Sea and Be Scene's 6th Anniversary Salute!

“Sea and Be Scene” is “celebrating 6 years of celebrating Canada’s East Coast”! Stephanie Beaumont, SABS Host, Publisher & Producer, is a clarion voice on the web and television, too, for what makes the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador so special!

 And there’s plenty that does! Rolling with this month’s anniversary fun, SABS catches up with “the truly gifted, ever gorgeous, always creative - Allison Crowe”. Find out what’s on Allison’s Summer musical menu and enter the stellar contests Stephanie’s rounded up for this big celebration! http://seaandbescene.com/2016/07/sabs-6th-birthday-salute-for-july-29th

Hearty congrats to Diane Arsenault of Beaver Cove, NS who’s already won a copy of “Heirs + Grievances”, the debut album from Allison Crowe and Band.

Allison and all of us salute Stephanie and “Sea and Be Scene” on this special anniversary!! Thanks for your super support of Maritime and Atlantic Canada @ http://seaandbescene.com & https://www.facebook.com/Sea-And-Be-Scene-Dot-Com-296089308206

Release (27.07.2001)

15 years ago to this hour, Allison Crowe, one of our truly great musical artists and live performers, in any genre, performed her first international concert with her own band. Allison’s rock-jazz+ trio comprised herself on vocals and keyboard (this was pre-guitar, fiddle and bodhran shows), Dave Baird on bass and Kevin Clevette on drums.

Allison’s combo launched the opening night of the WorldWide Jammer Convergence (WWJC) in Seattle, Washington – an event which brought together Pearl Jam fans from all across the USA and world. After a full set of her band repertoire, and a couple of encores – Allison came back to perform solo this Pearl Jam song, “Release”:

Release (Jammer Convergence - Seattle live) from Allison Crowe on Vimeo.

In 2001, cameras and portable devices were not the feature they are at concerts today, and we’re so fortunate that Jammer Pam Abramowicz Wolfers captured this musical moment in time. WWJC organizer and event MC Sandi Heinrich takes the mic for a final note to this historic night of rock and roll.

The Elusive Resurrection

Times of great trouble in this world. Times, also, of great inspiration. And of great hope.

Hear “The Elusive Resurrection”, from Newfoundland poet Al Pittman’s first collection (Brunswick Press, 1966*):

“Oh for the strength
the indomitable courage
to cast away
this shroud
and leap to life
to run and sing
to free these lips
that now do nothing
but argue
and would kiss
to reach
into the sun and stars
and grasp
what little of heaven
has been given us
to devour”

Another NL great, singer-songwriter Ron Hynes, turned a poem from Pittman’s final collection, “Thirty-for-Sixty”, (published by Breakwater Books in 1999*), into a song. Musician Allison Crowe, home in Corner Brook, NL, where Al Pittman grew up, delivers here the essence of those words:

* Both poems appears in Breakwater’s 2015 release “Al Pittman: Collected Poetry”.

Lisa Marie Young's Story on Casefile

The case of Lisa Marie Young of Nanaimo, Canada is focus of the latest episode (26) of ‘Casefile’, an haunting Australian+ true crime podcast featured in Rolling Stone and on iTunes. It can be heard desk-top via Soundcloud @ https://soundcloud.com/casefile/case-26-lisa-marie-young and on devices @ https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/case-26-lisa-marie-young/id998568017?i=1000372988520&mt=2 and http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/casefile-true-crime-podcast/e/45496269 (+ numerous podcast-playing apps for, both, apple and android).

Musician Allison Crowe wrote “Lisa’s Song” for Lisa, a school-mate, and for Lisa’s family in 2002. It’s now over 14 years since loved ones last saw Lisa – daughter, sister, niece, grand-daughter, cousin, mentor, friend and all else that’s Lisa. Her story from June 30, 2002 is tragic. And it needs to be told until there is justice and, ultimately, some closure: http://www.allisoncrowe.com/lisaspage.html

In December 2015, Canada’s government announced an inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women in this country. Draft terms of reference, recently leaked online, “do not go far enough in scope to look specifically at the effects indifferent or ineffective policing has had on families," says Sheila North Wilson, Grand Chief, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/mmiw-inquiry-violence-prevention-1.3686671)

“If anyone has info and wants to get in touch please do so at casefiletruecrime@gmail.com Will treat any info anonymously,” notes the international team behind ‘Casefile’. You can also email producers of the dramatic documentary series c/o host@casefilepodcast.com and get in touch via direct private message on facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/casefile and the show’s website @ http://casefilepodcast.com 

Neddy Norris Night

This is it, the night of nights. No more rehearsing and nursing a part…

This is the opening of “Neddy Norris Night” at the Gros Morne Theatre Festival. The show, directed by Stephanie Payne, takes to the stage in wide-open heart of an UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site – Gros Morne National Park, in Newfoundland, Canada.

