Sweet Dreams

Music is, of course, steeped in lore.

Allan Showalter, entertaining and illuminating chronicler of life, love, lust and all @ “Cohencentric: Leonard Cohen Considered” has noted that the “Suzanne” of song, who “feeds you tea and oranges that come all the way from China” – is the muse Suzanne Verdal, pouring into 1960s life along Montreal’s St. Lawrence, filling Cohen’s cups with Bigelow’s “Constant Comment” blend.

This Sunday, Berkeley Place blog serves up a fresh pot of its “Greatest of All Tunes” feature – starting with Allison Crowe’s elemental reading of “Sweet Dreams” – originally a new wave smash for Eurythmics (the duo of Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart) in 1983.

Crowe’s acoustic performance was distilled during creative discussions with Hollywood movie producer Zack Snyder (amidst the production of his 2011 film “Sucker Punch”).

Bigelow’s own “Sweet Dreams” is a blend of chamomile and mint it promises “will calm your nerves and sooth your soul.”

Inviting you now to enjoy Allison’s take, along with sonic servings from AlbertOne, Thought Coalition and Tujamo, Berkeley Place says:

“Brew am I to disagree.” 

Sweet Dreams

During creative discussions for the 2011 Hollywood movie “Sucker Punch”, Zack Snyder, the stylized-action-fantasy film’s director, asked Allison Crowe for her take on “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” - the ‘new wave’ smash hit written, and originally performed, by Eurythmics (Annie Lennox & David A. Stewart).

In premiering Allison’s version, “Cover Me” blog’s Eric Garneau says “this ‘Sweet Dreams’ demands to be heard. She delivers a reading on this ’80s mainstay at once beautifully melodious and ferociously in-your-face. The simple recording – guitar and vocals only – bestows on the tune an intimacy that makes it sound like she’s perched square in front of you, serenading you and running through a whole spectrum of emotions.”

Sweet Dreams from Allison Crowe on Vimeo.

The film excerpt in this song video, (#10 in Allison’s “16 Songs” album), is from “L’Etoile de Mer”, the avant garde 1928 collaboration of American modernist artist Man Ray (1890 – 1976), French photographer Jacques-André Boiffard (1902-1961) and surrealist poet Robert Desnos (1900- 1945). The film’s characters are portrayed by Desnos and actors André de la Rivière and Kiki de Montparnasse – legendary Parisian artist’s model, music, singer, painter+ born Alice Prin (1901 – 1953).

Giving “The Sea Star” or “The Starfish”, as it’s known in the English language, its liquid, dream-state, appearance, the film-makers shot images via mirrors and through rough + textured glass.

#10 of 16 Songs

             

Coverville 809: The Eurythmics Cover Story

For lovers of Annie Lennox & Dave Stewart - Brian Ibbott, conductor of Coverville, delivers "The Eurythmics Cover Story". One hour of musical treats from The Rubinoos, Martha Wainwright, The Watson Twins and more... including Annie herself. Allison Crowe represents with "Why" - I believe it's the favourite version of "Spiral" producer and string arranger Kayla Schmah. Time to download and listen!

Why v2

And, so, "Spiral" closes with this cover of the Eurythmics (Annie Lennox & Dave Stewart) song "Why". Allison Crowe - voice, guitar, engineer & Kayla Schmah - orchestrator, string arranger, producer. "This is how I feel..."

Why

Paris Voice declares Allison Crowe "One of the best interpreters to come along since Joe Cocker." And, in 40+ years since Cocker made his name, no artist combines such interpretative powers with original song-writing talent in one amazing voice. Crowe brings new emotional colours to the Eurythmics (Annie Lennox & Dave Stewart) pop classic "Why" - joined by Kayla Schmah's simply beautiful string arrangement.

Disease + walking octopi

"Disease", ever-evolving social commentary from Allison Crowe. In concert today it can be 10 minutes in performance, and you may hear Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams" or Cranberries' "Zombie" in its middle. During "Tidings" season, Bohemia's "Good King Wenceslas" finds way into the song...)

