Beatles Unlimited, Dutch journal and chronicler of all things Fab
since November 1963, has followed the long and winding road that
leads to Canadian artist Allison Crowe's studio door. In its latest
issue (BU 181), with Ringo on the cover, the legendary publication
reviews her all-season, 'seasonal', hit album, "Tidings". ("Tidings"
is cited in an ongoing BBC Radio "Great Debate" forum as being among
listener's picks for the "best cover album of all time".)

After noting Crowe's "fantastic" rendition of Leonard
Cohen's "Hallelujah" and her "startling" fresh take on the Sarah
McLachlan-penned "Angel", BU reviewer Tom Weel, acts naturally and
focuses on her album's Beatle interpretations: "By giving Let It Be
the gospel flavour it deserves and with an emotionally sung In My
Life, the two Beatles songs fit very well in the album's concept.
This all leads to only one conclusion: don't play this during
Christmastime... play it the whole year through!"

Crowe now has the distinction of receiving the thumbs up for her
covers by Europe's long-standing fan clubs of both, The Beatles and
The Stones - once rivals as the greatest bands of the '60s.

Last November, the Rolling Stones Fan Club Office, established in
1964, labeled her Tidings album "great" and "remarkable", with the
faithful Stones' fans saying: "this star is an absolute outstanding
singer, and her 'Shine a Light' by Jagger/Richards is the whole
album worth, but there are a lot more (songs)".

Crowe's versions of songs by the greatest solo artists and writers
of rock's golden era are meeting with equally enthusiastic acclaim -
marking her emergence as a supreme song stylist. Her "transcendent"
rendition of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah", (a brilliant song which
has endured a plethora of marketing and mimicry over the years),
immediately struck a responsive chord with music-lovers and critics
world-wide upon its release in 2003. Crowe's newly definitive
recording continues to steadily build an intense international
following.

And, earlier this month, (on August 1, 2005), Bob Muller, keeper of
the Joni Mitchell Discussion List, included a 'Tidings' track in
his "burgeoning" series of "Joni Mitchell - Covers and
Contributions", calling it one of his favorite recordings of Joni's
song, River, saying: "Another holiday '04 release, from
Allison's "Tidings" CD. One of my favorites; there is a pinch of
Shawn (Colvin) in Allison's voice, except imo Allison has more punch
and emotional bite in her vocals. She makes singing this song seem
easy, and anyone who's tried it will tell you it's not."

In the words of numerous reviewers, Allison Crowe possesses one of
the most beautiful and amazing voices in the world. With her
peerless ability to communicate the emotional truth in wide-ranging
song material, Crowe's interpretative gifts are, justly, being
recognized around the globe.

And, in a reversal of sorts, the quality of her own songwriting is
now being highlighted by the power of another's interpretation.
Bronxville, New York-based singer-songwriter Marissa Manzino has
just recorded a version of Crowe's song, "Montreal" (originally
appearing on 2004's 'Secrets' album). By transposing the tune from
its original rock piano form to finger-picked acoustic guitar and
mandolin, with vocals bringing to mind Stevie Nicks, Manzino takes a
gentle folk approach to "Montreal" which intimately reveals new
shades and depth to the song's craft and lyrics.


(this news is going out to everyone on Alley's mail list - there'll
be more word on fun things here later today!)

best wishes everyone, Adrian