It Came Upon a Midnight Clear ~ "Tidings Concert" (song 1)

Peace on the earth, good will toward all...

River ~ "Tidings Concert" (song 2)

Should you have a "Blue" Christmas, here's a "River" you can skate away on... Allison Crowe's "Tidings Concert" lights up this musical evergreen from Joni Mitchell.

Hallelujah ~ "Tidings Concert" (song 3)

As we near the calendar close of this year, full of births and deaths, agonies and ecstasies, and everything in between, may there be peace and joy for you and yours. And, may we join in a chorus of "Hallelujah". Here's Allison Crowe, and "Tidings Concert", channeling Leonard Cohen's old ideas through modern times.

In the Bleak Midwinter ~ "Tidings Concert" (song 4)

Next in the "Tidings Concert" set-list from Allison Crowe is this song - "In the Bleak Midwinter" - with words from Christina G. Rossetti - and music added later by Gustav Holst ("The Planets"+). Allison's vocal and piano arrangement and performance once again bridging heaven and earth :)

Profound Pole-arity

After originally placing Allison Crowe's "Tidings" version of "Hallelujah" in his movie, "Watchmen", in 2009 Hollywood director Zack Snyder decided Allison's take is "too beautiful", "too sexy" and "too romantic" to be paired with what's meant to be a ridiculous scene of love-making aboard an airborne Owl-Ship. We'll never know, of course, but, had Snyder carried out his original vision, Leonard Cohen may never have wished, however temporarily, for a moratorium on use of his song. Demand for feathers and latex, though, may have become such a strain on the natural world - that, in the end, the right course was likely followed.

That blazing union of spirituality and physicality which distinguishes Allison Crowe's performances of "Hallelujah" - and, really, her entire repertoire - and which made her recording deemed not a match for "Watchmen", is also what makes it so ideal for "The Pardon" movie trailer- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oe9yC13crc0 - and its story and stars Jaime King and John Hawkes.

And, I'd suggest, such passion is what also makes Allison's "Hallelujah" the chosen soundtrack for this aerial fitness display by Nicci Arriola at the Annual Winter Recital in Midvale, Utah - for this season dubbed the North Pole. Even if you, as am I, be not familiar with the form of dance and fitness witnessed here, by the second half of the song the language of the movement to the music is fluidly evident.

Northern Lights ~ "Tidings Concert" (song 5)

The world is a wondrous place - and among nature's beautiful displays is the Aurora Borealis. Here's Allison Crowe's song from "Tidings Concert" which reflects on that beauty and the expanses of love: "Northern Lights".

Mary ~ "Tidings Concert" (song 6)

Here's "Mary", a song Allison Crowe first heard on an episode of the "Sons of Anarchy" television drama - and which got her into Patty Griffin, the song's brilliant creator. Allison's friend, driver, and European tour manager, the legendary Axel Dollheiser, was Patty's driver in the 1990s and has been raving about her ever since - particularly the "Living With Ghosts" album. Things happen when and how they do - and, it's a confessional scene involving Gemma Teller (played by Katey Sagal) on SoA that brought this music into Allison's repertoire and "Tidings Concert".

Dearly ~ "Tidings Concert" (song 7)

Allison Crowe's "Tidings Concert" features several guitar songs - and, here's "Dearly" :)

Lights, Camera, Christmas

There are some bright lights shining for Allison Crowe - and, not just on the Christmas tree. Don Bradshaw of NTV, Canada's Superstation, caught up with the amazing musician as she enjoyed a little piano-time outside Santa's workshop, in the North Pole (aka the Corner Brook Arts and Culture Centre).

Now Allison's concert year has wrapped, come join her, along with friends and neighbours, for World Premiere television screenings of Peter Buckle's charming documentary film, "A Corner Brook Tidings" (for broadcast times/dates - click here). Fun for all ages, share in the warmth and meaning of Christmas, and all things we celebrate, in our hearts, in this season, and year-round.

To enjoy Allison's chat with Don Bradshaw of NTV - click here - http://ntv.ca/corner-brook-artist-sings-for-hollywood

"The Pardon" website rolling

Makers of "The Pardon", a dramatic movie starring Jaime King and John Hawkes, earlier this month revealed their selection of Allison Crowe's "Hallelujah" recording as soundtrack for the film's trailer.

Now, the movie's website - http://www.thepardonmovie.com - is growing richer with regular additions of: images - from the film's narrative, as well as historical clippings; a blog; news items; - and music is coming. You can read about the talented cast and crew - and meet the husband-and-wife director-writer team, Tom Anton and Sandi Russell (who previously paired up to create 2005's "At Last" - a romance set in pre-Katrina Louisiana). The News section is enjoying a bumper week, as John Hawkes, already an Oscar nominee (for "Winter's Bone"), is garnering recognition via Best Actor nominations from the Golden Globes, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and IFC Independent Spirit Awards - all for his role in "The Sessions".

