Testing Glen Hansard’s Music Knowledge
6/22/202611 min
Today on Track Star*, Jack is joined by Glen Hansard, the acclaimed singer-songwriter, musician, and actor known for his work as a founding member of the band the Frames, as well as his prolific solo musical and acting careers. In this episode, we take a musical journey through his multi-dimensional career, discussing the songs that defined his artistic development from busking on the streets of Dublin to starring in an award-winning movie to working with artists like Eddie Vedder and Bob Dylan. Glen and Jack discuss good people and good music, and the power they have to change lives. This Episode's Tracklist: Jokerman - Bob Dylan Down Payment Blues - AC/DC Rise - Eddie Vedder Same Old Blues - Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band The Makings of You - Curtis Mayfield Disconnection Notice - Sonic Youth Thru and Thru - The Rolling Stones
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsJack Coyne· Host0:00
All right, before we start the music, introduce yourself.
Glen Hansard· Guest0:02
Hi, I'm Glen Hansard, a singer from Ireland.
Jack Coyne· Host0:05
All right, I'm gonna play some songs and you just have to tell me who the artist is.
Glen Hansard· Guest0:07
Oh, okay.
Jack Coyne· Host0:08
It's not about getting the song right, it's about telling me a story.
Glen Hansard· Guest0:11
Okay. Find a story in the song. [laughs] That's... Well, I'm Irish, right? We're good to go.
Jack Coyne· Host0:14
Here you go. Standing on the water. Casting your bread.
Glen Hansard· Guest0:17
Ah, Joker Man, Infidels.
Jack Coyne· Host0:18
On the eyes of the idol with the.
Glen Hansard· Guest0:19
Bob Dylan.
Jack Coyne· Host0:20
Iron head on her.
Glen Hansard· Guest0:20
Oh, man. Now this tune, Sly and Robbie on bass and guitar, my, on drums. Something about this t- I was 15 years old. My girlfriend's big brother gave me a cassette. I was in a kind of a tough spot in life. Sorry, I'm, should be talking about this. [laughs] I was kind of in a funny spot. I was getting into trouble. I was, you know, beginning to steal cars. I just, I was in that, I was in that spot, you know?
Jack Coyne· Host0:39
Yeah.
Glen Hansard· Guest0:39
My girlfriend's big brother gives me a cassette, Bob Dylan, more of Bob Dylan's greatest hits. I put it on, I went into my bedroom for two years, I learned how to play that guitar. I set sail for this man, and you couldn't have given me a better opening song. Thank you.
Jack Coyne· Host0:52
So tell me about that song in particular- Oh, man ... and, and that record.
Glen Hansard· Guest0:55
It's just, it's mystical. Sometimes in rock and roll you get this thing that happens where it's the marriage of the bass, the drums, the vocal, the guitars, whatever they're doing, and then it sets off this kind of space. Van is good at it. It's irrepeatable. You know, have you ever seen the footage of him doing it on Letterman, but, like, a young band?
Jack Coyne· Host1:10
Yeah. On the water. Casting your bread. On the eyes of the idol with the. Iron head on her.
Glen Hansard· Guest1:17
I bet that's the only time it ever happened. I recorded in the same studio that this was recorded in, and I stole a patch lead- [laughs] ... from the, uh, from the control desk and put it in my pocket because maybe something there- A little magic ... a little Bob magic,