15 Years of Rubenesque Records

My record company turned 15 today - besides feeling 100 years old, I feel other things. I feel lucky to get to do what I do, even though I absolutely want to throw up my hands and quit sometimes. I feel hopeful that there is art in this world and that there is expression - I wouldn't be here without it. I feel grateful to somehow always be surrounded by giant hearts with bodies who inspire me when I stop believing inspiration is even a thing. I feel like if you don't like what you're listening to, or writing, or anything - and you think those days are gone and that those things are dead - write what you believe. Create the art your soul is missing. Share it and listen in return to your kindred spirits. They're waiting just like you are. Actively search. Communicate what you can and listen until you can't anymore. Find the medium that works for you. Just love. Just do. ~ Allison

Allison Crowe's Rubenesque Records Celebrates 15 Years

Rubenesque Records, the music label of Allison Crowe, is 15.

Rubenesque logo - conceived by Allison Crowe & designed by Lin Lin

An artist, a person with the integrity of this Canadian islander was always going to find her own way and on August 23, 2001, Allison incorporated Rubenesque Records Ltd. and carried on the road less-traveled – stating: "Soulful. Alive. Joyous. Grievous. Real, true, music is what I want to make."

Righteous Babe Record’s founders, musician Ani DiFranco and manager Scot Fisher, remain a model of truly independent spirit and creativity in today’s record industry – hopeful proof that "If you are disgustingly sincere and terribly diligent, there are ways for any serious artist to operate outside the corporate structure."

Rubenesque Records marks its 15th year with the debut of Allison Crowe and Band – “Introducing / Heirs + Grievances” – the 20th release by the label, and the launch of another, exciting, creative phase.

Virtuoisic, versatile and visceral – Allison Crowe’s amazing body of work is experienced through more than 150 original song recordings, on board with Canadiana, sea chanteys, Celtic aires, hymns, carols, tunes of Newfoundland and Labrador, centuries-old broadside ballads renewed, as well as singular interpretations of Counting Crows, Pearl Jam, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Tori Amos, The Beatles, Broadway, jazz, soul and so much else.

Allison’s talents and accomplishments are too vast and varied to be summed up in words. The music says it all @ http://music.allisoncrowe.com

“Allison Crowe August” is what DJ Mark Jabroni of CHMR Radio in St. John’s, NL has proclaimed this month. Rubenesque itself has some special music releases, tours, concerts and more fun in the works to celebrate with gusto this August – and everything after.

Right now, bridging the years, here’s vintage video of Allison performing in Vienna early this century paired with audio from her band’s most recent concert in Vancouver. “Secrets”, Allison Crowe’s piano and vocals with cellist Lin Lin is part of “Introducing”, the live disc half of Rubenesque’s newest (RRL 00020). Sláinte mhaith!!

"Allison Crowe's Resonant Echoes of Woodstock"

Blogger Allan Showalter, a literary locksmith transcending via “Cohencentric: Leonard Cohen Considered”, the online key for many a pair of Cohenphilic roller skaters, today picks a classic from the Woodstock era: “Allison Crowe Revitalizes Melanie’s “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)”:

"Allison Crowe’s Resonant Echoes Of Woodstock

Allison Crowe’s cover of Melanie Safka’s hymn to peace and love merits special attention.

First, the story of the song’s creation is necessary..."

http://cohencentric.com/2016/08/19/allison-crowe-revitalizes-melanies-lay-down-candles-in-the-rain

CHMR's A-show Marks Week 3 of "Allison Crowe August"

“Allison Crowe August” Week 3 is the main event on today’s card as CHMR 93.5FM Radio (http://www.mun.ca/chmr) double-teaming DJs FanBoy Mark Jabroni and Reverend Jason Cantwell keep up their musical A-show. You can even phone in, or email a request, to ‘The Friday Morning Markout’, ‘Ring-Rust’, and ‘Uberswank’. All the music of Allison Crowe is the big draw. Her band’s debut, “Introducing / Heirs + Grievances” can be won. Listen in online for the latest sounds of this month-long slow burn. Search "CHMR's RING RUST" on the Stitcher app, or listen live via http://www.chmr.ca/main.html

Week 2 of "Allison Crowe August" Live

Woke this morning to the sounds of ‘The Friday Morning Markout’ on CHMR Radio – with genial show-host FanBoy Mark Jabroni ringing in “week 2 of ‪#‎AllisonCroweAugust‬!”