This production of Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador (TNL) is the second musical stage-show of the Summer to include Allison Crowe in its cast/band – fiddle and all. “Newfoundland Vinyl: The Greatest Hits” opened last month – and runs until September 2, 2016.

In “Neddy”, Allison joins director Stephanie Payne, and fellow musicians Dave Baird, Colin Furlong, and Matthew Wheadon.

TNL explains:

“You don’t have to travel far in Newfoundland and Labrador to hear our traditional music – it’s a cultural touchstone, both a shared experience and a national badge of honour. With its narrative power, distinctive sound and strong links to Western Europe, traditional music represents the province’s history and culture, and forms a vital link between the past and present. For many it’s also a proud and powerful manifestation of the ‘unique Newfoundland and Labrador character’.”

The show’s mounted by a production team of Stephanie Payne, Stefanie Power, Lindsay Code, Jeff Pybus and Dan Fletcher – and runs through to September 1, 2016.

More info on showdates, times, and tickets @ http://www.theatrenewfoundland.com/shows/neddy-norris-night-2016

Reflecting Life

The occasion of a friend’s birthday rekindles “Home Reflections”. Musician, photographer and more, Shona McMillan met Allison Crowe when both performed at the “John Lennon Northern Lights Festival” – a magical time and happening in Durness, Scottish Highlands.

Imagery of the McMillans with Goldie, Snowy, the budgies – and a wee friend, Stewart Hall, dropped by for a visit – is accompanied by Allison’s performance of “When I’m Gone” – a tune from the pen of the great topical songwriter Phil Ochs. Shona’s poignant description of this creation on YouTube, old cine films shot by her family in 1960s Edinburgh, says best what it’s all about: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XF40lnbwOYk

It’s capped by Shona’s “mum's favourite saying which was the philosophy by which she tried to live her life: ‘I pass this way but once, any good that I can do - Let Me - for I may not pass this way again’."

Adventures in Music

“Music can be something that unites us, that appeals to our shared humanity, rather than something that divides”, notes Chester, England’s Toby Goodwin, self-declared “music geek” behind the “musicgigsnthings” blog - delivering a 21-song Soundcloud playlist that brings together electro-pop, indie rock, jazz, folk, alt-rock, funky, grunge-tinged sounds and more – for this week’s edition of “Adventures in Music”: https://musicgigsnthings.wordpress.com/2016/07/18/adventures-in-music-10-07-16-16-07-16

Included in this set is “a singer with roots in Canada’s extremities, Corner Brook in Newfoundland and Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, Allison Crowe and Band. ‘Silence’ has folk and country influences running through it but given her unique spin. Her voice quivers with emotion throughout and the melancholic strings only add to the poignancy of the song, which sends shivers down your spine” – https://soundcloud.com/allisoncrowe/silence-allison-crowe-and-band

Discover the full playlist – https://soundcloud.com/tobyone-4/sets/adventures-in-music-10-07-16

Wedding Song - Cohencentric's Marvellous Take

Allan Showalter, always illuminating and entertaining concierge and much more at the Chelsea Hotel of culture blogs, “Cohencentric: Leonard Cohen Considered”, shares the keys to Allison Crowe’s “Wedding Song” video – its musical gallery hung with fotos by Billie Woods: http://cohencentric.com/2016/07/08/wedding-song-allison-crowes-small-masterwork

Checking in with nods to Andrew Marvell, Joni Mitchell, Janis Joplin, Lucinda Williams and Alicia Keys – our guide observes: “Turns out all the hype about about Allison’s vast tonal, thematic, and emotional range is true.” And, with another turn of phrase, unlocks this realization: “Once you’ve heard one Allison Crowe song, You’ve heard one Allison Crowe song.”

