Allison Crowe's Sunshine Coast Tidings w. Ellisa Hartman November 27, 2010

“Music for the season and all time” – Allison Crowe and special guest Ellisa Hartman bring festive fun to warm body and soul with their “Tidings” concert at the Heritage Playhouse Theatre (662 North Road, Gibsons), Saturday, November 27 at 8:00 pm (Doors: 7:30 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

Ellisa Hartman opens this night of music, bringing to the stage an uniquely Canadian perspective - drawing on the spirits of Joni Mitchell and Gordon Lightfoot. Her artistic presence, unique voicing and quirky instrumental timing reveal her as an honest and charismatic performer. “Her strengths”, notes Times Colonist Arts Writer, Adrian Chamberlain, “include a gift for vocal phrasing and an ability to write melodic, hook-laden songs with
thoughtful introspective lyrics. Fans of Sarah McLachlan and Chantal Kreviazuk will easily succumb to her charm and artistry." Culture blogger Adam Lee ( http://www.islandsoapbox.blogspot.com) says, “The 23 year old is a whole lot of talent… A self-described “band geek” in high-school, Hartman has learned all sorts of instruments, ranging from Stand-up bass to Saxophone. The guitar though, not surprisingly, is home sweet home...” Raised on B.C.’s west coast, her life focussed around the ocean, Ellisa has an awareness of the global condition elevated through extensive solo travel in some of the challenged areas of the globe, and yet a sense of fun and joi de vivre permeates her music

Following intermission, the Sunshine Coast 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 @: Coast Books; Gaia's Fair Trade; Hallmark Cards; MELOmania; WindSong Gallery; Sechelt Visitor Centre; Copper Sky Gallery & Café; and online in Allison's Box Office http://www.allisoncrowe.com/shoptickets.html ~ $20 General/ $15 Students & Seniors advance ($22/$17 door)

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

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