Years before Leonard Cohen’s beautiful song “Hallelujah” was a popular standard, Allison Crowe took her place at the piano and recorded her single, first, take version.

It’s how Hollywood Director / Producer partners Zack Snyder and Deborah Snyder originally heard Allison – making music that’s, all-at-once, "Soulful. Alive. Joyous. Grievous.”

Allison's "Tidings" session (2003) recording of “Hallelujah” is heard to great effect in the movie trailer for “The Pardon” (Jaime King, John Hawkes)– released in Spring 2013: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oe9yC13crc0 

And the relationship between Allison Crowe and the Snyder family, launched by this, the favourite song of daughter Autumn Snyder, led to a cameo in the block-buster Superman epic, “Man of Steel”, in which she appears as ‘Singer in Cassidy’s” – a northern woods roadhouse bar where Clark Kent (in the ideal form of Henry Cavill) is bussing tables. Allison therein performs “Ring of Fire” – a tune made famous by another iconoclast Johnny Cash.

“Hallelujah" is one of the first videos posted by Allison Crowe to YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIMOdVXAPJ0

The video became a viral sensation. Enjoying tens of millions of views/plays, this classic rendition of this song is how many people are introduced to the artistry of Allison Crowe. 

Full circle. In 2021. Allison Crowe revisits the song, and records a new single, first, take, performance to be included Zack Snyder’s “Justice League” as an elegy #ForAutumn

Buy on Bandcamp

Hallelujah ~ Allison Crowe

We've heard a "John song" interpreted by Allison Crowe - "In My Life" - and here's a Paul song - composed by the Fab songwriting duo of John Lennon / Paul McCartney. As with other songs on her "Tidings" album - Allison recorded this track live-off-the-floor, in a single take one Winter's eve in Canada.

Let It Be

"Double-Edged Swords" tracks the bumpy route of love. Allison Crowe (voice, piano) is joined on the musical journey by: Billie Woods (guitar); Dave Baird (bass); and Laurent Boucher (percussion) - with Engineer Larry Anschell and Producer Kayla Schmah.

Cover painting, "Look at Me", by Tara Thelen. Art design by Alix May.

Now on Bandcamp

Double - Edged Swords - Allison Crowe - Spiral

You All Haunt Me - Allison Crowe and Band

Ani DiFranco, “the little folksinger that could”, an inspiring model for Allison Crowe and her team, says she understands why so few musicians actually follow her DIY route – it’s hard work going against the current!

Still, there can be perks for a traveling troubadour. Behold the PanAm ‘Jet Clipper’, one of such aircraft checking in for decades at Gander International, Newfoundland’s hangars for refuelling on trans-Atlantic flights. It spirits passengers and crew in style.

Allison Crowe and Band’s just-wrapped concert trip to Europe touched souls in Germany, Slovenia, Italy, Belgium and England. “On the Air”, written when Crowe was a teenager, still packs great emotional weight – and soars now without some personal baggage of early flights.

On board for this musical journey, Allison Crowe (vocals, piano), Céline Greb aka Lin Lin (cello, vox), Billie Woods (guitar, vox), Dave Baird (bass) – and, in the wings, Sarah White (mandolin, vox). It’s on the manifest for for the band’s debut release “Heirs + Grievances”.

http://music.allisoncrowe.com/track/on-the-air

On The Air - Allison Crowe and Band

“Silence”

Amazing Allison Crowe and Band from their debut album “Heirs + Grievances”: 
http://music.allisoncrowe.com/album/heirs-grievances 

July 1st we celebrate Canada here – still we are part of the main, a global, cultural, community, and this week, Allison Crowe’s licensed her music for play in stores and market-places throughout continental Europe’s western-most country, the republic of Portugal. Her songs will be heard daily across the Algarve’s beautiful coast, the archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira, in the open air of Lisbon’s artful street galleries, riding the slopes and falls of the country’s lush interior, its mountainous northern region, mingling in the mystery and magic of coastal Alentejo. Up and down the Iberian Peninsula this sound we know and love will ring out.

Why Portugal? There’s a full palette of joys and emotions to be discovered in the art of Allison Crowe. In certain of her songs, too, there is ‘saudade’ – that quality described as “a bitter-sweet, existential yearning and hopefulness towards something over which one has no control”. The “unassailable determinism which compels the resigned yearning of saudade” is the soul of Portugal’s Fado music. 

Here, now is Allison Crowe and Band with the sounds of “Silence”.

