'Didn’t He Ramble', is the second solo outing from singer songwriter and ex-Frames front man Glen Hansard. A very engaging record and one with a warming feel when played on a cold dark night.
The record was produced by Thomas Bartlett and former Frames band-mate David Odlum and was recorded in New York, Dublin, Chicago and France. Glen explains, “I feel I’ve really dug deep for these songs, and I’ve been chasing specific ideas asking myself ‘what is it I’m trying to say with this line or idea?’ One would hope that through all of this that you find your voice. And, amazingly, you might find it in the smallest gesture of a song.”
Glen was also one half of duo The Swell Season with Markéta Irglová. The pair really gained a lot of international recognition with the film and Broadway/West End adaptation of 'Once'. After all those bright lights it good to see Glenn make such a down to earth album.
'Didn’t He Ramble' features John Sheahan (Dubliners), Sam Beam (Iron and Wine) and Sam Amidon which all just adds to that overall warmth. The record opens with the spine tingling 'Grace Beneath the Pines', which really shows a songwriter being serious about the job in hand. “There’ll be no more running round for me, No more backing down, you’ll see Whatever lies in store for me, I’ll get through it”.
"Wedding Ring' concludes with the line "Will you be strong enough to keep her, To keep her love from going cold"? Yet third song 'Winning Streak' has hope , "May your winning streak, May it never end".
This is a real grower of a record, there is even a jig in there as well!
Pete
9/11
1. Grace Beneath the Pines
2. Wedding Ring
3. Winning Streak
4. Her Mercy
5. McCormack's Wall
6. Lowly Deserter
7. Paying My Way
8. My Little Ruin
9. Just to be the One
10. Stay the Road