Lift-off @ Gros Morne Theatre Fest

Musician Allison Crowe’s now settled into Gros Morne, one of the world’s most naturally beautiful locations, readying with cast and crew for the sixth annual production of “Newfoundland Vinyl” – a rollicking part of the Gros Morne Theatre Festival. Conceived by Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador Artistic Director Jeff Pitcher, the show’s directed by Crowe and this year opens on June 23. 

In anticipation of this Summer’s selection of songs+, here’s the sounds of music from the early years of “Vinyl”: http://music.allisoncrowe.com/album/newfoundland-vinyl

GMTF’s season launches tonight with a presentation of Marie Jones' “Fly Me to the Moon”. Lift-off is 8:30 pm in The Warehouse Theatre, Cow Head. For TNL’s full calendar of theatre and concerts to come - orbit http://www.theatrenewfoundland.com 

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

Neddy Norris Night

This is it, the night of nights. No more rehearsing and nursing a part…

This is the opening of “Neddy Norris Night” at the Gros Morne Theatre Festival. The show, directed by Stephanie Payne, takes to the stage in wide-open heart of an UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site – Gros Morne National Park, in Newfoundland, Canada.

This production of Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador (TNL) is the second musical stage-show of the Summer to include Allison Crowe in its cast/band – fiddle and all. “Newfoundland Vinyl: The Greatest Hits” opened last month – and runs until September 2, 2016.

In “Neddy”, Allison joins director Stephanie Payne, and fellow musicians Dave Baird, Colin Furlong, and Matthew Wheadon.

TNL explains:

“You don’t have to travel far in Newfoundland and Labrador to hear our traditional music – it’s a cultural touchstone, both a shared experience and a national badge of honour. With its narrative power, distinctive sound and strong links to Western Europe, traditional music represents the province’s history and culture, and forms a vital link between the past and present. For many it’s also a proud and powerful manifestation of the ‘unique Newfoundland and Labrador character’.”

The show’s mounted by a production team of Stephanie Payne, Stefanie Power, Lindsay Code, Jeff Pybus and Dan Fletcher – and runs through to September 1, 2016.

More info on showdates, times, and tickets @ http://www.theatrenewfoundland.com/shows/neddy-norris-night-2016

Reflecting Life

The occasion of a friend’s birthday rekindles “Home Reflections”. Musician, photographer and more, Shona McMillan met Allison Crowe when both performed at the “John Lennon Northern Lights Festival” – a magical time and happening in Durness, Scottish Highlands.

Imagery of the McMillans with Goldie, Snowy, the budgies – and a wee friend, Stewart Hall, dropped by for a visit – is accompanied by Allison’s performance of “When I’m Gone” – a tune from the pen of the great topical songwriter Phil Ochs. Shona’s poignant description of this creation on YouTube, old cine films shot by her family in 1960s Edinburgh, says best what it’s all about: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XF40lnbwOYk

It’s capped by Shona’s “mum's favourite saying which was the philosophy by which she tried to live her life: ‘I pass this way but once, any good that I can do - Let Me - for I may not pass this way again’."

Newfoundland Vinyl: The Greatest Hits

In Newfoundland’s Gros Morne National Park, one of the most naturally beautiful places on Earth, this Summer there’s near 33 1/3 revolutions of “Newfoundland Vinyl’ – the stage hit that keeps spinning joyfully.

Canadian playwright+ Jeff Pitcher, Artistic Director of Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador since 2000, previews things in this clip from film-maker Peter Buckle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS-dxh1Pd00

After catching Vinyl’s “The Greatest Hits” edition live, he says “what an amazing cast. So much truth, honesty and affiliation with the artists that wrote our famous songs. Moments like this I'm so proud to be the AD of this company.”

Since 2012, when ‘Vinyl’ was conceived by Pitcher, Allison Crowe has served as Musical Director for the production at TNL’s annual Gros Morne Theatre Festival. In the GMTF 2016 program, Crowe notes: “Going over ideas for this year's ‘Vinyl’, I couldn't help but be a little jealous of the song selection that makes up the 'best of...' theme. So much so, in fact, that I wanted to be in the show! As MD, I’ve had a lot of fun choosing songs and hearing them performed night after night – and, over the years, I was always in the audience singing along. Now, I join the cast with a mix of great music from years previous and a bunch of songs we've never done before - so excited to share it all with you!”

