Happiest New Year!!

Happy New Year!! In every way :) Sláinte mhaith!

Felice anno nuovo! Gelukkige nuwejaar! Ilufio ètussé! Gëzuar vitin e ri! E glëckliches nëies! عام سعيد aam saiid! Shnorhavor nor tari! Amokitanone! Yeni iliniz mübarək! Aw ni san'kura! Mbuee! Urte berri on! З новым годам Z novym hodam! Shuvo noboborsho! Asgwas amegas! Mbembe mbu! Nauka sal mubarak hoe! Bonne année! Sretna nova godina! Bloavezh mat! честита нова година Chestita nova godina! Hnit thit ku mingalar pa! Sun lin fi lok! Bon any nou! Malipayong bag-ong tuig! 新年快乐 Xin nian kuai le! Bledhen nowedh da! Pace è salute! Sretna nova godina! šťastný nový rok! Godt nytår! Sale naw tabrik! Mbu mwa bwam! Gelukkig nieuwjaar! Feliĉan novan jaron! Head uut aastat! Eƒé bé dzogbenyui nami! Mbembe mbu! Bamba mbou! Gott nýggjár! Manigong bagong taon! Onnellista uutta vuotta! Mikudo xwe yoyo! Lokkich neijier! Bon an! Dioul mo wouri! Feliz ano novo! გილოცავთ ახალ წელს Gilocavt akhal tsels! Frohes neues Jahr! Καλή Χρονιά Kali xronia! Sal mubarak! Rogüerohory año nuévo-re! Bònn ané! Barka da sabuwar shekara! Hauoli makahiki hou! שנה טובה Shana tova! Ombura ombe ombua! Nav varsh ki subhkamna! Nyob zoo xyoo tshiab! Boldog új évet! Gleðilegt nýtt ár! Obi anuri nke afor ohuru! Selamat tahun baru! ᐅᑭᐅᒥ ᓄᑖᒥ ᖁᕕᐊᓱᒋᑦᓯ Ukiumi nutaami quviasugitsi! Ath bhliain faoi mhaise! Buon anno! Sugeng Warsa enggal! あけまして　おめでとう　ございます Akemashite omedetô gozaimasu! Aseggas ameggaz! ಹೊಸ ವರ್ಷದ ಹಾರ್ಧಿಕ ಶುಭಾಶಯಗಳು Hosa varshada hardika shubhashayagalu! Nav reh mubarakh! Zhana zhiliniz kutti bolsin! Sur sdei chhnam thmei! Ngethi cya mwaka mweru! umwaka mwiza! ЖАӉЫ ЖЫЛЫӉЫЗДАР МЕНЕН Zhany zhylynyzdar menen! 새해 복 많이 받으세요 Seh heh bok mani bat uh seyo! Sala we ya nû pîroz be! Mvhura zompe zongwa! Sabai di pi mai! Felix sit annus novus! Laimīgu Jauno gadu! Bón ànno nêuvo! Bonana! Laimingų Naujųjų Metų! Gelükkig nyjaar! Omwaka omulungi! E gudd neit Joër! Среќна Нова Година Srekna nova godina! Arahaba tratry ny taona! Selamat tahun baru! Nava varsha ashamshagal! Is-sena t-tajba! Kia porotu te ano ou! Kia hari te tau hou! Navin varshaachya hardik shubbheccha! Kaoha nui tenei ehua hou! Ose:rase! Шинэ жилийн баярын мэнд хvргэе Shine jiliin bayariin mend hurgeye! Wênd na kô-d yuum-songo! Umyaka omucha omuhle! Naya barsha ko subhakamana! Ngeu' shwi pong mbeo paghe! Jostouse anna! Godt nyttår! Bon annada! Subha nababarsa! naya sar Mubarak! Ungil beches er rak! Bon anja! Nawe kaalmo mobarak sha! Gelukkig Nieu jaar! سال نو مبارک Sâle no mobârak! Szczęśliwego nowego roku! ਨਵੇਂ ਸਾਲ ਦੀਆਂ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ Nave saal deeyan vadhaiyaan! Bun di bun onn! Baxtalo nevo bersh! Un an nou fericit! С Новым Годом (S novim godom)! Ia manuia le tausaga fou! Luholâš uđđâ ive! buorre ådå jagev! Lihkolaš ođđa jagi! Leklvaz ođđ eeˊjj! Buerie orre jaepie! Nzoni fini ngou! Bonu annu nou! Bliadhna mhath ur! Срећна Нова година Srećna Nova godina! Mwaha mwema! Goredzva rakanaka! Nain saal joon wadhayoon! ශුභ අළුත් අවුරුද්දක් වේවා Shubha aluth awuruddak weiwa! Omaka t'etcha kin washte kte ni! Srečno novo leto! Dobir leto! Sanad wanagsan! Feliz año Nuevo! Wan bun nyun yari! Mwaka mzuri! Gott nytt år! Es guets Nöis! Manigong bagong taon! Ia orana i te matahiti api! соли нав муборак Soli nav muborak! Assugas amegaz! இனிய புத்தாண்டு நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள் Iniya puthandu nal Vazhthukkal! Yaña yıl belän! నూతన సంవత్శర శుభాకాంక్షలు Nuthana Samvathsara subhakankshalu! สวัสดีปีใหม่ Sawatdii pimaï! Tashi delek! Sanat farah wa khare! Tshidimu tshilenga! Itumelele ngwaga o mosha! Posa varshada shubashaya! Yeni yılınız kutlu olsun! Gluk in'n tuk! Vyľ Aren! Щасливого Нового Року / З Новим роком Z novym rokom! Naya sal mubarak! Yangi yilingiz qutlug' bo'lsin! Chúc Mừng Nǎm Mới! Ene boune anéye! Bone annéye! Blwyddyn newydd dda! Bon lanné! Dewenati! Nyak'omtsha! אַ גוט יאָר A gut jor! Eku odun! Barka'n da djiri tagio! Unyaka omusha omuhle!

