They don’t make ’em like that anymore – applies to the great Joan Morrissey, as well as to this song by Tom Cahill which she originally performed with characteristic verve. Putting “CN Bus” back-on-track and ahead-of-schedule is Allison Crowe on “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 Buddy Wasisname, 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. ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJH_A_wFnbo

On “Souling”, her new Christmas music collection, Allison Crowe delivers an a cappella reading of “In the Bleak Midwinter” – a song also heard, and quite differently, on her classic “Tidings” album. Words from poet Christina G. Rossetti (1830 – 1894) are set to a tune by Gustav Holst (1874-1934), composed in a cottage in the village of Cranham, county Gloucestershire, England. In modern times, on both of Canada’s coasts, in Newfoundland and British Columbia, Allison Crowe arranges, performs and records this beautiful song of the season. http://music.allisoncrowe.com/album/souling Allison Crowe’s gorgeous voice brings tidings of comfort and joy with “Souling” – her 11th full album release. The artist, one of our greatest living musicians, singer-songwriters and performers, has always created authentic music. With this newest song set her voice is heard wholly a cappella. The songs themselves have a purity of expression – a 21st century take on music of faith and spirit – sounds and themes aired by carollers and soulers of old. The genesis of “Souling” is found in the bond Allison Crowe’s formed with the creative family at Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador. Founded in 1979, this professional theatre company presents a dynamic and diverse repertoire of plays and maintains, as well, a strong commitment to youth theatre in the Atlantic Canada community. For these past three Summers TNL’s engaged Crowe as Musical Director of “Newfoundland Vinyl” - a perennial favourite at the annual Gros Morne Theatre Festival. Following another hit season at GMTF, in late August of this year TNL Artistic Associate SaraH McDonald invited the Corner Brook, NL-based musician to serve the same role with a vibrant production of “A Christmas Carol”. The Adaptation of this classic Charles Dickens story by playwright Jeff Pitcher, TNL’s Artistic Director, excited Crowe’s musical imagination – as did the desire of McDonald, the play’s Director, to incorporate songs in the style of Victorian Era carollers. So inspired, Allison Crowe immersed herself in curating the music for the abundantly-talented, multi-aged, choir of singers who performed in “A Christmas Carol” at the Corner Brook Arts and Culture Centre from November 27th – 30th, 2014. This artistic process of selection and arrangement led to her recording solo versions of those songs that will receive another distinct breath of life from the TNL vocal ensemble. (In parallel fashion, the first season’s run of “Newfoundland Vinyl” brought forth Allison Crowe’s album of the same name – one of 2013’s top recordings. Culture blog Muruch praised it as a “lovely, vintage collection of traditional Irish and Canadian folk ballads, lively sea chanteys ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpS1cXgNRpI