Renewing popular and traditional NL songs of the vinyl (record) era, sounding brilliant and looking sharp in period dress, the show’s cast/band features: Dave Baird; Adam Christopher Brake (as Ed); Allison Crowe; Craig Patrick Haley; Robyn Huxter; Marquita Walsh; and Colin Furlong in a guest appearance singing Ron Hynes.

On board Vinyl’s production team: Director & Musical Director – Allison Crowe; Stage Manager – Stefanie Power; Set Design – Derek Butt; Set Coordination – Howard Beye; Costume Coordination – Lindsay Code; Sound Design –Max Simms; and Lighting Coordination – Jeff Pybus.

Now playing three to four nights a week through to September 2, 2016 in The Ethie Room of the Shallow Bay Motel Cabins & Conference Centre, Cow Head, NL. More info on tickets+ for this rollicking musical experience @ http://www.theatrenewfoundland.com/shows/newfoundland-vinyl-the-greatest-hits-2016

Glow of the Kerosene Light - higher fidelity shines

Allison Crowe, Billie Woods and Celine Greb perform Wince Coles' “By the Glow of the Kerosene Light” in their second-ever concert together. This higher-fidelity audio comes from Pender Island, Canada – and the Allison Crowe Band’s concert on Canada Day this year.

More concerts, and ever brighter musical fidelity from the group - which also features Dave Baird and Sarah White - is on its way.

And, to hear this great tune and more Newfoundland song treasures catch “Newfoundland Vinyl” at the Gros Morne Theatre Festival – on-stage through August 28, 2015. Take a spin through Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador’s website for word on this show, and all the terrific productions, at GMTF http://www.theatrenewfoundland.com/shows/newfoundland-vinyl-2015

Allison Crowe's Diamond Jubilation at GMTF

Her eyes they shine like a diamond and her voice, piano and guitar-playing be just as crystalline pure in beauty. Musician Allison Crowe is a colleen welcoming all to delight, (not to beware), when she takes the stage this Monday, July 13 as part of this Summer’s “Who’s Darkening Our Door” concert series at the Gros Morne Theatre Festival.

 

Allison’s back home in Newfoundland following a triumphal concert series on Canada’s Pacific coast. Her performances – online and onstage - bring joy to millions of people. From her Corner Brook nest on this lovely isle she’s toured with Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet, appears in the newest Hollywood Superman movie blockbuster, and, each Summer, she returns to GMTF as Musical Director of “Newfoundland Vinyl” - the hit show conceived by Jeff Pitcher, Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador’s Artistic Director.

 

Join Allison for a rousing concert of favourites from Joan Morrissey, Ryan’s Fancy, Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellers, alongside modern classics by troubadours Gary O’Driscoll and Ron Hynes, her own internationally-acclaimed original songs and covers of the Beatles, Leonard Cohen and more.

 

Allison Crowe taps a vein of song that’s deep and wide as it is rich. Here’s one of the near 200 recordings she’s made – her take on the traditional “Black Velvet Band”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2C9qFAEHWI It’s a lively song popularly recorded on both sides of the Atlantic, including a version by the legendary 'His Nibs' Harry Hibbs - born on Bell Island.

This recording is from Allison's "Newfoundland Vinyl" LP, the 11th release (of 17 albums now) on Rubenesque Records Ltd. - http://music.allisoncrowe.com/track/black-velvet-band

West Virginia-based folk+ music afficionado, Muruch, comments on an ever-present facet - whether it's rock, jazz, classical, Celtic, blues, folk or other genres Allison’s soul-mining: "What a voice, what a voice, what a voice!"

Hear Allison Crowe in full glory – 8:30 pm, Monday, July 13 - The Ethie Room, Shallow Bay Motel and Cabins, 193 Main Street, Cow Head, NL. For concert tickets please visit http://www.theatrenewfoundland.com/shows/whos-darkening-our-door-tonight-2015 or phone GMTF/TNL toll-free 1-877-243-2899.

Out From St. Leonard's

Gary O’Driscoll, in both of his songs which Allison Crowe’s recorded, exemplifies how, in the best way possible, our artists, in this case, musicians, can be our true historians – telling the reality of flesh and blood. Far away from the bureaucratese of politicians and government appointees, and the sometimes less-than-pointed renderings of journalists, the songwriter seeks to express from an individual heart the community experience.

