Glen Hansard. Image from Gaynor Crawford.
In the latest Music at the House concert, the unique communication that comes from composers sharing their own work was well displayed. Music from the varied outputs of Glen Hansard and guest Lisa O’Neill were thoroughly introduced. The accompanying explanations placed the ensuing poetic and musical craft in historical and emotional perspective.
Both featured performers were at home extending their personal music in a live venue. Strong guitar strumming patterns with plucked accents to underline lyrics were featured. Live performances added variation to recorded hits through an interplay between vocal soloists and the guest ensemble. Motives were tossed back and forth until a frenzied climax was reached. Full arrangements using string quartet, extra guitars and percussion augmented Hansard’s well-nuanced vocal delivery. Lisa O’Neill’s set utilised mandolin and fiddle as well as bassist Joe Doyle from Hansard’s band The Frames.
A bold sound emerged from the humble O’Neill. Lyrics often protested against people being physically or emotionally isolated due to place of origin or unfair relationships. Her a cappella treat to open the set was well contoured and captivating. Other songs in the set often displayed sudden contrasts of tone, timbre, mood and musical texture. These shifts contributed to the forward pace of each composition, even if they were at times challenging to the listener. The set’s final song, ‘Dreaming’ was a fine example of such variation, as well as being a showcase for O’Neill’s large range of vocal timbre. Many songs ended with surprising chordal shifts, suspending the audience in a challenging atmosphere.
Glen Hansard’s popularity has been cemented through several past successes. Hansard’s set list drew from the six albums of music by independent Irish band, The Frames, which released albums from 1990 onwards. In particular, The Frames’ bass player Joe Doyle joined Hansard to relive tracks ‘Talking With the Wolves’ and ‘Revelate’.
Songs from the soundtrack to the 2007 film about musical collaboration, Once, were well received when Hansard mixed them up live. He opened his set in front of the microphones with trademark battered guitar to give us ‘Say It To Me Now’. This effort displayed Hansard’s range from hushed to full frenetic strength singing. ‘Leave’ benefitted from such a transformation using guest musicians. The film’s big hit, ‘Falling Slowly’ was sung towards the show’s end in duet with an eager and talented fan. This moment of enthusiastic audience participation added to the variety of the night.
Other solo releases from Hansard fleshed out the concert after often long but patiently received explanations. Some tender vocal and piano versions of Hansard’s solo work provided contrast. ‘Black River’ was prefaced with a rambling comic tale but emerged as a compact gem and finely wrought landscape with the crowd joining in choruses. ‘Step Out of the Shadows’, was present in a quieter guise for this night and floated with brave sentiment above Hansard’s gentle piano.
This was an exciting night which celebrated songwriters and the singer-songwriter’s myriad of performance possibilities.
Rating: 4 ½ out of 5 stars
An Evening with Glen Hansard
Featuring Glen Hansard and Lisa O’Neill
Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point
www.gaynorcrawford.com
20 March