New Year's Countdown / Auld Lang Syne from Allison Crowe on Vimeo.

Allison Crowe Rides Out 2016 on NPR Red River Radio's "Caravan"

NPR’s “Caravan” rides into the New Year with a show featuring music from Allison Crowe, Townes Van Zandt+ in a line-up of great artists. The program’s global mosaic of Roots, Classical, Jazz, Folk, Rock, Alternative and more includes a concert segment – this week enjoy Iris DeMent at Newport. Capping 2016 on Red River Radio “Caravan” Host/Producer Bill Beckett notes:

“Airs Friday, December 30, at 9 p.m. This week on the Caravan we'll feature music new music by Jason Isbell, Terra Naomi, Lisa Loeb, The Howling Brothers and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band... plus music from Townes Van Zandt, Allison Crowe, Roy Book Binder, Robert Earl Keen and a couple of classic tracks from the Bluebirds. This week in our Concert Hour, Iris DeMent take the stage at the Newport Folk Festival, and in our final hour we'll seek answers to One Simple Question. Join us Friday at 9 for the Caravan on Red River Radio.”

Tune in live from anywhere in the world – this Friday, December 30 @ 9:00pm Louisiana, USA time: http://redriverradio.org/post/caravan-iris-dement-live-concert-newport

Tidings

"Tidings" music for the season and all time - and no need, even, to get up and flip the record over. Enjoy:

Enjoy all 29 songs - sacred and secular, trad to modern - now open on Allison’s Musical Advent Calendar further down this webpage and also @ http://allisoncrowe.com/MusicalAdventCalendar2016.html

Peace :)

O Holy Night - Day 29 on the Musical Advent Calendar

“O Holy Night” completes the Musical Advent Calendar for 2016. On Christmas Day Allison Crowe delivers this much-loved, traditional, carol – music by Adolphe C. Adam (1803-1856) and words: Placide Cappeau, 1847 (Minuit, chrétiens, c'est l'heure solennelle); translated from French to English by John S. Dwight (1812-1893):

(Hear the “Tidings” album version @ http://music.allisoncrowe.com/track/o-holy-night)

Enjoy all 29 songs - sacred and secular, trad to modern - now open on Allison’s Musical Advent Calendar @ http://allisoncrowe.com/MusicalAdventCalendar2016.html