With “Out from St. Leonard’s” – on Allison’s “Newfoundland Vinyl II”, (following her recording of O’Driscoll’s “Men Who Die for a Living” on NV I), the award-winning songwriter and music producer, born in Bay Bulls on Newfoundland's southern shore and raised in his Mom's hometown of St Lawrence, NL, delivers another topical song that, in a Canadian context, is counterpart to the 1960s work of such American songsmiths as Phil Ochs and Bob Dylan.

From the mid-1950s through the early 1970s, provincial and federal governments in this country engaged in a social engineering experiment impacting generations of Newfoundlanders. Lyrically, “Out from St. Leonard’s” tells of this campaign of “resettlement” or “centralization”, (ramped up with "The Resettlement Act, 1965"), that propelled people to abandon their homes outside urban “growth poles”.

The musical recording is set to visual excerpts of historical records and references a document central to this program, the 157-page “Report on Resettlement in Newfoundland” dutifully submitted in 1960 by Robert Wells, Provincial Economist (1958 – 1960), now stored in the archives of Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN), St. John’s, NL and cited to this day.

“Out from St. Leonard’s” is on the just-released album “Newfoundland Vinyl II”: http://music.allisoncrowe.com/album/newfoundland-vinyl-ii Lead vocals, all instruments, engineering and production by Allison Crowe. Backing vocals by Adam Brake.

As the album title suggests, it's a song collection inspired by, and arising from, Allison Crowe's involvement with the hit stage show, "Newfoundland Vinyl" - presented at Canada's Gros Morne Theatre Festival, and produced by TNL.

The album celebrates this creative bond between Crowe, an internationally-loved touring and recording artist, and Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador, a professional theatre company founded on Newfoundland's west coast in 1979.

For these past three Summers TNL's engaged Crowe as Musical Director of "Newfoundland Vinyl" - a perennial favourite at the annual GMTF.

TNL AD Jeff Pitcher's conception of a revival of vinyl era, and more, songs of Newfoundland and Labrador put wind in the sails of Allison Crowe's curatorial mission.

"It's here!" says pioneering music blog Muruch, "Allison Crowe just released Newfoundland Vinyl II and it's the perfect follow-up to her traditional folk masterpiece, Newfoundland Vinyl".

Of her immersions as Musical Director with TNL, and the melodic bounty that's landed, Allison Crowe notes: "There is so much wonderful music - you could piece together multiple anthologies and still only scratch the surface of such an extensive and rich collection. Each of these songs is its own story, of land and sea, of people, and each story in-and-of-itself could be an entire show. I'm truly grateful that you are here to hear the story these songs have to offer." She gives special thanks to "the incredibly talented and versatile" casts and crews of TNL's productions for their inspiration.

GMTF Company Makes a Splash for ALS Challenge

“The Gros Morne Theatre Festival was nominated for the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge - and here's our video!” taps Allison Crowe from the festival’s home-base in western Newfoundland. “We nominate Rising Tide Theatre and Donna Butt, Sarah McDonald, Kevin Perdue, Brian Ball, Natalie Tsang and Vickie Marston!!!” GMTF 2014 ALS Ice Bucket Challenge: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kh9UGoy7gPQ “Go to - http://www.ALS.CA/ICEBUCKETCHALLENGE - to donate!”

Earlier in the day, Denise Dolliver, GMTF Production/Company Manager enjoyed a solo dousing - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jkyjsG7GIQ – and this Atlantic participaction flowed yesterday with a challenge from Gaylene Buckle, Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador’s GM.

ALS (aka Lou Gehrig's Disease) is a progressive neuromuscular disease in which nerve cells die and leave voluntary muscles paralyzed. This Summer’s Ice Bucket Challenge has focused worldwide goodwill on awareness-and-fund-raising for this cause. ALS Canada has the scoop @ http://www.als.ca/ in, both, our nation’s official languages - English and French.

NewFound Friends @ GMTF

Viceroy of vinyl, Wayne Tucker, Host of NewFound Records Radio Hour, ventures out to beautiful Cow Head, NL this past week and enjoys “Newfoundland Vinyl: The ‘C’Side”.