NPR's "Caravan" Rides Again

Bill Beckett, Host/Producer of “Caravan” on NPR’s Red River Radio, tells us tonight's show includes music from “Heirs + Grievances” - the debut album of Allison Crowe and Band. From anywhere in the world, you can tune in live, online, and enjoy the Friday, July 8 show starting at 9pm Louisiana, USA time: http://redriverradio.org/post/caravan-mccoy-tyner-live

Here’s what’s cued up on “Caravan”: “This week we'll hear tracks from Ben Folds Five, Terra Naomi, and Cloud Control plus tunes from Allison Crowe, Nick Brumley and Buddy Flett. In our second hour, we join renowned Jazz Artist McCoy Tyner - Live on Stage at Disney hall, and this week in our final hour, It's All Water Under The Bridge, with tracks from Dan Bern, Gemma Hayes, Jack Johnson, Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt, and Bruce Springsteen.”

Newfoundland Vinyl: The Greatest Hits

In Newfoundland’s Gros Morne National Park, one of the most naturally beautiful places on Earth, this Summer there’s near 33 1/3 revolutions of “Newfoundland Vinyl’ – the stage hit that keeps spinning joyfully.

Canadian playwright+ Jeff Pitcher, Artistic Director of Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador since 2000, previews things in this clip from film-maker Peter Buckle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS-dxh1Pd00

After catching Vinyl’s “The Greatest Hits” edition live, he says “what an amazing cast. So much truth, honesty and affiliation with the artists that wrote our famous songs. Moments like this I'm so proud to be the AD of this company.”

Since 2012, when ‘Vinyl’ was conceived by Pitcher, Allison Crowe has served as Musical Director for the production at TNL’s annual Gros Morne Theatre Festival. In the GMTF 2016 program, Crowe notes: “Going over ideas for this year's ‘Vinyl’, I couldn't help but be a little jealous of the song selection that makes up the 'best of...' theme. So much so, in fact, that I wanted to be in the show! As MD, I’ve had a lot of fun choosing songs and hearing them performed night after night – and, over the years, I was always in the audience singing along. Now, I join the cast with a mix of great music from years previous and a bunch of songs we've never done before - so excited to share it all with you!”

Renewing popular and traditional NL songs of the vinyl (record) era, sounding brilliant and looking sharp in period dress, the show’s cast/band features: Dave Baird; Adam Christopher Brake (as Ed); Allison Crowe; Craig Patrick Haley; Robyn Huxter; Marquita Walsh; and Colin Furlong in a guest appearance singing Ron Hynes.

On board Vinyl’s production team: Director & Musical Director – Allison Crowe; Stage Manager – Stefanie Power; Set Design – Derek Butt; Set Coordination – Howard Beye; Costume Coordination – Lindsay Code; Sound Design –Max Simms; and Lighting Coordination – Jeff Pybus.

Now playing three to four nights a week through to September 2, 2016 in The Ethie Room of the Shallow Bay Motel Cabins & Conference Centre, Cow Head, NL. More info on tickets+ for this rollicking musical experience @ http://www.theatrenewfoundland.com/shows/newfoundland-vinyl-the-greatest-hits-2016

Historic Cassidy Inn Disappears in Ring of Fire

The historic Cassidy Inn, where Clark Kent / Superman (Henry Cavill) was bussing as Allison Crowe performed "Ring of Fire" in a bar scene for the 2013 Hollywood blockbuster, "Man of Steel", has played its final note in a blaze. The entire building is now ash following a July 4th inferno.

Cassidy Inn inferno, July 4, 2016 - Nick Boyle Photography

The Cassidy, located just south of Nanaimo, BC, Canada was originally a coal miner's hotel, and, in later years, a biker bar, and, lastly, a movie set. Photos and more history of the building and MoS can be found in Allison's "Man of Steel" gallery @ https://www.facebook.com/23720081675/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10151670513006676

Hollywood movie director Zack Snyder talks about filming an scene in the historic Cassidy Inn with musician Allison Crowe – for “Man of Steel”, the 2013 reboot of the Superman film franchise: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKhcg6tLYLY

Last night, July 4th, the Cassidy, a coal-miner’s residence and biker bar before it became an Hollywood movie set, vanished in a giant ring of fire. Word on this news story is @ http://www.cheknews.ca/fire-damages-cassidy-inn-195684

Independence Day - July 4th Musical Salute!

