Crowe: Covers, Live + Rare

by Allison Crowe

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about

“Crowe: Covers, Live + Rare” is a special, digital-format-only, collection of Allison Crowe recordings.

The Canadian singer-songwriter enjoys the art of interpretation - and is inspired by songwriters from all over the musical spectrum. Gathered here is a set of rare, and, often, live, covers and recordings of rock, folk/roots, and pop music captured over the years 2001 - 2013.

Hear Allison Crowe at the piano in her living room, picking up a guitar in the kitchen, or taking her spot beneath the lights to sing and play favourite tunes of Tori Amos, Leonard Cohen, Pearl Jam, Ani DiFranco, Annie Lennox, Patty Griffin and other artists represented in recordings from home and stage.

A rarely-performed live addition to this collection is from a 2008 European tour: "Mona Lisa's and Mad Hatters" - a song from Elton John's classic 1972 album "Honky Château". Here's raw bootleg audio of Allison's performance from Tunnel - an underground jazz and blues club in Vienna, Austria.

Also here is a version of "Bird on a Wire" which Allison arranged several different ways - in 2012 when she performed live on-stage with Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet, for "The Doorway: Scenes from Leonard Cohen".

Rare, too, is the pair of original songs - "Snow" and "These Words" - included in this collection alongside numerous of Allison's singular interpretations.

credits

released 06 January 2013
Cover foto: Billie Woods

tags

tags: acoustic allison crowe ani difranco british columbia folk indie leonard cohen newfoundland nirvana pearl jam radiohead rock singer songwriter tori amos Corner Brook

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Some rights reserved. Please refer to individual track pages for license info.

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Track Name: Snow (Allison Crowe)
Snow

Words & Music by Allison Crowe

Ice blue
Beautiful silence
The first snow falls
And whispers peacefully

Floating and reeling
you land in a snowflake
On everybody’s jackets
Keeping them company

Set about the air
And find without formation
No lines, no barricades
Just abstract light

A different shape
For every eye that sees
A comfort, a brush
through all of our eyes

lively and dancing
through the air
in the Winter's night
on the winds

falling and landing
landing and fixing
leaving an imprint
on all you have seen

and in this ice blue silence
this beautiful memory,
do not guard jealously
no time to despair

no pain in this cold
Just good, just kindness
A blanket of memory
Soft in the night

So smile and watch
As the snow falls around us
Landing on us all
Leaving peace to remember

Never one shade,
Never one shape
Always in motion
And beauty inspired
Track Name: 1000 Oceans (Tori Amos)
1000 Oceans

Words & Music by Tori Amos
As performed by Allison Crowe

These tears I've cried
I've cried 1000 oceans
And if it seems I'm
floating
in the darkness

Well, I can't believe
that I would keep
keep you from flying
So I will cry a thousand more
if that's what it takes
to sail you home
sail you home
sail you home

I'm aware of what the rules are
but you know that I will run
You know that I will follow you
over Silbury hill
through the solar field
you know that I will follow you

And if I find you
will you still remember
playing at the trains
or does this
little blue ball
just fade away

Over Silbury hill
through the solar fields
you know that I will follow you
I'm aware of what the rules are
but you know that I will run
you know that I will follow you

These tears I've cried
I've cried 1000 oceans
And if it seems I'm
floating
in the darkness

Well, I can't believe
that I would keep
keep you from flying
So, I will cry
A thousand more
if that's what it takes
to sail you home
sail you home
sail you home
sail you...




© Sword & Stone w. lyrics help from hereinmyhead.com
Track Name: Raining in Baltimore (Counting Crows)
Raining In Baltimore

Words & Music by Steve Bowman, David Bryson, Adam Duritz, Charlie Gillingham, Dave Immergluck, Matt Malley

As performed by Allison Crowe


The circus is falling down on its knees
Big top is crumbling down
It's raining in Baltimore fifty miles east
Where you should be, no one's around
I need a phone call
I need a raincoat
I need a big love
I need a rain coat
These train conversations are passing me by
And I don't have nothing to say
You get what you paid for
But I just had no intention of living this way
I need a phone call
I need a plane ride
I need a sunburn
I need a raincoat
And I get no answers
And I don't get no change
It's raining in Baltimore, baby
But everything else is the same
There's things I remember, there’s things I forget
I miss you I guess that I should
Three-thousand five-hundred miles away
And what would you change if you could?
I need a phone call, maybe I should buy a new car
I can always hear a freight train, baby, if I listen real hard
And I wish, I wish it was a small world
’cause I'm lonely for the big towns
I'd like to hear a little guitar
I guess it's time to put the top down
I need a phone call
I need a raincoat
I really need a raincoat
I really, really need a rain coat
I really, really, really need a rain coat
I really need a raincoat
Track Name: Bird on a Wire (Leonard Cohen)
Bird on a Wire