 

Here’s a pic of Wayne with the hit show’s Musical Director, Allison Crowe (tweeted @ https://twitter.com/NewFoundRecords )

 

 

Conceived by Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador’s Artistic Director, Jeff Pitcher, “Newfoundland Vinyl” is a perennial favourite at the Gros Morne Theatre Festival – drawing from the deep well of classic, vinyl-era, recording artists’ repertoire, the joys, sorrows and rich character of the region are brought to musical life by a super-talented cast of actors and musicians and a top-notch production crew.

 

As part of this year’s GMTF, there’s a pair of performances still on the calendar – 9:00pm August 26 and 29: http://www.theatrenewfoundland.com/shows/newfoundland-vinyl-the-c-side-2014

 

Wayne Tucker gives airtime to the pioneer recording artists of Newfoundland and Labrador via his radio show each Saturday noon on CHMR 93.5FM, MUN. NewFound Records Radio Hour is also heard on Radio Bell Island, The Voice of Bonne Bay, East Coast Kitchen Party, iTunes Radio and TuneIn Radio (and spinning more widely each time you listen!) http://www.newfoundrecords.ca/

"Easy" Allison Crowe - Live Jazzhaus Freiburg

Allison Crowe's bootleg video series continues here with a celebratory nod to this weekend's opening of "Newfoundland Vinyl" - the hit Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador production at the Gros Morne Theatre Festival (staged in Canada's beautiful Gros Morne National Park).

Allison Crowe enjoys curating and arranging the music - mining a treasure trove of tunes from the

 region - songs that cover a full range of genres and emotions. And when she tours the world Crowe carries the sounds of home to her international audience.

 

On this concert night at Jazzhaus Freiburg in Germany - she performs a song penned by Terry Skinner that's first recorded by Canadian country great Eddie Eastman (in 1979).

 

Allison Crowe recorded it for her album "Newfoundland Vinyl": http://music.allisoncrowe.com/track/easy (released, naturally, on vinyl LP).

 

On its release last year, Gery Deugaw, the super-dedicated cultural archivist behind "GEST Songs of Newfoundland and Labrador" @ http://www.wtv-zone.com/phyrst/audio/nfld - notes: "After all the years of travelling the Trans-Canada, Eddie Eastman was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Honour in 2010. Allison Crowe performs this song with the easy sound it needs to be successfully reprised in the 21st century."

"Newfoundland VinyI: The 'C' Side" Opens

Allison Crowe (@Allison_Crowe), tweets: “Tech week for NL Vinyl this week – we open on Friday – and we are already SOLD OUT for opening night!”

Now it's opening night! The Western Star reports:

Crowe home again for ‘Newfoundland Vinyl’

Allison Crowe is back home again from international concert touring to serve as musical director of Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador’s hit show “Newfoundland Vinyl” at this year’s Gros Morne Theatre Festival.

“Newfoundland Vinyl’ is back!”  the theatre company says in a prepared release. “Allison Crowe has made this show into a perennial festival favourite. The vinyl Newfoundland hits of the 60s, 70s and 80s by Newfoundland's biggest recording stars are never-ending.”

This year’s production promises hits from Harry Hibbs’ “The Wild Rover” and Eddy Coffey’s “Area Code 709” to Corey & Trina’s “Northern Lights of Labrador”

The show spins each Tuesday and Friday from Friday until Aug. 29. The cast features musicians/actors Colin Furlong, Craig Haley, Claire Hewlett, Amelia Manuel, Stephanie Payne, Keelan Purchase and Marquita Walsh, with Adam Christopher Brake as Ed.

The show is directed by Crowe and Jeff Pitcher.

Then on July 28, in a special solo performance, Crowe Sings "Newfoundland Vinyl" and more in the "Who's Darkening Our Door" Concert Series at the Warehouse Theatre in Cow Head.

