How Long: V Day Playlist #3 of 7

"How Long" is something of a curious member of Allison Crowe's song repertoire. It's overwhelmingly popular with international audiences, and particularly in those countries where English is not a first language. As it's rarely heard in concert, we have no video or still images of Allison performing the song. The pic accompanying the audio in this vid looks down a road to the sea off the coast of the Orkney Islands, Northern Scotland. It's taken by Billie Woods, photographer, musician and friend of Allison, when the pair were graciously invited by composer Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, the Queen's Master of Music, and "Max"'s partner Colin Parkinson to visit their Orcadian home:

How Long (live)

"How Long", by Allison Crowe (along with "Immersed") is in the tradition of songs that show record execs can sometimes inspire great music! (Whether intentional or not.) Joni Mitchell's more explicit with her "Free Man in Paris", but, as we've noted before, Allison's lemonade is a good squeeze. Here's the applause track

How Long

"How Long" opens Allison Crowe's full-length debut, "secrets". Once Allison began touring nationally and internationally she was courted by reps for the old-school record industry. This song is a kiss-off to their hollow promises and an embrace of independence and strength and love. "secrets" marks the beginning of a beautiful friendship with Florida-based web and graphic designer Alix Whitmire!