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“My favorite Irish song, beautifully covered for you today: Black Velvet Band ~ Allison Crowe,” declares Brian Ibbott, Mayor of Coverville on this - St. Patrick’s - Day.
(Coverville, geographically situated in Colorado, USA can be found online @ coverville.com )
“Black Velvet Band” is a lively song popularly recorded on both sides of the Atlantic - including a version by the legendary 'His Nibs' Harry Hibbs (www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SfxaEQkX1s)
This recording is from Allison Crowe's "Newfoundland Vinyl" LP, her 11th album release on Rubenesque Records.
Veteran folk music afficionado/reviewer, Muruch, based in West Virginia, in posting a review of this new album to the "No Depression" blog remarks on a feature in Allison's music that's always present - whether it's rock, gospel, jazz, grunge, classical, blues, folk, soul or other genres she's making: "What a voice, what a voice, what a voice!"
Of this song, Muruch notes: " 'The Black Velvet Band' " is a traditional Irish ballad about a man's chance encounter with a girl, which leads to his arrest and transport as a prisoner to Australia. The Dubliners may have recorded one of the more famous renditions of the song, but Allison's is the most stunning version I've heard and just may become the definitive version (as her cover of 'Hallelujah' - music.allisoncrowe.com/track/hallelujah - has) over time."
As the album title suggests, it's a song collection inspired by, and arising from, Allison Crowe's ongoing role as Musical Director of the hit stage show, "Newfoundland Vinyl" - presented at Canada's Gros Morne Theatre Festival each Summer since 2012. This perennial GMTF favourite’s conceived by TNL’s Artistic Director Jeff Pitcher.
lyrics
Black Velvet Band
Words and Music - Traditional
As performed by Allison Crowe
Her eyes they shone like a diamond,
I saw her the queen of the land.
And her hair hung over her shoulders,
tied up with a black velvet band.
In the neat little town they call Belfast,
apprenticed to trade I was bound.
And many an hour of sweet happiness,
have I spent in that neat little town
’til sad misfortune came o'er me,
which caused me to stray from the land.
Far away from me friends and relations,
betrayed by the black velvet band.
Her eyes they shone like a diamond,
I saw her the queen of the land.
And her hair hung over her shoulders,
tied up with a black velvet band.
As I was strolling down Broadway,
meaning not long for to stay,
when who should I meet but this pretty fair maid,
come a-courtin' along the highway.
She was both fair and handsome,
and her neck it was just like a swan.
And her hair hung over her shoulders,
tied up with a black velvet band.
Now as I was courtin' this pretty fair maid,
and a gentlemen passin' us by,
I know she meant the doing of him,
by the look in her roguish black eye.
A gold watch she took from his pocket,
and placed it right into me hand.
And the very next thing that I said was,
that it fit like a black velvet band.
Before the judge and the jury,
next morning I had to appear.
And the judge he says to me, "Young man,
Your case it is forever clear.
"Now, I'll give you seven years at hard labour,
To be served far away from this land."
Far away from me friends and relations,
betrayed by the black velvet band.
So, come all you jolly young fellows,
a warning you'll take by me.
Whenever you're out on the town, me lads,
be 'ware of the pretty colleens.
They'll fill you up with some drink, me lads,
’til you are unable to stand.
And the very next thing that you'll know is,
you've landed in Van Diemen's Land.
Her eyes they shone like a diamond,
I saw her the queen of the land.
And her hair hung over her shoulders,
tied up with a black velvet band.
And her hair hung over her shoulders,
tied up with a black velvet band.
credits
from Newfoundland Vinyl,
released June 25, 2013
All vocals, guitar, instrumentation, arrangement, engineerig and production - Allison Crowe
supported by 4 fans who also own “Black Velvet Band”
The instrumentation and songwriting in this album is really top-tier. Aofie is one of my favorite folk/alt-country artists and she performs wonderfully, bringing her unique tone of voice to this project. This album was my first step into Aofie's artistry, and is firmly one of my favorite albums. rileyridgway
Backed by a rotating cast of collaborators, the Australian singer-songwriter refines her folk-tinged indie pop sound. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 11, 2024