For info on all Gros Morne Theatre Festival happenings between May 31-Sept. 13, call 639-7238 or toll-free 1-877-243-2899, or visit www.theatrenewfoundland.com

"Backstage artists making theatre magic for Nfld Vinyl and Beauty Queen of Leenane sets..." tweets Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador 

Allison Crowe’s State of the Union this Canada & Memorial Days, Pretzelfest & Independence Day

To share this holiday: some music - Allison Crowe’s “Northern Lights”, with the photographs of David Cartier, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmSs7Apu9Cs plus recipes from Allison for Toutons and for Rosemary Bread (you can make in a pot or, improvising, a skillet): http://7thumbsup.wordpress.com/2010/07/01/beaumont-hamel-canada-day-rosemary-bread-and-toutons

 

North Americans mark an especially commemorative week – starting, eh, in this land of ours with Canada Day and, in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Memorial Day – Newfoundlander, comedian+ Rick Mercer notes the poignant dichotomy of July 1: “On the day we are supposed to be celebrating the flag, the flags are flying at half mast” in his blog @ http://rickmercer.blogspot.ca/2005/07/memorial-day-in-newfoundland.html This week rolls ahead with Pretzelfest, July 3 on Salt Spring Island, BC and rockets with July 4, Independence Day, celebrations across the USA.

 

Where e’er you be, and whatever the occasion, may you and yours know peace and joy alongside the best of health and times. Sláinte!

 

Here at Rubenesque Records we’re invigorated by Allison Crowe’s most recent, sensational, concerts in Europe. Now home, Allison’s already deep into production of this year’s Gros Morne Theatre Festival – as Musical Director of Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador’s hit show, “Newfoundland Vinyl”.

 

TNL proclaims:

 

“Newfoundland Vinyl” is back! And this time it’s “The “C” Side”. Allison Crowe has made this show into a perennial Festival favourite. The vinyl Newfoundland hits of the 1960's, 70's and 80's by Newfoundland's biggest recording stars are never- ending. From Harry Hibbs’ “The Wild Rover” to Eddy Coffey’s “Area Code 709” to Corey & Trina’s “Northern Lights of Labrador” Allison manages to lay bare the simple and beautiful melodies and lyrics of our most talented artists.”

 

The show spins each Tuesday and Friday from July 11 - August 29 at the GMTF – and the “incredibly talented and versatile cast”, says Allison, features the wonderful performing roster of musicians/actors: Colin Furlong, Craig Haley, Claire Hewlett, Amelia Manuel, Stephanie Payne, Keelan Purchase, and Marquita Walsh. With Adam Christopher Brake as Ed.

 

The show’s stellar cast is supported by a shining set of northern production lights: Director - Jeff Pitcher/Allison Crowe; Musical Director - Allison Crowe; Stage Manager - Effie Parsons; Set Design - Derek Butt; Costume Design - Lindsay Code; Original Sound Design - Dirk Ave; Original Lighting Design - Johnny Cann; and Sound Coordination & Lighting Coordination - Laura Penney.

 

On July 28, 2014, in a special, solo, performance, Allison Crowe Sings "Newfoundland Vinyl" and More - in GMTF's "Who's Darkening Our Door" Concert Series.

 

For info on these, and all, Gros Morne Theatre Festival shows (May 31-Sept. 13, 2014) - call 709-639-7238 or toll-free 1-877-243-2899 + visit http://www.theatrenewfoundland.com

 

To celebrate with the latest music and more from Allison Crowe, anyway, anyhow, anywhere you choose: http://music.allisoncrowe.com + http://www.youtube.com/user/Adrian22 + http://www.allisoncrowe.com/bio.html

Tarry Trousers

Canada's Allison Crowe here performs "Tarry Trousers" - an addictively lovely version of a traditional tune with history on both sides of the Atlantic since the 1800s.

"Tarry Trousers" is one of the songs she's arranged and curated for inclusion in this Summer's Gros Morne Theatre Festival line-up - and the third incarnation of a rollicking hit show, "Newfoundland Vinyl", conceived by Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador's Artistic Director Jeff Pitcher.

TNL produces GMTF, an annual festival situated in a supremely gorgeous location, Cow Head, NL -- Gros Morne National Park (an UNESCO world heritage site on the isle of Newfoundland's west coast).

TNL's latest newsletter contains info on the upcoming Gros Morne Theatre Festival and TNL's Youth Theatre productions. Here, it describes the show musically directed by Allison Crowe and brought to life by the fabulous and fun cast that performs in 2014:

"Newfoundland Vinyl" is back! And this time it's "The 'C' Side". Allison Crowe has made this show into a perennial Festival favourite. The vinyl Newfoundland hits of the 1960's, 70's and 80's by Newfoundland's biggest recording stars are never - ending. From Harry Hibbs' "The Wild Rover" to Eddy Coffey's "Area Code 709" to Cory & Trina's "Northern Lights of Labrador" Allison manages to lay bare the simple and beautiful melodies and lyrics of our most talented artists, featuring the wonderful talents of Stephanie Payne, Amelia Manuel, Claire Hewlett, Colin Furlong, Marquita Walsh, Craig Haley and Keelan Purchase.