To catch Allison's "Tidings" take on Leonard Cohen's much-loved song, you can watch "The Pardon" trailer via the official movie site, and, as well, it's on YouTube, and packing a wallop, @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oe9yC13crc0

Jaime King (as Toni Jo Henry) and John Hawkes ('Arkie' Burks) in a scene from "The Pardon"

Disease ~ Allison Crowe's "Tidings Concert" (song 8)

An highlight for many experiencing "Tidings Concert", and, from the outside, perhaps unexpectedly so, is Allison Crowe's performance of "Disease". It fits in Allison's exploration of the many emotions and colours of the season, of life itself, and, has become a tradition, ever-evolving, in its singular way. "Power-house intense" is how one European reviewer describes it, saying: "the energy of 'Disease' can easily provide electricity to a small country for a decade."

What Child Is This ~ "Tidings Concert" (song 9)

"What Child Is This", one of the traditional carols and hymns in the "Tidings Concert" repertoire, in this arrangement by Allison Crowe finds its melody in the 16th Century, Greensleeves, and words from the 19th Century's William C. Dix and The Manger Throne. The passion - timeless :)

Up to the Mountain ~ "Tidings Concert" (song 10)

Continuing as best we can, (counting, that is,), in reverse chronology - presenting the songs of "Tidings Concert" - here's a tune written by Patty Grffin, an artist Allison Crowe discovered while watching a favourite television show, "Sons of Anarchy". This particular song, not in the SoA soundtrack, was recommended to Allison by Canadian acoustic soul-singer Bob Benvenuti (seek him out!): "Up to the Mountain".

Arthur ~ "Tidings Concert" (song 11)

Typing a little too fast - as I've just received some fun fotos I want to upload... in that last post, I meant to say, for those of us who are more than a sleigh-ride from this film event fun, here's Allison, performing "Arthur", one of her original songs on "Tidings Concert"

The First Noel ~ "Tidings Concert" (song 12)

The First Noel", one of the traditional carols on Allison Crowe's "Tidings Concert", album never fails to get me singing along. More reason to be thankful - to wit, I don't use a webcam :) Instead, here's Allison, whose "resonant, rich, gorgeous voice seems as much a manifestation of Christmas as an instrument for singing holiday songs" says the wise man and blogger, Allan Showalter (of "1HeckofaGuy.com" - http://1heckofaguy.com/2011/12/12/its-beginning-to-sound-a-lot-like-allison-crowe )

Let It Be ~ "Tidings Concert" (song 13)

Allison Crowe's exciting and inspiring year on the road - embracing musical theatre, ballet, movies, and concert tours - is a wrap. We now return to our regular program of sharing comfort and joy online. Catching up a wee bit today, with a double-bill from Allison's new "Tidings Concert" album. Here be a "Paul' song - from the ever-gladdening Beatles repertoire - and songs of John Lennon and Paul McCartney: "Let It Be"

"A Corner Brook Tidings" World Film Premiere

Peter Buckle's documentary, "A Corner Brook Tidings" - a film featuring Allison Crowe and you, has its World Premiere this weekend. There's been a sighting of a man on a sleigh, pulled by what appear to be reindeer, or, maybe daschunds... on a snowy rooftop - just before this trailer appeared down the online chimney...

World Premiere of the Peter Buckle-directed documentary film ~ "A Corner Brook Tidings"

“A Corner Brook Tidings”

World Film Premiere

It’s coming on “Tidings” – and that means the voice of Allison Crowe rings out traditional favourites, Christmas carols such as “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”, “In the Bleak Midwinter”, and “The First Noel”, alongside the modern canon of Joni Mitchell, Patty Griffin, Lennon & McCartney and original song selections including the elegiac “Arthur”, and the epic, foot-stomping, “Disease”.

Allison’s just wrapped up her second engagement of this year with Canada’s amazing Royal Winnipeg Ballet – performing songs of Leonard Cohen. With the love experienced on the dance stage, as well as recent European concert dates and this Summer’s Gros Morne Theatre Festival hit, “Newfoundland Vinyl”, still touching souls – it’s time to rally a repertoire that decks us all in comfort and joy whatever life’s circumstances. On Friday, December 14 in the ACC Theatre is this year’s live “Tidings” concert.

Saturday, December 15, the lights go down in the ACC Lobby for 7 pm and 9 pm screenings of the Peter Buckle-directed documentary ~ "A Corner Brook Tidings" – “a film featuring Allison Crowe and you”. (A live album, “Tidings Concert”, has just been released on iTunes + as a sister project. http://allisoncrowe.com/news.html )

These audio and video works are created with gracious assistance of the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council – and kind shepherding by Katrina Rice, NLAC Program Officer. Assistance for the World Premiere showings is provided by the College of the North Atlantic in Corner Brook and the CNA’s Recording Arts Program, Bay St. George Campus, Stephenville.

