Newfoundland Vinyl IV

Cause why not release a new album on your own birthday?

Hahaha #newmusic  #newfoundland  #vinyl



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 spins to a replay 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 Simani, and true as ever: “You might think she’s rugged and cold, but she’s home, sweet, home to me.”

Allison Crowe: all vocals, instruments, engineering and production.

Album cover photo: Allison Crowe.

Graphics: Mind Palace Design.

Release: November 16, 2018

Illuminating Music: Just What the Doctor Ordered

A true tonic for the heart, body and soul. “Cohencentric: Leonard Cohen Considered” prescribes Lesson 1 in Dr. David Goza’s recently launched educational video series, “How to Listen to Music”. Musicologist Goza, Visiting Associate Professor of Music at University of Oklahoma, distills, in the lecture hall and online, “A Descriptive Analysis of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah,’ Sung by Allison Crowe”.

https://cohencentric.com/2018/02/21/think-music-david-goza-featuring-allison-crowes-cover-hallelujah-leonard-cohen

Professor Goza notes @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZddiM1KjMU:
“I'm starting a new educational series to give my students some ways to think about music, and I'll probably post them here from time to time. This one involves a heartbreakingly beautiful performance of Leonard Cohen's ‘Hallelujah’ by Allison Crowe (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIMOdVXAPJ0 )."

Dr. Goza, who teaches World Music at OU’s state-of-the-art facility, in his posting expresses "nothing but admiration for Ms. Crowe's extraordinary artistry.”

In turn, Allison’s honoured and grateful that her performance of Leonard Cohen’s song is part of, and launches, this wonderful new series.

"Tonight Will Be Fine"

“In celebration of Valentine's Day, Cohencentric offers Allison Crowe's romantic cover of Leonard Cohen's Tonight Will Be Fine”:

Snow

Snow.

Fireworks all across the bay.

For Shannon

https://allisoncrowe.bandcamp.com/track/snow-2

Snow

Words & Music by Allison Crowe

Ice blue
Beautiful silence
The first snow falls
And whispers peacefully

Floating and reeling
you land in a snowflake
On everybody’s jackets
Keeping them company

Set about the air
And find without formation
No lines, no barricades
Just abstract light

A different shape
For every eye that sees
A comfort, a brush
through all of our eyes

lively and dancing
through the air
in the Winter's night
on the winds

falling and landing
landing and fixing
leaving an imprint
on all you have seen

and in this ice blue silence
this beautiful memory,
do not guard jealously
no time to despair

no pain in this cold
Just good, just kindness
A blanket of memory
Soft in the night

So smile and watch
As the snow falls around us
Landing on us all
Leaving peace to remember

Never one shade,
Never one shape
Always in motion
And beauty inspired

Traditional New Year’s cheer : "Love and joy come to you..."

Traditional New Year's cheer: "Love and joy come to you..."

O Holy Night - Day 29 on the Musical Advent Calendar

“O Holy Night” completes the Musical Advent Calendar for 2016. On Christmas Day Allison Crowe delivers this much-loved, traditional, carol – music by Adolphe C. Adam (1803-1856) and words: Placide Cappeau, 1847 (Minuit, chrétiens, c'est l'heure solennelle); translated from French to English by John S. Dwight (1812-1893):

(Hear the “Tidings” album version @ http://music.allisoncrowe.com/track/o-holy-night)

Enjoy all 29 songs - sacred and secular, trad to modern - now open on Allison’s Musical Advent Calendar @ http://allisoncrowe.com/MusicalAdventCalendar2016.html

Silent Night (Stille Nacht) - Day 28 on the Musical Advent Calendar

“Silent Night” (“Stille Nacht”), first performed on Christmas Eve in 1818, is on the Musical Advent calendar now (Day 28) from Allison Crowe’s “Tidings” video session:

(The album version is @ http://music.allisoncrowe.com/track/silent-night)

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

In My Life - Day 25 on the Musical Advent Calendar

Fab song of love, remembrance - Day 25 of the Musical Advent Calendar: “In My Life”:

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

Whether I'm Wrong - Day 22 on Musical Advent Calendar

Day 22 on the Musical Advent Calendar opens on this song from Allison Crowe – featured by the UNESCO-endorsed ‘New Songs for Peace’ project – “Whether I’m Wrong”:

Whether I'm Wrong - Allison Crowe live-in-the-studio from Allison Crowe on Vimeo.

Mark each day through Christmas with a new song on Allison’s Musical Advent Calendar @ http://allisoncrowe.com/MusicalAdventCalendar2016.html

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
-

Let It Be - Day 8 on the Musical Advent Calendar

Day 8 has arms to you hold you – as Allison Crowe’s Musical Advent Calendar opens on a favourite song by The Beatles: “Let It Be”. From Allison’s legendary “Tidings” session:

Each day through Christmas a new link will open on our Musical Advent Calendar @ http://allisoncrowe.com/MusicalAdventCalendar2016.html 

Allison Crowe and special guests bring "Tidings" to the ACC Corner Brook, NL Canada in Concert - Saturday, December 10 at 8pm: https://www.facebook.com/events/578139959061288

River - Day 3 on Musical Advent Calendar

“River” flows this third Day on our Musical Advent Calendar. Composed by Joni Mitchell, supreme artist of heart and mind, here it’s explored by Allison Crowe, another Scorpio from the North, on this track on “Tidings” (http://music.allisoncrowe.com/album/tidings)

Each day through Christmas a new music video link to savour, songs sacred and secular, traditional to modern, will open @ http://allisoncrowe.com/news.html

River from Allison Crowe on Vimeo.

