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| Allen and Alexander |
Jenny Allen and Leslie Alexander are bringing their phenomenal two-woman "Dirty Laundry" dual CD release tour to Twin Butte's General Store and Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village this weekend.
I have to admit to being quite biased when reviewing these two incredible performers.
A few years back I was introduced to Jenny Allen's music via a well-worn cassette tape that included her rendition of one of my favourite Janis Ian songs, "From Me To You". I was very taken by the power of the young woman's voice, and the way she made a familiar song her own. Further listening revealed a strong songwriter in her own right performing several of the songs that would become her first CD, "Something to Say", a Valdy produced gem that only hints at the raw power Allen delivers onstage. Her live rendition of Danielle French's "Scarlett Wishes" was a showstopper back then. French also played Harvest Festival at KBPV a couple of years ago, and has also played the Twin Butte General Store. Allen has several albums and many stages under her belt now, including her membership in the folk power-trio The Fates, a group featuring Allen, Lori Reid, and Lin Elder. Allen has been touring the Canadian circuit steadily for years. She's inspired many musicians who have been witness to her dynamic performances. Count me as one on that list. Jenny is also a rock solid guitarista.
At about the same time as I became aware of Jenny Allen, a ball of lightning named Leslie Alexander hit the the stage of a little mostly-forgotten club in Calgary called the Theatery. I was hosting an open-mic night there, and things were going quite swimmingly for the various egos assembled, right up until the moment Alexander started singing. Several of us performer types reconsidered our career plans on the spot. In a word, she was terrific. Many of us thought for sure some big-time touring act had stumbled into our little den of iniquity. We found out later it was instead her debut performance. Her lyrical flair has continued to develop since then, she's gained the depth and comfort of experience, and her voice continues to shine like a beacon even when couched in the most sombre of songs. Music from her album “Garden in the Stones” was featured on the PBS program Roadtrip Nation last fall, and also appeared alongside Bruce Springsteen’s “Point Blank” on the Odd Squad’s fundraiser CD for Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Alexander has also recorded and performer with Llynn Kellman, as the country-noir duo The Masonettes.
These two songwriters first joined forces when they found themselves onstage singing with Jane Siberry during her famous encore “Calling All Angels.”
This year they travelled across Canada promoting dually released solo CD's, each produced by BCCMA/BCMIA Producer of the Year John Ellis (Be Good Tanyas, Jane Siberry, Barney Bentall).
“The music here is exceptional,” said Rootsmusiccanada.com about Jenny’s disc Blanket, while Earshot called Leslie Alexander’s “Nobody’s Baby” a “genre-bending, intelligently written, well-performed album.”
Allen and Alexander certainly don't need each other as props. Both are quite comfortable and powerful as solo artists. Either one "makes good show" on their own. Getting to see them perform together, two strengths united, is going to be an experience. Expect powerful lead voices, challenging lyrics, beautiful harmonies, guitars, harmonica, washboard, soap-opera, a cornucopia of songs and eclectic instruments sure to leave an indelible impression.
Allen and Alexander will be playing at Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village, as part of the Alberta Arts Days celebration being held there, on Saturday, October 1, at 2 pm, giving us a small taste of the show they will be delivering to the Twin Butte General Store that same evening at 8:30 pm.
Relevant links:
www.jennyallen.ca
www.lesliealexander.com
www.twinbuttestore.ca
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