Turtle on KISM + Times Colonist - Allison Crowe In the News

Much of Canada celebrates Victoria Day today. Ideal holiday-time to catch up on some fun music news. Broadcasting from Mount Constitution on Orcas Island, Washington in the Pacific Northwest region of this continent is classic rock station KISM 92.9 where “Locals Only” show host Pooner Clark, a DJ with Idaho roots, interviews special guests. A recent chat with Larry Anschell, founder of storied Turtle Recording Studios and Brad Graham, Turtle engineer/producer extraordinaire, is now online: http://kism.com/locals-only/this-week-turtle-recording-studio (btw, the two DJs pictured with the audio, "Brad and John", are with a different program – they’re not Clark, Anschell or Graham)

Anschell recounts the originally-mobile, 1987-established British-Columbia-based, studio’s history capturing the sound of artists on both sides of the nearby Canada/US border – from Kenny G to Pearl Jam, Sarah McLachlan to Soundgarden and Alice in Chains (http://www.turtlerecording.com/about.html). As well, he and Graham spin current tracks of Jason Mitchell, Five Alarm Funk, Tonye Aganaba, Russ Robson and Sean Simpson.

About 22 minutes into the program, you’ll also hear a new recording from Allison Crowe and Band. Starting in 2001, to date Crowe has teamed up with Turtle on several singles, one EP, three albums and three double-albums. Videos of the artist performing “Hallelujah” and other songs from “Tidings” live-in-the-studio, enjoyed by many millions of people around the world, show Turtle’s studio when it was located beach-front in White Rock, BC. “Introducing / Heirs + Grievances”, the just-released debut double-disc from Allison and Band is recorded live-in-concert by Brad Graham and in the studio’s new, forest, location by Larry “Turtle” Anschell. For their ‘ears’, their integrity, and their special attunement to her honest style of music-making, Crowe and musical partners love working with the Turtle crew.

Introducing “Lisa’s Song” for the KISM radio show, Anschell provides insight into Crowe and her ways: “This was a live recording off-the-floor. She tends to just like to lay it down as real as can be… She’s really an amazing talent. Whenever I hear her, I get goose-bumps. And, you, know, that doesn’t always happen… being as jaded as we are in the recording business. When you’re struck just by real talent it’s an amazing thing.”

In print this holiday weekend, the convivial “Scene and Heard” column in The Times Colonist newspaper, based in BC’s capital city of Victoria (named for the same Queen we celebrate today), updates readers with word on Allison Crowe’s activities from “Newfoundland Vinyl” to her band’s new record release: http://www.timescolonist.com/entertainment/music/hermann-s-hosts-bluegrass-stars-bob-moses-returns-to-canada-1.2260599

TC rock music+ scribe Mike Devlin notes the video series for “Heirs + Grievances” is building on Vimeo https://vimeo.com/album/3932431 Today we’ll add the eighth song vid to this visual album.

Introducing / Heirs + Grievances Release!

"Introducing / Heirs + Grievances" is released!: http://music.allisoncrowe.com/album/heirs-grievances

When critics liken you to Edith Piaf, Elton John, Aretha Franklin and Modest Mussorgsky, it’s a good sign you’re truly one-of-a-kind. So it is with musical explorer Allison Crowe who, since creating her own record label in 2001, uniquely inhabits the world of song – continually adding breadth and depth to a richly expressive repertoire for piano, vocals, guitar and bodhran.

Crowe’s “supernaturally agile and exquisite voice” is complemented ideally by her international touring band: Céline Greb (cello, vocal harmonies); Sarah White (mandolin, vocal harmonies); and Dave Baird (bass). Longtime friend, musician and photographer Billie Woods contributes guitar and vocal harmonies to the band’s recordings. The combo’s gorgeously thrilling hybrid of Canadiana, Celtic, jazz, roots, folk, soul and original rock bridges vital originals with fresh interpretations of classics by Annie Lennox and Gary O'Driscoll.

Alongside multi-genre concert and recording projects over this past year the Nanaimo-born, Newfoundland-based artist’s active as music curator and arranger for acclaimed stage productions of: Atlantic Canada’s folk and popular song; the collaborative works of Bertolt Brecht & Kurt Weill; and choral renderings of traditional Christmas carols.

A singular artistry and virtuosity make Allison Crowe performances legendary - and fun. In the Scottish Highlands she brought down the house on a bill with Carol Ann Duffy, Britain’s Poet Laureate, and Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, the Master of the Queen's Music. In Hollywood Superman movie director Zack Snyder is outspoken in his respect and admiration. Touring with Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet audiences responded with spontaneous standing ovations.

"The most honest, heartfelt, and directly intimate concert in my entire life,” says longtime American public broadcaster Ross Hocker. “Allison has a special gift that is so very rare in musicians today. She is true to her mind, heart and spirit. She also has a most wonderful humor which envelops her audience."

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

"Heirs + Grievances" is the debut studio album of Allison Crowe and Band (and the 20th release on Crowe's label, Rubenesque Records Ltd.) The digital album contains 13 exciting tunes and honestly potent performances. It’s a magnificent set of songs from Allison Crowe and her extraordinary band of musicians. The physical CD comes with a bonus, live, set – “Introducing”. Enjoy!!

Home Studio Hazards

The many dangers of the kitchen recording studio. (crockpot not included) - tweets @Allison_Crowe



(the cat in black is Johnny Cash)