Soul Cake - Day 2 on Musical Advent Calendar

Day 2 on Allison Crowe’s Musical Advent Calendar opens “Soul Cake” - another favourite from the musician’s all a cappella collection, “Souling”. Each day through Christmas a new music video link to savour, songs sacred and secular, traditional to modern, will open @ http://allisoncrowe.com/news.html

Soul Cake from Allison Crowe on Vimeo.

Baby, It's Cold Outside - Day 1 on Musical Advent Calendar

Our Musical Advent Calendar opens with “Baby It’s Cold Outside” ~  ~ from Allison Crowe’s all a cappella album “Souling”.


Baby, It's Cold Outside from Allison Crowe on Vimeo.

And, it is :)

Hail "Mary"

On a "Tidings" concert tour, Canadian musician Allison Crowe began performing "Mary" - this song composed by Patty Griffin, the sublime singer-songwriter from Old Town, Maine, USA.

(Allison fell in love with the song when US cable television program "Sons of Anarchy" featured it in its Season two episode "Balm".)

The New Year kicking in, Crowe pulled her piano stool over to the kitchen table, sat down and recorded a version simple and true. We have this live recording, too - unadorned, as well, save for by honesty:


Mary (Patty Griffin) - Allison Crowe live from Allison Crowe on Vimeo.

Photos: Edward McCrea - Ladysmith Photography @ http://www.ladysmithphotography.com

Life's Secrets

Allison Crowe’s oeuvre comprises more than 200 songs – found online in the “ABC List” @ http://www.allisoncrowe.com/ABC.html

"Anything I do sing, it's part of my life," said Billie Holiday, whose supreme voice is captured on recordings from last century. The same is true for Allison Crowe, a great voice alive today.

“Secrets (That Aren’t My Own)” – on Allison and Band’s debut double-album, “Introducing / Heirs+ Grievances” – features Allison’s vocals and piano-playing, accompanied by cellist LIN:

Now I’m 64 - Allison Crowe and Band - Heirs + Grievances

Reflecting now with home-movies of Allison Crowe and her delightful rendition of a song that’s one of the treasures of Canadiana renewed by “Newfoundland Vinyl”, Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador’s much-loved hit.

This year’s edition of “Vinyl” has begun rehearsals in prep for a “greatest hits” run this Summer at the Gros Morne Theatre Festival, June 11 – September 2, 2016: http://www.theatrenewfoundland.com/shows/newfoundland-vinyl-the-greatest-hits-2016

“Now I’m 64” is a traditional Newfoundland parlour song – here delivered by Allison Crowe and Band on their debut release, “Heirs + Grievances”. Earlier variants include recordings by Atlantic Canada musical legends Ryan’s Fancy, Harry Hibbs and more. The invaluable lyrics and video site “GEST Songs of Newfoundland and Labrador” has plenty to help us cherish an history that’s, joyfully, tunefully alive today: http://www.wtv-zone.com/phyrst/audio/nfld/01/sixtyfour.htm

Oceans - Allison Crowe and Band - Heirs + Grievances

“A Mari Usque Ad Mare”. Canada’s motto well frames the dominion of Allison Crowe – “from sea to shining sea”. From her birth in the harbour city of Nanaimo, BC on the Pacific coast to her creative years at home in Corner Brook, NL on Atlantic shores there’s a vast expanse of beauty.

Crowe’s approach to music-making, along with bandmates Céline Greb aka Lin Lin, Billie Woods, Sarah White and Dave Baird – on record and on-stage – is so true, as well, that in an industry of processed audio and calculated everything, the sound of Allison Crowe and Band is refreshingly real as that of the natural world.

Diving further into the just-released album, “Introducing / Heirs + Grievances”, take a swim now in “Oceans”:

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

http://music.allisoncrowe.com/album/heirs-grievances

Foggy Shores of Home - Allison Crowe and Band - Heirs + Grievances

In a recent posting, Devon-based music-and-literary-blogger Mike Ferguson cites the “joy and fun” that comes across in a new live recording from Allison Crowe and Band (https://somediurnalauralawe.blogspot.ca/2016/04/allison-crowe-and-band-heirs-grievances.html). Allison and bandmates Celine Greb aka Lin Lin, Billie Woods, Sarah White and Dave Baird – on record and on-stage – bring that essence of life, and, for a fun-filled Friday, or any day, here be the irresistibly joyous “Foggy Shores of Home”.

The tune is penned by Gary O’Driscoll, one of Canada’s great songwriters – with such other classics as “Out from St. Leonards” and “The Men Who Die for a Living” to his credit. O’Driscoll, born in Bay Bulls, Newfoundland, and now at home in Ontario, Canada, crests high among Allison Crowe’s favourite songwriters to cover – as he brilliantly captures the joys as well as the heartaches of people.

From the studio disc of the just-released double-album, “Introducing / Heirs + Grievances” Allison and the band celebrate and embrace home – where e’er your port'o'call.

Foggy Shores of Home - Allison Crowe and Band - Heirs + Grievances from Allison Crowe on Vimeo.

With the band’s bassist Dave now driving to Gros Morne National Park, NL where he’ll be a sea captain for the Summer, we welcome another sailor man in this music video. Ever-green Fleischer Studios characters – Popeye and Olive Oyl – keep things rolling in this newest addition to the “Heirs + Grievances” visual album.

It's refreshing - like lemonade for a nickel a shot.

http://music.allisoncrowe.com/album/heirs-grievances

You All Haunt Me - debut video

“You All Haunt Me” opens the debut album from Allison Crowe and Band - Heirs + Grievances. And the first music video for the double-disc set is this song paired with scenes from Ménilmontant, the silent cinema classic from Dimitri Kirsanoff featuring partner Nadia Sibirskaïa and Yolande Beaulieu.