Review: “Once”

Shot on a shoestring budget and starring two people who had barely acted before in their lives, 2007’s Once has gone on to develop an immense following thanks to its cinéma vérité style, honest storytelling and captivating soundtrack.  A simple story of an Irish street musician (Glen Hansard) who develops a musical relationship with a Czech flower seller (Markéta Irglová), the film is, without a doubt, one of the most honest films about the world of musicians I’ve ever had the pleasure of viewing.

Much like a standard musicial, the film allows the songs to further the story, delving into topics like break-ups (“Broken Hearted Hoover Fixer Sucker Guy, ” and, “Lies”), a technique which not only showcases each song’s excellence in its entirety, but also provides great framework for show-stoppers like the Oscar-winning, “Falling Slowly, ” an emotional tune that truly gets me every time I hear it.  Even more skillful songwriting makes an appearance during a scene in a recording studio, where the two lay down several songs with the help of a backing band-it is here that we’re fortunate to witness the recording of, “When Your Mind’s Made Up, ” an unbelievable song in 6/8 that gives the soundtrack an additional boost.

As I obviously treasure these songs a great deal, I will not be posting links to videos or mp3s of any of the aforementioned tunes, instead recommending that anyone who reads this blog post take a few hours to watch Once.  I will, however, direct those same readers to the video below, in which Hansard does easily the most incredible cover of Van Morrison’s, “Astral Weeks, ” I’ve ever seen/heard.  Thanks to Tony Memmel for pointing this out!  🙂

At the risk of sounding like the host of Reading Rainbow, if you’re interested in more music from the talented duo that star in Once, do check out The Swell Season, who have released three LPs to date including last year’s Strict Joy.  Hansard has also enjoyed a successful career in his own right, as a member of Irish rock group The Frames and the mastermind behind a wealth of solo recordings.

Artist Profile: Drew De Four

One of the many things I was looking forward to this past summer while vacationing in Ireland was the rich, diverse Irish music scene, something us Yanks have gotten a taste of through films like 2007’s Once.  Fortunately, during my second night in Dublin, my wife, cousin and myself had a chance to hit the pubs and see what we could find, eventually stumbling upon an artist named Drew De Four.

To say I’ve never seen someone play piano like Drew would be an understatement.  The energy and musicianship he displayed that night were unparalleled, with a voice that fit within the confines of the bar perfectly.  However, his music was able to transcend that live setting-after his set (of which I unfortunately only saw a few songs), I picked up the disc he had for sale that night, an interesting collection of demos, rarities and live tracks that showed off his songwriting and diverse musical tastes.  Although he hails from Michigan, his music is rich in Irish overtones, especially his piano on songs like, “Marie, ” along with his arsenal of pint-in-the-air anthems.  Songs like, “The Tower, ” almost seem to recall a bluesy, ’70s-vibe, while, “Keep A Light, ” turns up the emotion with touching lyrics and a gradual layering of instruments, including drums, guitars, and a fantastic female backing vocal.  “Damned, ” is a true masterpiece, a swinging tune that one can instantly picture echoing through the music halls of the ’20s and ’30s.  The blues makes a return on, “You Only Kiss Me When You’re Drunk, ” and, “In The End You Die, ” is just pure, unabashed fun.

But this is only a taste.  With three releases under his belt (including last year’s The Troubadour), influences ranging from Tom Waits to Joe Cocker to The Beatles and a busy touring schedule, one is bound to find something they like whether it be his music and/or his live performance-an absolute treat which shouldn’t be missed.  Check him out at http://www.myspace.com/drewd4, at his official site at http://www.drewdefour.com, at http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/DrewDeFour (for samples of his tunes and an opportunity to buy his music online), and do head over to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkAkhgt4G5c for one of the most unbelievable solo renditions of, “Bohemian Rhapsody, ” you’ll ever hear.

What else can be said about this musical wunderkind?  Not only is he probably one of the few people I could look in the eye without having to crouch (at 6’7″), but he’s one of the few artists my wife and I can agree on, what with her country leanings and my rock ‘n roll love.  That alone should say something.  🙂

Very few people to me represent a living, breathing embodiment of music.  Drew De Four is, without question, one of them-the talent he possesses will surely continue to carry him down the road from venue to venue, from the mp3 player to your ear, from this lifetime well into the next.