Silent Night (Stille Nacht) - Day 28 on the Musical Advent Calendar

“Silent Night” (“Stille Nacht”), first performed on Christmas Eve in 1818, is on the Musical Advent calendar now (Day 28) from Allison Crowe’s “Tidings” video session:

(The album version is @ http://music.allisoncrowe.com/track/silent-night)

Each day through Christmas enjoy a new song on Allison’s Musical Advent Calendar @ http://allisoncrowe.com/MusicalAdventCalendar2016.html

What Child Is This (Greensleeves) - Day 27 on the Musical Advent Calendar

Musically manifesting power and glory – it’s Day 27 on the Musical Advent Calendar and Allison Crowe’s jazz arrangement of the traditional carol combo – “What Child Is This (Greensleeves)”:

Each day through Christmas celebrate with a new song on Allison’s Musical Advent Calendar @ http://allisoncrowe.com/MusicalAdventCalendar2016.html

Ding Dong Merrily on High - Day 26 on the Musical Advent Calendar

Allison Crowe, the most original, vital – and versatile – voice of her generation in popular music rings in Day 26 on the Advent Calendar with this playful song off the all-a-cappella “Souling” album:

Written originally as a French dance tune in the 1500s, words were added to create “Ding Dong Merrily on High”, first published in 1924’s “The Cambridge Carol-Book: Being Fifty-two Songs for Christmas, Easter, And Other Seasons”.

Enjoy a new song each day through Christmas open on Allison Crowe’s Musical Advent Calendar @ http://allisoncrowe.com/MusicalAdventCalendar2016.html

In My Life - Day 25 on the Musical Advent Calendar

Fab song of love, remembrance - Day 25 of the Musical Advent Calendar: “In My Life”:

Each day through Christmas open a new song on Allison Crowe’s Musical Advent Calendar @ http://allisoncrowe.com/MusicalAdventCalendar2016.html

Someday at Christmas - Day 24 on the Musical Advent Calendar

“Someday at Christmas”, a cappella, rings in Day 24: 

Each day through Christmas open a new song on Allison Crowe’s Musical Advent Calendar @ http://allisoncrowe.com/MusicalAdventCalendar2016.html

“A Voice Made For Christmas – Carols By & Memories From Allison Crowe” – Cohencentric: Leonard Cohen Considered

“Cohencentric: Leonard Cohen Considered” chimes with tradition and good cheer – and today the blog’s editorial Santa Allan Showalter hangs out this bright stocking feature: “Allison Crowe’s resonant, rich, gorgeous voice seems as much a manifestation of Christmas as an instrument for singing holiday songs:” http://cohencentric.com/2015/12/24/its-beginning-to-sound-a-lot-like-allison-crowe

Whether I'm Wrong - Day 22 on Musical Advent Calendar

Day 22 on the Musical Advent Calendar opens on this song from Allison Crowe – featured by the UNESCO-endorsed ‘New Songs for Peace’ project – “Whether I’m Wrong”:

Whether I'm Wrong - Allison Crowe live-in-the-studio from Allison Crowe on Vimeo.

Mark each day through Christmas with a new song on Allison’s Musical Advent Calendar @ http://allisoncrowe.com/MusicalAdventCalendar2016.html

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Day 21 on Musical Advent Calendar

“God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman” opens Day 21 on the Musical Advent Calendar. This traditional Christmas carol dates originally to 18th century England - and makes an appearance in Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" almost 100 years later. In this new millenium, Allison Crowe delivers the song a cappella - on her album "Souling”.

Each day through Christmas celebrate with a new song on Allison’s Musical Advent Calendar @ http://allisoncrowe.com/MusicalAdventCalendar2016.html

When I'm Gone - Day 20 on Musical Advent Calendar

Day 20, Allison Crowe’s Musical Advent Calendar opens on her cover of a song first released on the 1966 album “Phil Ochs in Concert”. Topical songwriter, humanitarian and activist Ochs penned “When I’m Gone” and its message rings true as ever today:

Each day through Christmas enjoy a new song on Allison’s Musical Advent Calendar @ http://allisoncrowe.com/MusicalAdventCalendar2016.html

