PRESS
SHOWS AND DANCING REVIEWS
"...contemporary soul crooner, Victor Crowl, is gaining a following
with his stylish, energetic shows."
- Lenny Stoute, Toronto Star
"Hero And Heroine" took on new life with an energetic dance
performance added to the scene. What was truly unique for both (Strawbs)
shows was something I had never seen before. During "Hero And Heroine",
a tall young black man stepped forward. Then he began to dance. Yes,
dance. He moved like a ballet dancer, actually accentuating the music,
rather than detracting from it. We thought he was a part of the show!
He was there both nights, and he was magnificent! His name is Victor
Crowl, singer, songwriter, filmmaker, and producer, according to his
business card. I will find out more about him, because his dancing brought
the song to a whole new dimension".
- Review by Doug LeBlanc @ HUGH'S ROOM, TORONTO, TUESDAY 1 and WEDNESDAY
2 NOVEMBER 2005
http://www.strawbsweb.co.uk/live/0510/0510pt3.asp
'The Healing' CD Print Reviews....
"a beacon of inspiration" "He is living proof of the
power of achievement we all have within us." "...a demonstration
of his creative intelligence and profound sense of wisdom."
-Jennifer Campbell, Mic Check Magazine
"Crowl's strength lies in his voice which seems to be versatile
in providing backup and lead vocals."
-Jordan Mitchell, the Gazette
"This 17-track CD should be a must for record-buyers of all ages.
Even if the older folk are not too hip to the driving dance beat of
most of the tracks, they shouldn't ignore the lyrics - they are deep."
-Lionel Gayle -The Weekly Star - Jamaica gleaner.
"It's a very diverse disc, and though it's mostly dance oriented
the music is intelligent and socially aware." "...a refreshing
change from the usual dance club pop."
-Martin Murray, Pulse
"Victor Crowl claims victory" "...each song is an honest
& passionate display of a very talented individual." "Crowl
seems to have mastered the ability to write straight from the heart."
-Luca D'Addario, Tandem
"An artist of many talents" "Passion, pain, and hope"
"This bold Canadian project." "Smile Music & Film
Productions (which Victor is also the owner) must get credit for putting
out a product whose sound quality and inner graphics clearly show what
an indie product can be without any support from the majors."
-Kaduki, Mic Check
"Crowl is as ambitious as he is talented." "passion and
energy...are such an integral part of it."
-Joanne Michner, RHIG
"Slick and soulful urban grooves..."
-SOCAN Words & Music
'The Healing CD Radio Reviews:
"Boy, this is sweet stuff." "Music, words and conscious
from Victor Crowl." "...a very dynamic collection of tunes."
"A man of consciousness, a man of concern, somebody who is watching
the world with a perception that gets to you..." "tunes that
play to the heart-strings of anybody who likes any kind of music"
"when [his] Best of...comes out, it'll be an encyclopedia."
"more than just a musician"
-Reiner Schwarz, AM Talk 640
"...a great new album..." "...a lot of great people working
on it." "...really relatable."
-Angela Quinn, Northern Magic, MAGIC 97, Nova Scotia
"...great Canadian artist" "a little bit of everything"
-Dave Aptheker, Tuned in Radio, Syndicated Globally
"I love this album. This is one of the best Canadian albums I've
heard in a long time...I can really relate to the single, 'Dragon Slayer'"
-Rockin' Ray Ivey, Radio Therapy, CKLN 88.1 FM
CD REVIEWS
In Yer Face
October 1996
Who is Victor Crowl?
By Karen Niles
In a year, TOPS, this may seem like a very stupid question, by then
everyone will know the name. However, we expect this question to pop
up a lot as you cruise the downtown area and see posters of Victor everywhere.
So, here now, for you are some of the answers you will need to inform
yourself and others.
Victor Crowl is an independent Canadian artist, (we stress Canadian
out of the importance for us to recognize our own) coming out with a
new CD entitled "The Healing", an eclectic mix of Urban Contemporary
pop with a hint of jazz and Folk.
You know what, the brother even threw in a little bit of the classical.
Blended together Victor creates his own musical feel, a feel that can
only be described as the "Victor Experience", an experience
that has been worked on for years.