Words & Music by Leonard Cohen
As Performed by Allison Crowe

Like a bird on a wire
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free

Like a fish on a hook
Like a knight from some old-fashioned book
I have saved all my ribbons for thee

And if I have been unkind
I hope that you can just let it go by
And if I have been untrue
Well, I hope you know, I hope you know it was never t'you

Like a baby stillborn
Like a beast with his horn
I have torn everyone who reached out for me

But I swear by this song
And by all that I have done wrong
I will make it all up to thee

I saw a young man leaning on his wooden crutch
Well, he said to me, he said "You must not ask for so much"
And a young woman leaning in her darkened door
Well, she cried to me, she cried "Hey, why not ask for more"

Like a bird on a wire
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free
To be free
Track Name: Indifference (Pearl Jam)
Indifference

Words & Music by Pearl Jam
As performed by Allison Crowe

I will light the match this mornin', so I won't be alone
Watch as she lies silent, for soon night will be gone
Oh, I will stand arms outstretched, pretend I'm free to roam
Oh, I will make my way, through, one more day in Hell

How much difference does it make
How much difference does it make, yeah

I will hold the candle till it burns up my arm
I'll keep takin' punches until their will grows tired
Oh, I will stare the sun down until my eyes go blind
I won't change direction, and I won't change my mind

How much difference does it make
How much difference does it make... how much difference...

I'll swallow poison, until I grow immune
I will scream my lungs out till it fills this room

How much difference
How much difference does it make
Track Name: Northern Lad (Tori Amos)
Northern Lad

Words & Music by Tori Amos
As performed by Allison Crowe

Had a northern lad
'not exactly had
he moved like the sunset
God who painted that

At first he loved my accent
and how his knees could bend
I thought we'd be ok
me and my molasses

But I feel that something is wrong
And I feel this cake just isn't done
don't say that you don't
And if you could see me now
Said if you could see me now
girls you've got to know
that it's time to turn the page
when you're only wet because of the rain
because, because of the rain, because of the rain

'Don't show much these days
it gets so fucking cold
I loved his secret places
but I can't go anymore

"You change like sugar cane"
says my northern lad
But I guess it goes too far
when pianos try to be guitars

I feel the west in you
and I feel it's falling apart too
don't say that you don't
And if you could see me now
Said if you could see me now
girls you've got to know
that it's time to turn the page
when you're only wet because of the rain
when you're only wet because of the rain
when you're only wet
because of the rain

because of the rain



© Sword & Stone w. lyrics help from hereinmyhead.com
Track Name: Release (Pearl Jam)
Release

Words & Music by Pearl Jam
As performed by Allison Crowe

Father
I see the world, feel the chill
Which way to go, windowsill
I see the world's on a rocking horse of time
I see the verse in rain

Ohh .. ohh .. ohh .. ohh ..

Oh, dear Dad, can you see me now
I am myself, like you somehow
I'll ride the wave where it takes me
I'll hold the pain .. release me

Ohh .. ohh .. ohh .. ohh ..

Oh, dear Dad, can you see me now
I am myself, like you somehow
I'll wait up in the dark for you to speak to me
I'll open up .. release me ..
Release me ..

Ohh .. ohh .. ohh .. ohh ..
Track Name: Both Hands (Ani DiFranco)
Both Hands

Words & Music by Ani DiFranco
As performed by Allison Crowe

I am walking
out in the rain
and I am listening to the low moan
of the dial tone again
and I am getting
nowhere with you
and I can't let it go
and I can't get through

And the old woman
behind the pink curtains
and the closed door
on the first floor
she is listening to the air shaft
to see how long our swan song will last

And both hands
now use both hands
oh no, don't close your eyes
I am writing
graffiti all over your body
I am drawing the story of
how hard we tried
how hard we tried

And I am watching your chest
rise and fall
like the tides of my life
and the rest of it all
and your bones have been my bed-frame
and your flesh has been my pillow
and I've been waiting for sleep
to offer up the deep
with both hands
oh, with both hands

And in each other's shadow
we've grown less and less tall
and eventually our theories
didn't explain it all
and now I'm writing our history
up on the bedroom wall
and when we leave the landlord will come
and paint over it all

And I'm walking
out in the rain
and I am listening to the low moan
of the dial tone again
and I am getting
nowhere with you
and I can't let it go
and I can't get through

