Now I’m 64 – Allison Crowe and Band W2U2

Where e’er you be – join in on this lovely Newfoundland parlour song. Allison Crowe and Band, from their freshly-released “Welcome to Us” recording, bring forth “Now I’m 64”. It’s a tune popularized by Atlantic Canada music legends Ryan’s Fancy, Harry Hibbs, Figgy Duff… and, now, us all:

Musicians Allison Crowe (vocals, piano, guitar, fiddle, bodhran), Céline Sawchuk (cello, vocals), Sarah White (mandolin, guitar, vocals), Dave Baird (bass, vocals) & Keelan Purchase (accordion, 12-string guitar, bodhran, harmonica, vocals) banded together on the lovely isle of Newfoundland for sessions and shows.

For a flock of creators who live, literally, all over the map it’s a rare chance to slow the world a bit. “We had time to experiment, and think more about the larger picture musically,” says bassist & birder Dave. “It’s only the beginning. It’s just the first we’ve had opportunity to work the music out without much time restraint. It was fun, relaxed, and productive.”

Melding into one sound and performance experience the rawest of folk roots and the richest of arena rock – that barely begins to describe the originality and freshness of the quintet’s music and personality.

Debuting at Corner Brook, NL’s Rotary Arts Centre, RAC Theatre Co-ordinator Brad Randell observes, “The performance was absolutely magical.”

Rolling across the rock, captured fresh at the LSPU (Longshoremen's Protective Union) Hall in St. John's, NL, Canada – it’s music that’s food for the soul and fun for all.

Fortune’s present audio-wise, and Allison’s SD (memory) card is filled with tracks to be mined and enjoyed. Sláinte!

"Welcome to Us 1", the concert’s first act, presents the brilliant bi-coastal band's more guitar-and-fiddle-centric tunes – live: http://music.allisoncrowe.com/album/welcome-to-us-1

"Welcome to Us 2", the concert’s second act, features the group's more piano-centric tunes – and encore – live: http://music.allisoncrowe.com/album/welcome-to-us-2

"Welcome to Us Banter Bits" includes any chat, laughter, applause not found on the "Welcome to Us" albums on iTunes et al. A free download to complement the concert music: http://music.allisoncrowe.com/album/welcome-to-us-banter-bits

For our video wrapper here – hearty thanks to Alick Tsui Photography and Mind Palace Design.

Hallelujah – Allison Crowe and Band W2U2

Counting the human species alone there’s more than 7.6 billion Hallelujahs, really. When you start to consider all living creatures, the potential is infinite.

Here’s one take. Allison Crowe, live at the LSPU Hall in St John’s, Newfoundland with Leonard Cohen’s song. The rest of the band’s gone below to change into accordionist+ Keelan’s clothes… leaving Allison and the folks in the concert hall to carry harmonies in the chorus. It’s just one word:

Musicians Allison Crowe (vocals, piano, guitar, fiddle, bodhran), Céline Sawchuk (cello, vocals), Sarah White (mandolin, guitar, vocals), Dave Baird (bass, vocals) & Keelan Purchase (accordion, 12-string guitar, bodhran, harmonica, vocals) banded together on the lovely isle of Newfoundland for sessions and shows.

For a flock of creators who live, literally, all over the map it’s a rare chance to slow the world a bit. “We had time to experiment, and think more about the larger picture musically,” says bassist & birder Dave. “It’s only the beginning. It’s just the first we’ve had opportunity to work the music out without much time restraint. It was fun, relaxed, and productive.”

Melding into one sound and performance experience the rawest of folk roots and the richest of arena rock – that barely begins to describe the originality and freshness of the quintet’s music and personality.

Debuting at Corner Brook, NL’s Rotary Arts Centre, RAC Theatre Co-ordinator Brad Randell observes, “The performance was absolutely magical.”

Rolling across the rock, captured fresh at the LSPU (Longshoremen's Protective Union) Hall in St. John's, NL, Canada – it’s music that’s food for the soul and fun for all.

Fortune’s present audio-wise, and Allison’s SD (memory) card is filled with tracks to be mined and enjoyed. Sláinte!

