This video is dedicated to Afterwords Bookstore. The bookstore is an iconic fixture in downtown St. John’s for more than 45 years that went out of business in recent weeks. To David Benson, Catherine McCausland and family, for the much-loved gems I discovered in your wonderful store with my three girls over the years. I will miss you the most for Christmas shopping.

I chose to sing Pat Murphy’s Meadow because of the feeling it bestows. The song is about loss. It’s sentimental, but not too sentimental. I don’t want Afterwords to be forgotten, or the importance of small business, and I also don’t want people to forget the magic that books and bookstores bring to our lives. I am honoured to have David and Afterwords in the video, in what I know must be a very hard time for him and his wife Catherine. A heartfelt thank you to David and Catherine for letting us shoot this little video in such sad times. Downtown St. John’s, to quote Joni Mitchell, “You don’t know what you got till it’s gone.”

Pat Murphy’s Meadow was written by John Martin Devine from King’s Cove, Bonavista Bay, NL. The song is also available on Raised on This, available at Fred’s Records & O’Brien’s Music. Downloads are available on my Bandcamp page.

Starring David Benson as himself
Colleen Power: Vocal
Jason Whelan: Guitar
Greg Walsh: Fiddle

Directed by: Colleen Power
Camera/Editing: Ben Smith
Sound Recordist: Neil Conway

Here is the video link:

https://youtu.be/FfTtbNWWVsE

Hi there,

It’s been a while, so I thought I would share some upcoming shows!

This Saturday, the CP Band is at the Fat Cat. It’s been a long time since we played on George St., so we’re really looking forward to it. Aneirin Thomas is on the bass and Ed Sutherby is on the drums! Jason Whelan is playing lead guitar in the band now, and he will be performing a set of songs to open the night! Jason released his deadly album, ‘Connection’ last year and you can check it out here: https://www.jasonwhelan.com/connection/.

I am very happy to be performing a couple of shows at the new Coleman’s grocery store, coming up on Saturday, December 2 from 2:30-4:30 P.M. and on Friday, December 16 from 4:30-6:30 P.M. I shopped there the day after it opened and I have to say, it’s a fine NL owned and operated store, with lovely produce and everything under the sun. I felt proud to be a Newfoundlander after I left. This store can compete with any mainland chain and beat it out, hands down.

Last but not least, we’ve got our Annual Christmas show coming up at the cozy Black Sheep Pub on Friday, December 29. We hope to see you there.

In other news, we’re heading into the studio soon to start recording unreleased material!

Have a great Fall everyone!

Cheers and thanks for the support!

Colleen

Colleen will be a busy gal at the 41st annual Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival, scheduled for this weekend in Bannerman park. Power will be performing two completely different sets of music — in both official languages — along with a songwriter workshop.

“It’s a perfect co-incidence for Canada 150,” says Power, who regularly performs in the Francophone tent every year, along with other local and visiting Francophone acts.

“It’s also my 20th year performing with Aneirin Thomas on bass, who’s my main man for French conversation, being a Francophone himself. I believe we’re so lucky to live in a bilingual country. We are blessed to have a double opportunity in Canada with two official languages, both for employment and expression, and to connect with our history.”

On Saturday, Aug. 5th, Power will take the stage for a concert in the Espace Franco (Francophone Tent) from 3:45-4:30 p.m. She’ll be performing along with Jason Whelan on lead guitar, Aneirin Thomas on bass, and Elliot Dicks on drums.

On Sunday, Aug. 6th, she will be up early for an 11 a.m. performance of “Oh Lonesome Me — Tales of Lovers Lost” in the Oral Traditions tent & Dance Stage, along with Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage, Sharon & Bram, and Peter Willie Youngtree.

Power, an award-winning singer/songwriter, will feature songs from her latest album, Raised on This, on the TD Main Stage at 3:50-4:30 p.m. on Sunday, along with Jason Whelan on guitar, Aneirin Thomas on bass, Ed Sutherby on drums and Rob Brown on whistles and Uilleann pipes. Raised on This is a collection of Newfoundland, Irish and Celtic songs that are close to Power’s heart.

Raised on This, along with her two Francophone releases Terre-Neuvienne and Le Bonheur Domestique will be available at the Fred’s Records tent all weekend.

Hi there,

Newfoundland Spring is here, so I’m back playing some shows!

Coming up this Wednesday evening starting at 7 PM at Erin’s Pub, it’s Women, Beer and Resistance.

I’ll be performing with Aneirin Thomas on bass, who has been performing with me 20 years this year. I am so glad to have him do this duo gig with me. I am also excited to hear Singer/Songwriter Amanda Squires, who will open the show.

Thanks to the St. John’s Status of Women Council/Women’s Centre for asking me to perform and kudos to Erin’s Pub for their ‘Ask Seamus’ poster to support women having a safe and enjoyable night out in their pub.

See you there and Happy Spring!

Colleen

Related show

• Artist: Colleen Power & Aneirin Thomas
• Date: 04/26/17
• Time: 7:00pm
• Venue: Erin’s Pub
• City: St. John’s
• Address: 186 Water Street
• Country: Canada
• Admission: FREE
• Age restrictions: No Minors
• Notes: Fundraiser for the St. John’s Women’s Centre. Admission by Donation. Corner Brook’s Amanda Squires will open.

Howdy friends!

It’s been a while. I have a new recording for you!

