Allen & Alexander

The writing is often witty and incisive . . . Allen & Alexander are talented songwriters & performers . . . their tunes are already in my regular iTunes rotation. Folks, that’s the highest compliment I can give. - Calgary Beacon

"Moving . . . a great double bill with Jenny Allen & Leslie Alexander, who played my radio show earlier that night. Pretty vocal harmonies . . . a good-sized and appreciative crowd. - Lethbridge Sun-Times

Jenny Allen and Leslie Alexander performed a couple of sets of self-penned songs . . . the caliber of musicianship was high . . . controlling the stage like only pros can. - OnBowen.com

There’s a fresh wind blowing through Alberta . . . the winsome, lonesome, sweet, sweet music of Jenny Allen & Leslie Alexander. Explore another fascinating avenue of roots music – that curious nexus between hot country & alt country. Like Corb Lund – these ladies may be poised to pull it off . . . something for everyone . . . distinctively original. - Gigcity.ca

"The music is crisp, full and lush, but Allen's voice is the real hook-strong and passionate." - Rick Overwater, The Calgary Straight, Calgary, AB

"Sensual, frank and fearless." - Christa O'Keefe, Calgary Magazine, Calgary, AB

Joni Mitchell inspired folk is the obvious flavor on this, the latest release from Calgary's Jenny Allen, but it's not the only flavor. A deeper dig uncovers subtle bits of pop and blues. "In These Eyes", the albums final track, is as boppy as a Burt Bacharach number, while the strong simplicity of the piano line in "Evangeline", is reminiscent of early Elton John. All proof that we have a very competent, promising songwriter on our hands with Allen. Unlike so many of today's folk artists Allen avoids the dire, dramatic approach for the most part, instead leaning towards a breezy vibe; somehow pulling it off even as she betrays bittersweet sentiments from within. Unusual, and usually effective. - Heath Jon McCoy, Calgary Herald, Calgary, AB

"An intimacy that is wholly captivating." - Yvan Brunet, Standard Freeholder, Cornwall, ON

"A voice worthy of the company of angels." - Mary-lynn McEwan, FFWD Magazine, Calgary, AB

It's been a few years since Jenny Allen packed her bags and headed for Vancouver, 1983 actually. Life has been pretty good for the Calgary girl since then. Not long after her arrival in Lotus Land, Rogue Folk Review voted her most promising new artist.
Jenny's constantly on the move. She's made numerous appearances at festivals, clubs, theatres, on CBC Radio and TV. Much of her travelling has been in Western Canada and the US where her following is strong. The range and clarity of her voice are unparalleled. Her piano and guitar playing complement but never overpower her vocals. Hands down, this lady is a master of her voice.
What does such a voice sing of? Love, nature, life, you know, the tough stuff. Her 12 song CD, "Something to Say" features original scores produced by Valdy and augmented by a choice selection of original artists. "Something to Say", is a wonderful addition to anyone's collection. Her down-to-earth approach will draw you in again and again. Something to say, even more to sing.
- Michelle Macullo, Wild Life, Banff, AB

Singer Jenny Allen must have the biggest little voice on Canada's folk circuit.
The diminuitive doyenne and her dynamic duo dumped a load of originals and tasty covers on a packed Cafe Des Artistes last Friday.
That show trailed an appearance by Calgary based Allen and company at the Cowichan Folk Guilds Aug 12 coffeehouse.
The shows saw Allen sing the cover track from her fresh CD "If I Fall", the heartfelt "Watch Over Me", the fanciful "My Big Mouth", and others.
Slinging a blond Gibson six string slightly smaller than she is, Allen delicately displayed a voice as sweet as liquid honey and as strong as Wild Turkey.
Her vocal style involves lifting her notes momentarily for emphasis then gently dropping them to an emotionally accessible level.
Allen's repertoire was supercharged by veteran players Chris Byrne on a Musicman bass, and Mel Smith on a Stratocaster Plus.
Smith-who slipped sumptuous slide work into several numbers-and Byrne pulled Allen's songs to a higher level, filling the Cafe with sound.
Despite a hall of quality, some of the audience still chatted as if Allen's songs were just being heard on a stereo.
Lets hope fans learn to shut up and listen, leaving loud conversation until set breaks.
Meanwhile, Allen injected bousts of humour into her imagery loaded show.
"I write a lot of songs and that's probably why I'm still single. They're scared of what I'll write about them afterwards."
Opening act Dave McCann aptly set the stage with tunes from his recent folkabilly CD starring the 10-Toed Frogs band.
Allen returns to Cowichan in November.
Folk music rating: 9.5 out of 10.
- Peter Russland, The Pictorial, Duncan, B.C.

