Glen Hansard – Didn’t He Ramble (2015) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

The new album is his first in over three years and follows 2012’s solo debut Rhythm & Repose, which Billboardhailed as “Hansard at his most engaging,” while The Wall Street Journal furthered, “Hansard’s distinguishing trait as a songwriter is a heavy-handed earnestness.”

Didn’t He Ramble was produced by Thomas Bartlett (The National, Sufjan Stevens), a frequent collaborator of Hansard’s, and Grammy winner and former Frames band-mate David Odlum (Paloma Faith, Tinariwen). The album, which was recorded in New York, Dublin, Chicago and France, is Hansard’s most intimate and elegant record since his work in Once and features guest appearances by John Sheahan (Dubliners), Sam Beam (Iron and Wine) and Sam Amidon.

Glen Hansard is an artist who is not afraid to lay bare his soul for his audience to see, but few artists as passionate as Hansard can modulate themselves quite so well; his music is deeply and openly emotional without Hansard sounding as if he’s melting into a puddle of melodrama. Hansard’s emotional high-wire act is once again the centerpiece of his third full-length solo effort, 2015’s Didn’t He Ramble, and the album’s polished yet rustic modern-folkie sensibility is a splendid backdrop for Hansard’s compositions, ten songs that find rays of hope in bad situations while also never missing the bits of rust in his own emotional armor. Didn’t He Ramble was cut during sessions in Ireland, England, and the United States, but the set has a warm and unified feel, suggesting the glory days of the ’70s singer/songwriter era but with a cleaner and less indulgent sensibility. Hansard’s singing is at the top of his game on Didn’t He Ramble, unaffected but strong as the soulful edges of his instrument wrap themselves around his songs like a more restrained version of Van Morrison (especially on the gospel-tinged “Her Mercy”). Hansard’s accompanists make the most of his lean but evocative melodies, and the string arrangements by Rob Moose and Thomas Bartlett are excellent, adding to the air of mystery in these tunes without giving the performances an unwelcome level of gloss. Didn’t He Ramble shows that as a performer and a songwriter, Hansard can create powerful and satisfying work that’s up to the standard he set with the Frames, and this is a step up from 2012’s impressive but uneven Rhythm and Repose. –AllMusic Review by Mark Deming

Tracklist:
01. Glen Hansard – Grace Beneath the Pines (03:31)
02. Glen Hansard – Wedding Ring (04:47)
03. Glen Hansard – Winning Streak (03:21)
04. Glen Hansard – Her Mercy (04:46)
05. Glen Hansard – McCormack’s Wall (04:39)
06. Glen Hansard – Lowly Deserter (03:02)
07. Glen Hansard – Paying My Way (03:34)
08. Glen Hansard – My Little Ruin (04:26)
09. Glen Hansard – Just to be the One (03:13)
10. Glen Hansard – Stay the Road (04:01)

Personnel:
Glen Hansard – Composer, Guitar, Layout, Mandolin, Piano, Vocals
Brad Albetta – Bass
Sam Amidon – Violin, Vocals
Thomas Bartlett – Celeste, Keyboards, Percussion, Piano, String Arrangements, Synthesizer
Sam Beam – Vocals
Rob Bochnik – Guitar
Michael Buckley – Flute, Horn Arrangements, Saxophone
Justin Carroll – Keyboards
Ronan Dooney – Trumpet
Joseph Doyle – Bass
Curtis Fowlkes – Trombone
Earl Harvin, Graham Hopkins – Drums
Rob Moose – Mandolin, String Arrangements, Strings, Viola
David Odlum – Guitar, Mixing, Percussion
Ray Rizzo – Drums
John Sheahan – String Arrangements, Violin
Kenny Wollesen – Drums