So, who is Victor? Answer: a multitalented singer/ songwriter/ performer/
director/ producer/ teacher/ writer, and Victor's got all the credentials
to prove it. Needless to say Victor's got a lot to fall back on, but
"the Healing" is Victor's very long, very arduous, labour
of love and anything coming from any heart deserves at least the chance
to be heard. Now there are two ways to do this. You can take a trip
to your favorite music supplier to listen to and or pick up "The
Healing". Or if you get a chance, check out one of Victor's upcoming
live performances. Nov. 14th at the HMV Superstore on Yonge St., Victor
will have an in-store performance and on Nov. 9th Victor celebrates
his CD release at the Opera House., admission is 7 bucks and you'll
get a chance to see for yourself through Victor's music videos and live
performance why "The Healing", through not just the music,
but the issues is tackles, make it quite possibly one of the most important
albums of the year.
Like a Rolling Stone Special
Xtra CD Review
by Elio Iannacci
Soulster, rock star, dance floor thief. Hip hopper, balladeer, disco
thief.
Victor Crowl's R&B-spiced pop songs from his debut album, Can't
Stay Away, may have been the usual Lionel Ritchie easy listening. But
as his new CD, The Healing, can attest - a change did him good.
Crowl is a vocal virtuoso. And The Healing's ambitious medleys showcase
a voice that easily adapts to eccentric instrumental combinations, as
in the rock-fused "Seasons" and the '70's inspired guitar
rhapsody of "I'll Be Seeing You Soon".
The Healing is an eclectic dance party. Crowl's voice tangos with unorthodox
arrangements of tambourine, metal, bass. He even chooses to use chicken-shakers
(a plastic egg with pellets inside) to help freshen up his disco funk.
And with the new CD, Crowl is sounding fresh. You won't hear another
tired sample of club hits "Mr. Vain," "Hold On, Dream
On," or "Love, Only Love". His sound is genuinely his
- no one uses chicken shakers the way Crowl does.
Lyrically, Crowl avoids catch-phrases and slang in his soul songs "How
Long" and "Live Life", pushing away the ultra-macho "knockin'
da boots" mentality often found in soul-pop. Instead, Crowl lightly
threads politics through his lyrics.
While his words remain positive, however, Crowl's moral-of-the-story
manner can sound like he graduated from the Al Green school of songwriting.
Lines like "kid on stage, becomes the new rage but shooting stars
don't reveal what is real," from the track "Off Manipulator,"
come off as preachy sermons rather than sincere feeling.
Ultimately, Crowl's forte is an electro-soul and modern rock sound.
And The Healing delivers plenty of it. His anthem, "Dragon Slayer,"
is a "Papa was a Rolling Stone" for the 90's.
The Weekly Star, December 18 - 21, 1997
www-jamaica-gleaner.com
Let the healing begin from within says Victor Crowl
By Lionel Gayle
Victor Crowl's father had deserted the family when he was very young.
However, with a strong determination to reach his goals, this God-faring
young man has survived child abuse and resisted the temptation of crime
to become a respectable multi-media artist. Now, through his music,
he is sharing all these experiences with his audience.
"Brother and sisters you can win at this game it's just a matter
of time", he sings on "hold On, Dream On", the opening
track from "the Healing", a partly autobiographical album
released on his own Toronto-based Smile Music & Film Productions
label. Then with "Celebrate" he urges his listeners to "celebrate
the good times when changes come your way"
On "Save Me" - which the Mayor of Toronto intends to use to
launch a "Good Samaritan Award" - Crowl sings: "Did someone
say crime don't pay, should have said most get away. I watch and see
all the greedy fill there pockets and it temps me.
"Dragonslayer" is the song he chooses to berate his daddy
for running away instead of being around to be his dragonslayer. I am
not certain if he's still addressing his father here, but on the very
next track, " Easy To Lie", he sings: You're hurting us by
the way that you live ...It's so easy to lie as you're going through
the motions.
One of the most beautiful ballads on the CD is "How Long".
Crowl uses this cut to vent pent-up feelings about a very personal matter:
"Trying to ignore the longings in me growing/Living on the edge
hiding from myself", he croons. " Don't you judge me I didn't
ask to be this way/I've been so afraid of all the things that you might
say/ I've been a frightened child waiting your understanding/I've got
to be myself".
"Thew Healing" is a unique album on which Crowl uses rhythm
and blues mixed with jazz to address many other issues. For example,
on "Seasons" he says, "Life has many seasons, don't be
so hard on yourself". then he went on to sing, "Babies dye
without a trace just because of their race" on "Love Will
Save Us".