Here it is on the day walking octopi are discovered - more about that on the banter track



On the same weekend Allison Crowe's concert performances are captured "Live at Wood Hall", scientist Christine L. Huffard and colleagues release a study of "Underwater Bipedal Locomotion by Octopuses in Disguise" along with videos of Octopus marginatus, which resembles a coconut:



and Octopus (Abdopus) aculeatus, a clump of floating algae:



(The original vids are no longer on YouTube, stil, these short clips show the same octopi walking.)

Sucker Punch ~ Sweet Dreams

When makers of Hollywood movie "Sucker Punch" were looking for ideas on how to reinvent the Eurythmics' classic "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)", they called on Allison Crowe. For the 2011 blockbuster from director Zack Snyder, actress Emily Browning performs the song as a production number that opens what promises to be an exciting, visceral, film ride - opening this March 25!


Alex Pardee's graphic art - "Sucker Punch"

Director Snyder, a major fan of Allison, talks to ArtistDirect about "Sucker Punch" on opening week:

"Music is a huge part of the movie for me. It's like another personality of the film. If you get that right, you add this dimension to the movie that you couldn't have imagined before. Right now, I've been trying to find a really good cover of 'Battle Hymn of the Republic.' I can't find one that I really like with all five verses, so that's a problem [Laughs]. I was going to call someone up like Allison Crowe and be like, 'Can you record a version of this?' That's how my brain works!"

You can enjoy Allison's stripped-down take on "Sweet Dreams" on her Music Page, on YouTube, and, right here, right now :)

It’s Snowy Rock and Roll but Allison Crowe Likes It. She’s In Good Company.

Allison Crowe, one of the greatest voices and natural talents in popular music, is home in snowy Corner Brook, Canada this Winter, writing and recording songs before launching a new concert touring year.

So far, in 2011, Crowe has captured basic vocal, piano and guitar tracks for five originals – “Arthur”, “By Any Terms”, “Chasing the Rain”, “Don’t Breathe”, and “Pull You Through” – and, for more fun, she’s covering two ‘Americana’-hued songs by sublime singer-songwriter Patty Griffin – “Mary” and “Up to the Mountain (MLK Song)”.

It’s a welcome, extended, stay in one spot, after a hectic 2010 that saw Allison Crowe again navigate concert dates between her Atlantic and Pacific Ocean homes, and expand continental touring territory. Crowe’s latest album, (of seven), “Spiral”, made best of lists from America to Europe and beyond.

Arts and entertainment blog Muruch, naming “Spiral” one of the top releases of last year, says: “Her voice flawlessly flows between the most pristine soprano and gut-wrenching, full-bodied wails… I hear Allison Crowe sing, and I remember the effect music is supposed to have on you."

Crowe’s reputation encompasses her original songwriting, and singularly exciting live performances – and her art of interpretation. On her most recent visit to the City of Lights, Paris Voice Editor Bob Bishop called her "one of the best interpreters to come along since Joe Cocker".

Allan Showalter, author of the uniquely popular Leonard Cohen-centric blog, “One Heck of a Guy”, expands on this theme: "Allison, whose covers include not only outstanding versions of Joni Mitchell’s 'River' and 'A Case of You,' Leonard Cohen’s 'Hallelujah,' 'The Beatles’ 'In My Life' and 'Let It Be,' Lennon’s 'Imagine,' and Cyndi Lauper’s 'Time After Time,' but also the most provocative and seductive (forgive me, Aretha) take I’ve heard on Ronnie Shannon’s 'I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You).' And, I stand by my conviction that Allison Crowe is the best thing to happen to 'Me And Bobby McGee' since Janis Joplin changed Kristofferson’s lyrics."

On YouTube, Allison Crowe’s audience is approaching nearly ten million (non-rigged) views. When makers of Hollywood movie, "Sucker Punch", were searching for how to reinvent the Annie Lennox - Eurythmics song, “Sweet Dreams”, they called on the “mistress of coversongs” as Crowe’s been crowned by “Cover Lay Down” blog. Director Zack Snyder loves Allison's approach so they asked her to strip the song to an emotional core. Actress Emily Browning performs the movie version (out later this month).