The independent spirit fuels the music and operations of Ani DiFranco’s Righteous Babe Records. It’s only natural that Allison Crowe, since embarking on her own course as an international touring and recording artist, looks to Ani as a model. Allison’s Rubenesque Records Ltd. has taken the road less traveled since 2001. From “Live at Wood Hall”, (released by RRL in 2005), here’s Allison in concert with a cover of Ani’s song, “Independence Day”: https://allisoncrowe.bandcamp.com/track/independence-day

This track joins a cadre of tunes for a July 4^th feature of the “Cover Lay Down” blog. Boyhowdy presents music of Allison + Ani alongside Eva Cassidy, Lucy Wainwright Roche, Richard Shindell and a dozen more artists performing songs of Paul Simon, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bobby Darin and more.

"Cover Lay Down" founder Boyhowdy, aka Joshua Farber, pens the latest installment to an eloquent "America The Beautiful: More Coverfolk For A Thoughtful Fourth" posting this Independence Day for our American friends and neighbours. It's an episode worth revisiting, notes Farber, "as music which speaks of and for a people, American folk music holds a particular place in the conversation which is America...making it real and vivid, whether it is through the lens of policy critique or protest cry, the immigrant experience or the internal monologue of a singer-songwriter struggling to be free."

Farber wraps the intro to this musical salute: "Happy Birthday, America. Long may your contradictions endear us to you. May you never lose hope. And may we never stop singing."

Independence Day - July 4th Musical Salute!

The independent spirit fuels the music and operations of Ani DiFranco’s Righteous Babe Records. It’s only natural that Allison Crowe, since embarking on her own course as an international touring and recording artist, looks to Ani as a model. Allison’s Rubenesque Records Ltd. has taken the road less traveled since 2001. From “Live at Wood Hall”, (released by RRL in 2005), here’s Allison in concert with a cover of Ani’s song, “Independence Day”: https://allisoncrowe.bandcamp.com/track/independence-day

This track joins a cadre of tunes for a July 4^th feature of the “Cover Lay Down” blog. Boyhowdy presents music of Allison + Ani alongside Eva Cassidy, Lucy Wainwright Roche, Richard Shindell and a dozen more artists performing songs of Paul Simon, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bobby Darrin and more.

"Cover Lay Down" founder Boyhowdy, aka Joshua Farber, pens the latest installment to an eloquent "America The Beautiful: More Coverfolk For A Thoughtful Fourth" posting this Independence Day for our American friends and neighbours. It's an episode worth revisiting, notes Farber, "as music which speaks of and for a people, American folk music holds a particular place in the conversation which is America...making it real and vivid, whether it is through the lens of policy critique or protest cry, the immigrant experience or the internal monologue of a singer-songwriter struggling to be free."

Farber wraps the intro to this musical salute: "Happy Birthday, America. Long may your contradictions endear us to you. May you never lose hope. And may we never stop singing."

An Artful Sunday Serving

Today, Sunday, July 3, Michael Enright, Host of CBC Radio’s “The Sunday Edition”, starts the first hour of his program with an essay on ”why we don’t know anything”. Following this, Enright meets up with “extraordinary polymath” Steve Martin, known to many as comedian, musician and more – and the pair venture through the Art Gallery of Ontario. On Canada Day the AGO opened its comprehensive exhibit, “The Idea of North: The Paintings of Lawren Harris”, curated by Martin, “an eloquent missionary on behalf of” Harris, a member of Canada’s famous “Group of Seven” landscape painters.

Bridging this gallery tour with the show’s next segment – a serenade to a “smart, long-living, matriarchal animal” (the donkey) – is a celebratory musical performance from Allison Crowe and Band. (No spoilers as to the song.) Tune in across Canada (on CBC Radio One - Sunday at 9 a.m. outside NL and 9:30am in NL + 'Round Midnight' Monday at 12 midnight).

Around the world, as well, enjoy the show, any time, by visiting http://www.cbc.ca/radio/thesundayedition/getting-it-wrong-steve-martin-art-curator-in-praise-of-the-donkey-the-biological-clock-canadian-diplomacy-1.3655850 - and clicking on LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE 01:42:58. Allison and Band are heard a little more than 32 minutes into the program – but stick around, as 'The Sunday Edition' delivers more stories in its second hour, and, as promised, “a full course of great music to garnish your Canada Day weekend from Duke Ellington, Dinah Washington, Allison Crowe, Papa Haydn and the Gene di Novi trio”.

