Now I’m 64 – Allison Crowe and Band W2U2

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Arthur – Allison Crowe and Band W2U2

“Arthur” explores love and memory – and our fragile hold on each. From Act 2 of Allison Crowe and Band’s “Welcome to Us”:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hearty thanks to Alick Tsui Photography and Mind Palace Design for the visuals.

Skeletons and Spirits – Allison Crowe and Band W2U2

Allison Crowe (piano vocals) and bandmates Céline Sawchuk (cello, vocals), Sarah White (mandolin, vocals), Dave Baird (bass) & Keelan Purchase (harmonica) bring forth “Skeletons and Spirits” – from Allison Crowe and Band’s fresh release, “Welcome to Us 2”.

Following a delightful visit with Allison and Linkers sharing fun with “Arthur” at home – https://vimeo.com/271562940 – from a dasching duo we embrace the collective joy and genius of a quintet.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hearty thanks to Alick Tsui Photography and Mind Palace Design for the visual elements.

I Am the Air – Allison Crowe and Band W2U2

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Out on the Ocean

Practicing mandolin picking with a tune I know on fiddle - and I always go back to playing with my bass playing fingers :) lol this is a little trad tune called Out On The Ocean. Link much prefers this to the tin-whistle, by the way. #dachshund #music #mandolin (not the best angle I know but it’s what I have to work with! Haha)

A post shared by Allison Crowe (@allison_crowe) on May 9, 2018 at 10:56am PDT

Catharsis in Music + Once in Theatre

“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:

And there's theatre in the offing!

Can’t wait to get started and meet everyone!!  

  

"Welcome to Us" Acts 1 & 2

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


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

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

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

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

Verses - Allison Crowe and Band Live!

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.

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 :)

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.

The Music

"Soulful. Alive. Joyous. Grievous. Real, true, music is what I want to make" ~ Allison Crowe.

Set-list from Allison and Band’s “Heirs+Grievances” concert tour this season.

Arthur - Allison Crowe and Band Euro Live Bootleg Sparkles in Cohencentric Setting

Gem of a music-lover’s blog, “Cohencentric: Leonard Cohen Considered”, reveals facets of artistry on display in a rare bootleg of Allison Crowe and Band. The recording, just unearthed from an European audio-trove, features the quartet performing a song sparkling in the diamantine prose of Allan Showalter, Cohencentric’s master wordsmith:

“ ‘Arthur’ is elegantly, efficiently lapidarian, interweaving deeply personal questions of devotion and loyalty, Arthurian legend, intense romantic longing, and, of course, sex. It is, in a word (albeit a conveniently coined term) – Cohenesque. The video for ‘Arthur’ is also a visual treat, featuring sweet, awkward, altogether fetching clips from home movies, shot in Johannesburg and the Natal Coast of South Africa, of the honeymoon of two young people of my own parents’ generation.”

http://cohencentric.com/2016/10/03/allison-crowe-band-arthur-euro-live-bootleg

Why music? Why breathing?

Inside the cover of Allison Crowe and Band’s debut, “Introducing / Heirs+Grievances”.

The answer – literal and figurative! (To quote Homer Simpson, “It works on so many levels.”)

Allison Crowe and Band Ready to Tour Again

Bandmates (left to right): Dave Baird (bass); Sarah White (mandolin, guitarist, vocals); Allison Crowe (vocals, piano, guitar, fiddle & bodhran): & LIN (cello, vocals) make a thrilling hybrid of Canadiana, Celtic, jazz, roots, folk, soul and rock. Prepare for joy and fun via the quartet's debut, "Introducing / Heirs+Grievances", and with the band in concert. Next tour dates for the musical revolution happen October/November 2016. 

Allison Crowe and Band following their most recent concert in Europe - next bring their singular sound live to Canada.

New Website in Works for Allison Crowe and Band

There’s a bumper crop of things to celebrate at present – so, on we go with the harvest! The new homesite of Allison Crowe and Band is coming together – thanks to the great graphic talents and wonderful design sense of Lin Lin (pictured here), also cellist and vocalist with the group. With concerts upcoming for Canada this Fall and Winter - it'll just require some tweaking of the online ticket/box office, and embedding of Allison's music "ABC List" and a few other features before this will be the place to go to keep up with the thrilling combo of Allison Crowe, Lin Lin, Sarah White and Dave Baird. Right now, here's a preview tour of the new site @ http://www.allisoncrowe.com/wordpress