Here’s a preview from Film Director and Producer Peter Buckle, (CNA Instructor - Film & Video Production):

" ‘A Corner Brook Tidings’ is a fusion of live musical performances, stories and spectacular home-grown scenes woven through a wondrous Christmas theme.

This documentary will take you on a very special journey around the exceptionally beautiful City of Corner Brook and juxtaposed with local family Christmas stories and, of course, thrilling and heart-warming music from the incomparably talented Allison Crowe.

Christmas is a time for friends, family and tradition. This documentary film is sure to bring you all the true Christmas sprit in a tightly wrapped package.”

When: Saturday, December 15th, 2012
Two Screenings: 7pm and 9pm
Where: Arts and Culture Centre – Lobby - CB ACC, 11 University Drive, Corner Brook, NL A2H 6C3
Admission: Free - in the spirit of the season!
Premiere Film Passes available @:
Brewed West - 35 West Street - (709) 634-7100 ext. 2;
Brewed on Bernard - 93 Mt. Bernard Avenue, CB - (709) 634-7100 ext. 3;
Newfound Sushi - 117 Broadway, CB - (709) 634-6666; and
SkiWorld - George's Mountain Village, Steady Brook - (709) 639-8168

For more Info call Peter Buckle @ 709-639-4576 or email @ buckle_peter@yahoo.ca

http://music.allisoncrowe.com/album/tidings-concert

Music for the season and all time

Silent Night - Allison Crowe's "Tidings Concert" (song 14)

“Silent Night” – together with “O Holy Night” – dates back to Allison Crowe’s very first association with Christmas carols. Allison’s moved from singing these beautiful songs to herself, to sharing them with the world. Here’s her newest recording of a song born in Austria, nearly 200 years ago. It’s part of “Tidings Concert“.

O Holy Night - Allison Crowe's "Tidings Concert" (song 15)

One of the first Christmas carols loved and performed by Allison Crowe. She recalls learning "O Holy Night" (and "Silent Night") from a songbook belonging to grandparents' or parents', and, being a shy little girl, playing and singing this quietly in the basement of the family home :) Today, Allison notes, she performs it more loudly, and, here 't'is, in "Tidings Concert".

In My Life + Imagine - Allison Crowe's "Tidings Concert" (encore songs 1 + 2)

"In My Life", penned by John Lennon and fellow Beatle Paul McCartney, the first encore song of "Tidings Concert", performed by Allison Crowe.

A double reality of "John" songs - here's "Imagine", by John Lennon, performed by Allison as the next encore.

"The Pardon" movie trailer

Allison Crowe’s “Tidings” recording of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” is soundtrack to a movie trailer – just released for “The Pardon” – a motion picture to be released in 2013:

Alternating currents of the flesh and the spirit witnessed in the trailer are channeled by Hollywood veteran Blair Daily – whose editing and post-production supervision credits include work on several Barry Levinson films eg. “Good Morning Vietnam”, “Rain Man”, “Bugsy”, “Avalon”, “Wag the Dog” and “Man of the Year”. Daily also worked on “Quiz Show” with Robert Redford and “Adventures in Baby Sitting” with Chris Columbus.

“The Pardon” is directed by Tom Anton, produced by Tom Anton, Sandi Russell, Jacqueline George and Blair Daily. The film stars Jaime King (“Sin City”, “Hart of Dixie”), Academy Award nominee John Hawkes (“Winter’s Bone”, “Lincoln”), Jason Lewis, M.C. Gainey, T.J. Thyne, Tim Guinee, Leigh Whannell and John Valdetero.

Toni Jo Henry (Jaime King), partnered with Finnon ‘Arkie’ Burks (John Hawkes) in an ill-conceived plan to rob a bank, is arrested and accused of brutally murdering Joseph P. Calloway (John Valdetero), a traveling salesman, on Valentine’s Day 1940. In a system stacked against her, Toni Jo fights for her life with the help of two inexperienced tax attorneys and visits from Father Wayne Richard (T.J. Thyne). The sensational details of the crime and her remarkable beauty combine to deliver Toni Jo into unparalleled notoriety. A powerful story of love and despair, hope and redemption, “The Pardon” is based on an actual murder case tried in the State of Louisiana.

Creators of “The Pardon” have just launched the movie website @ http://www.thepardonmovie.com - there’s plenty more, indeed, coming soon!

NB Turns out - we got a "sneak preview" - the film-makers are still building their website, and the trailer is due for release soon, just not as soon as we caught it!

I Never Loved a Man... ~ Allison Crowe's "Tidings Concert" (encore song 3)

Passion is all seasons. Allison Crowe - an encore song from "Tidings Concert".

Believe Me If All... ~ "Tidings Concert" (encore song 4)

From Allison Crowe's "Tidings Concert" - here's a song that's one of the first recorded tunes to reach 'round the world - from John McCormack's day to now :)