Ron Hynes and Murray McLauchlan’s classic “No
Change in Me” is another song in the key of life heard on Allison Crowe’s new album,
“Newfoundland Vinyl IV”:
Cultural treasure-chest GEST Songs of NFLD shares lyrics, ("This getting nowhere is getting to me, Wondering where you can go to be all you can be..."), and the original recording plus variant @ http://gestsongs.com/07/nochange.htm And you'll find more from Allison on GEST, as well @ http://gestsongs.com/acrowe.htm
The lovely isle of Newfoundland,
off Canada’s
Atlantic coast, is inspiration for this collection – the newest in the “Vinyl”
series from Corner Brook, NL
musician Allison Crowe.
Allison’s in harbour with a boatful of tunes reveling in, and revealing, the
region’s rich culture and history – stirring music that nourishes heart and
soul.
The album opens with "Mice March" and closes with "Russian
Dance", both selections from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker” – freshly arranged
and performed “trad” style for Theatre Newfoundland
and Labrador’s “Ed & Ed’s Newfoundland Christmas
Concert”. And between these tracks is a bounty of adventuresome musical ideas –
embracing songs of land and sea.
Traditional music, and modern favourites – funny, poignant, earthy and ethereal
– all part of the “Newfoundland Vinyl” stage-show lovingly curated and directed
by Allison Crowe each Summer at TNL’s Gros Morne Theatre Festival.
The album cover photograph by Allison shows us what she sees at home making
music. And the songs themselves let us feel it all, as well. Joys and hardships
be tugging on the heart-line first cast by Buddy Wasisname, and true as ever:
“You might think she’s rugged and cold, but she’s home, sweet, home to me.” Credits:
Allison Crowe: all vocals, instruments, engineering and production.
Album cover photo: Allison Crowe.
Graphics: MindPalace
Design.
Happy Allison Crowe August! All this month,
CHMR
93.5 FM DJs Fanboy Mark Jabroni and Reverend Jason
Cantwell share the musical joys and explorations of
Allison Crowe. Allison’s solo and band recordings
will be featured throughout August on "The Friday
Morning Markout". Tune in from anywhere on this
planet, or from a pastoral lake on Mars, dial-in
https://chmrfm.weebly.com – 8am to 10 am
Newfoundland Time {6:30am EST}.
It’s ok to shoot the moon – and that happens all
this month, musically, on CHMR celebrating “Allison
Crowe August”. Welcome aboard a cultural
rocket-ship @
https://www.facebook.com/events/1137581292972720
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
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
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!
“Catharsis” – Allison
Crowe and Band cap Act 1 of “Welcome to Us”
with this lively reel from Virginia
musician-caller-teacher Amy Cann (“Twenty+ years
helping people learn to do whatever they think they
can't.”) Once they catch a collective breath,
Allison and ’mates will return with Act 2 – the
piano songs:
“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).
2018 will see the release of Allison Crowe’s “Fluttering”, an illuminating book of poetry/prose, and Allison and band will unite on one continent or another to advance the exciting sounds of “Rare Birds”, their next studio album.
First to hatch, though, is “Welcome to Us” – a sensational and fun album of music captured live at the LSPU (Longshoremen's Protective Union) Hall in St. John's, NL, Canada. Here’s a preview from Act 1 (the guitar-based songs – piano-centric songs comprise the second act). Enjoy!
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.
’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.
Celebrating the birthday of Allison Crowe, a great artist of our lifetime, with this newest of recordings – “Verses”.
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.
First up – this original song tagged with some trad.
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. First, let’s meet the band on-stage :)
Travel can broaden one’s perspectives. It can
also warm one’s ears.
Musician Dave Baird journeyed recently from his
home-base on Canada’s Pacific coast to rehearse and
tour with Allison Crowe and Band in Newfoundland.
While on the east coast, bassist Dave discovered
what fashionable folks of St. John’s, NL are
wearing this season.
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.
CHMR's A-show Marks Week 3 of "Allison Crowe August"
“Allison Crowe August” Week 3 is the main event on today’s
card as CHMR 93.5FM Radio (http://www.mun.ca/chmr) double-teaming DJs FanBoy
Mark Jabroni and Reverend Jason Cantwell keep up their musical A-show. You can
even phone in, or email a request, to ‘The Friday Morning Markout’, ‘Ring-Rust’,
and ‘Uberswank’. All the music of Allison Crowe is the big draw. Her band’s
debut, “Introducing / Heirs + Grievances” can be won. Listen in online for the
latest sounds of this month-long slow burn. Search "CHMR's RING RUST" on the
Stitcher app, or listen live via http://www.chmr.ca/main.html
Corner Brook's Allison Crowe,
internationally-heralded recording artist and
touring sensation, returns to the Gros Morne
Theatre Festival concert stage to share a
repertoire of gorgeously thrilling rock, jazz,
Celtic, folk, roots, pop and soul music that's
bound to include selections from Theatre
Newfoundland and Labrador's hit show "Newfoundland
Vinyl". Allison (vocals, piano, guitar, fiddle
and bodhran) is joined in concert by very special
guests, Sarah White (mandolin, guitar and vocals)
and Dave Baird (bass) for a midsummer's night full
of fun and celebration. (http://music.allisoncrowe.com)
CHMR’s Mark Jabroni, Host of The
Friday Morning Markout, Ring-Rust,
and Uberswank, raises the banner on “Allison
Crowe August”, declaring: “Every Friday in
August, the music of Allison Crowe will fill the
CHMR airwaves! Including her new double CD!”:
http://www.mun.ca/chmr
And in this Corner Brook - on the Mark all month
with FanBoy Jabroni (http://markjabroni.s5.com)
and the Reverend Jerry Cantwell on CHMR 93.5-FM
tag-team broadcasting from the campus of
Memorial University, St. John’s, NL. Check the
slamming schedule @
http://www.mun.ca/chmr/main.html and tune in
from anywhere in the world. Join the fray at
Ring Rust:
https://www.facebook.com/CHMRsRingRust
Find out what’s on Allison’s Summer musical menu
via “Sea and Be Scene” and in sister NL
newspaper links here as well! Here’s a taste…
"Between the recording and playing of music and her
work in theatre, Allison Crowe's life as a Corner
Brook-based artist sees little rest. This summer
has been no exception," writes Danette Dooley.
Dooley catches up with Crowe between performances
of "Neddy Norris Night" and "Newfoundland
Vinyl: The Greatest Hits" at the Gros
Morne Theatre Festival -- and days before the
musician's own concert, with very special guests,
this coming Friday night (9pm, August 5), at
GMTF.
Allison Crowe w. guests in Concert is part of
GMTF's "Who's Darkening Our Door"
Concert Series. Concerts are performed in the Ethie
Room, Shallow Bay Motel, 193 Main Street, Cow Head,
NL, A0K 2A0
Allison Crowe's Busy Year Features in Sister Papers
“Between the recording and playing of music and her
work in theatre, Allison Crowe's life as a Corner
Brook-based artist sees little rest. This summer
has been no exception,” says Western Star writer
Danette Dooley.
Dooley catches up with Crowe between performances
of “Neddy Norris Night” and “Newfoundland Vinyl:
The Greatest Hits” at the Gros Morne Theatre
Festival – and days before the musician's
own concert, with very special guests, this coming Friday night (August 5),
at GMTF.