And both hands
yes use both hands
oh no don't close your eyes
I am writing
graffiti on your body
I am drawing the story of
how hard we tried
how hard we tried
how hard we tried
Track Name: Tonight Will Be Fine (Leonard Cohen)
Tonight Will Be Fine

Words & Music by Leonard Cohen
As performed by Allison Crowe

Sometimes I find I get to thinking of the past.
When we swore to each other that our love would last.
You kept right on loving, and I went on a fast
Now I am too thin and your love is too vast.
And I know from your eyes
yes, I know from your smile
that tonight will be fine,
will be fine, will be fine
for a while

Oh, I choose the room that I live in with care,
all the windows are empty and the walls almost bare,
there is only one room, there is only one prayer;
and I listen each night for your step on the stair

'cause I know from your eyes
yes, I know from your smile
that tonight will be fine,
will be fine, will be fine
for a while

And sometimes I see her undressing for me,
she's the soft naked lady love meant her to be
but to see her moving so brave and so free.
If I've got to remember that's a fine memory

'cause I know from your eyes
and I know from your smile
that tonight will be fine,
will be fine, will be fine
for a while

and I know from your eyes
yes, I know from your smile
that tonight will be fine,
will be fine, will be fine
for a while
Track Name: Mary (Patty Griffin)
Mary
Words and Music by Patty Griffin
As Performed by Allison Crowe

Mary you're covered in roses, you're covered in ashes
You're covered in rain
You're covered in babies, you're covered in slashes
You're covered in wilderness, you're covered in stains

You cast aside the sheet, you cast aside the shroud
Of another man who served the world proud
You greet another son, you lose another one
On some sunny day and always you stay, Mary

Jesus said Mother I couldn't stay another day longer
Flies right by and leaves a kiss on her face
While the angels are singin' his praises in a blaze of glory
Mary stays behind and starts cleaning up the place

Oh, Mary she moves behind me
I see her fingerprints everywhere
Even when the snow drifts, even when the sand shifts
Even when the night lifts, she's always there

Jesus said Mother I couldn't stay another day longer
Flies right by and leaves a kiss on her face
While the angels are singin' his praises in a blaze of glory
Mary stays behind and starts cleaning up the place

Oh, Mary you're covered in roses, you're covered in ruins
You're covered in secrets
Your'e covered in treetops, you're covered in birds
who can sing a million songs without any words

You cast aside the sheets, you cast aside the shroud
of another man who served the world proud
You greet another son, you lose another one
on some sunny day and always you stay
Mary

Oh, Mary
You’re covered in roses
you’re covered in roses
you’re covered in roses
Mary
Track Name: Lay Down (Melanie Safka)
Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)

Words & Music by Melanie Safka
As performed by Allison Crowe

Lay down lay down lay it all down
Let your white birds smile up
At the ones who stand and frown
Lay down lay down lay it all down
Let your white birds smile up
At the ones who stand and frown

We were so close there was no room
We bled inside each other's wounds
We all had caught the same disease
We all sang songs of peace

Lay down lay down lay it all down
Let your white birds smile up
At the ones who stand and frown
Lay down lay down lay it all down
Let your white birds smile up
At the ones who stand and frown

So raise your candles high 'cause if you don't
We could stay black against the night
Oh raise them higher again
Then if you do we could stay dry against the rain

Lay down lay down lay it all down
Let your white birds smile up
At the ones who stand and frown
Lay down lay down lay it all down
Let your white birds smile up
At the ones who stand and frown

We were so close there was no room
We bled inside each other's wounds
We all had caught the same disease
We all sang the songs of peace
Some came to sing, some came to pray
Some came to keep the dark away
So raise candles high 'cause if you don't
We could stay black against the night
Oh oh raise them higher again
Then if you do we could stay dry against the rain

Lay down lay down lay it all down
Let your white birds smile up
At the ones who stand and frown
Lay down lay down lay it all down
Let your white birds smile up
At the ones who stand and frown
Lay down lay down lay it all down
Let your white birds smile up
At the ones who stand and frown
Lay down lay down lay it all down
Let your white birds smile up
At the ones who stand and frown...
Track Name: Doughnut Song (Tori Amos)
Doughnut Song

Words & Music by Tori Amos
As performed by Allison Crowe

Had me a trick and a kick and your message
You'll never gain weight from a doughnut hole
Then thought that I could decipher your message
There's no one here, dear
No one at all

And if I'm wasting all your time
this time
Said you never learned to take
And if I'm hanging on to your full shade
I guess I'm way beyond the pale

