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Latest review in Penguin
Eggs, Canada's folk, roots
and world music magazine. Autumn
2004 issue.
CD Review: One Small Acre
Artist: As The Crow Flies
Label: Independant
(10/26/05)
Reviewer: George McKnight of Uptown
Bluegrass
Earth, fire, forest, mountains, garden, flowers, a new baby...As the Crow Flies makes music on "One Small Acre" around the themes that are vital and real to the band members. Seven of thirteen songs are written by band members reflecting their lifestyle and beliefs living in Cranbrook, BC at the western edge of the great Rocky Mountains.
All the songs make statements regarding the natural environment of this gorgeous region. Beautiful harmonies with tasteful instrumental backups on the original and cover tunes...and sound master Ben Blomander from PB Pro Audio did his magic again...an excellent recording.
Congratulations to Shawna Plant - vocals, Anie Hepher - songwriting, vocals & guitar, Steve Jones - bass & vocals, Michael Hepher - mandolin, banjo & vocals, Ben van der Wert - guitar, songwriter, Dobro & vocals, Neil MacDonald - fiddle & vocals. This is a very tasty CD of fine work..."One Small Acre".
CD Review: Miles To Go
Artist: As the Crow Flies
Label: Crow Flies
(04/14/04)
Reviewer: George McKnight of Uptown Bluegrass
Miles To Go is not a pure bluegrass CD and that's
A-OK. It's an acoustic music treat that stirs emotion and feelings relating
to the natural assets and people of the wonderful Rocky Mountains of the
East Kootenay region in British Columbia. Two very outstanding features
are the beautiful harmonies and excellent songwriting.
8 of 15 songs are
written by band member Anie Hepher and 2 by Ben Van Der Wert. These are
fresh and original tunes with themes and concepts that stir passion and
memories of a good life. Covers of "Annabelle", "Golden Bells", "Stopping By The Woods" and "Wayfarin' Stranger" are delivered with style and class. As The Crow Flies is a group to watch - they have a very natural and easy style.
The very high quality of the recording belies the fact that it was recorded
live in concert at the Key City Theatre in Cranbrook...hats off to the recording
engineer, Ben Blomander. Miles to Go by As the Crow Flies is a keeper...order
yours [here].
Concert Review: Miles To Go
Artist: As the Crow Flies
Label: Independant
Reviewer: Ferdy Belland of the Daily
Townsman
It’s an event that’s new to the experience
of the Cranbrook/Kimberley arts world: hosting your own CD-release party. There
aren’t many local
musicians who either:
a) Play in an band writing original material,
b) Keep that band alive for a significant amount of time, or
c) Gather the wits and resources to actually record an album for posterity.
But all three points have been met by As The Crow
Flies, who hosted their CD-release party last Friday night at one of the
finest venues in the entire East Kootenay - the Key City Theatre. The volunteers
and staff at the theatre were somewhat taken aback by the sheer numbers of
ATCF fans who streamed in, and a record was set for the largest amount of
walk-in patrons ever attending a KCT event. All in all, nearly 400 people
gathering to hear a local band who wasn’t going to play “Mustang Sally” or “Sweet Home
Alabama.” Amazing. The electric anticipation could be felt in the air.
Further glimpses were in the theatre itself; the stage was adorned with simple
upright log posts, one of which was adorned with a solemn, solitary crow. A
taxidermied crow, perhaps, but a crow standing sentinel over the proceedings
nonetheless. The ever-effervescent Bernard Forrest bounced out to centre stage
as master of ceremonies and brought the band members out from the wings to
great applause. This was going to be special.
From the start of their first set, ATCF displayed the strengths that mark them
in grand style – their humble, cheery aw-shucks-guys stage manner, killer
musicianship working within deceptively simple song structure, and one of THE
best vocal interplay of any folk band in British Columbia…even the Be
Good Tanyas. Two new songs (“Small Town Ballad” and “Smile
On Your Face”) were unveiled, as were a stunning instrumental rendition
of “Shenandoah” (reportedly just discovered that afternoon during
soundcheck) as well as a groove-ridden take on the bluegrass standard “Who’s
That Knocking At My Door.” Par usual, ATCF painted the air with songs
to be found on their debut album, Miles To Go; “Mango Muse” and “Birthday
One” from Anie Hepher, Ben Van Der Werf’s “Road To Glory,” and
the band’s tender adaptation of Robert Frost’s poem “Stopping
By The Woods.” And something would be missing without ATCF’s
version of Woody Guthrie’s anti-establishment epic “Little Boxes,” which
includes a new verse especially written for some of us in the East Kootenay.
If the first set didn’t touch enough hearts, the impressive free spread
laid out (by Max Heyde, everyone’s favorite coffeehouse caterer) in the
KCT lobby as a gesture of appreciation from the band touched more of them…something
about hearts being easier to reach via the stomach. Possibly the most
unashamed smiling among an overcrowded area this writer’s yet seen. A
peaceful easy feeling, as Glenn Frey once said.
ATCF’s second set touched off with another improvised instrumental,
a powerful, exotic piece highlighted by Mike Hepher’s droning didgeridoo,
Steve Jones’ bowed bass notes, and Ben Van Der Werf’s sitar-like
shimmering slide on the Dobro. Yes, these people are very, very good, and the
ensuing applause told them so. Anie and Shawna returned their glowing presences
and glittering voices to stage and the songs kept a-rolling: “Evening Song,” “Snow,” another
Ben VDW instrumental “Opus 17,” and a heart-breaking version of Iris
Dement’s “Our Town.” A strong aspect of ATCF’s character
is their unabashed Christian spirituality, which comes across through their music
not as congested preaching, but as a sunny, awe-struck child’s wonder of
life, nature, and the value of loved ones. Gospel standards like “Golden
Bells,” “Down To The River,” and “Wayfaring Stranger” have
now been reborn as ATCF standards. But the themes can get racy and earthy, too,
as heard in “The Pickle Song.” Every song that evening was snapped
off with confidence and ease, and the audience was always locked in rapt attention – and
for many, this was their first time seeing a true local treasure at work, in
their element.
After finishing their second set to a rousing standing ovation, ATCF
was not being let off that easy. Bernard Forrest needed to throw little encouragement
at the theatre to bring the band back out for the encore – but what an
entrance. Mike, Anie, Shawna, and Ben stood at front centre stage, and with
hands locked together, unleashed Miles To Go’s a capella masterpiece “Salmon
Hymn,” Anie’s paean to the cycle of life, written for her mother.
No microphones, no gimmicks – just four crystalline voices swelling the
theatre shut with raw emotion. The final song of the evening was ATCF’s “Grow
Up You,” and truth be told, the arts world of Cranbrook did grow up that
night. I dare say it actually grew outside the lines and was actually drawn
into the Cranbrook community. A mighty night of musical entertainment also
came across as a mighty night of change for the better – but after all,
wasn’t it D-Day?
Set One: Small Town Ballad; Road To Glory; Mango
Muse; Smile On Your Face; Shenandoah; Birthday One; Stopping By The Woods;
Acony Bell; Who’s That
Knockin’ At My Door; Little Boxes.
Set Two; Didg & Dobro; Evening Song;
Snow; Opus 17; Our Town; Subject To Change; Golden Bells; Pickle Song; Annabelle;
Down To The River; Wayfaring Stranger.
Encore:Salmon Hymn; Grow Up You.
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