Hearing the DJ spin almost the entire two-night concert set of Allison – “Live at Wood Hall” – on the air’s a welcome reminder of how great is this release: http://music.allisoncrowe.com/album/live-at-wood-hall It’s an all-time fan fave, particularly in Europe where the sound of solo voice and piano is especially appreciated. Here’s a capsule description from when Rubenesque Records first posted this double-disc – dim the lights and enjoy the concerts:

Live at Wood Hall is an exciting journey through Allison Crowe's concert repertoire, recorded with a simple clarity in the converted chapel of Victoria (B.C.)'s Conservatory of Music. Alongside more than an album's worth of original songs of love and hope, social and political conscience, and real beauty, Allison covers cherished favourites - including Ani DiFranco ("Independence Day"), Counting Crows ("A Murder of One"), Tori Amos ("Playboy Mommy"), Janis Joplin ("Me and Bobby McGee"), and John Lennon ("Imagine"). Colours in the artist's musical palette range from roots & blues, through folk, pop/rock, jazz and Broadway. There's even a traditional Irish aire, "Believe Me If All (Those Endearing Young Charms)", sung acappella. Once again, Larry Anschell (Turtle Studios) captures the music on tape and Alix Whitmire designs the beautiful artwork/CD cover. " 'Music, man, that's where it's at'/ it is a religious line/ outside, the chimes rung/ an they/ are still ringin."

Full album credits, track-listing and all at the link below. And, to enjoy week 3 of “Allison Crowe August” upcoming - search "CHMR's RING RUST" on the Stitcher app, or listen live via http://www.chmr.ca/main.html 

Lisa Marie Remembered - Today in The Toronto Star

Lisa Marie Young is remembered today by her Mother Joanne Young and friend, Dallas Hulley, in The Toronto Star, Canada’s largest daily newspaper: https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/08/06/inquiry-brings-back-memories-of-nanaimo-woman-missing-since-2002.html 

Allison Crowe wrote “Lisa’s Song” in 2002 for Lisa and her family.

National and international focus can hopefully help people come forward to say who’s involved and what happened after the “Jag guy” Chris Adair took Lisa from the house-party where she’d been celebrating with friends – now 14 years ago.

Those who know the truth and fear reprisals, anyone wary of communicating within Nanaimo and environs can know there are options now to get the truth out – where it can matter. The Toronto Star’s reporter on the story, Verity Stevenson, the investigative team in Australia and other countries behind the true crime podcast ‘Casefile’, and the commissioners and staff, in Ottawa and beyond, conducting the just-launched Canadian federal government inquiry into murdered and missing indigenous women – all present new channels to confidentially share information. Others are ready to listen now as well when people reach out to tell more of Lisa's story.

"Allison Crowe August" and Everything

Corner Brook's Allison Crowe, internationally-heralded recording artist and touring sensation, returns to the Gros Morne Theatre Festival concert stage to share a repertoire of gorgeously thrilling rock, jazz, Celtic, folk, roots, pop and soul music that's bound to include selections from Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador's hit show "Newfoundland Vinyl". Allison (vocals, piano, guitar, fiddle and bodhran) is joined in concert by very special guests, Sarah White (mandolin, guitar and vocals) and Dave Baird (bass) for a midsummer's night full of fun and celebration. (http://music.allisoncrowe.com)

CHMR’s Mark Jabroni, Host of The Friday Morning Markout, Ring-Rust, and Uberswank, raises the banner on “Allison Crowe August”, declaring: “Every Friday in August, the music of Allison Crowe will fill the CHMR airwaves! Including her new double CD!”: http://www.mun.ca/chmr