Raised on This is a collection of my favourite Irish, Newfoundland & Celtic songs. Most of the songs are ones that I heard and sang growing up community of Freshwater, Placentia Bay. Hailing from strong Irish roots on both sides of my family, I found out in 2005 that my Grandmother, Ellen Henry from Belfast was a singer in Concert Halls in the city before she moved to Newfoundland as a war bride. My paternal Grandmother, Mollie Power also loved to sing. She was the loudest voice in Church on Sunday mornings. I wanted to record these songs for many years, as they were the ones I sang when first coming on the music scene in St. John’s, before I started writing songs.

I recruited some of my all-time faves from the Newfoundland Traditional scene to perform on Raised on This’. This recording wouldn’t have been possible with Jason Whelan’s talent & input. He performs on nearly ever song. He was my second ear for mixing the songs and mastered the CD. Featured also is the legendary Fergus O’Byrne, along with Mark Hiscock of Shanneyganock, Geoff Panting and Dave Panting of Rawlin’s Cross, Uilleann piper and whistle player, Rob Brown and Singer/Songwriter Sherry Ryan, who has performed Irish and Newfoundland songs with me every Paddy’s Day for the last 9 years in The Guinness Sisters. Last but not least are rhythm dynamos Aneirin Thomas and Ed Sutherby, who’ve been backing me for close to 20 years.

The CD Design is by Sarah Hansen and Photography is by Chris Ledrew Photography. Raised on This was recorded and mixed by me at Baygirl Music, with additional editing and assistance by Jason Whelan at Sound Solution. Jason’s guitars, bouzouki & vocals recorded by him at Sound Solution, as was ‘Pat Murphy’s Meadow’, live off the floor.

Raised on This is Available et Fred’s Records and O’Brien’s Music.

I hope you enjoy the album and please spread the word!

Hello friends and fans!

It’s been a busy summer so far! I had an amazing time on the road for a short jaunt to Cape Breton and Nova Scotia for some shows and the Stan Roger’s 20th Anniversary festival. I have a lot of friends to thank for making it all possible, so thanks to you all (you know who you are) and also a big thank you to the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council Travel Fund.

This Saturday, I will be at the Random Passage site, playing some songs for kids! I am really looking forward to performing there again and if you’re looking for something to do, there’s a whole day of fun planned for young and old alike.

Cheers and check out random passage day this Saturday, July 16!

Have a great summer!

XO

Colleen

Hello folks!

Long time no hear from me. I’ve been busy writing and recording demos for a new album. It will be my 10th studio album, including various other projects in the last few years. Tony Ploughman down at Fred’s says it’s time for a new Colleen Power album and he’s always right!

Besides writing and recording, I am getting back on the road this summer for a few dates and I have more coming up! Enjoy your Spring!

Here are some dates for now:

Friday, April 22:
Opening set for Two Guitars Clash album release, The Black Sheep, Water Street, St. John’s 10:30 PM

Friday, May 6:
Colleen Power Band (Aneirin Thomas and Ed Sutherby, Featuring Darrell Cooper on guitar): The Black Sheep 10:30 PM

May 14, 7 PM:
Bishop Feild Soul Night Gala, All Star Soul Band (with Jody Richardson, Mark Bragg, Erin Power, Laura Winter, Suzanne Power, Xander Pierson, Matt Hender, Susan Evoy, John Duff, John Dawe & Alison Carter) Bishop Feild School Tickets available at O’Brien’s Music, 278 Water Street Phone: 753-8135

Thursday, June 16:
Unifor Atlantic Council, Sheraton Hotel, St. John’s

Wednesday, June 29:
with Dave Mahlaik on bass and Mike Morrison on drums, Governor’s Pub, Sydney N.S.

Thursday, June 30:
The Carleton, Halifax N.S.

Friday, July 1-Sunday, July 3:
Stan Rogers Folk Festival, Canso, N.S.

Cheers and hope to see you at the shows!

Colleen

Hello friends!

We’ve got a show coming up this weekend!

It’s been a while and we are stoked to be playing in one of our favorite haunts, The Black Sheep on Water Street.

It’s an early show, so it’s a rare chance for you to go home before a regular downtown show usually starts!

We’d love to see you there. If you haven’t been to the Black Sheep, it’s a wonderful, intimate venue and owner, Don Maher will guarantee you that the beer is the coldest downtown!

We hope to see you there!!

Hello from a snow-covered St. John’s,

11 days have passed since we lost our beloved Ron Hynes.

It will take a very long time to get over the loss of such an incredible Artist, mentor and friend to the Arts Community and prolific songwriter.

Songwriters have been inspired to write songs about Ron in the past week. I am not there yet. I’m still trying to deal with it all. What i have been able to do is write this piece, that was published by The Independent:

http://theindependent.ca/2015/11/25/how-i-remember-ron/

Take care,

Colleen

Here’s a badass selfie before cellphones from back in the day:

Related show

• Artist: Colleen Power
• Date: 07/30/17
• Time: 2:00pm
• Venue: George Street Festival
• City: St. John’s
• Address: George St.
• Country: Canada
• Admission: FREE
• Age restrictions: All Ages
• Notes: Tribute to the legendary Ron Hynes, Man of a Thousand Songs with various NL Artists! Free admission and all ages. Come sing along and remember Ron and all his amazing body of work.

video still by Paddy Barry, NYE 2002, The Ship