The Swell Season, “Don’t Want To Know”

The original 1973 version of “I Don’t Want To Know” by John Martyn was a plaintive, deceptively simple folk rock ballad – the perfect example of the stuff that earned him an ardent following before his death in 2008. The Swell Season -- the handle of folk duo Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, who won an Oscar for “Falling Slowly” from the recent indie film Once -- balance the song’s haunting elegance with delicately shaded harmonies and a casual acoustic treatment. As the simple, cathartic refrain “I don’t want to know about evil/ I only want to know about love” repeats over a swell of piano and acoustic bass, it becomes a kind of mantra about love, denial and heartbreak. It’s worthy of Martyn’s ample gifts, and a testament to his ability to turn a simple phrase into a powerful statement. – Nate Cavalieri

"I Don't Wanna Know" The Swell Season

3 comments:

JCE said...

Awesome cover! The film about the band is opening around the country this month! www.theswellseasonmovie.com

Brian said...

Guys - seriously have to thank you for all this. I've heard so many awesome bands and solo acts since I joined - never would have found them on my own. Great stuff!

nomad said...

Nice. Thank you!

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