This 17-track CD should be a must for record-buyers of all ages. Even
if the older folk are not too hip to the driving dance beat of most
of the tracks, they shouldn't ignore the lyrics - they are deep.
To the countless people who can see themselves in Crowl, he has this
advice for you: "Let the healing begin from within"
Pulse Niagara, January 29 - February 4, 1997
CD Review
Victor Crowl - The Healing
Smile
By Martin Murray
Born in Jamaica but raised in Toronto, Victor Crowl has been involved
in music since an early age. This is his second full length release,
four years in the making and recorded at various studios throughout
Ontario. It's a very diverse disc, and though it's mostly dance oriented
the music is intelligent and socially aware. Sound-wise the recordings
are excellent, and the time that was put into this effort shows. There
are quite a number of outstanding cuts, including "love, Only Love
(The Groove)", "Live Life" and the title track "The
Healing". Crowl's music is melodic and easy to listen to, and a
refreshing change from the usual dance club pap. To find out more about
Victor Crowl write to Smile Music & Film Productions.
MIC CHECK
The Healing
Smile Music & Film Productions
Grade: B-
By Kaduki
Passion pain, and hope, is the best way to describe the lyrical content
of the sophomore CD entitled The Healing, by indie artist Victor Crowl.
An artist of many talents, Victor not only performed, and produced,
but also wrote the entire album that delivers 17 energetic and aggressive
songs. Tracks such as "How I Sit It", "Manipulators"
and "Love Only Love", make slipping this album into any musical
category difficult. Although there is an obvious Dance and folk influence
present, pop/rock strongly comes to mind when describing the overall
sound of this bold Canadian project.
Although not a vocally strong album, each track seems to demand it's
listener to "hear them" more than just "listen to them".
Smile Music & Film Productions (which Victor is also the owner)
must get credit for putting out a product whose sound quality and inner
graphics clearly show what an indie product can be with out any support
from any of the majors. After sampling "How Vic sees it" there
is also a 9 song video cassette that goes along with the album that,
by the way was also produced and directed by Victor Crowl himself.
RHIG Vol. 4 No .2 Apr/May '97
Victor Crowl - The Healing
Smile Music & Film Productions
By Joanne Michner
Five years in the making, The Healing is Victor Crowl's second effort.
Born in Jamaica, raised in Toronto, Crowl is as ambitious as he is talented;
writing, arranging, performing, and producing all but 2 of this CD's
17 tracks.
Billed as "urban contemporary alternative pop with a hint of folk
and jazz", this description sells his style short of the passion
and energy that are such an integral part of it. The music (featuring
sax and flute) provides the perfect backdrop, complementing Crowl's
commentaries and observations - both good and bad - on life.
With it's great vocals and arrangements, The Healing is a pleasant listen
that just might make you feel better.
The Gazette
Simplistic and painful
Victor Crowl
The Healing
Smile Productions
http://www.usc.uwo.ca/gazette/1997/January/24/Entertainment4.htm
by Jordan Mitchell
President, manager, singer, songwriter, performer, dancer, actor, lecturer,
mentor, screenwriter, editor and filmmaker. This daunting list is not
Quincy Jones' curriculum vitae. Instead, the list describes the Toronto
artist known as Victor Crowl.
Crowl's efforts show his aversion to shying away from any sort of artistic
impression. His second album, The Healing, illustrates Crowl's ability
to dabble in several genres. The mountains of literature accompanying
the release outline Crowl's impressive accomplishments and depict his
style as "an eclectic mix of urban contemporary pop with a hint
of jazz and folk."
This description fares well in our culture's love for classifying musical
ideas. However, an easier reference point may be to return to the 1980s.
Crowl's use of electronic drums, studio effects and polished sounds
is reminiscent of music that was made in the widely-embraced decade.
Although, the CD features clever guest Torontonians such as Graeme Kirkland
and Kurt Swinghammer, the music lacks cleverness. The only exception
may be the opening to the first single, "Dragon Slayer," which
features some screeching violins.
Generally, the lyrical content seems radio-friendly and unbelievably
simplistic. For example, the track "Love Only Love" explains,
"Love, only love/ I believe in you and all that you can do/ Love,
only love/ How I trust in you and nothing else will do."
Crowl's strength lies in his voice which seems to be versatile in providing
backup and lead vocals. Hopefully he will not add the designation of
'rapper' to his list of positions, since his attempt falls short of
being believable at certain times.
