the artist known as Black
Read More The Oscar winning singer-songwriter performed a track for RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta
Read More Fans will be counting down the days until September 5!
Read More The Oscar winner played a thirty minute set
Read More The Frames frontman gave a stellar performance of ‘Winning Streak’ on the show last night
Read More The Oscar-winner serenaded fans outside the late legend's New York home
Read More Five weeks of broadcast action will see a galaxy of stars strutting their stuff
Read More The pair have indulged in some seriously impressive burning of the midnight oil!
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The by-now traditional knees-up on Thomas St. has become the thing of legend; and, once again, Hot Press was on hand for another energetic, inspiring night with the charismatic troubadour
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It could be a very good night for the Irish in LA on February 15
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The Dubliner finished the US wing of his Didn't He Ramble tour last night at the Big Apple.
Read More There's a massive week of shows coming up in the Concert Hall
Read More Next month's Dingle bill is looking decidedly tasty!
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Having just released a powerful and emotionally direct second solo album, Didn’t He Ramble, Glen Hansard is a man with a lot on his mind. He talks to Olaf Tyaransen about teenage delinquency, his complicated relationship with his father, the tragic death of a man at a Swell Season gig, and why he’s grateful for the advice he’s received from Bruce Springsteen and Eddie Vedder.
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New album Didn’t He Ramble supplied the perfect excuse for one of Dublin's favourite sons to take over a city centre building with an evening of stunning musical entertainment
Read More Their 'McCormack's Wall' collaboration is all sorts of gorgeous
Read More Wristbands are available now in return for buying a copy of his new album in Golden Discs on Stephen's Green
Read More KCRW listeners were spoiled rotten this week!
Read More Catch him before Christmas in Vicar St.!
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He was joined onstage by the Booka Brass Band and The Lost Brothers...
Read More Read the review in the new issue of Hot Press
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The visit of the hot feminist comedian to Ireland has turned into a highly entertaining event. Bill Hader and Judd Apatow are also in town for the Trainwreck premiere...
Read More Glen Hansard & Paul Williams perform at US Ambassadors Residence.
Read More What we've heard of Didn't He Ramble so far sounds pretty damn awesome!
Read More A new initiative to raise money for homeless people will see one lucky bidder collect one jumbo load of loot
Read More Glen Hansard is among those recalling My First Time In Hot Press as part of our bumper 900th Issue, which is in shops now with Ham Sandwich's Niamh Farrell on the cover.
Read More Colin Davidson's amazing piece will be auctioned for the US-Ireland Alliance
Read More SARI benefit gig will also feature Mundy, Lisa O'Neill and more this evening.
Read More Glen Hansard at Vicar Street on 15 December. Glen was joined on stage by August Wells, Declan O’Rourke, Lisa O’Neill, Mundy and Damien Demspsey. The show was held in aid of the Peter McVerry Trust.
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The now-traditional festive gig from the Frames frontman is long on time and even longer on joy
Read More Glen Hansard and Damien Dempsey teamed up on a version of 'The Auld Triangle', which warmed many a Right 2 Water protest cockle this afternoon in central Dublin.
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It was one of those special Dublin nights. The occasion was a fund-raiser for a new short film, entitled Descend, directed by Hedi Rose, and written by Irish-based Texan screenwriter Margaret Miller. The location was upstairs in The 51 Bar on Haddington Road.
Read More He's doing his bit for the Simon Community in Vicar St.
Read More Glen Hansard brings a full band including string and brass sections to Vicar St., Dublin on December 15 when he plays a special gig in aid of the Peter McVerry Trust, which tackles homelessness, drug misuse and social disadvantage.
Read More Glen Hansard is among the celebrity admirers contributing a cover – he opted for Saved’s ‘Pressing On’ – to Bob Dylan In The ‘80s: Volume One.
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Last Tuesday’s second Vicar St. show marked the end of an 18-month round the world jaunt for Glen Hansard and his talented musical entourage.
Read More Iron & Wine, Calexico and Kathleen Edwards joined the Dublin man to sing ‘Fairy Tale of New York’ last night on NBC’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.
Read More Glen Hansard's concert at Vicar St. on Tuesday, November 26th, 2013
Read More Vicar St gig is also in aid of the Peter McVerry Trust...
Read More Glen Hansard’s new EP is available now for your streaming pleasure at www.nytimes.com/interactive/arts/music/pressplay.html?_r=3&
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Glen Hansard and his old mucker Mark Geary have collaborated on a festive tune, ‘Christmas Biscuits’, which hits iTunes on November 29 to raise funds for St. Vincent de Paul.
