Allison Crowe, and her band, will be playing in Corner Brook Wednesday at the Arts and Culture Centre. — Billie Woods photo

Allison Crowe is again demonstrating the freedom of being an independent musician, taking a band on her latest tour.

Just over a year ago, the Canadian singer/songwriter who lives in Corner Brook was playing at the city’s Arts and Culture Centre showcasing her sixth CD “Little Light.” This time around, she will be brandishing a band for the first time.

Billie Woods (guitar), Dave Baird (bass) and Laurent Boucher (percussion) are not new playing partners for Crowe, but touring with them is something she is looking forward to.

“I think it’s just a change of pace and I also think it is pretty exciting,” Crowe said. “I find I can do more and do some different stuff, play with it a little bit.

“I haven’t played with a band in years. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

She kicked off the tour in St. John’s Saturday and Wednesday’s concert in Corner Brook will be another farewell as she heads to Europe for three weeks of gigs. Crowe said it will also be nice to have a group to travel countries from Scotland to Austria with.

The artist originally from British Columbia said she’s been preparing with the band for quite some time now. She believes her next recording will feature band arrangements, but it’s a wait and see kind of thing right now.

Crowe said the local audience can expect to hear some new songs, her other originals and several popular covers during the concert. So, those overtones of Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, The Beatles, jazz and Broadway, for which the entertainer is best known for, will surely be front and centre.

The show will be opened by Linda Bursey of FreedomArts BellyDance — a journey through the music and dance of the Middle East.