Allison Crowe's Ladysmith Tidings w. Lena Birtwistle December 3, 2010

“Music for the season and all time” – Allison Crowe and special guest Lena Birtwistle bring festive fun to warm body and soul with their “Tidings” concert at Ladysmith First United Church (232 High Street), Friday, December 3 at 7:30 pm (Doors: 7:00 pm).

Tidings stirs together traditional Christmas carols and holiday favourites with an organic blend of rock, jazz, folk, gospel and soul. "The Yuletide find of the year," says The Record. "Be prepared to be amazed," chimes ChristmasReviews.com

Lena Birtwistle opens this night of music with a distinctive set of folk/pop songs tinged with country hues. The singer/songwriter, for whom Ladysmith is home, has been sharing her music and quirky sense of humour all over the Island for the last five years. Citing such inspirations as Feist, Fleetwood Mac, Eva Cassidy, and Tom Waits, her songs and stories are blended with a touch that’s very much her own. Alongside a focus on solo performances, Lena Birtwistle works with musician Sid Johnson. The duo, more rock/roots based, released their debut EP, "Empires" in 2009. They’re busy creating new recordings which will be ready for human consumption in the very near future. Birtwistle is also familiar to audiences as the radio host of Sun FM’s “Organic Tuneage” – via which she shares a love and appreciation for the region’s great home-grown talent.

Following intermission, the Ladysmith Tidings concert resumes with a full set from Allison Crowe. The Nanaimo-born musician who now lives on both of Canada’s coasts, has gained a tremendous international fan base by following an independent path – outside the confines and compromises of the corporate record industry.

Along with releasing seven albums/CDs containing original song-writing of a singular range and quality, this century Allison Crowe has earned a reputation for her gorgeous voice, and unique ability to viscerally communicate emotion without sentimentality.

Crowe’s honest approach serves well, too, in making her, not only an uniquely exciting songwriter and live performer, combining voice, piano and guitar, but, at the same time, a peerless interpreter of a most varied songbook.

Upon returning to Canada, following her most recent European concert dates, earlier this month, popular Leonard-Cohen-centric blog, “1 Heck of a Guy”, commented:

"Allison, whose covers include not only outstanding versions of Joni Mitchell’s 'River' and 'A Case of You,' Leonard Cohen’s 'Hallelujah,' 'The Beatles’ 'In My Life' and 'Let It Be,' Lennon’s 'Imagine,' and Cyndi Lauper’s 'Time After Time,' but also the most provocative and seductive (forgive me, Aretha) take I’ve heard on Ronnie Shannon’s 'I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You).' And, I stand by my conviction that Allison Crowe is the best thing to happen to 'Me And Bobby McGee' since Janis Joplin changed Kristofferson’s lyrics."

No doubt several of these much-loved interpretations will ring in the
Tidings concert mix this joyful Winter’s eve – joining Crowe’s fresh takes on such seasonal classics as “The First Noel”, “Silent Night”, and “O Holy Night”.

Tickets @: In the Beantime Cafe (18 High St.); Salamander Books (535 First Ave.) in Ladysmith; Toad Hall Emporium (9738 Willow St.) in Chemainus; & online @ http://ww.allisoncrowe.com/shoptickets.html ~ $20 General/ $15 Students & Seniors advance ($22/$17 door)

More info @: http://www.allisoncrowe.com +
http://www.myspace.com/lenabirtwistle

Official Website: http://www.allisoncrowe.com