The Wexford Carol - Day 19 on Musical Advent Calendar

From 12th century Ireland to here and now, Day 19 on Allison Crowe’s Musical Advent Calendar, “The Wexford Carol” brings tidings of comfort and joy - "Good people all, this Christmastime...":

Each day through Christmas enjoy a new song opening on Allison’s Musical Advent Calendar @ http://allisoncrowe.com/MusicalAdventCalendar2016.html

Silence - Day 18 on Musical Advent Calendar

Today, Day 18 on the Musical Advent Calendar, brings “Silence” – in two forms. Allison Crowe’s brilliance as composer and performer is wondrously evident in each recording – captured a decade apart – and both created in the same, real-time, as the experience of listening.

Firstly, here’s Allison solo, singing and playing in a friend’s log-home on Salt Spring Island, Canada. This 2006 recording was released just last year on her “Sylvan Hour” album – described by pioneering culture blog Muruch as “truly a masterpiece” (http://music.allisoncrowe.com/album/sylvan-hour).

Second version of “Silence', open Day 18 on the Musical Advent Calendar, is this recording, live-off-the-floor – found on Allison Crowe and Band’s 2016 debut, “Heirs+Grievances” (http://music.allisoncrowe.com/album/heirs-grievances) – an album that’s marvellously enjoyable testament to Crowe’s “absolute personal commitment" to song (Some Diurnal Aural Awe) and “artistic genius” (The Celtic Music Fan):

Each day through Christmas delivers a new song – and today, a pair of recordings - opening on Allison Crowe’s Musical Advent Calendar @ http://allisoncrowe.com/MusicalAdventCalendar2016.html

Mary - Day 17 on Musical Advent Calendar

The Musical Advent Calendar’s Day 17 opens on this combination of a song from a writer of rare gifts, Patty Griffin, and an interpreter of rare grace, Allison Crowe – “Mary”. (After recently highlighting a live performance – here, now, is a downhome version.)

Each day through Christmas delivers a new song on Allison’s Musical Advent Calendar @ http://allisoncrowe.com/MusicalAdventCalendar2016.html

I Never Loved a Man - Day 16 on Musical Advent Calendar

Day 16 on the Musical Advent Calendar – is a live capture from a “Tidings” concert – Allison Crowe – singing and playing for people as only she can:

Each day through Christmas celebrate a new song on Allison’s Musical Advent Calendar @ http://allisoncrowe.com/MusicalAdventCalendar2016.html

In the Bleak Midwinter - Day 15 on Musical Advent Calendar

“In the Bleak Midwinter” opens Day 15 on Allison Crowe’s Musical Advent Calendar:

In the Bleak Midwinter from Allison Crowe on Vimeo.

With temperatures across this land ranging from about zero to minus thirty degrees, there’s more than a little snow on snow. This traditional song is heard on Allison’s “Tidings” album, a modern classic (@ http://music.allisoncrowe.com/album/tidings), and a different arrangement, performed a cappella, is on her “Souling” collection (@ http://music.allisoncrowe.com/album/souling-bonus-tracks-edition)

Each day through Christmas celebrate with a new tune on Allison’s Musical Advent Calendar @ http://allisoncrowe.com/MusicalAdventCalendar2016.html

Oceans - Day 14 on Musical Advent Calendar

“Oceans” is among those songs for “all time” included as well in the seasonal repertoire of Allison Crowe. Here’s a version from Allison and her band, off the quartet’s 2016 debut, “Heirs+Grievances”:

Oceans - Allison Crowe and Band - Heirs + Grievances from Allison Crowe on Vimeo.

