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From Allison Crowe Music Management - August 22nd, 2008
Fresh from the "awesome" Writers at Woody Point Festival in Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland, where she performed sets book-ending two of Canada's finest poets, Don McKay and Randall Maggs, and award winning actor and playwright Gordon Pinsent, Allison Crowe flies today to Liverpool to celebrate Beatles Week 2008 with a trio of concerts.
Beatles Week, featuring the Mathew Street Festival, attracts an audience up to half a million strong during the August Bank Holiday - to venues, indoors and outdoors - making it the world's greatest Beatles confab. Cavern City Tours Director Julia Baird first spotted Allison Crowe performing at Hal Bruce's '1st Annual Maritime Beatle Event' in Halifax, Canada and is instrumental in bringing the impassioned Canadian Merseyside.
Crowe writes, performs, records, engineers and produces her own music. Since 2003 she's released six critically and commercially successful CDs. Her newest album, "Little Light", has just been released worldwide. Characteristically diverse, it's a mix of original songs and interpretations from Phil Ochs to Cyndi Lauper. "Power-house intense" is how one international reviewer describes "Little Light", noting: "The energy of (live song) Disease can easily provide electricity to a small country for a decade." Toronto music scribe Lorette Luzajic calls it "a song that left the word 'brilliant' back on earth." And it's not just the rockers that excite. Luzajic tags Northern Lights, a live-off-the-floor track, "the prettiest song that Sarah McLachlan never wrote".
Online, Allison Crowe's songs and music videos online enjoy an ever-growing worldwide audience. Over two million people have viewed Crowe's cover of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" on YouTube, and her other videos, including such Beatles favourites as "In My Life" and "Let It Be", alongside John Lennon's "Imagine" have, together, been enjoyed over one million times.
Known to "take a sad song and make it better" she proved a sensation at last year's 'John Lennon Northern Lights Festival' in Durness, Scotland: "Canadian angel Alison Crowe gave one of the weekend's most magical moments," says The Scotsman. Festival Director Mike Merritt describes Crowe as "awesome" and "spine-tingling", noting her Highlands appearance "put hairs on the back of your neck! She brought the house down."
To date in 2008, Allison Crowe has received standing ovations in Paris, Prague, Vienna, Frankfurt and other cities on her ever-enriching tour map. She's delighted to be part of Beatles Week festivities in this, Liverpool's year to shine as European Capital of Culture.
A splendid time is guaranteed for all!
Fuller details on Allison Crowe's performances at Liverpool's View Two Gallery (with Mancunian artist Nadia Lowe), Hard Days Night Hotel, and historic Royal Court Theatre can be found @ http://www.allisoncrowe.com
From Allison Crowe Music Management - March 11, 2008
For a musician with talent and integrity these are the best of times.
Barriers between artist and audience that have existed for decades are now crumbled like the Berlin Wall. Allison Crowe is making the most of new freedoms. The much-loved singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist is reaching millions globally via the internet as well as live touring.
At home in Nanaimo, British Columbia and Corner Brook, Newfoundland, (spanning the breadth of Canada - from Atlantic to Pacific shores), Indiecan Radio host Joe Chisholm comments that Allison Crowe is the "most Canadian Canadian I've ever met."
Tonight, Canuck bard Leonard Cohen is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. A legendary poet, writer, songwriter, and musician, Cohen is enjoying ever-broader public appreciation - his music reaching a mainstream audience last week on American Idol (when a contestant, Jason Castro, performed a shortened rendition of "Hallelujah".)
At the same time, Allison Crowe's most popular performance of Cohen's glorious modern standard, "Hallelujah", has an audience of over one million on YouTube - placing her version of the song in the top handful, and, as one of the most 'favorited' videos of all time in Canada - in the company of Aretha Franklin's "I Say a Little Prayer", Janis Joplin's "Try" live at Woodstock, Fleetwood Mac's "Go Your Own Way", Led Zeppelin's "Over the Hills and Far Away", and, among today's acts, Michael Buble's 'official' version of "Home".