"Welcome to Us 2", the concert’s second act, presents the brilliant bi-coastal band's more piano-centric tunes – and encore – live: http://music.allisoncrowe.com/album/welcome-to-us-2http://music.allisoncrowe.com/album/welcome-to-us-2

What About You – Allison Crowe and Band W2U2

Empathy.

"What About You".

Lisa's Song Completes Suite

Hope.

“Lisa’s Song” completes the song suite from Allison Crowe and Band – continuing Act 2 of “Welcome to Us”. 

Lisa's Song – Allison Crowe and Band W2U2 from Allison Crowe on Vimeo.

Visual accompaniment is from the cinema masterpiece “Ménilmontant”. (The full suite – I Might / Back to Black / Shifts of Light / Tones in Transition / I Am the Air / Lisa's Song – is @ https://vimeo.com/261671693 )

Musicians Allison Crowe (vocals, piano, guitar, fiddle, bodhran), Céline Sawchuk (cello, vocals), Sarah White (mandolin, guitar, vocals), Dave Baird (bass, vocals) & Keelan Purchase (accordion, 12-string guitar, bodhran, harmonica, vocals) banded together on the lovely isle of Newfoundland for sessions and shows.

For a flock of creators who live, literally, all over the map it’s a rare chance to slow the world a bit. “We had time to experiment, and think more about the larger picture musically,” says bassist & birder Dave. “It’s only the beginning. It’s just the first we’ve had opportunity to work the music out without much time restraint. It was fun, relaxed, and productive.”

Melding into one sound and performance experience the rawest of folk roots and the richest of arena rock – that barely begins to describe the originality and freshness of the quintet’s music and personality.

Debuting at Corner Brook, NL’s Rotary Arts Centre, RAC Theatre Co-ordinator Brad Randell observes, “The performance was absolutely magical.”

Rolling across the rock, captured fresh at the LSPU (Longshoremen's Protective Union) Hall in St. John's, NL, Canada – it’s music that’s food for the soul and fun for all.

Fortune’s present audio-wise, and Allison’s SD (memory) card is filled with tracks to be mined and enjoyed. Sláinte!

"Welcome to Us 1", the concert’s first act, presents the brilliant bi-coastal band's more guitar-and-fiddle-centric tunes – live: http://music.allisoncrowe.com/album/welcome-to-us-1http://music.allisoncrowe.com/album/welcome-to-us-1

"Welcome to Us 2", the concert’s second act, features the group's more piano-centric tunes – and encore – live: http://music.allisoncrowe.com/album/welcome-to-us-2http://music.allisoncrowe.com/album/welcome-to-us-2

"Welcome to Us Banter Bits" includes any chat, laughter, applause not found on the "Welcome to Us" albums on iTunes et al. A free download to complement the concert music: http://music.allisoncrowe.com/album/welcome-to-us-banter-bitshttp://music.allisoncrowe.com/album/welcome-to-us-banter-bits

I Am the Air – Allison Crowe and Band W2U2

We’re all in this together. “I Am the Air”, the next breath in the song suite from Allison Crowe and Band – Act 2 of “Welcome to Us”.

Visual accompaniment is from the cinema masterpiece “Ménilmontant”. (The full suite – I Might / Back to Black / Shifts of Light / Tones in Transition / I Am the Air / Lisa's Song – is @ https://vimeo.com/261671693 )

Musicians Allison Crowe (vocals, piano, guitar, fiddle, bodhran), Céline Sawchuk (cello, vocals), Sarah White (mandolin, guitar, vocals), Dave Baird (bass, vocals) & Keelan Purchase (accordion, 12-string guitar, bodhran, harmonica, vocals) banded together on the lovely isle of Newfoundland for sessions and shows.

For a flock of creators who live, literally, all over the map it’s a rare chance to slow the world a bit. “We had time to experiment, and think more about the larger picture musically,” says bassist & birder Dave. “It’s only the beginning. It’s just the first we’ve had opportunity to work the music out without much time restraint. It was fun, relaxed, and productive.”

Melding into one sound and performance experience the rawest of folk roots and the richest of arena rock – that barely begins to describe the originality and freshness of the quintet’s music and personality.

Debuting at Corner Brook, NL’s Rotary Arts Centre, RAC Theatre Co-ordinator Brad Randell observes, “The performance was absolutely magical.”