“Honey and wheat harmonies . . . these women have earned their stripes on the frontlines and they know it. That’s why their songs strike such a deep emotional chord . . . Great stuff! If this is an example of future material in the works, we have a lot to look forward to. “
- Cowichan Valley News and Views

“Allen & Alexander were back to play a couple of upbeat sets of folk and pop music . . . they promised a polished show . . . and delivered it in spades. The girls alternated on guitar and percussion, singing delightful vocal harmonies on each other’s songs and having a great time on stage together. They were called back for an encore of a couple Steve Earle and Scott Parsons songs.”
- LA BEAT

“Long-time Winestocker Leslie Alexander with her new duo partner Jenny Allen opened the show with their eclectic country-folk music. Energetic and musically-gifted, the two women got the crowd engaged and rocking. The stage was set for another great concert.” - Winestock News

"Leslie Alexander didn't just share her music with us Saturday night. She shared her soul. Accompanied by the Wild Rose Hippies including John Ellison the acoustic guitar, banjo, and pedal steel, and Rob Becker on upright bass, she captured the audience and took us with her on her journey thus far . . . "
- North Island Gazette (Port Hardy)

“Garden in the Stones shows Alexander at her best – a diverse singer-songwriter who is as comfortable crooning a Patsy Cline style country ballad as she is belting out a bluesy number . . . effortlessly switches pace with each song, moving from roots to blues back to country . . . a compelling storyteller too, who sings about the seasons of human experience – about love and loss, happiness and sorrow, life and death. After listening to Garden in the Stones, it’s difficult to imagine someone as talented as Leslie ever having to busk on the street.”
- Five Out Of Five Stars / Nanaimo Gazette

“Heads up – Leslie Alexander may be the best roots artist you’ve never heard of. Garden in the Stones, the third disc from this hard-touring folk-country crossover, is a strong album of eminently listenable songs . . . Featuring a sweet blend of acoustic and steel guitars, mandolin and harmonica courtesy her band the Wild Rose Hippies, plus Alexander’s own Shawn Colvin-eseque vocals, Stones has “strong radio play” written all over it . . . “
- Monday Magazine (Victoria)

“Alexander may break out into mainstream attention with her latest . . . a true labour of love . . . the ambitious project showcases Alexander’s musical diversity and amazing vocal range. Garden in the Stones has the potential to establish her as a true Canadian star.”
- Lethbridge Herald

"Leslie Alexander writes and sings with great insight and compassion. . . about loss of roots, innocence and even life. Still, buoyed by an optimism inherit in the title of her strong new album, Garden in the Stones, Alexander never makes you feel bad . . . She can be country. She can be folk. She can even be a little bluesy. The one thing Leslie Alexander seems incapable of being is phony." - Comox Valley Record

“Wonderfully evocative . . . the simplicity and directness of these songs make for a superb listen.”
- Four Out Of Five Stars / Americana-UK.com

“Garden in the Stones is country-tinged folk music that yearns to find a bit of paradise amidst the stones and asphalt of life. . . . swampy, funky, bluesy . . . Alexander looks at the dark places of her mind as the dogs of war bark all around her. With help from Barney Bentall and Jane Siberry, Alexander crafts a lovely look back at the land we have lost and how we must value what’s still here.”
- Star Phoenix (Saskatoon)

“An impressive collection of songs . . . (Savage Country is) an eloquent ode to the grain elevators of Alexander’s native Alberta . . . the arrangements are varied and the musicianship creative . . . Ellis knows just when to add the right twang on steel guitar. More importantly, Alexander is a wonderful singer and a good songwriter . . . one to watch.”
- Penguin Eggs Magazine

“This lady stole my heart . . . she has some life experience and it shows in her music. She gave us raw passion; powerful emotion; gentle love & simple to-the-point poetry that brought tears to my eyes more than once. She also had a varied & well thought through program of songs that were performed by a natural pro. Accompanied by John Ellis’ inspired riffs that would have justified a set of his own . . . this set was the highlight of the evening by a mile. I am hoping for great things for Leslie Alexander. With a mind like that, her grasp of what matters in life and her ability to communicate it, she deserves a Grammy . . .” - Alberni Valley Times (Port Alberni)

“What separates Alexander from her Americana counterparts is an honest rootsiness and folksy vibe that grooves & soothes at the same time . . . country music for those who don’t like country music.

The songs are soulfully approached in a style that embraces rocking rhythms, graceful melodies, & thoughtful lyrics. The sound could be described as western sky music - clean & rich with a hint of sweet twang & spot-on production both economical & complimentary . . . The music here takes you on a journey & the honesty behind it is tangible. Her descriptive talents and songwriting/performing gifts are in full bloom . . ."
- Vernon Morning Star