6 posts tagged “scotland”

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.”

 

Last night, 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 20^th 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

"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. From hometown glory to international audiences.

 

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

 

And hear Allison Crowe's song, “Alive and Breathing".

 

European and North American tour dates are in planning for 2008.

 "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 week, 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.

In My Life

###

Half a million strong: Allison Crowe's music gets back to where we once belonged

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.

###

Summer's here. Temperature's rising. Happily, Allison Crowe is joining a magical mystery tour that promises to be one of the coolest cultural events of this, or any, year. The internationally-acclaimed singer-songwriter will perform at the 'John Lennon Northern Lights Festival' this September 28 - 30 in the Scottish Highlands. This unique happening has been endorsed by Yoko Ono Lennon along with several members of the ex-Beatle John's family, including his sister, Julia Baird.

Some of Britain's greatest artists, and, now, a Canadian, too, will travel to a tiny highland village to pay homage to John Lennon. The three-day festival in Durness (pop. 356), the most north-westerly and remote village on mainland Britain, is being called "one of the most extraordinary festivals ever to be staged in the country".

"John really loved Durness and would be very pleased that his influence was being celebrated with this festival," said Julia Baird on the launch. "I am delighted to be involved in what is a high quality event which has taste and respect at its core. We are all looking forward very much to coming again to a place that meant so much to my brother."

Allison Crowe and Julia Baird met last Summer, at a Beatles celebration organized by Hal Bruce, "The Cavern's very best friend", in Halifax, Nova Scotia - at which Julia, a teacher in Cheshire, was Guest of Honour. On that occasion Allison received a standing ovation for her solo performances of the Beatles' "Let It Be" and "In My Life" (which has roots in Durness) and John's "Imagine". The opportunity to meet again, and to share inspiration is exciting says Allison: "John Lennon was an amazing, artistic, peaceful, spirit. He made a huge impact on society." And, she notes, "I love Scotland!" (Both grandparents on her Mother's side are Scottish.)

As a boy, John Lennon would be packed off on the bus from Liverpool to a croft in Durness owned by relatives. His cousin Stanley Parkes, says: "The festival is not remembering John Lennon the pop star, but John the person, the writer and the poet." During a break from recording the Abbey Road album in 1969, the then-Beatle returned to the Highlands with Yoko, son Julian, and Yoko's daughter Kyoko.

"I have a very sweet memory of Durness," Yoko said last month, in giving her blessing to festival organizer Mike Merritt's team. "I would most certainly love to lend my co-operation to this splendid venture to bring the world's attention to Scotland, the most beautiful and magical country, with John's name, his memory and a lovely one of mine, as well."

Allison Crowe, a French reviewer has observed, creates music for people who love the '60s and '70s sound ~ even if they'd not yet been born. It's a spirit of freedom and fun. Of uncompromised artistry. Honesty and innocence. She's in perfect harmony with a wildly eclectic festival line-up that includes: the original Quarrymen, (John's skiffle group which evolved into The Beatles); poet and playwright Carol Ann Duffy; punk poet John Cooper Clarke; the Queen's Master of Music, composer/conductor Sir Peter Maxwell Davies; jazz singer Todd Gordon and his combo; actor/playwright Gary Bleasdale; contemporary UK chart toppers Nizlopi; and a wide palette of artists in all sorts of disciplines. Music, painting, drama, Beatles' films (on Britain's only
mobile cinema, Screen Machine), Fab Four memorabilia, an on-site astronomer, and festivities in Smoo Cave, (Britain's biggest sea cave), are among the attractions.

As are the Northern Lights... which shine on the festival's celestial banner alongside John Lennon. The whole brings to mind the truth and beauty of such songs from John's Plastic Ono Band album as "Look at Me" and "Love".

Allison Crowe has recorded, naturally, one of her newest songs, "Northern Lights": http://www.allisoncrowe.com/NorthernLights.mp3  "And, yes, I stood on the other side of the world, but I took the Northern Lights home to you."

Here's the official Festival website link:
http://www.northhighlandsscotland.com/festival

Peace.