"Treat yourself to one of the mightiest talents on the singer-songwriter scene today," says Bob Muller, veteran administrator of cover songs on the Joni Mitchell Discussion List. Allison Crowe's just-hatched album, This Little Bird, contains her take on Joni's "A of You". (About which, Sweden's Stj rnell writes: "Crowe gets to the heart of the mystical, intoxicating song.
'You're In My Blood Like Holy Wine' has rarely been a line better delivered.") Muller, in reviewing the new album, says: "Allison really comes into her own on this CD - her wonderful songs, supported by her emotive vocals, strong and confident, navigates them with feeling and strength. I mean, it takes a lot of self-confidence to tackle Aretha's version of 'I Never Loved a Man.
..' but Allison does and nails it just as good as the of Soul herself.
Her piano playing is equally exquisite." Back north in Canada the dean of Vancouver music writers, Harrison, says: "(Allison Crowe) shows an eclecticism that also reinforces her own songs. The best moments have atmosphere and her moodiness is truly affecting.
" Across the Atlantic, Luna Kaf writer Stj rnell sums up: "Crowe's focused and her art's never been better. This little bird is airborne." Allison Crowe is flying high, as well, with her "Tidings" benefit concerts - lending a hand to community groups, and, onstage, bringing together traditional carols such as "In the Bleak Midwinter", "What Child Is This", and " ", with songs of joy, peace, and redemption from the modern songbook.
Crowe's well-loved and lauded versions of songs by The Beatles, the and Sarah McLachlan join covers of Joni Mitchell's "River" and Leonard Cohen's " " labeled "truly transcendent". In 2003, "Tidings" was created as an one-hour television special ~ and this production still airs each December across Canada on CHUM's A-Channel network and affiliates. In its holiday CD round-up, in 2004, The Toronto gave four stars to only two releases - The Christmas Collection from and Tidings from Allison Crowe.
In a 2005 poll, BBC listeners placed Tidings among the greatest cover albums of all time. Upon its original, full-length, release, Joseph Blake of The Times Colonist newspaper declared: "This high concept seasonal sampler is a triumph." Completing a circle of inspiration, this year has seen the concept mainstreamed by Nettwerk Records of Vancouver, B.
C. with the release of Sarah McLachlan's 'Wintersong" CD. Tidings is a celebration in song manifest through Allison Crowe's voice and hands.
Hers is a passionate and joyous sound described by one print journalist as "Elton John meets Edith Piaf". Crowe's band on the Tidings bill features a pair of top-flight rhythm-makers also heard on This Little Bird: Dave Baird on acoustic and electric bass, and Laurent Boucher on percussion. B.
C. appearances and concert dates are listed below. More detail about each event and cause can be found online @ http://www.
allisoncrowe.com Peace on earth, goodwill toward all. Joy to the world.
01/12/06 - ArtSpring Theatre, Salt Island ~ w. special guest Billie Woods to benefit the Salt SPCA 02/12/06 - United Church, Campbell River ~ w. special guest Billie Woods to benefit the Campbell River Food Bank 06/12/06 - CFUN 1410 AM Studio, Vancouver ~ on-air with popular radio show hosts Jenn Thomson and Leary - promoting the Hope Fertility Fund (a partner project of the UBC Centre for Reproductive Health and VGH UBC Hospital Foundation) 08/12/06 - CBC One, Hudson's Bay Centre, ~ Canada's national public broadcaster presents its 20th Anniversary Food Bank Day Fundraiser Broadcast "In the Midst of Plenty" 08/12/06 - Metro Studio Theatre, ~ w.
special guest Lena Birtwistle to aid Artemis Place (an alternative schooling program for girls) 09/12/06 - Norman Rothstein Theatre, Vancouver ~ w. special guest Lena Birtwistle to benefit the Hope Fertility Fund 15/12/06 - St. Andrew's United Church, Nanaimo ~ w.
musical guests: Deanna Pulak, Ashley Brunet, Brynn Newman, Briana Vojnovich, Christie Ross, Bissonnette, Chelsea Peckett, Meredith, Adam Cormier, Sarah Parenteau, Marty Hilchey in support of The Mind's Eye (NYSA youth newspaper), Woodlands SS Band and Basketball programs, Project Warmth the Nanaimo Women's Centre 16/12/06 - St. Andrew's United Church, Nanaimo ~ w.
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