And, of course, Ed!

http://www.theatrenewfoundland.com

http://www.theatrenewfoundland.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/newsletter-winter-2014.pdf

Allison Crowe’s variant of a centuries-old tune, “Tarry Trousers”, shines like a diamond bright – and is now added to the cultural treasure chest that is “GEST Songs of Newfoundland and Labrador”: http://www.wtv-zone.com/phyrst/audio/nfld/02/tarry.htm

Gery Deugaw, GEST’s Owner/Archivist writes: “Allison gives traditional songs new life with her beautiful voice and harmonies. The earliest known lyrics to this love ballad were found in the 1848 journal of the whaling vessel Nauticon out of Nantucket, Massachusetts by the captain's wife, Susan Veeder, and is archived at the Nantucket Historical Association Research Library.”

Muruch blog shares music joy many ways

Muruch's marvellous Summer flag unfurls some more with a contest/give-away of Allison Crowe's new album. Of "Newfoundland Vinyl", the West Virginia-based blog says: "It plays like a lovely, vintage collection of traditional Irish and Canadian folk ballads, lively sea chanteys and drinking songs, parlour songs and country tunes with surprising retro, girl-pop harmonies woven throughout. The album is full of dazzling melody and such a unique charm." (Enjoy the full review @ http://www.muruch.com/2013/07/allison-crowe-newfoundland-vinyl.html )

The site shares four song tracks - "Black Velvet Band", "Tiny Red Light", "Seven Old Ladies", and "Sweet Forget Me Not" - and offers you a chance to receive one of these special LP/download albums @ http://www.muruch.com/2013/07/giveaway-win-1-of-5-allison-crowe-vinyl-lps-digital-downloads.html

To hear Allison's "strong and spectacular" voice deliver these songs of Newfoundland and Labrador - and to possibly win the music collection - simply visit Muruch and post your comment :)

"Newfoundland Vinyl" Revolution at GMTF - July 12 - August 30

The hit stage show that's inspired Allison Crowe's newest album, (and vice-versa), opens tonight at the Gros Morne Theatre Festival in lovely Cow Head, NL. Written and Directed by Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador's Artistic Director Jeffrey Pitcher - with Musical Direction from Allison Crowe - 'Newfoundland Vinyl: The Flip Side" plays from July 12 through August 30, 2013.

For insight into this creative revolution, CBC Radio's Weekend Arts Magazine, with Host and Producer, Angela Antle, announces that Allison Crowe's coming up this weekend on "Liner Notes" - which you can catch on air, and online @ http://www.cbc.ca/wam/liner-notes/2013/07/12/wam-july-13-14-liner-notes---allison-crowe

Here on the west coast of the country, we've barely had opportunity to chat with the amazing artist since she returned to Corner Brook, Canada from New York City and the red carpet premiere of "Man of Steel" - the Zack Snyder-directed Superman epic in which she appears performing "Ring of Fire", a song made famous by another iconoclast, Johnny Cash. In between the intensive rehearsals, she has tweeted a little - so we know for certain: "The NL Vinyl band is awesome" - and Allison is "So proud of everyone involved! :)"

Mussel boil beach fire - Cow Head, NL - Canada's Gros Morne National Park

The theatrical and musical cast that, starting tonight, is bound to delight music-and-fun-loving audiences all Summer comprises: Jennifer Furlong, Elena Claire Hewlett, Brad LeRiche, Amelia Manuel, Marquita Walsh - and, as the two Eds, Adam Brake and Stuart Simpson.

On the production side, making it all happen, are: Stage Manager, Courtney Harris; Set Designer, Derek Butt; Costume Designer, Lindsay Code; Original Sound Designer, Dirk Ave; Sound Coordinator, Ryan Borshuk; Lighting Designer, Johnny Cann; Tech Director/Crew Chief, Lisa Lahue; Head Scenic Painter/Asst. Carpenter; Natalie Tsang; Asst. Stage Manager, Stefanie Power; plus Production Assistants Dustin Payne and Jerry Combdon.