Rolling across the rock, captured fresh at the LSPU (Longshoremen's Protective Union) Hall in St. John's, NL, Canada – it’s music that’s food for the soul and fun for all.

Fortune’s present audio-wise, and Allison’s SD (memory) card is filled with tracks to be mined and enjoyed. Sláinte!

"Welcome to Us 2", the concert’s second act, presents the brilliant bi-coastal band's more piano-centric tunes – and encore – live: http://music.allisoncrowe.com/album/welcome-to-us-2

I Might featuring Céline Sawchuk

Cellist/vocalist Céline Sawchuk comes from the mythic Black Forest of Germany. Out of the lush thickets of the Schwarzwald to the cool streets of Berlin, Céline strives to bring “a little bit of my home” to the world music stage. Singing “I Might” – an atmospheric song from the duo of Oliver Koletzki & Fran (Franziska Lauter) – she’s joined here by Allison Crowe on piano and Dave Baird on bass.

This launches a suite of songs – and Act 2 of “Welcome to Us”. Visual accompaniment is from the cinema masterpiece “Ménilmontant”. (The full suite – I Might / Back to Black / Shifts of Light / Tones in Transition / I Am the Air / Lisa's Song – is @ https://vimeo.com/261671693 )

"Welcome to Us" Acts 1 & 2

“Welcome to Us” Acts 1 & 2 is now out in our world.


For such acts of creative genius, and just pure joy, take a bow Allison Crowe (composer, vocals, piano, guitar, fiddle, bodhran), Céline Sawchuk (cello, vocals), Sarah White (mandolin, guitar, vocals), Dave Baird (bass, vocals) and Keelan Purchase (accordion, 12-string guitar, bodhran, harmonica, vocals).

The music is now on Bandcamp (Act 1:
http://music.allisoncrowe.com/album/welcome-to-us-1 + Act 2: http://music.allisoncrowe.com/album/welcome-to-us-2 ), CD Baby
( http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/AllisonCrowe ), iTunes (
https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/allison-crowe/id15902153 ), Spotify, Amazon and all places you find music online.

We’ll be sharing the band’s sounds, from the rawest of folk roots to the richest of arena rock, over coming weeks.

Right now, here be a look at the creators – Allison, Céline, Sarah, Keelan & Dave – via the album covers from Mind Palace Design.

Bird Set Free – Allison Crowe and Band Soar w.Sia Song!

First heard from the sensational live recording of Allison Crowe and Band – captured recently at LSPU Hall in St. John’s, Newfoundland – is “Verses”. Paul Mercs Concerts, the great Canadian event presenters since 1991, kindly shared "Verses", posting: “Bravo Allison & Co! Beautiful & whimsical as always, got us jigg'n!”

This next song recording from the same show delivers some choruses! After their wardrobe hijinks, the band returns to the stage and soar with their cover of Sia’s uniquely anthemic “Bird Set Free”.

Musicians Allison Crowe (vocals, piano, guitar, fiddle, bodhran), Céline Sawchuk (cello, vocals), Sarah White (mandolin, guitar, vocals), Dave Baird (bass, vocals) & Keelan Purchase (accordion, 12-string guitar, bodhran, harmonica, vocals) recently banded together on the lovely isle of Newfoundland for sessions and shows.

For a flock of creators who live, literally, all over the map it’s a rare chance to slow the world a bit. “We had time to experiment, and think more about the larger picture musically,” says bassist & birder Dave. “It’s only the beginning. It’s just the first we’ve had opportunity to work the music out without much time restraint. It was fun, relaxed, and productive.”

Melding into one sound and performance experience the rawest of folk roots and the richest of arena rock –  that barely begins to describe the originality and freshness of the quintet’s music and personality.

Debuting at Corner Brook, NL’s Rotary Arts Centre, RAC Theatre Co-ordinator Brad Randell observes, “The performance was absolutely magical.” 

Rolling across the rock to St. John’s and a concert night at LSPU Hall, magic’s afoot once more with Allison Crowe and Band – and, this time, serendipitously, artifacts remain to be shared in addition to golden memories of artists and audience+.