Heirs + Grievances

Silence

Silence - Allison Crowe and Band

In a recent posting, Devon-based music-and-literary-blogger Mike Ferguson cites the “joy and fun” that comes across in a new recording from Allison Crowe and Band (https://somediurnalauralawe.blogspot.ca/2016/04/allison-crowe-and-band-heirs-grievances.html). 

Allison and bandmates Céline Greb aka Lin Lin, Billie Woods, Sarah White and Dave Baird – on record and on-stage – bring that essence of life - here be the irresistibly joyous “Foggy Shores of Home”.

The tune is penned by Gary O’Driscoll, one of Canada’s great songwriters – with such other classics as “Out from St. Leonards” and “The Men Who Die for a Living” to his credit. O’Driscoll, born in Bay Bulls, Newfoundland, and now at home in Ontario, Canada, crests high among Allison Crowe’s favourite songwriters to cover – as he brilliantly captures the joys as well as the heartaches of people.

From the studio disc of the just-released double-album, “Introducing / Heirs + Grievances” Allison and the band celebrate and embrace home – where e’er your port’o’call.

With the band’s bassist Dave now driving to Gros Morne National Park, NL where he’ll be a sea captain for the Summer, we welcome another sailor man in this music video. Ever-green Fleischer Studios characters – Popeye and Olive Oyl – keep things rolling in this newest addition to the “Heirs + Grievances” visual album: https://vimeo.com/165249942 

Foggy Shores of Home

Foggy Shores Of Home

"Secrets" - a live-in-the-studio rendition of one of Allison Crowe's signature songs - this recording coming from the "Heirs+Grievances" session. An equally amazing concert version is on "Introducing". The two sets combine to create the double-album debut of Allison Crowe and Band. Following is some history behind the smile...

Rubenesque Records, the music label of Allison Crowe, is 15.

An artist, a person with the integrity of this Canadian islander was always going to find her own way and on August 23, 2001, Allison incorporated Rubenesque Records Ltd. and carried on the road less-traveled – stating: "Soulful. Alive. Joyous. Grievous. Real, true, music is what I want to make."

Righteous Babe Record’s founders, musician Ani DiFranco and manager Scot Fisher, remain a model of truly independent spirit and creativity in today’s record industry – hopeful proof that "If you are disgustingly sincere and terribly diligent, there are ways for any serious artist to operate outside the corporate structure."

Rubenesque Records marks its 15th year with the debut of Allison Crowe and Band – “Introducing / Heirs + Grievances” – the 20th release by the label, and the launch of another, exciting, creative phase.

Virtuosic, versatile and visceral – Allison Crowe’s amazing body of work is experienced through more than 150 original song recordings, on board with Canadiana, sea chanteys, Celtic aires, hymns, carols, tunes of Newfoundland and Labrador, centuries-old broadside ballads renewed, as well as singular interpretations of Counting Crows, Pearl Jam, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Tori Amos, The Beatles, Broadway, jazz, soul and so much else.

Allison’s talents and accomplishments are too vast and varied to be summed up in words. The music says it all @ http://music.allisoncrowe.com

“Allison Crowe August” is what DJ Mark Jabroni of CHMR Radio in St. John’s, NL proclaimed the eighth month this year. Rubenesque itself has special music releases, tours, concerts and other fun in the works to celebrate with gusto August – and everything after.

Right now, bridging the years, here’s vintage video of Allison performing in Vienna early this century paired with audio from her band’s most recent concert in Vancouver. “Secrets”, Allison Crowe’s piano and vocals with cellist Lin Lin is part of “Introducing”, the live disc half of Rubenesque’s newest (RRL 00020). Sláinte mhaith!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpdhNMTIQsI

Introducing / Heirs+Grievances

Secrets

Allison Crowe Bandcamp

First heard from the sensational live recording of Allison Crowe and Band – captured recently at LSPU Hall in St. John’s, Newfoundland – “Verses”. Paul Mercs Concerts, the great Canadian event presenters since 1991, kindly shared "Verses", posting: “Bravo Allison & Co! Beautiful & whimsical as always, got us jigg'n!”

"Hours" was next to be previewed from the upcoming live album "Welcome to Us".

And, now, this next song recording from the same show delivers choruses! After their wardrobe hijinks, the band returns to the stage and soar with their cover of Sia’s uniquely anthemic “Bird Set Free”.

