WOW!From the opening song---Say It To Me Now performed at the edge of the stage without a mic or amp Glen's passion was of a nature that is rarely experienced as he shouted the lyrics and strummed his guitar to reach the last row of the 3,100+ seats, did I say no mic, no amp????
The story of Glen Hansard is the story of someone who does what they love. From his days of quitting school and busking in Ireland to performing sold out shows across the land it is apparent that he is doing what he loves...period.
A man who has taken the roots of his success and brought them all to the forefront of what he does by including his hometown band of the Frames and a band of musicians that gave him his inspiration, Interference to open for him. This was a show of rock and roll family.
The Tower is one of my favorite Philly venues as it has old world charm. great acoustics and an intimacy that few modern day venues can encompass.
Glen spoke a lot during the show sharing his passion and love for life and people in a spiritual way and then backed up his words with his music and lyrics.
Musical highlights- "Leave" performed solo and with a crescendo till the screeching end. Marketa's humility, innocence and honesty were eye opening as her timid demeanor shone through to the lyrics and musical performances. Every note of every song was played with honesty and passion. A new song was played prior to the encore---"Happiness". Again a song that expresses Glen and Marketa's love of life and their joy.
This was the last nite of this leg of the tour. And the touring entourage was all going their own way. Glen took full advantage of this by bringing all of tour particiapnts on stage for the last jig. An old Irish tune in which Glen brought even the bus drivers up to sing a chorus. It was a moment of fun and family that I shall not soon forget.
I had a chance to talk with one of the bus drivers after the show and he said that he drives tour buses for a living and he had never encountered anyone quite like Glen and crew. This was a family and every member of the audience left feeling they were now family.
One can only anticipate the follow-up album and until then those of us that didn't know the Frames stuff....now do!
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