COVER STORIES
City News Vol. 19 #6 December 1996
Parks Worker on National Tour Supporting CD
By Bob Langmaid
Now and again City News profiles a city employee who has a not-so secret
second life in the spotlight away from his or her day job. We recently
became aware of another talented performing artist in our midst - Parks
& Recreation employee Victor Crowl.
Victor, an outside worker with Parks for the past nine years, is gaining
exposure as a singer, composer and actor, to mention three of his many
roles in the entertainment field. He recently released a 17-song CD
with a national distribution deal and he hopes international distribution
will follow.
He and his band launched the CD, called The Healing, with a performance
at the Opera House on Queen Street November 9. The evening began with
a big-screen showing of music videos Victor produced for several of
the songs on the CD. Among the album's highlights are three pop-radio-friendly
ballads and the bottom heavy dance club winner Love only Love (aptly
subtitled The Groove). Victor has an appealing voice and the songs and
production quality are solid. A good turnout from the local music and
theatre communities and a live spot on City TV's Saturday night entertainment
news were encouraging signs.
Victor does not hesitate when asked to describe his musical style. "I
like to describe it as urban contemporary pop with hints of folk and
jazz," he says on the telephone from the office of Smile Music
and Film Production. Yes, he is also an entrepreneur, having formed
his company in 1987. His long list of performance and production credits
make clear that the company name is more than wishful thinking.
As for the new CD, the title The Healing refers to the theme of overcoming
personal turmoil and pain, an experience close to Victor's heart and
one that he believes many listeners can appreciate. He moved to Toronto
from Jamaica at age 7 in a troubled, single parent family. But while
his life has not been easy emotionally, his creativity and optimism
have clearly won out over the anger that can get in one's way.
Dual Careers
At age 14 he won a visual arts scholarship and began to write and perform
music. He studied voice and electronic music at the Royal Conservatory
of Music while going to high school and, just as he does now as a City
employee, he kept his plate full then as a student. He was elected the
first visible-minority president of his high-school's student council
in 1985 and at the same time was involved in theatre as an actor, dancer,
and choreographer. Later , he continued his studies at Humber College's
Faculty of Music.
In 1988 he got a job with the City that provided the steady income he
needed to support his creative (but not always financially rewarding)
ventures - such as financing his first album, Can't Stay Away and an
accompanying music video in 1989.
"The two lines of work are a great combination, really," he
says, "even though it can get a little rough when I'm up late at
night working on a music or film project."
Victor is usually laid off for a month or two in the winter, which he
welcomes as an opportunity to turn his energies fully into music and
film. Ith's that time of the year right now, and he and his guitarist
have packed their bags for a cross-Canada tour in support of the new
CD.
By the way, his contribution as groundskeeper for Toronto Maple Leafs
baseball team at Christie Pitts has been significant enough that he
was one of the people featured in a documentary about the team that
aired on CBC-TV's Personal Best this year.
He is a busy man - but a patient one. He is not in a hurry to leave
the City as his employer or Toronto as his home. For now he's in synch
with the rhythm of his dual careers.
In Your Face
November 1996
Victor Crowl Signs with Trend
By Mark Hillier
Pop artist, Victor Crowl has signed a national distribution deal for
Canada with Trend Music Group in Toronto. Victor's Second CD "The
Healing" will be launched on Saturday November 9, 9:00 PM at the
Opera House. The evening will begin with a screening of Victor's self-produced
videos. following an earlier show by The Roots (Geffen)
"The Healing" is an album that is as rich in diversity as
it is deep in singles. The first single will be "Dragonslayer",
a song that embodies in Victor's own words "the process and conclusion
of (his) healing".
"The Healing" was mastered by Nick Blagona and musicians that
play on the album include famed drummer Graeme Kirkland. keyboardist
John White, Kurt Swinghammer and Mike Constatino, formerly of ONE.
HMV In Store Performance
As advertised in the MCA Concert Listings in Now Magazine, Victor will
be performing and signing CD's at the HMV superstore on Yonge Street,
Toronto, on Thursday, November 14 from 13:30 to 1:30 PM.
Xtra Cover
Xtra Cover Story
MIC CHECK Magazine Interview Oct 1996
"A Beacon of Inspiration"
By Jennifer Campbell
He had only reached the tender age of one when he was abandoned by his
father. By the age of ten he was removed from an abusive home and consequently
placed into the uncertain hands of foster care. Nevertheless, Victor
Crowl never lost heart. The name Victor Crowl is synonymous to the word
inspiration for this 29-year-old has overcome much adversity and disappointment
to become the success that he is today. He is living proof of the power
of achievement we all have within us.