Each day through Christmas celebrate a new song on Allison's Musical Advent Calendar @ http://allisoncrowe.com/MusicalAdventCalendar2016.html

NB Merci beaucoup, Michèle-Marie Joubert! Thanks to Michèle-Marie, we can now enjoy the lyrics to Océans in a version française along with the version anglaise. Here’s the translation she’s kindly posted:

Oceans - Allison Crowe [Traduction des Paroles]

Océans

J'ai un cœur déchiré entre deux océans
S'il vous plaît ne me confondez pas avec la mer
Dans le scintillement d'un cil et d'une sieste
Je pars en Allemagne
Les plis du temps que nous ne dépensons jamais
Enrouler autour de moi comme une maladie
Et maintenant j'ai un contentement en moi
Une petite mort comparée au calme
Et je suis vivant
Et ce n'est pas artificiel
C'est juste ce que je pense de toi
Et toi et toi ...
Un vent calme et inconstant souffle à travers
Sable roulant entre les orteils d'étrangers
Le rire et les yeux déchirés
Conscient mais indifférent des dangers
Mots jetés et retournés lentement
Essai des ponts et des eaux
Faces charmantes, trop fugitives pour tenir
Voyez-les vraiment, sans crainte
Et je suis vivant
Et ce n'est pas artificiel
C'est juste ce que je pense de toi
Et toi et toi ...
Le cœur se heurte en petites rafales d'étincelles
Et est vrai parfois à faux
Mais vous n'êtes rien si vous ne sentez pas cela
Vous auriez à peine un pouls
Et ainsi je continue sur mon chemin joyeux,
Une torsion gitane avec des amants imaginaires
Avec tant de gens dans les marées du jour
Seul sous les couvertures
Mais je suis vivant
Et ce n'est pas artificiel
C'est exactement ce que je ressens pour vous
Et toi et toi et toi
C'est juste ce que je pense de toi
Et toi et toi et toi
Et toi
-

Allison Crowe's Music Welcome @ Santa Deugaw's GEST

Allison Crowe’s fresh recording of “Christmas in the Harbour” is nestled all snug – embedded @ "GEST Songs of Newfoundland and Labrador" – while visions of sugar-plums dance in our heads @ http://www.wtv-zone.com/phyrst/audio/nfld/acrowe.htm

GEST’s Owner/Archivist Gery Deugaw is Santa Claus of a cultural NL Pole – sharing joys and riches of “composers and performers of Newfoundland and Labrador music, whether traditional or modern”. He dedicates much of his life to a site overflowing with history of artists and tunes, song lyrics, videos, midis, song charts, scores and more – documenting and, by so doing, celebrating the region’s musical heritage.

One stocking, for example, you’ll find stuffed with lyrics and versions of Gary O’Driscoll’s song “Christmas in the Harbour”, including Allison’s new take @ http://www.wtv-zone.com/phyrst/audio/nfld/23/harbour.htm - even an helping of etymology to digest a lyric morsel - ‘jannying”. A sleighful of “Christmas Songs at GEST Songs Of NFLD” is @ http://www.wtv-zone.com/phyrst/audio/nfld/christmas.htm Rudolph guides us to Santa Deugaw’s main workshop @ http://www.wtv-zone.com/phyrst/audio/nfld 

Allison Crowe foto

Christmas in the Harbour - Day 13 on the Musical Advent Calendar

“Christmas in the Harbour”, looking out Allison Crowe’s window – and music as immediate as the falling snow. This carol from songwriter Gary O’Driscoll’s first heard some 35 years ago – in an holiday special of “Up at Ours”, the NL television comedy-drama series created by actor, playwright+ Gordon Pinsent. It’s now a perennial favourite:

Each day through Christmas celebrate a new song on Allison’s Musical Advent Calendar @ http://allisoncrowe.com/MusicalAdventCalendar2016.html

Foto by Allison Crowe

Santa Baby - Day 12 on Musical Advent Calendar

On Day 12 of her Musical Advent Calendar, all together for CBC’s Feed NL Day show, Allison Crowe met this jolly man in a red suit – and, so, the calendar opens on “Santa Baby”:

Allison Crowe and special guests bring "Tidings" to the ACC Corner Brook in Concert - Saturday, December 10 at 8pm: https://www.facebook.com/events/578139959061288

>Each day through Christmas celebrate a new song on Allison’s Musical Advent Calendar @

http://allisoncrowe.com/MusicalAdventCalendar2016.html

Feed NL Day

practicing in the Bleak Midwinter (with a fitting view!) for tomorrow morning at CBC for #CBCfeedNLday in Corner Brook :) @cbcnl #cbc

A video posted by Allison Crowe (@allison_crowe) on Dec 8, 2016 at 10:23am PST

It Came Upon a Midnight Calendar - Day 11 on the Musical Advent Calendar

Allison Crowe’s Musical Advent Calendar radiates glorious songs. Here, on Day 11, is one that began life as a poem and has been ringing out for o’er 200 years: “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”:

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear - Allison Crowe a cappella from Allison Crowe on Vimeo.

