"Why Music? Why Breathing?" The Celtic Music Fan Reviews Allison Crowe and Band's Debut

“I have not heard of anyone who sings with the vulnerability or childhood innocence and the piercing intensity of Edith Piaf the way she does, well at least not in this lifetime,” says writer/editor Baxter Labatos, founder of “The Celtic Music Fan”, in a review of Allison Crowe and Band’s debut. “It is quite amazing how she can do so many things with her voice. She’s a woman with a guitar who belts out like Aretha Franklin, a bodhran player with soul in her heart and, yes, a pianist with the grace of a classical performer.”

Of “Introducing / Heirs+Grievances”, the double-disc now coming to North American audiences in concert, the percipient international blogger sums up: “The powerful voice and instrumental prowess will delight fans and new converts of Allison Crowe’s artistic genius.”

Enjoy the full review – and the music @
https://celticmusicfan.wordpress.com/2016/10/05/why-music-why-breathing-the-allison-crowe-band-cd 

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

On the Air - Allison Crowe and Band - Heirs + Grievances

Ani DiFranco, “the little folksinger that could”, an inspiring model for Allison Crowe and her team, says she understands why so few musicians actually follow her DIY route – it’s hard work going against the current!

Still, there can be perks for a traveling troubadour. Behold the PanAm ‘Jet Clipper’, one of such aircraft checking in for decades at Gander International, Newfoundland’s hangars for refuelling on trans-Atlantic flights. It spirits passengers and crew in style.

On the Air - Allison Crowe and Band - Heirs + Grievances from Allison Crowe on Vimeo.

Allison Crowe and Band’s just-wrapped concert trip to Europe touched souls in Germany, Slovenia, Italy, Belgium and England. “On the Air”, written when Crowe was a teenager, still packs great emotional weight – and soars now without some personal baggage of early flights.

On board for this musical journey, Allison Crowe (vocals, piano), Céline Greb aka Lin Lin (cello, vox), Billie Woods (guitar, vox), Dave Baird (bass) – and, in the wings, Sarah White (mandolin, vox). It’s on the manifest for for the band’s debut release “Heirs + Grievances”.

Foggy Shores of Home - Allison Crowe and Band - Heirs + Grievances

In a recent posting, Devon-based music-and-literary-blogger Mike Ferguson cites the “joy and fun” that comes across in a new live recording from Allison Crowe and Band (https://somediurnalauralawe.blogspot.ca/2016/04/allison-crowe-and-band-heirs-grievances.html). Allison and bandmates Celine Greb aka Lin Lin, Billie Woods, Sarah White and Dave Baird – on record and on-stage – bring that essence of life, and, for a fun-filled Friday, or any day, here be the irresistibly joyous “Foggy Shores of Home”.

The tune is penned by Gary O’Driscoll, one of Canada’s great songwriters – with such other classics as “Out from St. Leonards” and “The Men Who Die for a Living” to his credit. O’Driscoll, born in Bay Bulls, Newfoundland, and now at home in Ontario, Canada, crests high among Allison Crowe’s favourite songwriters to cover – as he brilliantly captures the joys as well as the heartaches of people.

From the studio disc of the just-released double-album, “Introducing / Heirs + Grievances” Allison and the band celebrate and embrace home – where e’er your port'o'call.

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

With the band’s bassist Dave now driving to Gros Morne National Park, NL where he’ll be a sea captain for the Summer, we welcome another sailor man in this music video. Ever-green Fleischer Studios characters – Popeye and Olive Oyl – keep things rolling in this newest addition to the “Heirs + Grievances” visual album.

It's refreshing - like lemonade for a nickel a shot.

http://music.allisoncrowe.com/album/heirs-grievances

Introducing / Heirs + Grievances Release!

"Introducing / Heirs + Grievances" is released!: http://music.allisoncrowe.com/album/heirs-grievances

When critics liken you to Edith Piaf, Elton John, Aretha Franklin and Modest Mussorgsky, it’s a good sign you’re truly one-of-a-kind. So it is with musical explorer Allison Crowe who, since creating her own record label in 2001, uniquely inhabits the world of song – continually adding breadth and depth to a richly expressive repertoire for piano, vocals, guitar and bodhran.

Crowe’s “supernaturally agile and exquisite voice” is complemented ideally by her international touring band: Céline Greb (cello, vocal harmonies); Sarah White (mandolin, vocal harmonies); and Dave Baird (bass). Longtime friend, musician and photographer Billie Woods contributes guitar and vocal harmonies to the band’s recordings. The combo’s gorgeously thrilling hybrid of Canadiana, Celtic, jazz, roots, folk, soul and original rock bridges vital originals with fresh interpretations of classics by Annie Lennox and Gary O'Driscoll.

Alongside multi-genre concert and recording projects over this past year the Nanaimo-born, Newfoundland-based artist’s active as music curator and arranger for acclaimed stage productions of: Atlantic Canada’s folk and popular song; the collaborative works of Bertolt Brecht & Kurt Weill; and choral renderings of traditional Christmas carols.