Victor, a.k.a. President of "Smile Music & Film Productions",
is also a self managed singer, songwriter, performer, dancer, actor,
lecturer, mentor (for the adult Degree Program for film studies), screenwriter,
A.V.I.D. Editor, and last but not least, filmmaker. His first love would
have to be a tie between singing and song-writing. He recalls when he
was 14 and he sang at camp. "There were a lot of kids there and
they bawled, every single face was wet. It was just the most incredible
experience". In retrospect he says, "Right then and there
I knew this is what I wanted to do.I wanted to move people"
His latest CD appropriately titled The Healing, is an eclectic blend
of 'urban contemporary, alternative pop, with a hint of jazz and folk'.
It is clearly a demonstration of his creative intelligence and profound
sense of wisdom. When asked if there was a specific audience he intended
to reach through his music he says, "I am not interested in getting
an audience who is really hype for me and then tomorrow they don't know
who I am. I'm looking for someone who relates to what I'm saying, and
hope that there is some perspective I can bring to what they are already
thinking". With a smile, the very humble Victor adds, "If
you like music you will like my album".
As for film, Victor is very much part of the industry. He has been able
to develop his skills as a cinematographer, director and producer, and
has put together nine original music videos/film shorts.
Victor has been a very positive influence in our community as far as
the entertainment industry is concerned. "Don't be mesmerized by
the Business", he says. "Some think you can put work in for
six months and get results, but it's essential that people know success
doesn't happen overnight and that it takes 10 years to become an overnight
success".
The dictionary definition of Victor is, "the winner in a battle
or struggle". Victor Crowl success has by no means come easy, it
has taken him years of tedious hard work to become the success that
he is today. His name personifies everything that he is. As the title
of his new CD implies, it's time for the world to listen up and begin
the healing.
Sun Cover Day 1
Sun Cover Day 2
Sun Cover Day 2 Story
The Toronto Sun, Saturday, November 27, 1997
Comment
Toronto's Other Voice
Editor-In-Chief, Peter O'Sullivan
Editor, Lorrie Goldstein
Everyday Heroes
Character develops over a lifetime, but it can be defined in the blink
of an eye.
Such was the case with Victor Crowl, the hero who, with the aid of a
couple of other passengers, rescued two small boys who were abducted
and nearly thrown onto the subway tracks Thursday.
The scene must have been terrifying - the abductor had forced open the
train doors and was dangling one of the boys over the tracks, while
the other youngster screamed for help.
In a split-second, Crowl, aided by another man, stepped in where dozens
of onlookers were too terrified to go - pulling the boy inside and tackling
the man. Others called 911 and kept the boys safe.
Its the type of story that brings out the best and worst in people.
Those who only see the worst side see this - another crazed subway attacker,
screaming kids, hundreds of people too scared or too blase to do anything,
a world not safe for anyone.
Choose to see it the best, however; and the picture changes - Crowl,
who's just been laid off from his job, puts all thoughts of his own
safety aside when he hears a child's call for help. The next day, the
city responds with gifts, job offers and heartfelt thanks.
The story also highlights some other concerns. For instance...
Child abuse: it's the second story in a week of bystanders coming to
the aid of a child in distress. On Tuesday, people in Pickering stopped
a father who was beating his daughter in a car. The world's kids need
more people like these.
Mental illness: in the subway case, as with many recent incidents, the
suspect has a history of mental illness. Perhaps it's time to heed the
call of a coroner's jury in Ottawa this week, which said lives could
be saved if more dangerous, mentally ill people were forced to undergo
treatment. The idea bears government consideration.
Transit safety: it's dangerous out there, and despite the TTC's best
efforts, no system is imervious to violence. But there are things people
can do to stay safe - listen to the warnings, stay back from the track,
use the emergency procedures provided.
But above all there has to be a public faith in the good character of
our fellow man. (Or, as befits the season, goodwill towards men - and
women,)
That's the best thing about the story of Victor Crowl and his fellow
heroes. They have renewed that faith for all of us.