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,

Welcome to Us

Bird Set Free

Bird Set Free - Allison Crowe and Band - Sia cover live

This is what I recorded the other day - NIN’s  “Hurt”  (by Trent Reznor, on “The Downward Spiral”) - recently requested and also requested by a friend 20 years ago, - who have birthdays 2 days apart it appears - so, I figured it was about time - happy birthday, Josh⁠, and Kristen ❤️ 

Sidebar: when I think of people I’d love to record with one day - Trent always is in my brain. Perfect Drug is my favourite music video. Pretty Hate Machine is one of the albums that helped me through teenagehood (Cause I am a huge Tori Amos fan if that wasn’t obvious hahaha) . #music #nineinchnails #trent_reznor #recordings  #toriamos

Hurt

“Mice March” right into our livingroom from TNL’s “trad” Nutcracker. Here’s Tchaikovsky’s tune arranged by choreographer Candice Barry (Pike) and musician Allison Crowe for the rollicking “Newfoundland Vinyl IV”. 

Newfoundland Vinyl IV

https://allisoncrowe.bandcamp.com/album/newfoundland-vinyl-iv-2

The lovely isle of Newfoundland, off Canada’s Atlantic coast, is inspiration for this collection – the newest in the “Vinyl” series from Corner Brook, NL musician Allison Crowe. 

Allison’s in harbour with a boatful of tunes reveling in, and revealing, the region’s rich culture and history – stirring music that nourishes heart and soul. 

The album opens with "Mice March" and closes with "Russian Dance", both selections from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker” – freshly arranged and performed “trad” style for Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador’s “Ed & Ed’s Newfoundland Christmas Concert”. And between these tracks is a bounty of adventuresome musical ideas – embracing songs of land and sea. 

Traditional music, and modern favourites – funny, poignant, earthy and ethereal – all part of the “Newfoundland Vinyl” stage-show lovingly curated and directed by Allison Crowe each Summer at TNL’s Gros Morne Theatre Festival. 

The album cover photograph by Allison shows us what she sees at home making music. And the songs themselves let us feel it all, as well. Joys and hardships be tugging on the heart-line first cast by Simani, and true as ever: “You might think she’s rugged and cold, but she’s home, sweet, home to me.”

Credits:

Allison Crowe: all vocals, instruments, engineering and production. 

Album cover photo: Allison Crowe. 

Graphics: Mind Palace Design.

Newfoundland Vinyl IV

Mice March

Mice March (Nutcracker)

Written by Ronnie Shannon, this song, "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)" was a breakthrough hit for Aretha Franklin in 1967.

Allison Crowe, for whom this song had been a fave for years, one afternoon performed it on the piano in the living room of a friend's log-home on Salt Spring Island, Canada. 

As with so many of Allison's recordings, this is a single / first take vocal and piano performance. It's captured by engineer/producer Ryan Adams and landed on Crowe's album/CD "This Little Bird".

"It takes a lot of self-confidence to tackle Aretha (Franklin)'s version of 'I Never Loved a Man...' but Allison does and nails it just as good as the Queen of Soul herself. Her piano playing is equally exquisite," says Bob Muller, curator of song covers at JoniMitchell.com "Treat yourself to one of the mightiest talents on the singer-songwriter scene today."

I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You) - Allison Crowe (Ronnie Shannon)

"Cover Me" blog's Editor-in-Chief Ray Padgett, (SPIN, Consequence of Sound, Mashable and more), premieres Allison Crowe's take on Annie Lennox & Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams" @ http://www.covermesongs.com/2010/11/allison-crowe-shows-us-what-sweet-dreams-are-made-of.html In the accompanying article, "Allison Crowe Shows Us What 'Sweet Dreams' Are Made Of (Cover Me Premiere)", writer Eric Garneau says of Crowe's bare take on the song:

"She delivers a reading on this '80s mainstay at once beautifully melodious and ferociously in-your-face."

Allison Crowe being a rock musician - well, what was called rock in the '60s - she really enjoys, but doesn't replicate, the sounds of the original's pop sensibility. She strips things to their emotional core.

When the makers of Hollywood movie "Sucker Punch" were looking for ideas on how to approach the song, they called on Allison Crowe. For the feature from director Zack Snyder, actress Emily Browning performs the song as a production number for an exciting, visceral, film ride.