Known for singular interpretations of Cohen, Joni Mitchell, The Beatles and others, thanks also to cultural and techonological revolutions, Allison Crowe's original songs, as well as finding their massive audience, are, themselves, being covered. A distinctive and vital songwriter, Crowe's unique songbook finds her anthemic meditation on peace and war, "Whether I'm Wrong", and her spiky kiss-off "Skeletons and Spirits", being interpreted by such diverse performers as up-and-coming singer-songwriters in the Netherlands to a community choir in Valencia, California. "Disease", a song of social commentary, is being contributed, in all its raging glory, to the cause of "Music Inspires Health", an Atlanta, Georgia-based initiative that's enlisted Crowe, alongside Dave Brubeck, Ari Hest and others, to address a range of health issues in a musical context.
During 2008, exciting live, Allison Crowe is slated to travel over 90,000 kilometres for concerts in her home-towns of Nanaimo and Corner Brook, as well as shows in New York City, Boston/Cambridge, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, Paris, Liverpool, Vienna, Prague, and multiple dates in Scotland, Germany, Scandinavia and other locations.
This past weekend, Crowe joined a cavalcade of talent in White Rock, B.C. for a rocking celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Larry Anschell's Turtle Recording Studios - an SPCA-fundraiser. Upcoming concert dates this month include: March 15 at the Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons, B.C. - with special guest Skye Wallace; and, March 22 at ArtSpring Theatre, Salt Spring Island, B.C. - with musical guests Aaron Trory and Rachel Saunders (also in aid of the local SPCA). Details of these and all concerts and other Allison Crowe music news can be found @ http://www.allisoncrowe.com
From Allison Crowe Music Management - December 20th, 2007
"In a nation that prides itself on hockey to the point of obsession, there is something else in which we can take justifiable national pride, our young, female singer-songwriters. And for my money Allison Crowe is the best of the bunch, certainly the most versatile," says veteran Canadian journalist Bruce Mason.
Witnessing these past three weeks of Tidings concerts, originals and covers, of rock, folk, jazz, pop, gospel, and blues, settles the score - without need for overtime or shootout.
Many top talents have laced up their skates over the years. Supremely rare, though, is Wayne Gretzky. Bobby Orr. And, so it is with music.
Allison Crowe is emerging as one of the true greats in her arena.
Not since a post-Schmorgs-pre-Poisoned Art Bergmann commanded the stage of Vancouver's Commodore Ballroom has a young Canadian so purely manifest the exuberant spirit of rock and roll. Like Bruce Springsteen in his 1970s prime, Crowe delivers rock music as a religious experience. Her talent is transcendent.
And the testifying grows with each performance and recording.
Ted and Jerry Gibson, fans who traveled 650 miles, from Boise, Idaho to Victoria, B.C., for a December 8 concert were moved especially by an epic rendition of Allison Crowe's song "Disease" - noting: "We loved it, were amazed by it, were consumed by it." Writing in the current issue of Boulevard magazine, reviewer Robert Moyes says Crowe's live take on "I Never Loved a Man", (from her album "This Little Bird"), "would give Aretha Franklin goose-bumps."
Visceral North American reactions mirror those across the pond, where Allison Crowe was most recently a sensation at the John Lennon Northern Lights Festival in Durness, Scotland. Festival Director Mike Merritt describes Crowe's performance as "awesome" and "spine-tingling", adding: "Allison has put Canada well and truly on the map here!"
In a BBC documentary about the event, crowned the UK's Best New Festival, Merritt recounts bringing Allison Crowe together with Carol Ann Duffy, the UK's most popular living poet, and Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, the Queen's Master of Music, on the Lennon fest's classical music night:
"I had a nightmare, I tell you, that day. I had a string quartet coming. And, unfortunately, literally as they checked in, the cellist was taken ill. As most people know you can't replace a cellist, especially in Durness, at the last minute.
And, so, I was left with a dilemma - what do I do? And as I mentioned earlier, everything that happened I thought went wrong, happened for a reason to be better. And I brought in Allison Crowe."