And southern men can grow gold
can grow 'purty'
Blood can be pretty
like a delicate man
Copper to steel and a hinge that is faltered
that let's you in let's you in let's you in

And if I'm wasting all your time
this time
Guess you never learned to take
If I'm hanging on to your full shade
Guess I'm way beyond the pale

Something's, something's just keeping you

numb

You told me last night that
you were a sun now with your very own
devoted satellite
I'm happy for you
and I am sure that I hate you
Two sons too many, too many able fires

You've been wasting all my time
this time
Said you never learned to take
And if I'm hanging on to your shade
I guess I'm way beyond the pale

I guess I'm way beyond the pale

Had me a trick and a kick and your message
You'll never gain weight from a doughnut hole





© Sword & Stone w. lyrics help from hereinmyhead.com
Track Name: Who Will Save Your Soul (Jewel Kilcher)
Who Will Save Your Soul

Words & Music by Jewel Kilcher
As performed by Allison Crowe

People living their lives for you on tv
They say they're better than you and you agree
Another burger, another hot dog, some fries
A wish in the well, hope your health don't go to hell, well
Another doctor's bill, another lawyer's bill
Another cute cheap thrill
You know you love him if you put him in your will

CHORUS:
Who will save your soul when it comes to the flower
Who will save your soul after all the lies that you told, boy
Who will save your soul if you won't save your own?

We try to hustle them, try to bustle them, try to cuss them
The cops want someone to bust down on Orleans Avenue
Another day, another dollar, another war, another tower
Went up where the homeless had their homes
So we pray to as many different gods as there are flowers
But we call religion our friend
We're so worried about saving our souls
Afraid that god will take his toll
That we forget to begin

CHORUS

Some are walking, some are talking, some are stalking their kill
You got social security, but that don't pay your bills
There are addictions to feed and there are mouths to pay
So you bargain with the devil, say you're o.k. for today
You say that you love them, take their money and run
Say, it's been swell, sweetheart
But it was just one of those things
Those flings, those strings you've got to cut
So get out on the streets, girls, and bust your butts

CHORUS
Track Name: Josephine (Tori Amos)
Josephine

Words & Music by Tori Amos
As performed by Allison Crowe

Not tonight, Josephine

In an army's strength therein
lies the denouement
From here you're haunting me
by the Seine so beautiful
only not to be of use

Impossible, impossible

So strange, victory, 1,200 spires
the only sound was Moscow burning
Empty like the Tuileries
Like a dream Vienna seems
only not to be of use

Impossible, impossible

For the last extremity, to advance
or not to advance
I hear you laughing

Even still you're calling me
not tonight, not tonight

not tonight, Josephine




© Sword & Stone w. lyrics help from hereinmyhead.com
Track Name: Sweet Dreams (Eurythmics)
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)

Composed by Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart
As performed by Allison Crowe

Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree?
I’ve traveled the world and the seven seas
Everybody's looking for something
Some of them want to use you
Some of them want to get used by you
Some of them want to abuse you
Some of them want to be abused

Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree?
I’ve traveled the world and the seven seas
Everybody's looking for something
Some of them want to use you
Some of them want to get used by you
Some of them want to abuse you
Some of them want to be abused

Hold your head up
Keep your head up
Keep your head up
Keep your head up

Keep your head up

movin' on
movin' on

Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree?
Track Name: Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters (Elton John & Bernie Taupin)
Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters

Music & Words - Elton John & Bernie Taupin
As Performed by - Allison Crowe

And now I know, that
Spanish Harlem are not just pretty words to say

I thought I knew
But now I know that rose trees never grow
in New York City

Until you've seen that trash can dream come true
You stand at the edge while the people run you through
And I thank the Lord that there's people out there like you
I thank the Lord that there's people out there like you

While Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers
Turn around and say good morning to the night

For unless they see the sky
But they can't and that is why
They know not if it's dark outside or light

This Broadway's got
a lot of songs to sing
If I knew the tune I might join in

I go my way alone
I grow my own, my own seeds shall be sown
in New York City

Subway's no way for a good man to go down
Rich man may ride while the hobo he can drown
And I thank the Lord for the people that I have found
I thank the lord for the people that I have found

While Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers
Turn around and say good morning to the night

For unless they see the sky
But they can't and that is why
They know not if it's dark outside or light

Now I know, that
Spanish Harlem are not just pretty words to say

I thought I knew
But now I know that rose trees never grow
in New York City

Subway's no way for a good man to go down
Rich man may ride while the hobo he can drown
And I thank the Lord for the people that I have found
Thank the lord for the people that I have found

While Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers
Turn around and say good morning to the night