A singular artistry and virtuosity make Allison Crowe performances legendary - and fun. In the Scottish Highlands she brought down the house on a bill with Carol Ann Duffy, Britain’s Poet Laureate, and Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, the Master of the Queen's Music. In Hollywood Superman movie director Zack Snyder is outspoken in his respect and admiration. Touring with Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet audiences responded with spontaneous standing ovations.

"The most honest, heartfelt, and directly intimate concert in my entire life,” says longtime American public broadcaster Ross Hocker. “Allison has a special gift that is so very rare in musicians today. She is true to her mind, heart and spirit. She also has a most wonderful humor which envelops her audience."

"Soulful. Alive. Joyous. Grievous. Real, true, music is what I want to make," sums up Allison Crowe.

"Heirs + Grievances" is the debut studio album of Allison Crowe and Band (and the 20th release on Crowe's label, Rubenesque Records Ltd.) The digital album contains 13 exciting tunes and honestly potent performances. It’s a magnificent set of songs from Allison Crowe and her extraordinary band of musicians. The physical CD comes with a bonus, live, set – “Introducing”. Enjoy!!

You All Haunt Me - Allison Crowe and Band

"You All Haunt Me" opens the debut album from Allison Crowe and Band: "Introducing / Heirs + Grievances".

More on this new double-album of music - and the band's concert tour - coming soon.

http://music.allisoncrowe.com  +  http://allisoncrowe.com

Ready to rock and roll

The albums are all finished and ready to go for the tour starting next week!! woot woot!

Allison Crowe @ https://www.instagram.com/allison_crowe

            #newmusic #tour #europeantour #music

Introducing / Heirs + Grievances sneak peek

 

So excited! My new full band album 'Heirs and Grievances' is off to the presses tomorrow! Here's a little sneak peak of what it's going to look like with the cover art proofs! Art by Lin Lin - cover photo by Billie Woods. Release date coming soon, as well as our European tour!

Allison Crowe @ https://www.instagram.com/allison_crowe

MOJO salutes Leonard Cohen

Allison Crowe joins Judy Collins, Katie Melua and more in MOJO Tribute to Leonard Cohen

Canada's bicoastal musical marvel Allison Crowe is among those invited by MOJO magazine to celebrate Leonard Cohen, master of song, on a soon-to-be-released tribute CD. Crowe contributes her cover of "Joan of Arc" - a favourite first heard on the 1971 Cohen album "Songs of Love and Hate".

It's been a wonderful year for appreciation of poet and songwriter+ Leonard Cohen - highlighted by all the live performances, and, the love that's flowed famously at the Glastonbury Festival and more concerts across North America and Europe.

MOJO magazine, one of the world's great music publications, has put together a delightful tribute - one well-designed and timed to raise the banner high over a year that's been very special for lovers of Cohen, just turned 74. As they explain it: "The November 1 issue of MOJO (cover dated December) is celebrating deep and moving music, the kind of stuff we need in the run up to the holiday period. The accompanying MOJO cover mounted CD will be made up of 15 tired and emotional masterpieces from the pen of veteran songwriter Leonard Cohen."

Here be the final running order of the tracks on the upcoming tribute album:

1 Suzanne 3:42 - Ian McCulloch
2 In My Secret Life 4:23 - Katie Melua
3 Hey That's No Way To Say Goodbye 3:02 - Claudine Longet
4 Sisters Of Mercy 3:34 - Dion
5 Story Of Isaac 4:09 - Linda Thompson
6 Priests 4:01 - Eyeless In Gaza
7 Joan of Arc 4:55 - Allison Crowe
8 Hallelujah 5:46 - Susanna And The Magical Orchestra
9 Avalanche 5:13 - Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds
10 Chelsea Hotel No.2 4:19 - Josh Ritter
11 Take This Longing 6:16 - Phil Campbell
12 Tower Of Song 3:46 - Martha Wainwright
13 Song For Bernadette 4:21 - Judy Collins
14 Famous Blue Raincoat 5:08 - The Handsome Family
15 Tonight Will Be Fine 2:45 - Mr David Viner

Alongside the MOJO cover-mount CD, there's expected to be plenty of love for Leonard Cohen reigning o'er the magazine's print and online editions, in Q magazine, and on MOJO Radio next month.

Allison Crowe is currently at the mid-point in her third European tour of 2008. It's a visit that's seen her perform to passionate audiences in Frankfurt, Paris, Siegen, Vienna, and now Prague, Czech Republic - after which she flies to the Highlands of Scotland for a concert in Durness, a fundraiser for the John Lennon Memorial Garden. Following this weekend in the Highlands, she performs in Edinburgh, before returning to North America where she’ll ready her annual Tidings holiday concert series in support of a host of charities from the Atlantic to the Pacific coasts.