Each day through Christmas celebrate a new song on Allison’s Musical Advent Calendar @

http://allisoncrowe.com/MusicalAdventCalendar2016.html 

Allison Crowe and special guests bring "Tidings" to the ACC Corner Brook in Concert - Saturday, December 10 at 8pm: https://www.facebook.com/events/578139959061288

Foggy Shores of Home - Day 10 on the Musical Advent Calendar

Day 10 on the Musical Advent Calendar opens a portal to one of the finest songwriters across the land and seas, Canada’s Gary O’Driscoll. Born in Bay Bulls on Newfoundland’s southern shore, O’Driscoll’s great compositions include “Men Who Die for a Living”, “Cliffs of La Scie”, “Out from St. Leonard’s” and “Christmas in the Harbour”.

Allison Crowe loves to perform and share the O’Driscoll canon – in her own concerts and recordings and through curating “Newfoundland Vinyl”, a perennial favourite show at Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador’s Gros Morne Theatre Festival.

We’re all invited aboard Gary O’Driscoll’s tunes – hear Allison and band welcome us to those “Foggy Shores of Home”: 

Foggy Shores of Home - Allison Crowe and Band - Heirs + Grievances from Allison Crowe on Vimeo.

Each day through Christmas a new song to celebrate this season will open on Allison’s Musical Advent Calendar @ http://allisoncrowe.com/MusicalAdventCalendar2016.html 

If It Be Noel - Day 9 on the Musical Advent Calendar

It’s possible that everybody knows – certainly “Cohencentric: Leonard Cohen Considered” has pegged today for “Allison Crowe’s Delightful Performance of The First Noel”: http://cohencentric.com/2015/12/16/video-allison-crowe

If it be Noel, December 5 is Day 9 on Allison’s Musical Advent Calendar. Each day through Christmas a new link to celebrate this season will open @ http://allisoncrowe.com/MusicalAdventCalendar2016.html

Calendar Fun

Snow falling coast-to-coast in Canada, it's time to warm up inside Santa's workshop - and see how Allison Crowe's Musical Advent Calendar comes together. Next year, everyone can be doing this!

For example, to create the antique angel icon start with a scan of a vintage postcard from The Graphics Fairy, a great resource for DIYers and Crafters - http://thegraphicsfairy.com

Next, crop the image into a circle shape using Lunapic - http://www194.lunapic.com/editor - add a dash of colour, if you choose. Figure out the date for your selection and add the number. Then, let it be :)

       
Each day through Christmas a new link will open on Allison's Musical Advent Calendar @ http://allisoncrowe.com/MusicalAdventCalendar2016.html

Let It Be - Day 8 on the Musical Advent Calendar

Day 8 has arms to you hold you – as Allison Crowe’s Musical Advent Calendar opens on a favourite song by The Beatles: “Let It Be”. From Allison’s legendary “Tidings” session:

Each day through Christmas a new link will open on our Musical Advent Calendar @ http://allisoncrowe.com/MusicalAdventCalendar2016.html 

Allison Crowe and special guests bring "Tidings" to the ACC Corner Brook, NL Canada in Concert - Saturday, December 10 at 8pm: https://www.facebook.com/events/578139959061288

Disease - Tidings Concert Live - Day 7 on the Musical Advent Calendar

"Power-house intense" is how one European reviewer describes this song: “The energy of 'Disease' can easily provide electricity to a small country for a decade." This tune and Allison Crowe's wildly exciting performances lead to her being likened to innovative Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky and famed German Liedermacher Konstantin Wecker. “Gänsehaut-Musik” (goose-bump music) Peter Baier calls it in Süddeutsche Zeitung. 

Allison Crowe’s longtime friend and bassist, Dave Baird has observed Allison’s “not an everything’s-gonna-be-alright kind of girl”. (This statement uttered in bemused response to the miscalculation of an established music label exec that she’d tailor herself and her lyrics to the industry’s proscribed role for women artists.) 