In present culture, it can seem anachronistic that popular music was once a fertile community for rebellion and honesty, and the mainstream of pop and rock artists aspired to something more substantial than a bauble in a corporate chain. As rare as her talent is Allison Crowe’s integrity. Like inspirations Janis Ian, Ani DiFranco, and a few others making music today, she does not “play the game”.

Allison Crowe’s path less-travelled brings her to Fredericton, New Brunswick, Halifax, Nova Scotia, and St. John’s, Newfoundland for concerts this Spring – before her next European tour. Details of all shows and music is available @ http://www.allisoncrowe.com/

Tidings Time for One of Today's Greats: Musician Allison Crowe

Allison Crowe’s recent concert tour of continental Europe again reveals her as one of the great popular musicians of the modern era. Playing for audiences in Germany, Holland, France, Austria and Italy, Crowe, possibly the world’s most independent recording artist, shares a joy of music and a personality that is wild as the wind.

Talent today can matter more than it has for decades and few, if any, performers in rock or pop music demonstrate that reality more abundantly than does the singer-songwriter whose Canadian home stretches from Nanaimo, British Columbia to Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Canada.

Along with releasing seven albums/CDs containing original song-writing of a singular range and quality, this century Allison Crowe has earned a reputation for her gorgeous voice, and unique ability to viscerally communicate emotion without sentimentality.

Crowe’s honest approach serves well, too, in making her, not only an uniquely exciting songwriter and live performer, combining voice, piano and guitar, but, at the same time, a peerless interpreter of a most varied songbook.

Upon her return to Canada from Europe, "Cover Me" blog's Editor-in-Chief Ray Padgett, (SPIN, Consequence of Sound, Mashable and more), premieres Allison Crowe's take on Annie Lennox & Dave Stewart - Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams"

In the accompanying article, "Allison Crowe Shows Us What 'Sweet Dreams' Are Made Of…", writer Eric Garneau says of Crowe's bare take on the song: "She delivers a reading on this '80s mainstay at once beautifully melodious and ferociously in-your-face."

Allison Crowe being a rock musician - well, what was called rock in the '60s - she really enjoys, but doesn't replicate, the sounds of the original's pop sensibility. She strips things to their emotional core.

"1 Heck of a Guy", a blog renowned for its witty reportage on Leonard Cohen, shines a light on Allison Crowe's "alchemy" in covering songs - saying:

"Allison, whose covers include not only outstanding versions of Joni Mitchell’s 'River' and 'A Case of You,' Leonard Cohen’s 'Hallelujah,' 'The Beatles’ 'In My Life' and 'Let It Be,' Lennon’s 'Imagine,' and Cyndi Lauper’s 'Time After Time,' but also the most provocative and seductive (forgive me, Aretha) take I’ve heard on Ronnie Shannon’s 'I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You).' And, I stand by my conviction that Allison Crowe is the best thing to happen to 'Me And Bobby McGee' since Janis Joplin changed Kristofferson’s lyrics."

News of this latest cover magic has spread to the MTV blog: "Allison Crowe Strips Down Eurythmics' 'Sweet Dreams' " – and the site which has been serving 'Sweet Dreams' to devoted Eurythmics fans since 1999 - ethrillnet

Allan Showalter’s “1 Heck of a Guy” includes a link to this YouTube audio with pic.

It’s been only a few months since “Cover Me” first shared its discovery of Allison Crowe’s interpretations, including her version of “Hallelujah”. In the years since Crowe recorded the song for her “Tidings” CD, it’s been covered by more than 200 acts – from cult-type faves in various genres, such as Susanna and the Magical Orchestra, and folkie Kathryn Williams, to mainstream crooners kd lang, Susan Boyle, Justin Timberlake w. Matt Morris, and more. It’s been adopted by Simon Cowell and the Idol/X Factor/Got Talent et al franchises.

The remarkable harvest of “Hallelujah” recordings, and the Olympian marketing exercises that attend some releases of the song, add to the stature of Crowe’s single/first take interpretation. Says music journalist Padgett: “The songwriter’s pure tones sound like a bell, no show-off acrobatics necessary. The amazing thing isn’t just that she performs the best version of Leonard Cohen’s oft-covered ‘Hallelujah’ (sorry Jeff); the amazing thing is that she does so using the same solo piano style that everyone else does. There’s nothing particularly creative about it; her voice is just that good! So throw all those other ‘sensitive’ covers. This one’s the keeper.”