And in this Corner Brook - on the Mark all month with FanBoy Jabroni (http://markjabroni.s5.com) and the Reverend Jerry Cantwell on CHMR 93.5-FM tag-team broadcasting from the campus of Memorial University, St. John’s, NL. Check the slamming schedule @ http://www.mun.ca/chmr/main.html and tune in from anywhere in the world. Join the fray at Ring Rust: https://www.facebook.com/CHMRsRingRust

The celebrating started early with a salute to and from Stephanie Beaumont of “Sea and Be Scene”, stellar supporter of East Coast culture on the occasion of SABS’ 6th anniversary: http://seaandbescene.com/2016/07/sabs-6th-birthday-salute-for-july-29th

Find out what’s on Allison’s Summer musical menu via “Sea and Be Scene” and in sister NL newspaper links here as well! Here’s a taste…

"Between the recording and playing of music and her work in theatre, Allison Crowe's life as a Corner Brook-based artist sees little rest. This summer has been no exception," writes Danette Dooley.

Dooley catches up with Crowe between performances of "Neddy Norris Night" and "Newfoundland Vinyl: The Greatest Hits" at the Gros Morne Theatre Festival -- and days before the musician's own concert, with very special guests, this coming Friday night (9pm, August 5), at GMTF.

All the news from stage and studio -- with Allison Crowe and Band's debut album -- live in The Western Star @ http://www.thewesternstar.com/Living/2016-08-01/article-4603029/Allison-Crowe-taking-on-new-challenges-in-busy-artistic-year/1

The Telegram, singing from St. John's, keeps up the chorus of Danette Dooley's feature in the sister to "The People's Paper": "Allison Crowe taking on new challenges in busy artistic year": http://www.thetelegram.com/Living/2016-08-01/article-4603029/Allison-Crowe-taking-on-new-challenges-in-busy-artistic-year/1

Allison Crowe w. guests in Concert is part of GMTF's "Who's Darkening Our Door" Concert Series. Concerts are performed in the Ethie Room, Shallow Bay Motel, 193 Main Street, Cow Head, NL, A0K 2A0

For tickets and more info call: show contact info or toll-free show contact info or visit: https://tickets.theatrenewfoundland.com/TheatreManager/1/tmEvent/tmEvent165.html

$30.00+HST adults; $15.00+HST students - Thanks!

Wishing you and yours the very best this Regatta Week and Summerlong!

Allison Crowe's Busy Year Features in Sister Papers

“Between the recording and playing of music and her work in theatre, Allison Crowe's life as a Corner Brook-based artist sees little rest. This summer has been no exception,” says Western Star writer Danette Dooley.

Dooley catches up with Crowe between performances of “Neddy Norris Night” and “Newfoundland Vinyl: The Greatest Hits” at the Gros Morne Theatre Festival – and days before the musician's own concert, with very special guests, this coming Friday night (August 5), at GMTF.

All the news from stage and studio – with Allison Crowe and Band’s debut album – live today in The Western Star @ http://www.thewesternstar.com/Living/2016-08-01/article-4603029/Allison-Crowe-taking-on-new-challenges-in-busy-artistic-year/1

The Telegram, singing from St. John’s, Newfoundland, keeps up the chorus of Danette Dooley's feature in the sister to "The People's Paper": “Allison Crowe taking on new challenges in busy artistic year”: http://www.thetelegram.com/Living/2016-08-01/article-4603029/Allison-Crowe-taking-on-new-challenges-in-busy-artistic-year/1

Foto Fun

Fun reveal - Allison Crowe's foto for "Sea and Be Scene" - to celebrate the 6th anniversary of Stephanie Beaumont's site saluting East Coast Canada! (with a contest, to boot) http://seaandbescene.com/2016/07/sabs-6th-birthday-salute-for-july-29th