I Don't Know + Phantom of the Opera

Lights out… for this motion picture music mash-up – Allison Crowe’s “I Don’t Know” haunts the original cinematic interpretation of Gaston Leroux’s gothic novel, “The Phantom of the Opera”.


Music captured live by audio archivist John MacMillan, Denman Island, BC, Canada. String arrangement and production comes from Kayla Schmah, in Hollywood, USA. It’s first released on the album, ‘Spiral’: http://music.allisoncrowe.com/track/i-dont-know

Footage, like some spectral documentary, is from the unrestored version of the 1925 silent film - which features the genius of Lon Chaney as The Phantom.

Why + L'Atalante - Special Screening

Now Showing: Special Screening of “Why + L’Atalante” – one in the series of Allison Crowe’s “16 Songs" video album slated for wide release this month.

In advance of the reel unveiling in sequence, the curtain rises on Allison’s IMDb player – with showings in SD, 480 and HD quality (adjustable settings on the left side of screen):

Famous in its original, glorious, pop incarnation by singer-songwriter Annie Lennox, "Why" is a song recast here by Allison Crowe's elemental voice and guitar.

"Art is emotion" observed Alfred Hitchcock, and the Canadian musician's singular way of communicating emotion makes her one of the great interpreters in popular music today as well as one of our finest modern songwriters and concert performers.

Strings on this version are gorgeously arranged and orchestrated by Hollywood film-scorer Kayla Schmah - herself an artist inspired by the themes and ideas of Hitch's frequent collaborator, the brilliant, pioneering, composer Bernard Herrmann.

“This song is stunning. I can't stop listening to it,” says Dartmouth-based dancer, Julie Dumont, “it makes me want to cry and dance all at the same time”.

The music's visually paired with an excerpt from Jean Vigo's marvellous cinema masterpiece - "L'Atalante" (1934).

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3074862105 

Coverville 809: The Eurythmics Cover Story

For lovers of Annie Lennox & Dave Stewart - Brian Ibbott, conductor of Coverville, delivers "The Eurythmics Cover Story". One hour of musical treats from The Rubinoos, Martha Wainwright, The Watson Twins and more... including Annie herself. Allison Crowe represents with "Why" - I believe it's the favourite version of "Spiral" producer and string arranger Kayla Schmah. Time to download and listen!

Celebrate... everything!

There's been fireworks both sides of the Canada/US border in recent days. And, likely, soccer fans from Spain and the Netherlands are sparking up their own celebrations before the world cup final. Maybe you have a birthday, an anniversary, something special to mark - simply, even, another day being alive.

To add to the fun... Robert Courtemanche attended Canada Day celebrations in the nation's capital, Ottawa, with friends. He's put together this video of a fireworks display - with musical accompaniment from Allison's newest album, "Spiral" ~ the song "Going Home Tonight".

Salut!