Sounds of things to come... Allison Crowe + Band

So - we recorded a total of 20 tracks in 4 days - LOTS of music to come - super excited about it all lots of new songs, a few from the early 2000s reworked , some that are part of the musical I’m working on... so proud of my band. Stay tuned!

 #music #bands #newfoundland

Allison Crowe, Sarah White, Keelan Purchase... and, to be joined before long by Dave Baird, have begun to make the band's newest recording.

 Here's a listen to the final sounds of these first sessions...

The Merry Blacksmith, downhome music captured by Adam Thistle in lovely Corner Brook, NL, Canada.

Music + Theatre

Allison Crowe and Band celebrate 224 rousing years on-stage with this original traditional tune, “Rare Birds”. (…or is it 224 songs… best check Allison’s “ABC List”)

Rare Birds - Allison Crowe and Band W2U2 from Allison Crowe on Vimeo.

With Allison Crowe performing a song solo, closing act 2 of the concert at St. John’s LSPU Hall, her bandmates duck below – for a sartorial switch-up. These quick-change artists now return to join Allison for the encore:

Quick-Change Artists - Allison Crowe and Band W2U2 from Allison Crowe on Vimeo.

This Summer, Theatre St. John’s brings to the LSPU stage the Tony and Grammy-winning musical “Once”. Allison Crowe’s excited to join TSJ’s stellar cast and crew – Miranda MacDonald (“Girl”), Mike Cox (“Guy”) and more to be revealed between now and opening night. This show runs August 8-19 at the LSPU Hall. The event page is @ https://www.facebook.com/events/977798939050567

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

Happy St. Patrick's Day

St Paddy’s jam with the band does my heart good   loves playing music with ye crowd #music #bands #jamsession #family #newfoundland

From the neat little town they call Corner Brook, Allison Crowe ties up the musical sentences with “Black Velvet Band”:

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.

Meet Allison Crowe and Band

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 :)

Fur Release

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.

Hobbes.

To purraphrase Dr. Seuss: “The Cat IS the Hat”.

Foto: Keelan Purchase

Sunday Sojourn

Wake up you sleepy heads… for adventure, even on a lazy Sunday afternoon. “No Matter the Battle” pits Allison Crowe and Band, film-scorer Kayla Schmah, and cinema magician Georges Méliès against the moon’s inhabitants – and we’re all aboard:

Happy Birthday to cellist+ Céline!

Happy Birthday, Céline! Alles Gute zum Geburtstag! Today we celebrate the birthday of Céline Sawchuk (née Greb), cellist and vocalist in Allison Crowe and Band – and the graphic designer of band posters, album art and more. Originally from the Black Forest of Germany, Céline now is home on Canada’s Salt Spring Island. 

As Allison and the group ready songs for their next album and concerts, here’s the sound of Céline’s strings and voice united with Alley and co. on “You All Haunt Me” from their “Heirs+Grievances” double-disc debut: http://music.allisoncrowe.com/track/you-all-haunt-me-3

Clodagh Mara O'Connell Joins Allison Crowe & Co. for New Adventures

The music of Allison Crowe has travelled greatly this century. Now, with bandmates, LIN, Sarah White & Dave Baird, there’s more adventure ahead.

And, it’s with immense delight and gratitude we welcome aboard Clodagh Mara O’Connell – newly appointed Road & Merch Manager for the group.

Clodagh is a lawyer and former music journalist and screenwriter. Her deep love of music and the arts has been the constant in her life and work. Clodagh’s passions and talents flow together with Allison + band in, both, admin and hands-on areas.

Art and all at Rubenesque Records Ltd. has never shone brighter as we enter this New Year. A new web home is being built @ http://www.allisoncrowe.com/wordpress - and the ol’ faithful site remains @ http://allisoncrowe.com – enjoy all the music @ http://music.allisoncrowe.com

Oceans - Day 14 on Musical Advent Calendar

“Oceans” is among those songs for “all time” included as well in the seasonal repertoire of Allison Crowe. Here’s a version from Allison and her band, off the quartet’s 2016 debut, “Heirs+Grievances”:

Oceans - Allison Crowe and Band - Heirs + Grievances from Allison Crowe on Vimeo.

Each day through Christmas celebrate a new song on Allison's Musical Advent Calendar @ http://allisoncrowe.com/MusicalAdventCalendar2016.html

NB Merci beaucoup, Michèle-Marie Joubert! Thanks to Michèle-Marie, we can now enjoy the lyrics to Océans in a version française along with the version anglaise. Here’s the translation she’s kindly posted:

Oceans - Allison Crowe [Traduction des Paroles]

Océans

J'ai un cœur déchiré entre deux océans
S'il vous plaît ne me confondez pas avec la mer
Dans le scintillement d'un cil et d'une sieste
Je pars en Allemagne
Les plis du temps que nous ne dépensons jamais
Enrouler autour de moi comme une maladie
Et maintenant j'ai un contentement en moi
Une petite mort comparée au calme
Et je suis vivant
Et ce n'est pas artificiel
C'est juste ce que je pense de toi
Et toi et toi ...
Un vent calme et inconstant souffle à travers
Sable roulant entre les orteils d'étrangers
Le rire et les yeux déchirés
Conscient mais indifférent des dangers
Mots jetés et retournés lentement
Essai des ponts et des eaux
Faces charmantes, trop fugitives pour tenir
Voyez-les vraiment, sans crainte
Et je suis vivant
Et ce n'est pas artificiel
C'est juste ce que je pense de toi
Et toi et toi ...
Le cœur se heurte en petites rafales d'étincelles
Et est vrai parfois à faux
Mais vous n'êtes rien si vous ne sentez pas cela
Vous auriez à peine un pouls
Et ainsi je continue sur mon chemin joyeux,
Une torsion gitane avec des amants imaginaires
Avec tant de gens dans les marées du jour
Seul sous les couvertures
Mais je suis vivant
Et ce n'est pas artificiel
C'est exactement ce que je ressens pour vous
Et toi et toi et toi
C'est juste ce que je pense de toi
Et toi et toi et toi
Et toi
-

