Once again O'Henry's at Brookwood will have live entertainment. Join us Saturday, January 30th at 7:30 p.m. to hear Birmingham native Alyssa Crisswell and her band sue scrofa.

   Artist Bio:

Birmingham, Alabama native Alyssa Crisswell started recording under the name Sue Scrofa in 2007. Crisswell's pseudonym, a play on the Latin term for swine, came from her long time affection for pigs. Her music is a mix of indie-pop, folk and country featuring Crisswell on vocals, piano and ukelele. She began writing songs while attending Emerson College in Boston and recorded them at her house in rural Alabama during breaks from school. Using her dad's old recording equipment and her parents and friend John Paul Foster as accompanying musicians, Crisswell wrote, arranged and  produced her first album, Alabamulance, which she self-released in June 2008.

Crisswell came up with the title Alabamulance when she misread a sign that said "ambulance" on her way home from the subway in Boston one night. The album is inspired by the contrast of living in both urban New England and rural Alabama, and in it Crisswell explores the bittersweet feeling of changing homes. Her arrangements are textured with folksy ukelele and banjo, weeping guitars and ethereal flute, all wrapped in the warm nostalgia of singing on the porch in late summer. Crisswell's voice is the signature instrument with its sweet but salty soulfulness, seasoned with elements of folk, jazz, country and a 60s girl group vibe.

In her live set she sings and plays ukelele and keyboard accompanied by guitar, upright bass, banjo and drums. She couples her own compositions with some of the classic jazz and folk songs she grew up on. With her charming stage persona and evocative voice, Sue Scrofa live is a special blend of vintage folk, indie-pop and country flair that is truly one-of-a-kind.

Currently, Crisswell is back in Alabama recording the second Sue Scrofa album, White Cat, which is scheduled for release in early 2010.

Highlights:  

-Semi-finalist for Prairie Home Companion's "Talented 20s" Competition 2008

-Music Video for "5 Seashells" by director Ethan Feldbau named official selection in the 2008 Boston Underground Film Festival

-Recorded songs for the soundtrack to the feature film Everything A Monster Is Not by director Daniel Scheinert 2009

For more on Sue Scrofa please visit www.myspcace.com/suescrofa

Thanks to all of you who came out to listen! Below are some pictures from Allison's performance.

Allison King was raised in Florence, AL just acros the Tennessee River from the famous Muscle Shoals music sound. Although the Swampers were before her time, there must have been something left over in the water because she took to music like it was her native tongue. Deeply rooted in bluegrass and folk, Allison sings old traditionals and originals that are unaffected and simple in their beauty. Her love of singing and sound are apparent in her thoughtful conveyance of each song. You'll feel renewed and hopeful after hearing this voice.

  Country Spotlight: Ethiopia

This past summer we started roasting a great single origin cofffee from Ethiopia: Ethiopian Yirgacheffe.  Single origin means one bean from one place.  A blend is two or more beans from different origins.  Make sense?  It has subtle hints of mango and a honey-like sweetness.  Floral overtones and a citrus acidity finish off this lighter roast.  It is very distinctive.

The country of Ethiopia has three major growing regions: Harrar, Sidamo and Yirgacheffe.  All three regions come from the Ethiopian Highlands where the coffee is grown at altitudes between four and seven thousand feet.

The Sidamo and Yirgacheffe regions are known for producing coffees that have hints of floral and berries.  The Harrar region is known for producing coffees with big body and a distinct fruity finish.

About the Country

Population: 80 million

Capital: Addis Adaba

Language: Amharic

Growing Altitude: 550-2750 m.

Fun Fact: Ethiopia is generally accepted as the birthplace of coffee in about 600 AD.

O'Henry's Coffees has released Christmas Blend 2009 at all of our Birmingham locations.

Christmas Blend has been a part of O'Henry's and Birmingham since it was first roasted in the store in 1993. Many people have forgotten that O'Henry's roasted in the front area of the store the first two years it was open. Space became tight so the roaster was moved to west Homewood where it remains today under the name O'Henry's Coffee Roasting Co.

Christmas Blend is a six bean blend with four flavors. We say "It tastes and smells like Christmas". It is by far the most popular coffee of the season at O'Henry's. We will brew it regularly as the flavor of the day.

Purchase it for personal use or give it as a gift! It comes packaged in 12 ounce red foil gift bags with a special Christmas Blend label. The 12 ounce size is also available in decaf. Closer to the holidays we will have Christmas Blend available with a ribbon, coffee scoop and gift card attached. Need stocking stuffers? Special 2 oz. Christmas Blend samplers are available as well.

If you are looking for something other than flavored coffee this holiday season try our Anniversary Blend. Help us commemorate the opening of O'Henry's in November 1993. This signature coffee, available through December 31st, is a blend of beans from Africa, Indonesia and Central and South America.