For unless they see the sky
But they can't and that is why
They know not if it's dark outside or light

They know not if it's dark outside or light

They know not if it's dark outside or light
Track Name: 32 Flavors (Ani DiFranco)
32 Flavors

Words & Music by Ani DiFranco
As performed by Allison Crowe

Squint your eyes and look closer
I'm not between you and your ambition
I am a poster girl with no poster
I am thirty-two flavors and then some
and I'm beyond your peripheral vision
so you might want to turn your head
cause someday you're going to get hungry
and eat most of the words you just said

Both my parents taught me about good will
and I have done well by their names
just the kindness I've lavished on strangers
is more than I can explain
still there's many who've turned out their porch lights
just so I would think they were not home
and hid in the dark of their windows
till I'd passed and left them alone

And God help you if you are an ugly girl
course too pretty is also your doom
cause everyone harbors a secret hatred
for the prettiest girl in the room
and god help you if you are a phoenix
and you dare to rise up from the ash
a thousand eyes will smolder with jealousy
while you are just flying past

I'm not trying to give my life meaning
by demeaning you
and I would like to state for the record
I did everything that I could do
I'm not saying that I'm a saint
I just don't want to live that way
no, I will never be a saint
but I will always say

Squint your eyes and look closer
I'm not between you and your ambition
I am a poster girl with no poster
I am thirty-two flavors and then some
and I'm beyond your peripheral vision
so you might want to turn your head
cause someday you might find you're starving
and eating all of the words you said
Track Name: These Words (Allison Crowe)
These Words
Words & Music by Allison Crowe


Hold my fears, take them
I don't want to see them ever again

You may not see, but I'm disfigured
distorted in my own head

hold my eyes, I don't wanna see
the pain that I have caused myself

but I could have run away, I could have hidden myself
but I run faster when I confront

these words
these chains that break me
these ropes that bind me when I try to be set free
these words repeated heartlessly

these words kill me, they kill me

like my conscience, just not a part of me
little demons released implanted inside my mind
they call out to me, they bring me down
they drag me across the stones and into the fire

these words
these chains that break me
these ropes that bind me when i try to be set free
these words repeated heartlessly

these words kill me, they kill me

and I never opened up, you know
and I'm not sure I would have even if you let me
I told you everything
but you'll never get to see the best of me

these words
these chains that break me
these ropes that bind me when I try to be set free
these words repeated heartlessly

these words kill me, they kill me
Track Name: Creep (Radiohead)
Creep

Words & Music by Thom Yorke, Colin Charles Greenwood, Jonathan Richard Guy Greenwood, Edward John O'Brien, Albert Hammond, Mike Hazelwood, Philip Selway - Radiohead

As performed by Allison Crowe


When you were here before,
I couldn't look you in the eye
You're just like an angel,
Your skin makes me cry

And you float like a feather
In a beautiful world
I wish I was special
So very special

But I'm a creep,
And I'm a weirdo
What the hell am I doin' here?
I don't belong here

I don't care if it hurts,
I wanna have control
I want a perfect body
I want a perfect soul

And I want you to notice
when I'm not around
I wish I was' special
So very special

But I'm a creep
And I'm a weirdo
What the hell am I doin' here?
I don't belong here

She's running out again
She's running
run run run run...
oh, run... run... run...

Whatever makes you happy
Whatever you want
You're so very special
I wish I was special

But I'm a creep,
And I'm a weirdo
What the hell am I doin' here?
I don't belong here

I don't belong here
Track Name: Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana)
Smells Like Teen Spirit

Words & Music by Kurt Cobain ~ Nirvana
As performed by Allison Crowe

These tears I've cried
I've cried 1000 oceans
and if it seems I'm
floating. in the darkness

load up on guns and
bring your friends
it's fun to lose
and to pretend
she's over bored
and self assured
oh no, I know
a dirty word

hello hello hello hello...

with the lights out it's less dangerous
here we are now entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
here we are now entertain us
a mulatto
an albino
a mosquito
my libido
yeah

I'm worse at what I do best
and for this gift I feel blessed
our little group has always been
and always will until the end

hello hello hello hello...

with the lights out it's less dangerous
here we are now entertain us
i feel stupid and contagious
here we are now entertain us
a mulatto
an albino
a mosquito
my libido
yeah

and I forget
just why I taste
oh yeah, I guess it makes me smile
I found it hard
it was hard to find
oh well, whatever
nevermind

hello hello hello hello...

with the lights out it's less dangerous
here we are now entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
here we are now entertain us
a mulatto
an albino
a mosquito
my libido
yeah, a denial
a denial
a denial...