1 Heck of a Guy, a blog renowned for its reportage on Leonard Cohen and broomcorn lore and much, much more, shines a light on Allison Crowe's "alchemy" in covering songs - http://1heckofaguy.com/2010/11/09/allison-crowe-renews-eurythmics-sweet-dreams - saying:

"Allison, whose covers include not only outstanding versions of Joni Mitchell’s 'River' and 'A Case of You,' Leonard Cohen’s 'Hallelujah,' 'The Beatles’ 'In My Life' and 'Let It Be,' Lennon’s 'Imagine,' and Cyndi Lauper’s 'Time After Time,' but also the most provocative and seductive (forgive me, Aretha) take I’ve heard on Ronnie Shannon’s 'I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You).' And, I stand by my conviction that Allison Crowe is the best thing to happen to 'Me And Bobby McGee' since Janis Joplin changed Kristofferson’s lyrics."

This fun, naturally, arises from the premiere of Allison's take on Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart - The Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams" on the "Cover Me" blog.

Sweet Dreams ~ Allison Crowe

Pillars (the Single) / All Your Favorite Bands is the debut double-A-side release from Allison Crowe and Band's upcoming album, Pillars (out May 1st, 2020): 

https://allisoncrowe.bandcamp.com/track/pillars-5 - Pillars

https://allisoncrowe.bandcamp.com/track/all-your-favorite-bands-feat-sarah-melanie-white-2 - All Your Favorite Bands 

https://allisoncrowe.bandcamp.com/album/pillars-all-your-favorite-bands - double-A Pillars / All Your Favorite Bands


Pillars

Composed by Allison Crowe
As performed by Allison Crowe and Band

After all of the storms
Are come and gone
I can’t really be sure
This is my pillar to stand on

I’ve watched it crumble and fall
Right at your feet, and
There aren’t enough turns in the world
To force these paths to meet

Chorus:

I can’t breathe
So open a window
It’s freezing
So close it again
You say: It hurts when I do this
I say: So why do that
This silence is killing me
But it isn’t as hard as the fall

So what do I do?
I guess I just wait
‘cause trying to force time
Is just tempting fate

I am reasonably sure
There’s no easy solution
And I have never been good
At conflict resolution

Chorus:

And I can’t breathe
So open a window
It’s freezing
So close it again
You say: It hurts when I do this
I say: So why do that
This silence is killing me
But it isn’t as hard as the fall

There’s a stillness here now
A curious sort of quiet
And my only strength left
Is the comfort in leading the riot

And I can’t make you believe
In God I haven’t respected
Not until my own certainty
In the fates has resurrected

Chorus:

And I can’t breathe
So open a window
It’s freezing
So close it again
You say: It hurts when I do this
So why in the Hell would you do that
This silence is killing me
But it isn’t as hard as the fall

My pillar to stand on
And I don’t know, I don’t know…
This is my pillar to stand on…

This is my pillar to stand on

ALLISON CROWE AND BAND:

Allison Crowe (vocals, piano, cello, guitar, fiddle, Seaboard and more); 
Sarah Melanie White (mandolin, bouzouki, vocals+)
Dave Baird (bass); & 
Keelan Purchase (accordion, guitar, harmonica, vocals)

Allison Crowe: Composer & Co-Producer
Adam Thistle: Recording/Mixing Engineer & Co-Producer 

Billie Woods Photography
Mind Palace Design 

Visit us @ https://allisoncroweband.com + https://allisoncrowe.bandcamp.com/ 

Peace!

Pillars

Julianna / At Seventeen is the second double-A-side release in advance of the upcoming album + EP from Allison Crowe and Band, "Pillars" + “Six More Songs” (out May 1, 2020). This single includes an original rocker together with a cover of a Janis Ian classic: 

https://allisoncrowe.bandcamp.com/track/julianna-6  -  Julianna

https://allisoncrowe.bandcamp.com/track/at-seventeen-2  -  At Seventeen 

https://allisoncrowe.bandcamp.com/album/julianna-at-seventeen  - Julianna / At Seventeen 


JULIANNA

Composed by Allison Crowe
As performed by Allison Crowe and Band

It is far too much
Too much she cannot hold
She expects the worst
She receives the cold

It wasn't what she hoped, or believed
But, it is what she’s got to get her through
And another day just goes by for you

Julianna
Julianna
She tried too hard to breathe under the water
But it kept her down
Julianna

If you watch her walk away
Don’t you dare complain
She tried to give you fire
But you drowned her in the rain

Now, it isn’t what you hoped, or expected
And you feel yourself as slighted, and rejected
But still another day just goes by for you

Julianna
Julianna
She tried too hard to breathe under the water
But he kept her down
Julianna

It will not be that much
Not much for you to hold
But the little she can give
It’s worth its weight in gold

It isn’t what she needs, or deserves
But you have depleted her reserves
And another day will go by, go by for you

