Allison Crowe, all set to wow Gabriolans
By Bruce Mason, Gabriola Sounder
Monday, December 10 2007
“Please tell you readers that my
concert will be an evening for everyone to enjoy,” she said over
the phone from her mom’s house in Nanaimo. “And I mean
everyone.”
Allison Crowe was intrigued by my question: “Do you encourage
people to sing along?”
“Every time I get on stage, with mixed results,” she replied
with a frequent trademark giggle. “And if Gabriolans sing along
that is going to make the evening even more special and memorable
for me and them.”
Crowe reported that she will be performing: “Christmas songs from
the “Tidings” CD, covers, original material, a lot of piano and
some guitar.”
The Christmas songs you know about, a host of timeless season
classics. The “Tidings” tour is billed “Music for the season
and all time.”
Covers? Let’s just say that there is widespread agreement that she
has recoded definitive versions of Leonard Cohen’s
“Hallelujah,” Joni Mitchell’s “River,” the Rolling
Stones’ “Shine a Light,” and Sarah McLachlan’s “Angel”
to say nothing of, ”Let it Be,” and “Imagine.”
Originals? She has already recorded enough material for a entire CD
and we will also be hearing some of these new songs.
It’s a wonderful time for the musician, who just turned 26. The
mainstream recording industry is in an unprecedented state of flux,
and a new window has opened that allows talent to shine and attract
a massive audience.
“I would not have been as successful without the Internet,” said
Crowe, whose own site is described as ‘deep.’ “It enabled me
to get gigs, reach a global audience and play all over the world,
including a recent tour of Europe.”
Learning from other artists, such as Ani DiFranco and Loreena
McKennitt, she has been able to put her own stamp of individual
freedom on her ongoing artistic and commercial success.
“I established my own label, Rubenesque Records, because I
appreciate creative independent music and musicians and haven’t
been interested in following formulas and directions from
corporations,” Crowe reported.
Her “Tidings” concert kicked off late last month in Corner
Brook, Newfoundland, her new base and then picked up again in
Campbell River, Pender Island, Gibsons, Salt Spring, Victoria, and
Gabriola, followed by Nanaimo and Whistler on New Years Eve.
“It was time to get back and see everyone, including friends on
Gabriola, and my family, of course, “said Crowe, giggling again.
“Tidings” helps support Food Banks, firefighters, SPCAs, Artemis
Place (life skills and academics for girls), GABA (Group Applied
Behavior Analysis - helping autistic children), the Mind’s Eye
youth newspaper, as well as high school band and sports programs.
“Like virtually every other child I went through stages when I
wanted to be a vet or dentist, but I was always writing and playing
music,” she recalled growing up in Nanaimo. “I attended Woodland
Secondary and value high school music programs which provide
instruction if you don’t take private lessons and introduces you
to playing with other people.”
Crowe however took lessons, lots of them and took advantage of every
opportunity in musical theatre, any open microphone, on any stage,
by age 15, and playing jazz gigs, a year later.
“I even played in that little place at the ferry dock, the White
Hart, and in every cover and original band imaginable.” she
recalled. “I got so busy I still needed two science credits to
graduate from high school, and had to pick those up later.”
Talent, discipline, drive, technology and a genuine love for
creating uniquely personal music and performances are among the
factors contributing to her rapid rise to international stardom.
So is management. And believe me, Adrian du Plessis is a manager
worthy of Ms Crowe. I have many E-mails sent in the middle of the
night and countless phone calls to prove it.
“At a young age, Alley has written at least 80 very good songs,
recorded five CD’s on her own label, and paid her dues while
logging hundreds of thousand of kilometers,” he said. “And
it’s working; all that energy is flowing back in ways that are
sometimes overwhelming.”
Allison Crowe’s “Tidings” concert - with special guest and
good friend, photographer and singer-songwriter guitarist Billie
Woods from Salt Spring - is Friday, December 14th at 7:30 pm in the
Community Hall. Tickets are $20 ($15 for seniors and students) at
Artworks. At the door: $22 and $17.
Her “Tidings” CDs had sold out at press time, but more were made
available by the time you read this. So, advance tickets are highly
recommended and save some money to buy a CD and take some time to
have it autographed so you can say you saw her on Gabriola.