Portugal Embraces the Music of Allison Crowe

July 1st we celebrate Canada here – still we are part of the main, a global, cultural, community, and this week, Allison Crowe’s licensed her music for play in stores and market-places throughout continental Europe’s western-most country, the republic of Portugal. Her songs will be heard daily across the Algarve’s beautiful coast, the archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira, in the open air of Lisbon’s artful street galleries, riding the slopes and falls of the country’s lush interior, its mountainous northern region, mingling in the mystery and magic of coastal Alentejo. Up and down the Iberian Peninsula this sound we know and love will ring out.

Why Portugal? There’s a full palette of joys and emotions to be discovered in the art of Allison Crowe. In certain of her songs, too, there is ‘saudade’ – that quality described as “a bitter-sweet, existential yearning and hopefulness towards something over which one has no control”. The “unassailable determinism which compels the resigned yearning of saudade” is the soul of Portugal’s Fado music.

Here, now is Allison Crowe and Band with the sounds of “Silence”:

CBC Radio's Sunday Edition Cues up Celebration

Michael Enright, erudite Host of CBC Radio’s “The Sunday Edition” promises for this July 3rd: “A full course of great music to garnish your Canada Day weekend from Duke Ellington, Dinah Washington, Allison Crowe, Papa (Franz Joseph) Haydn and the Gene DiNovi Trio”.

https://twitter.com/CBCSunday/status/748599562688827392

About the show – which broadcasts on CBC Radio One - Sundays at 9 a.m. (9:30 NT) 'Round Midnight' Monday at 12 midnight, and on Sirius XM Channel 169 - Sundays at 9 a.m.(ET) 'Round Midnight' Sunday Midnight (ET): “For two hours every weekend, The Sunday Edition presents an eclectic blend of conversation, documentaries, personalities and music. The program distinguishes itself through its unpredictable choice of stories. It brings a perspective that is original, intelligent and sometimes funny, reflected through the personality of host Michael Enright.”

For international audiences of Allison Crowe and bandmates - Lin Lin, Sarah White, and Dave Baird - we’ll post links for listening online before this Sunday’s show :)

New Website in Works for Allison Crowe and Band

There’s a bumper crop of things to celebrate at present – so, on we go with the harvest! The new homesite of Allison Crowe and Band is coming together – thanks to the great graphic talents and wonderful design sense of Lin Lin (pictured here), also cellist and vocalist with the group. With concerts upcoming for Canada this Fall and Winter - it'll just require some tweaking of the online ticket/box office, and embedding of Allison's music "ABC List" and a few other features before this will be the place to go to keep up with the thrilling combo of Allison Crowe, Lin Lin, Sarah White and Dave Baird. Right now, here's a preview tour of the new site @ http://www.allisoncrowe.com/wordpress

Allison Crowe and Band's Debut Cresting Canada

Enjoying this glorious day, dialing in to ‘The Big Groove Radio Show’ signal from British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast – Host Brad Mennie’s all-Canadian playlist for July 1st cues up: “From Nanaimo, BC native, now based all the way on the other side of the country - the other side in Corner Brook, Newfoundland - Allison Crowe. Yes! Great to have her back in the mix with a first listen from her new album ‘Heirs + Grievances’. With just some gorgeous sounds and vocals here exploring in all different directions. But because it’s Canada Day I thought the roots of Foggy Shores of Home just seemed to fit perfectly. All those other sounds will be definitely explored in future editions of the show.

With Allison and Band now home in Canada following a sensational concert tour of Europe, the sounds Mennie’s sharing today are being added to music libraries of radio stations across this vast land – including: CFRC (Kingston, ON), CHRW (London, ON), CHMR (St. John’s, NL), CHLY (Nanaimo, BC) and our nation’s public broadcaster, the CBC. (There’s plenty more word to come from H+G’s new music cresting the airwaves.)

The double-album is now released in Canada – and will soon be in stores on the mainland. Right now, “Introducing / Heirs + Grievances” is available to islanders - on the Pacific coast @: Fascinating Rhythm (51 Commercial 250-716-9997), in Nanaimo; Lyle’s Place (770 Yates 250-382-8422) in Victoria; & SaltspringSound CA (131 McPhillips 250-537-00650), SSI, British Columbia. On Canada's Atlantic shore, the band’s debut is found @: MALA (74 Broadway 709-634-4004) in Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador.

The CD collection includes the studio session, “Heirs + Grievances”, and a live set, “Introducing”. It can be ordered by mail for world delivery, and, digitally, the studio recordings are @: http://music.allisoncrowe.com/album/heirs-grievances