Direct from GMTF's 2013 Program, here's what's in the grooves:

DIRECTOR'S NOTES

How could we resist? While putting together last year's show of hits of the 1960's, 70's and 80's by Newfoundland's biggest recording stars we quickly realized there were enough hits for two shows, or three or four! An added fascination for me is what drove our singer/songwriters from Newfoundland to Toronto in the 60's in the first place? Was it fame and fortune? Was it about finding an audience in Toronto? Or was it something inherent as an artist being born and raised on an island that inspires him/her to test the waters in foreign lands? I believe those questions are answered in the song writing. So sit back, relax and listen to the songs that Allison chose tonight - I believe they reveal a whole lot about who and what were in the 60's. It's also particularly rewarding to have Allison Crowe, one of the most compelling and talented singer/songwriters in Canada working and living here on the west coast of Newfoundland. This is very much her show - her sound! Let's spin a few! ~ Jeff (Pitcher)

MUSICAL DIRECTOR'S NOTES

I am SO excited to be able to work again in beautiful Cow Head, NL this summer at the GMTF with TNL - I love it here, and I can't wait to get started! (I'm also admittedly pretty pumped for Lobster Festival.) My task this year was to find another great batch of songs, from or made popular in Newfoundland and Labrador, for this, newest incarnation of Newfoundland Vinyl - The Flip Side. And find those songs I did! There is an overwhelming abundance of beautiful music and wildly-talented musicians in Newfoundland and Labrador, and we are lucky to be able to hear them together. Interpreted tonight by some incredible and talented musicians and actors, each song has its own story to tell, heart to break, laugh to incite, thought to spur, and memory to recall - so please, enjoy the music and feel free to sing along! ~ Allison (Crowe)


And, of course, what happens on stage is possible thanks to the efforts of the stellar TNL/GMTF Front of House staff: incl. Kristi Caines, Tiffany Payne; FOH Manager, Ruth Payne; Box Office Manager, Dawn Payne; Head Usher, Deanna Hutchings; Box Office Attendants, Jodi Payne and Savannah Smith; and Ushers, Shellden Biggin and Vanessa Brown - together with volunteers incl.: Claudine Brown; Nancy Brown; Rachel Hutchings; Bill Payne; Freeman Payne; Loretta Payne; Marjorie Payne; Norma Payne; and Peggy Wheeler.

Overseeing the hugely successful annual festival be: TNL's General Manager, Gaylene Buckle; Production/Company Manager, Denise Dolliver; Artistic Associate, Sara...h McDonald; Assistant Administrator, Natasha Butt; and Financial Admin., Cynthia Harris.

For ticket info and other details on "Newfoundland Vinyl: The Flip Side" and all the great shows happening this Summer at Gros Morne Theatre Festival - visit TNL's official website @ theatrenewfoundland.com/gmtf.html  +  telephone (709) 243-2899 or toll-free 1-877-243-2899.

Slainte mhaith!!

Newfoundland Vinyl Rolls on the Rock

Allison Crowe takes on a different role this Summer - off-stage - as Music Director of "Newfoundland Vinyl", one of this year's productions in the Gros Morne Theatre Festival (GMTF).

Written and directed by playwright Jeff Pitcher, Artistic Director of Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador (TNL), the play revolves around the classic "songs of A Frank Willis, Roy Payne, Joan Morrissey, Rex Hemeon, Dick Nolan, Eddie Eastman and more".

Allison reports she's "super-pumped" to be working with the talented cast of "Newfoundland Vinyl" - TNL's rollicking spin through popular music's coming of age on "the rock".

GMTF - an annual festival - is presented on the northern peninsula of Newfoundland in the community of Cow Head, at home in Gros Morne National Park, one of Canada's most beautiful, natural, locations.

There's more to come on this fun production as it gets rolling. The show opens July 13, 2012.

"Newfoundland Vinyl" - disc logo designed by Ed Hollet 2012

Northern Lights - the song, the sight, the festival - the phenomenon

Keeping with the natural themes of this blog - from under-the-sea octopus, to high-in-the-sky Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights...

Love IS real.

Summer's here. Temperature's rising. Allison Crowe is joining a magical mystery tour that promises to be one of the coolest cultural events of this, or any, year. The internationally-acclaimed singer-songwriter will perform at the The John Lennon Northern Lights Festival this September 28 - 30 in the Scottish Highlands. This unique happening has been endorsed by Yoko Ono Lennon along with several members of the ex-Beatle John's family, including his sister, Julia Baird.