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His favourite Bruce Springsteen tune provides the title for Glen Hansard’s new Drive All Night EP, which Anti-Records are releasing physically on November 29 with digital following on December 3. Photo Credit: Zoran Orlic
Read More Glen Hansard has announced a second Vicar Street concert this November 25.
Read More The Helix will play host to a Halloween night of music and conversation.
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The Factory on Barrow Street has lined up a superlative list of leading Irish artists to act as mentors for a brand new songwriting and performance workshop.
Read More When Glen Hansard stormed the Iveagh Gardens last month, Arbutus Yarns, AKA music documentarian Myles O’Reilly, was there shooting the whole thing.
Read More Still waters run etc. etc. A glorious summer’s afternoon by a millpond Corrib was the setting for our man Olaf Tyaransen chatting to Glen Hansard last week ahead of his Galway Arts Festival appearance.
Read More It’ll be a dream come true on July 27 for Glen Hansard as he gets to open for one of his heroes, Bruce Springsteen, who in recent years has also become a close musical confidante. From a hotel room in North Carolina, he tells Olaf Tyaransen what makes The Boss so special...
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C! Le Cargo! Webzine Musical! marked their 500th session with a beautiful acoustic performance from the Irish pair...
Read More Glen Hansard adds his name to the already impressive summer schedule at the Dublin 2 park this summer...
Read More This year’s Jameson Dublin International Film Festival has a real rock 'n' roll flavour with The Frames, Ginger Baker and Marina Abramovic coming under the spotlight.
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The fantastic Frames frontman fingered his frets for the festive season at Vicar Street...
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It's a double whammy for the former Frame in December..
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In our new issue, Glen chats about his friendship with our cover star Bruce Springsteen...
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Since winning an Oscar for Once, Glen Hansard‘s life has swerved like an out of control rollercoaster. There was a whirlwind romance with, and painful separation from, Markéta Irglová; the suicide of a fan which left him with brains on his shoes and a chasm in his soul and the strange guilt he felt at being successful. With his first solo album about to be released, he pulls up a stool and explains how he learned to stop worrying and love his new life in New York.
Read More The likes of Glen Hansard, The Walkmen and Metallica are here to soundtrack your weekend.
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The singer opens up to Stuart Clark in our new issue, out tomorrow...
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An Irishman’s ‘New York Year’ yields musical gifts for the folks back home
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Glen Hansard is set to release his first solo album. As yet untitled, the record is slated for a June launch by Anti, and will be released on the Epitaph label.
Read More The star studded line-up for The Music Show became even stronger last night with the news that Glen Hansard had been added to the list of panellists.
Read More Ringleader of festivities, Glen Hansard, is in his usual fine form, joking and telling stories.
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Glen Hansard and Delorentos are among line-up
Read More Glen Hansard talks to Peter Murphy about the highs and lows of being in The Frames, and how musicians can help rescue Ireland from its current malaise
Read More Give it a few years and The Frames are going to have a lot of new competition!
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There are also more fundraisers coming up in February.
Read More The Dublin Simon Longest Night bash takes place next week.
Read More Popular RTÉ music show Other Voices is back for a sixth series, with a line-up including Glen Hansard, Sinead O'Connor and more.
Read More Things are going seriously well for Glen Hansard in the States with his soundtrack to the Sundance winning Once going top 10 on iTunes there.
Read More Aftering the news that The Frames are to support Bob Dylan down under, Glen Hansard's week has gotten even better as the film he co-stars in, Once, has made it into the American box-office top 20.
Read More Indie-hit Once director John Carney talks to Tara Brady about how to make an Irish musical, while star Glen Hansard confesses he was pleasantly surprised at the film’s success.
Read More Fresh from getting dickie-bowed up for the Irish premiere of Once, Glen Hansard has announced that he’ll be hosting the Songwriting Course at this year’s Listowel Writers Festival.
Read More We cornered Glen Hansard in a dark room and forced him to reveal details about the next Frames album. He happily obliged.
Read More Hot Press is delighted to bring you this first peek at the cover artwork for Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova’s collaborative album.
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While the next Frames album is still a long way off, Glen Hansard has confirmed that he’s a collaborative solo project, The Swell Season, in the can.
Read More The Frames frontman and pipe-playing Duihnan release a limited number of live CDs next week
Read More Glen Hansard, along with Paddy Casey, Goodtime John and Ann Scott (among others) provide an acoustic cure for Christmas hangovers
Read More It won't be the full Frames experience but Hansard's wee gig will keep you going till the December tour
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