It’s coming on Christmas, and for Allison Crowe, this means a “Tidings” concert tour. It’s time to stir together traditional Christmas carols and holiday favourites with an organic blend of rock, jazz, folk, gospel and soul. "Be prepared to be amazed," chimes ChristmasReviews.com "Music for the season and all time."

Allison Crowe’s Canadian Tidings Concert 2010 Tour dates:

Nov. 25 - Campbell River, BC: St. Peter’s Anglican Church – w. the Campbell River Children’s Choir – to aid CR Food Bank & the Hospice Society
Nov. 27 – Gibsons, BC: Heritage Playhouse Theatre – w. Ellisa Hartman
Dec. 3 – Ladysmith, BC: Ladysmith First United Church – w. Lena Birtwistle
Dec. 4 – Victoria, BC: Fairfield United Church – w. Bob Benvenuti – to aid Artemis Place & HepCBC
Dec. 10 - Gabriola Island, BC: The Haven
Dec. 11 – Nanaimo, BC: St. Andrew’s United Church – w. Hayley Read, Kiana Smith, Mathew Walker, Taylor Manns, Brynn Newman, Chelsea Peckett, Emily Blake, Kevin Patton & “Maestro” Rick Becker – to aid The Mind’s Eye &
Woodlands SS Band & Basketball programs
Dec. 17 – Corner Brook, NL: Corner Brook First United Church

Full details on these shows will be announced next week on Allison's website.

Here’s to peace on earth, goodwill toward all.

Allison Crowe Renews Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams” says 1 Heck of a Guy

The blog, 1 Heck of a Guy, renowned for its reportage on Leonard Cohen and broomcorn lore and much, much more, today shines a light on Allison Crowe's "alchemy" in covering songs, saying:

"Allison, whose covers include not only outstanding versions of Joni Mitchell’s 'River' and 'A Case of You,' Leonard Cohen’s 'Hallelujah,' 'The Beatles’ 'In My Life' and 'Let It Be,' Lennon’s 'Imagine,' and Cyndi Lauper’s 'Time After Time,' but also the most provocative and seductive (forgive me, Aretha) take I’ve heard on Ronnie Shannon’s 'I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You).' And, I stand by my conviction that Allison Crowe is the best thing to happen to 'Me And Bobby McGee' since Janis Joplin changed Kristofferson’s lyrics."

This fun, naturally, arises from the premiere yesterday of Allison's take on Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart - The Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams" on the "Cover Me" blog. This news has now spread to the MTV blog: "Allison Crowe Strips Down Eurythmics' 'Sweet Dreams' "

Today's 1 Heck of a Guy post also includes a link to this YouTube audio with pic:



When the makers of Hollywood movie "Sucker Punch" were looking for ideas on how to approach the song, they called on Allison Crowe. For the 2011 blockbuster from director Zack Snyder, actress Emily Browning performs the song as a production number that opens what promises to be an exciting, visceral, film ride.

Cover Me Premieres Allison Crowe's Take on Annie Lennox & Eurythmics: "Sweet Dreams"

"Cover Me" blog's Editor-in-Chief Ray Padgett, (SPIN, Consequence of Sound, Mashable and more), today premieres Allison Crowe's take on Annie Lennox & Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams"

In the accompanying article, "Allison Crowe Shows Us What 'Sweet Dreams' Are Made Of (Cover Me Premiere)", writer Eric Garneau says of Crowe's bare take on the song:

"She delivers a reading on this '80s mainstay at once beautifully melodious and ferociously in-your-face."

Allison Crowe being a rock musician - well, what was called rock in the '60s - she really enjoys, but doesn't replicate, the sounds of the original's pop sensibility. She strips things to their emotional core.

The image accompanying this passionate music is of Allison Crowe performing @ Tunnel, an underground jazz club in Vienna, Austria. This foto is by Canadian-Brazilian photographer-musician Billie Rocha-Woods