Alick Tsui, the truly remarkable SJ-based photographer, was able to attend Act 1 (the band’s NL concerts formed around one set in which Allison played guitar or fiddle, and, post-intermission, a second set of songs founded on Allison’s piano tunes) – and Alick captured some iconic images of Allison, Céline, Sarah, Dave & Keelan.

Fortune’s present audio-wise, and Allison’s SD (memory) card is filled with tracks to be mined.

Allison Crowe and Band find clothier

’twas another favourite band from a northern town that lyricized love – and fun – cannae be bought with money.

Musing on such fab notions, this birthday of Allison Crowe, it must be noted, then, that Allison and bandmates Céline Sawchuk, Sarah White, Dave Baird & Keelan Purchase form a priceless combo.

Witness some of their concerted hijinks – giving rise to the group term known as “a reel of Keelans” (akin to a flock of seagulls, a pod of dolphins etc.) – and contributing to Allison’s recent post-tour declaration:

I'm exhausted - but it's the good kind of exhausted. Not the kind that's like "I'm never doing that again. Ever." , but rather the kind that comes from working like crazy on something you felt you were maybe supposed to do, but was really a giant leap in to a pit of OH DEAR GOD THIS IS CRAZY of sorts, with a group of people that rocked their butts off with enthusiasm and love the whole damn time. Not without fear. The kind of fight or flight that it turns out is exhilarating rather than debilitating. When you get off the ride at the fair and scream "LET'S DO IT AGAIN" until you're hoarse and your body can't take it anymore. So - Celine - thank you for your passion and music and images and designs and being my gym and knitting buddy, Dave - thank you for your precision and timing and hilariousness and birding and commitment - Sarah thank you for your mando and music and level-headedness and perspective with humour, and Keelan - for jumping in this crazy clown car with us and bringing your instruments and jokes and huge dramatic presence and subtlety and also thank you for your clothes. I love you guys. LET'S DO IT AGAIN.

Introducing: Allison Crowe and Band

Serving up timeless music and alliterative predictability, “The Friday Morning Markout” on Radio CHMR celebrates “Allison Crowe August” – and, come Spring, “Allison Crowe April” @ https://www.facebook.com/events/1137581292972720  Program Host DJ FanBoy Mark Jabroni’s joined in-studio this week by: Allison Crowe (vocals, piano, guitar, fiddle, bodhran) and bandmates Céline Sawchuk (cello, vocals) and Dave Baird (bass, vocals).

"No matter where Allison Crowe is in this world, that voice, that conviction, it crosses all borders. She’s one of those rare artists that fits into any culture, any community because she is who she is – an incredible talent," observes Jeff Pitcher, Artistic Director, Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador.

Home in Corner Brook, NL Allison’s writing a book of prose poetry, “Fluttering”, and composing songs for a new album, “Rare Birds” (her 22nd release on Rubenesque Records). In 2017 she’s returned to Cow Head for a sixth year as Musical Director of “Newfoundland Vinyl”, a rollicking hit at TNL’s Gros Morne Theatre Festival.

On the road, concerts blending rock, folk, Canadiana, Celtic, jazz, and roots, across Europe and North America commingle with other adventures – including Allison’s cameo in the Hollywood Superman blockbuster “Man of Steel” and touring as featured singer/pianist with Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet.

In league now, Allison, Céline and Dave unite soon with Sarah White (mandolin, ukulele, bouzouki, vocals) & Keelan Purchase (accordion, 12-string guitar, bodhran, harmonica). "Soulful. Alive. Joyous. Grievous. Real, true, music is what I want to make," says bandleader Allison. And that’s just what happens.

In concert:

Saturday, September 23 - Rotary Arts Centre, 5 Park Street, Corner Brook, NL - RAC Box Office  630-0012  + more info @ https://rotaryartscentre.yapsody.com/event/index/136636/allison-crowe-and-band  +  http://rotaryartscentre.ca/event/allison-crowe-and-band  &  https://www.facebook.com/events/162676974292965

Tuesday, September 26 - LSPU Hall, 3 Victoria Street, St. John's, NL - LSPU Box Office 709-753-4531 + more @ http://rca.nf.ca/event/introducing-allison-crowe-and-band  +   https://www.facebook.com/events/1949579325330110

Showtimes: 8:00pm  A musical wonderment!

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