Some of Britain's greatest artists, and, now, a Canadian, too, will travel to a tiny highland village to pay homage to John Lennon. The three-day festival in Durness (pop. 356), the most north-westerly and remote village on mainland Britain, is being called "one of the most extraordinary festivals ever to be staged in the country".

"John really loved Durness and would be very pleased that his influence was being celebrated with this festival," said Julia Baird on the launch. "I am delighted to be involved in what is a high quality event which has taste and respect at its core. We are all looking forward very much to coming again to a place that meant so much to my brother."



Allison Crowe and Julia Baird met last Summer, at a Beatles celebration organized by Hal Bruce, "The Cavern's very best friend", in Halifax, Nova Scotia - at which Julia, a teacher in Cheshire, was Guest of Honour. On that occasion Allison received a standing ovation for her solo performances of the Beatles' "Let It Be" and "In My Life" (which has roots in Durness) and John's "Imagine". The opportunity to meet again, and to share inspiration is exciting says Allison: "John Lennon was an amazing, artistic, peaceful, spirit. He made a huge impact on society." And, she notes, "I love Scotland!" (Both grandparents on her Mother's side are Scottish.)

As a boy, John Lennon would be packed off on the bus from Liverpool to a croft in Durness owned by relatives. His cousin Stanley Parkes, says: "The festival is not remembering John Lennon the pop star, but John the person, the writer and the poet." During a break from recording the Abbey Road album in 1969, the then-Beatle returned to the Highlands with Yoko, son Julian, and Yoko's daughter Kyoko.

"I have a very sweet memory of Durness," Yoko said last month, in giving her blessing to festival organizer Mike Merritt's team. "I would most certainly love to lend my co-operation to this splendid venture to bring the world's attention to Scotland, the most beautiful and magical country, with John's name, his memory and a lovely one of mine, as well."

Allison Crowe, a French reviewer has observed, creates music for people who love the '60s and '70s sound ~ even if they'd not yet been born. It's a spirit of freedom and fun. Of uncompromised, singular, artistry. Honesty and innocence. She's in perfect harmony with a wildly eclectic festival line-up that includes: the original Quarrymen, (John's skiffle group which evolved into The Beatles); poet and playwright Carol Ann Duffy; punk poet John Cooper Clarke; the Queen's Master of Music, composer/conductor Sir Peter Maxwell Davies; jazz singer Todd Gordon and his combo; actor/playwright Gary Bleasdale; contemporary UK chart-toppers Nizlopi; and a wide palette of artists in all sorts of disciplines. Music, painting, drama, Beatles' films (on Britain's only mobile cinema, Screen Machine), Fab Four memorabilia, an on-site astronomer, and festivities in Smoo Cave, (Britain's biggest sea cave), are among the attractions.

As are the Northern Lights... which shine on the festival's celestial banner alongside John Lennon. The whole brings to mind the truth and beauty of such songs from John's Plastic Ono Band album as "Look at Me" and "Love".

Allison Crowe has recorded, naturally, one of her newest songs, "Northern Lights". "And, yes, I stood on the other side of the world, but I took the Northern Lights home to you."



The beautiful images seen in the video come from Yukon-based David Cartier, Sr. David shares his colletion of Aurora Borealis pics and more on his flickr page

Here’s what David says about this source of inspiration:

" When Men lack a sense of awe, There will be disaster "
- - - - Lao Tzu --- The Tao Teh Ching
Awe is what THIS is all about!!
The Aurora is an experience of breathtaking beauty... the viewing makes you feel like you are connected integrally with an amazing cosmic force ..... Aurora watching is as addictive as any drug and a whole lot more satisfying. Once you become addicted, you stay out all night, lose sleep, forget about social commitments, nearly get wind burned and frostbit and it's all, deeply, worth it !!
Every human being who can manage it should make a pilgrimage to the subarctic auroral zone in order to see and feel this at least once in their life.
Many of these were taken with an amazing old Russian Kiev-19 35mm SLR. This camera , which I still use for night sky photos, NEVER freezes up or has any shutter problems in the cold, even at minus 60!! The more expensive Japanese and German cameras which I own always, or at least often, stop functioning in the deep cold.