Super, soft, stylish band t-shirts

The loveliest t-shirts imaginable are now hung by the chimney with care - online. Allison Crowe and Band + Rubenesque Records logo fashion tees are available in Allison’s Bandcamp shop (https://allisoncrowe.bandcamp.com/merch/allison-crowe-and-band-rubenesque-records-logo-t-shirts) and on Allison’s homesite @ http://allisoncrowe.com/shoppaypal.html

Comfortable, soft, heather grey, unisex tees in two beautiful designs – in S, M, L, XL, and 2XL sizes. Fuller info on each site (NB Bandcamp shopping is US currency, Allison’s homesite is CDN currency.)

Allison Crowe t-shirts are now available - in beautiful designs created by Allison and cellist LIN

It's a Wrap

Musical wonder woman Allison Crowe's flown coast-to-coast across Canada now, and the lasso of truth promises to circle the globe, all in good time :)

Musicians Sarah White, LIN, and Dave Baird gave their all on Allison Crowe and Band's "Heirs+Grievances" tour. The first North American leg is now a wrap - and it's time all are home for a rest. New musical stirrings await.

"Why Music? Why Breathing?" The Celtic Music Fan Reviews Allison Crowe and Band's Debut

“I have not heard of anyone who sings with the vulnerability or childhood innocence and the piercing intensity of Edith Piaf the way she does, well at least not in this lifetime,” says writer/editor Baxter Labatos, founder of “The Celtic Music Fan”, in a review of Allison Crowe and Band’s debut. “It is quite amazing how she can do so many things with her voice. She’s a woman with a guitar who belts out like Aretha Franklin, a bodhran player with soul in her heart and, yes, a pianist with the grace of a classical performer.”

Of “Introducing / Heirs+Grievances”, the double-disc now coming to North American audiences in concert, the percipient international blogger sums up: “The powerful voice and instrumental prowess will delight fans and new converts of Allison Crowe’s artistic genius.”

Enjoy the full review – and the music @
https://celticmusicfan.wordpress.com/2016/10/05/why-music-why-breathing-the-allison-crowe-band-cd 

Allison Crowe and Band Tour Rising

Come see my band and I on the road in October and November in BC! :) check the pic for dates and locations #music #tour #band #bc #vancouverisland #sunshinecoast #britishcolumbia #touringbands

Allison Crowe foto & design

Allison Crowe's Rubenesque Records Celebrates 15 Years

Rubenesque Records, the music label of Allison Crowe, is 15.

Rubenesque logo - conceived by Allison Crowe & designed by Lin Lin

An artist, a person with the integrity of this Canadian islander was always going to find her own way and on August 23, 2001, Allison incorporated Rubenesque Records Ltd. and carried on the road less-traveled – stating: "Soulful. Alive. Joyous. Grievous. Real, true, music is what I want to make."

Righteous Babe Record’s founders, musician Ani DiFranco and manager Scot Fisher, remain a model of truly independent spirit and creativity in today’s record industry – hopeful proof that "If you are disgustingly sincere and terribly diligent, there are ways for any serious artist to operate outside the corporate structure."

Rubenesque Records marks its 15th year with the debut of Allison Crowe and Band – “Introducing / Heirs + Grievances” – the 20th release by the label, and the launch of another, exciting, creative phase.

Virtuoisic, versatile and visceral – Allison Crowe’s amazing body of work is experienced through more than 150 original song recordings, on board with Canadiana, sea chanteys, Celtic aires, hymns, carols, tunes of Newfoundland and Labrador, centuries-old broadside ballads renewed, as well as singular interpretations of Counting Crows, Pearl Jam, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Tori Amos, The Beatles, Broadway, jazz, soul and so much else.

Allison’s talents and accomplishments are too vast and varied to be summed up in words. The music says it all @ http://music.allisoncrowe.com

“Allison Crowe August” is what DJ Mark Jabroni of CHMR Radio in St. John’s, NL has proclaimed this month. Rubenesque itself has some special music releases, tours, concerts and more fun in the works to celebrate with gusto this August – and everything after.

Right now, bridging the years, here’s vintage video of Allison performing in Vienna early this century paired with audio from her band’s most recent concert in Vancouver. “Secrets”, Allison Crowe’s piano and vocals with cellist Lin Lin is part of “Introducing”, the live disc half of Rubenesque’s newest (RRL 00020). Sláinte mhaith!!

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

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.

All the news from stage and studio – with Allison Crowe and Band’s debut album – live today in The Western Star @ http://www.thewesternstar.com/Living/2016-08-01/article-4603029/Allison-Crowe-taking-on-new-challenges-in-busy-artistic-year/1

The Telegram, singing from St. John’s, Newfoundland, keeps up the chorus of Danette Dooley's feature in the sister to "The People's Paper": “Allison Crowe taking on new challenges in busy artistic year”: http://www.thetelegram.com/Living/2016-08-01/article-4603029/Allison-Crowe-taking-on-new-challenges-in-busy-artistic-year/1