No song-by-committee charades here. Of love, Allison Crowe writes with passion and honesty – be it flowing through open-hearted “Oceans” or the evocation of life’s fragile bonds in “Arthur”. Ditto for all the emotions and conditions of our common humanity. 

It’s only natural, then, that the social commentary of “Disease”, when expressed by Allison, fits her “Tidings” concert repertoire, along with sacred hymns, cheering carols and renewed popular, folk+ songs. 

Five years ago this weekend, Allison Crowe had recently filmed a cameo for a new Superman blockbuster, “Man of Steel”. She’d flown from her Atlantic home in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, to her Pacificcoast birthplace, Nanaimo, British Columbia. (Such travel accomplished via traditional airline service – not by latching onto Henry Cavill or tugging on Superman's cape.) 

Separately, a documentary film was in the works, as well – intended to share the “Tidings” concert experience with the world. Some wonderful footage was captured, and some awesome audio. However, a twist of fate, determined that the visuals were of concerts filmed in Newfoundland and the music audio was of shows recorded in British Columbia. Here we can add another observation – Allison does not perform anything the same way twice. 

In short, this is why the video accompanying this music is a still image – a screen cap from the doc that a resourceful film-maker, NL’s Peter Buckle, managed to create despite the lack of music audio. He very skilfully shifted focus from a concert performance film to that of a thoughtful, talking-heads-moreso, look at the meaning of this season – joy, grief, and all else. Hear, now, this song’s music captured by audio engineer, BC’s Brad Graham. 

Disease ~ Allison Crowe's "Tidings Concert" from Allison Crowe on Vimeo.

Arthur - Day 6 on the Musical Advent Calendar

“Arthur” opens on Day 6 of our Musical Advent Calendar. This poignant song of love and age is among the originals in Allison Crowe’s “Tidings” concert repertoire. There’s now several versions –solo and band – recorded by Allison and for this occasion, we reach for this debut of this beauty:

Arthur from Allison Crowe on Vimeo.

Each day through Christmas a new music video will open on Allison Crowe’s Musical Advent Calendar @ http://allisoncrowe.com/MusicalAdventCalendar2016.html 

Blue Christmas - Day 5 on Musical Advent Calendar - "All the Colours of a Song"

Day 5 of our Musical Advent Calendar opens with “Blue Christmas” – from Allison Crowe’s remarkable all a cappella collection, “Souling” (2015). Composed by Jay W. Johnson & Billy Hayes, the song’s first recorded in 1948 by Texan Doye O’Dell - “All America’s Cowboy”. Several popular renditions followed – and, in 1957, another singer/actor, this time from Tupelo, Mississippi, stamped it indelibly as an holiday classic.

Blue Christmas from Allison Crowe on Vimeo.

Allison Crowe’s fresh arrangement and performance of an Elvis Presley signature tune launches December’s 25 song videos - blending her own originals alongside music from The Beatles, Leonard Cohen, Gary O’Driscoll, Aretha Franklin, Eartha Kitt, Stevie Wonder, Patty Griffin, Phil Ochs and Nat King Cole. (November’s calendar revealed Crowe’s takes on gems heard decades earlier by Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Joni Mitchell, Ryan’s Fancy, Harry Hibbs, Bell Island’s Ray Mclean +.)

Allison Crowe’s repertoire, including her classic “Tidings” and a cappella “Souling”, unites traditional tunes, carols and hymns, with sounds of rock, jazz, folk, Celtic and soul to celebrate “music for the season and all time”. "You really have to see Allison Crowe live. The way she splits those notes, it's like light through a prism - all the colours of a song," reflects longtime radio/tv host Rick Dennis. From a vantage point atop a snow-peaked mountain in Canada, print journalist Stephen Smysnuik observes: "Crowe's voice (is) as much a manifestation of Christmas spirit today as Bing Crosby's was in 1942. It's as warm as an open fire; as gorgeous as snow-frosted evergreens; as tender as that hug you give your mother on Christmas day."

Each day through Christmas a new music video link will open @ http://allisoncrowe.com/MusicalAdventCalendar2016.html