Julianna
Julianna
She tried too hard to breathe under the water
But he kept her down, it kept her down
Julianna

Julianna


ALLISON CROWE AND BAND:

Allison Crowe (vocals, piano, cello, guitar, fiddle, Seaboard and more); 
Sarah Melanie White (mandolin, bouzouki, vocals+)
Dave Baird (bass); & 
Keelan Purchase (accordion, guitar, harmonica, vocals)

Allison Crowe: Composer & Co-Producer
Adam Thistle: Recording/Mixing Engineer & Co-Producer 

Billie Woods Photography 
Mind Palace Design


Visit us @ https://allisoncroweband.com + https://allisoncrowe.bandcamp.com/ 

Peace!

Pillars / At Seventeen

Julianna

"I love singing for people," says Allison Crowe. "It's a way to connect and share with others. Communication is crucial. Just being able to do what I do, to write and sing and perform, makes me feel not only alive, but incredibly lucky. Knowing at any moment everything could change, I don't take one second for granted."

“Allison sings with such an intensity of emotion, it's easy to see why she's often quoted as saying 'Why music? Why breathing?',” notes culture blog Muruch. “That kind of artistic passion seems extremely rare these days."

Crowe's home is Corner Brook, NL. Her birthplace is Nanaimo, BC (November 16, 1981). From Canada's coasts she's taken the road less-traveled to harmonizing life as musician (voice, piano, guitar, fiddle, bodhran), composer, arranger, audio engineer & producer. From the lovely isle of Newfoundland her reach is global.

Ani DiFranco and Loreena McKennitt inspired the strong-willed Scorpio to create Rubenesque Records, her own label. Since 2001, via 26 albums, singles, EPs and compilations, Crowe's oeuvre nears 200 unique tracks embracing roots, rock, Celtic, folk, jazz, soul, Canadiana and Broadway.

Rubenesque's series of artistically and commercially successful releases includes: Lisa's Song+ 6 Songs (2001-3); Tidings (2003/4); Secrets (2004); Live at Wood Hall (2005); This Little Bird (2006); Little Light (2008); Spiral (2010); Arthur / Up to the Mountain (2011); Tidings Concert (2012); Newfoundland Vinyl (2013); Heavy Graces (2013); Songbook (2013/14); Souling (2014); Newfoundland Vinyl II (2014); Sylvan Hour (2015); Newfoundland Vinyl 3 (2015); Souling (Bonus Tracks Edition) (2015); Introducing / Heirs + Grievances (2016); .Great Island Wonder (2017); Welcome to Us: 1 & 2 (2018); Newfoundland Vinyl IV (2018); plus Pillars and Six More Songs (2020 releases). 

Broadcast highlights include a pair of one-hour television specials: “Allison Crowe: Inside Pandora’s Box” and “Tidings” (airing, for years, nationally across Canada).

Crowe performs solo and with band – LIN (cello, vocals), Sarah White (mandolin, guitar, vocals), Dave Baird (bass, vocals) – headlining concerts on hundreds of occasions in over a dozen countries.

Billed before Carol Ann Duffy, Britain’s Poet Laureate, and (the late) Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, Master of the Queen's Music, "Canadian angel Allison Crowe gave one of the weekend's most magical moments," relates The Scotsman. 

In 2012, Allison Crowe thrilled with Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet singing and playing live-on-stage with dancers for "The Doorway – Scenes from Leonard Cohen".

Hollywood director Zack Snyder flew Crowe cross-continent to cameo in "Man of Steel" – covering "Ring of Fire" on-screen in 2013's Superman blockbuster. “I’m a big Johnny Cash fan. And I’m a big Allison Crowe fan," reveals Snyder (Dawn of the Dead, 300, Watchmen, Sucker Punch). "So the combination to me seemed like an awesome opportunity if we could make it happen.”

Crowe is Musical Director of "Newfoundland Vinyl" – a rollicking hit at the Gros Morne Theatre Festival each Summer (since 2012). Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador Artistic Director Jeff Pitcher, (who conceived the show), remarks: "No matter where she is in this world, that voice, that conviction, it crosses all borders."

"The first thing you notice about Allison Crowe is her voice. Rich and dark, it seems to come from a place most singers can only dream of accessing. Then there are the songs. Filled with raw passion and accompanied by Crowe's eloquent piano playing." Clodagh O'Connell (The Courier, Rolling Stone+) posits: "Elton John meets Edith Piaf".

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

You can lend an ear.

allisoncrowe

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