Merritt wondered how it'd work - a 26-year-old musician from Canada bridging performances by Carol Ann Duffy, "arguably the world's greatest poet", and Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, "one of the world's greatest-ever composers". The gamble paid off magnificently. "My word, did that put hairs on the back of your neck! (Crowe's performance) brought the house down."
Hear John Lennon Festival Director Mike Merritt chatting with BBC Radio Scotland's Iain Anderson and more of the BBC documentary
European and U.S. tour dates are in planning for 2008. Folks in Canada still have three opportunities to enjoy Allison Crowe in performance this year. CHUM TV reports that all of its A Channel stations across Canada - Victoria- Vancouver, Barrie - Toronto, Ottawa, London, Windsor & Wingham + related satellite and digital channels - StarChoice and Bell ExpressVu - will broadcast "Allison Crowe: Tidings" on December 25, Christmas Day, at 8 p.m. (local times). This one-hour holiday special taped "Inside Pandora's Box" - produced by Doug Slack - features chat and live performance of seasonal songs from Crowe's "Tidings" album - all hosted by the ever-amiable Bruce Williams.
Following this seasonal tradition, Allison Crowe flies from Newfoundland to British Columbia for a pair of concerts in distinctly different settings atop the mountain resort of Whistler, B.C. On Thursday, December 27 at 8:00 p.m., REAL CANADIAN in Whistler presents Crowe in concert at the Franz Wilhelmsen Performance Theatre, Maurice Young Millenium Place. On Monday, December 31, at 8:30 p.m., on an outdoor stage in the Village Square, Allison Crowe helps ring in the New Year as part of Whistler's First Night 2008 Celebration of the Arts. For more word on these events, please visit www.allisoncrowe.com/tour.html
And, to wrap, here's a Christmas carol that emerged from another mountain village, Mariapfarr in Austria, almost 200 years ago
Best wishes of the season. Peace on earth, goodwill toward all.
From Allison Crowe Music Management - November 8th 2007
In a broadening stroke of inspiration, The Kidney Foundation of Canada, through its Western Ontario Chapter, is rolling on with its unique and creative way to raise funds - auctioning off paintings by well-known Canucks. Last year's "A Brush of Hope" campaign raised over $16,000 to fund kidney research in Canada.
Allison Crowe welcomes this encore opportunity to join dozens of Canadian celebrities including musicians, comedians, athletes and academics creating one-of-a kind-paintings which are now on sale on eBay, with the auction ending November 12th.
This Fall, Crowe performed in concert at the Waterloo Community Arts Centre, as part of a day-long paint-in and celebration. Tim Fox, Senior Development Manager of the The Kidney Foundation of Canada and his enthusiastically-committed crew are now readying to exhibit the artworks at an "Arts & Laughs Gala" to happen this November 9 in Kitchener, Ontario.
Almost 100 paintings have been received. These include individual works of art by Allison Crowe and fellow Canadians Alex Lifeson (RUSH), Alan Doyle (Great Big Sea), musicians Natalie McMaster, Jesse Cook, Tegan Quin and sister Sara Quin (AKA Tegan and Sara), Lisa Brokop, comedian Brent Butt (Comedian), Calgary Stampeder John Comiskey, Roger Montgomery (Actor/photographer), Michael Smith (Chef) and many more contributors.
You can see the full list of artists and see the paintings @ Brush Of Hope
All of these works, including Allison Crowe's piece, are for sale now on eBay, with all proceeds going to kidney research. Research done in Canada is important not only to Canadians, but to ALL people suffering from kidney disease because advancements of this kind are soon shared worldwide. To see all the works available for bidding, visit:Kidney Foundation
Here is a direct link to Allison's pastel for bidding on eBay:
Allison on Ebay
and for viewing @ the Kidney Foundation website, here's where to find a paintings index: Paintings Index
And, here's a link to see Allison Crowe's 2007 artwork @ Artwork - Allison Crowe
Allison's 2006 painting for "A Brush of Hope" is now in a private collection.
Please remember to support the cause this weekend!
