Album Review: Between Two Shores, Glen Hansard

Long before playing himself in the movie that changed his life forever – is there an alternative universe where he went on to become a major action star? probably not - Glen Hansard was all about the song, reaching for the hallowed ground occupied by Van Morrison, Bruce Springsteen, and his beloved Bob Dylan. The intersection of The Boss in full flight, and the Caledonia Soul Orchestra Van conducted around the time of It’s Too Late To Stop Now that characterises Hansard’s current live show is what’s on offer here. If you appreciated the horn driven soul belter ‘Her Mercy’ on the last album, then you may proceed with confidence.

We pitch and heave from ‘Roll On Slow’, a groovy Springsteen/Stones mash-up, driven by the mighty kit work of Graham Hopkins, complete with a proper E-Street Guitar solo, to the Van style soul pleading of ‘Why Woman’, and even find time to make port for a nod to the George Harrison of All Things Must Pass on ‘One Of Us Must Lose’.

The two shores he sails between are the heartbreak of lost love, and the acceptance of love’s passing. He pleads for another chance in ‘Why Woman’ and cries a river in ‘Wreckless Heart’, before deciding to let go in ‘Movin’ On’, then ‘Setting Forth’ to the heart’s next port of call, fondly looking back in ‘Your Heart’s Not In It’ and ‘Lucky Man’. Time, as promised, will be the healer, once again.

A resolutely grown up record then, beautifully constructed and played – special merit badges to the brass section of Michael Buckley and Ronan Dooney. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you, the Celtic Soul Brother.

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Rating: 8/10