The tour bus rolled up to Jil and Michael and Ian and Eric's North End bungalow, and a few minutes later my nonstop gravy-stirring-potato-mashing and the general kitchen cacophony was being recorded by a whole bunch of excited Irish guys. Cameras clicked, introductions were made, and guinea pigs brought out as the entirety of The Swell Season, including road crew and guests, came over for Thanksgiving Dinner.
Joy and John engineered it and brought a ham and a hundred pies. Jil and Michael made turkey and potatoes and gravy and enough other food to feed an army. We brought a turkey and some sides.
The Swell Season brought their appetites, their excitement at their first "American Thanksgiving," and a whole lot of music. Not to mention a busload of wine.
After dinner, Colm brought out his violin and treated us to a beautiful fireside serenade.
Thanksgiving 09, Fiddle by the Fire from Christopher Hess on Vimeo.
And in no time, the player piano was fired up and the wine took effect.
Thanksgiving 09, Opening Jig from Christopher Hess on Vimeo.
Glen sang songs, Marketa sang songs, so did Rob and Betts and Carly and Colm and Graham and undoubtedly a couple that I missed.
Thanksgiving 09, Blue Eyes Cryin In the Rain from Christopher Hess on Vimeo.
Everyone sang, for hours.
Thanksgiving 09, The Old Triangle from Christopher Hess on Vimeo.
Cathy took a turn at the player piano, too.
Thanksgiving 09, My Wild Irish Rose from Christopher Hess on Vimeo.
It was a beautiful, wonderful time. We danced and drank and talked and talked and talked.
"If Thanksgiving's about hanging out with your pals, then this was about perfect." So said Hansard during Friday night's amazing Swell Season show, and for my part I'm happy and thankful to have been a part of it.
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