From Allison Crowe Music Management - November 7th 2007
"I always felt free in Scotland," said John Lennon.
That freedom was shared by artist and audience alike earlier this year at a Festival in Durness named in tribute to the much-loved musician, writer and peace activist. In spirit and body, family, friends and fans of John Lennon came together in the Scottish Highlands for three days of music, poetry, drama and more - under the Northern Lights.
Last night, at a ceremony in London, England, the John Lennon Northern Lights Festival was named "Best New Festival" at the UK Festival Awards - joining long-standing celebrants, such as the Isle of Wight and Glastonbury festivals, on the winner's podium. Hearty congratulations are due Festival Coordinator Mike Merritt and his team, and to all the people. Imagine ( :
Singer-songwriter Allison Crowe's honoured and delighted to be Canada's musical ambassador to the event, sharing the stage and experience with an eclectic line-up, including: the original Quarrymen (John's skiffle group which evolved into The Beatles); contemporary UK chart-toppers Nizlopi; premiere Scottish jazzer Todd Gordon and his combo; Britain's most popular living poet and playwright Carol Ann Duffy (second only to William Shakespeare among university-age readers); punk poet John Cooper Clarke; members of the Royal Academy of Music; all together with the Queen's Master of Music, composer/conductor Sir Peter Maxwell Davies (in a joyful musical triumph, his first public performance in 15 years).
During the Festival in Durness in late September, John's family gathered for the dedication of a simple plaque - now on the family croft above the waters and sands of Sango Bay. It says: "John Lennon 1940-1980, Musician & Songwriter, lived here".
Och aye. He's living there still. Tidings In My Life
October 19th 2007 - Allison Crowe Music Management
Allison Crowe's most recent Scottish expedition has been a smashing success. Three performances = three standing ovations. Highlights, among many, of the visit include performing songs of John Lennon for members of John's family, meeting and dining with the Queen's Master of Music, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, and his partner Colin Parkinson, and, simply, sharing the joy and wonder of music and nature with people from Glasgow and Edinburgh to the Highlands. (Not to forget the haggis stand outside the Village Hall in Durness - and Sergeant Pepper's Soup Kitchen.)
With more concerts already booked, from May to September 2008, the mutual love and respect between friends and fans in this most hospitable land is fast making Scotland a bonnie "home from home" for Crowe, one of the world's most exciting, and down-to-earth, musicians. Accepting invitations to the Orkneys and Liverpool, (named the European Capital of Culture for '08), is also in score for next year.
Allison Crowe's welcomed back to North America by news that Bob Muller, curator of song covers at JoniMitchell.com, includes her recording of "A Case of You" in the latest "Joni Covers" volume - with these words: "Another fine entry in the Joni Covers pantheon for Allison, who first wowed us with her electrifying take on River. This time 'round she picks another Blue selection and imbues it with her sensitive singing and playing. From her 2006 release 'This Little Bird', all of which is as tasty as this track."
The world of video, along with audio, is embracing with conviction. YouTube viewership for Crowe's take on Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" is over half-a-million strong (leading still more to her freshly definitive 'Tidings' album version of the song). Promising to become another, future, reel highlight, makers of what can genuinely be called one of the most highly anticipated Hollywood movie projects in twenty+ years, have requested use of two of Allison's recordings for this major motion picture. (More word on film production to follow, naturally.)
If we got ourselves back to the garden, when rock music was most vital, Allison Crowe would blow audiences away at the Fillmore, at Monterey, at Woodstock. Today, she plays for people on the stages of YouTube, Jamendo, Last.fm (and other online forums where audiences gather to enjoy her remarkable, and peerless, mix of originals and interpretations). And, of course, the live experience comes together - from the just-wrapped John Lennon Northern Lights Festival to her upcoming Tidings concert series (dates and locations tba) - wherever she travels.
In a age of commercial trends and calculated retro acts, Allison Crowe delivers something else entirely as a singer-songwriter - a visceral expression of freedom. We haven't had that spirit here, well, since 1969.
Last update : 22-08-2008 18:11
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