Glen Hansard: Scratching At The Surface Now

Typically the day following a concert would constitute a review.  While FreeFest was fun... and interesting, the review will have to come tomorrow.  Today is a special day of remembrance here in the United States.  Ten years ago the world changed on September 11th.  As we continue to move forward, we take this day to look back on all the innocent lives that were lost.  It's hard to believe that horrible day happened ten years ago.  I'm sure all of us can remember exactly where we were when we first heard the reports.  It's important that we never forget the heroism and solidarity our country showed on that day.

Awhile back, I was browsing Swell Season videos (clearly a favorite band of mine) on youtube.  Glen Hansard, vocalist for The Swell Season, has always been an outstanding storyteller.  I came across the accompanying video during my search.  Hansard tells a story about an elderly woman he met in a hotel, and her special jacket.  The woman lost her son in the World Trade Center attacks.  The story is touching really.  The moral behind her story is really twofold.  First, don't be afraid to say what's really on your mind to someone you care about.  I struggle with that constantly.  Second, cherish your life and live it fully.  There are probably more patriotic choices for today, but the story that introduces this song shows how September 11th effected us on a personal level.  I hope you enjoy the story and song.  It's a favorite.

Never forget!

Cover Thursdays: I Can Swing My Megaphone

Glen Hansard has made fairly regular appearances on our Cover Thursdays.  Truth be told, Hansard can sing pretty much anything and make it his own.  Years of busking on the streets of Dublin seem to have served Hansard well.

It's amazing how listening to certain songs can bring back memories of certain times, places, people, and emotions.  Listening to a song years later can take you back to that very place.  That's why I chose this performance for this week's cover.  It's clear that Hansard associates this particular song with a specific moment in his life.

Here's Glen Hansard (Swell Season, The Frames) performing R.E.M's "Hairshirt"



Cover Thursdays- If I Ventured In the Slipstream

Thanks to everyone who has stopped by so far!  I hope you're enjoying the muisc.

One of my favorite aspects of music, is when one artist covers another and puts their own spin on an already established song.  Sometimes a song takes off in a direction that's entirely different than originally imagined.

To pay homage to some of the great covers out there, I now proclaim every Thursday as "Cover Thursday" (at least on this blog).  To kick us off, I picked a cover that blew me away the first time I saw it live!  Here's Glen Hansard (The Swell Season, The Frames) covering Van Morrison's "Astral Weeks."