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."

Fourth of July reflections

boyhowdy at the Cover Lay Down blog presents a genuinely thoughtful reflection and celebration of America for this July 4 weekend. And, he includes, in a terrific song selection, Allison Crowe's cover of "Independence Day" by Ani DiFranco.


The post's final note: "Happy Birthday, America. Long may your contradictions endear us to you. May you never lose hope. And may we never stop singing."

Help! - Vote for the John Lennon Northern Lights Festival

If you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao, you ain't gonna make it with anyone anyhow... Any time at all, though, you support the John Lennon Northern Lights Festival, I've got a feeling you'll know it's only love, and that is all.

Move over Ms. L, this unique happening that's come together, in Durness, Scotland, is nominated as "Best New Festival" and "Fan Friendly Festival" in the UK Festival Awards.

Please, please me, and, especially, Festival Coordinator Mike Merritt and his team. All together now. Power to the people!

So, remember, the Fifth of November - and, by this Sunday, October 28, cast your ballots for the cultural revolution @



Across the universe, don't let me down ( :

Bless You!

And, while watching the wheels go round, here's the word today from the 'Cover Lay Down' blog's Covered in Folk series:

"Songwriter and mistress of coversongs Allison Crowe beat out Johnny Cash, Ben Lee, Chantal Kreviazuk and Shawn Colvin covers of 'In My Life' at the last minute. Buy or download all Crowe's albums via Rubenesque - her own label - and you'll know why this Canadian youngster is one to watch for the next half-century."

In My Life

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