Letters to the Editor
As a subway operator for the TTC, I too am amazed by the heroic actions
of Victor Crowl last week. His unselfish reaction to such a horrific
incident is reason for all of us to have our faith in our fellow man
(or woman) restored. However, based on what I see almost every day at
work, Victor is the exception, not the rule. Too many times I have seen
people in trouble (whether being attacked by a gang or harassed, etc.)
and regardless of how many people are around, no one seems willing to
get involved. I hope the actions of Victor Crowl sever as an example
to us all that one person can make a difference. My hat's off to you,
Victor!
Gerry Morin
Scarborough
I couldn't help but smile throughout the entire article when reading
about the actions of subway rider Victor Crowl (Nov. 29), who acted
on instinct and performed a brave act in coming to the aid of two young
boys. Mr. Crowl, you deserve all the gift certificates, job offers,
and anything else that comes your way. You performed a human act of
kindness and expected nothing in return. I've always known there are
kind people in Toronto, we just need to show each other each and every
day. God bless and Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Mary Clarke
Newmarket
The Toronto Star
Friday, November 28, 1997
TTC "HERO" PULLS BOY TO SAFETY
By Josh Brown
An alert TTC passenger says he was just acting on his instinct when
he tackled a man who was trying to throw an 8-year old boy out of a
subway train and on to tracks.
"I don't feel like a hero, I just feel like a human being,"
said Victor Crowl, 30. "If anything, I'm more upset. A little kid
was yelling and crying for help and no one was doing anything about
it."
Crowl, laid off from his job yesterday for the city of Toronto, was
standing on the platform at the St. Clair West station at about 4pm
when the southbound Spadina train arrived. When the doors opened, Crowl
saw a man on the traintrying to pry open the opposite doors facing the
subway tracks.
"The man wedged his hands into the door and then grabbed one of
the (two) boys and started to throw him out of the train. I ran in and
grabbed the boy's foot and pulled him back inside," Crowl said.
Once the boy was secure, another passenger pushed the subway alarm.
At that point, the man tried to throw himself out on to the tracks.
"He was yelling for the boys to come with him. But a woman had
taken the kids out. Another passenger and I grabbed the man and calmed
him down until the police arrived," said Crowl.
Police said that the boys, who were brothers, aged 5 and 8, were not
injured. The man is not related to the boys but is known to the family.
"It was a good response from the public. They were very mature
about the whole thing," said Metro Police Sergeant Joseph McVeigh.
Charged with two counts of abduction is Michael Smith. 31, of no fixed
address.
Canada Calling
February 1998
HAPPENINGS
http://www.trainweb.org/canadianrailways/CanadaCalling/February1998.html
by Bryce Lee
When he arrived at his Toronto parks department job November 27, 1997,
Victor Crowl got the news that he was being made redundant. Less than
24 hours later he was the toast of Toronto, hailed as a hero and deluged
with job offers. He had quite possibly saved the life of an eight-year-old
boy who had been abducted from his school; hustled onto a subway train
and dangled over the live third rail by a man police describe as mentally
deranged. Amongst the numerous telephone calls he received was one from
the Toronto Transit Commission, which was anxious to reward the 30 year
old Crowl with something more than the plaque it handed the courageous
commuter at its December 16, 1997 commissioners' meeting. The TTC's
executive director of corporate relations, said the TTC wants to interview
Crowl for one of several jobs that will be opening up in the near future.
The director noted "he reflects our values, and we are thankful
there are people like him out there".
The change in Crowl's fortunes occurred shortly after 4 p.m. on November
28 when he boarded a southbound subway train at the St. Clair West station
and spotted a man on the train trying to pry open the car's trackside
doors. Accompanied by two young boys, the man seemed to wedge his hands
into the door and then grabbed one of the boys and started to throw
him out of the train, recalled Crowl after the horrific incident. As
the boy's five-year-old brother screamed with terror, Crowl pushed his
way to the man's side and locked his hands around the only part of the
eight-year-old left in the train which was a leg and pulled him back
inside. Police say the mentally deranged man, an occasional babysitter
for the two young brothers, had picked them up from an area school without
their parents' consent and led them onto the train. In a strange coincidence,
Crowl knew the accused when both were children. They had attended the
same youth group at NorthMinster Baptist church in the then Borough
of North York. A singer-song writer and film-maker with two CDs to his
credit, Crowl said he'll be grateful if a good job is one of the dividends
from his selfless act. In another strange coincidence, Crowl had released
a video recently called Save Me, in which he is shown in one segment
carrying a child in his lap. It was the latest in a rash of alarming
subway incidents.
Doctoral student in psychology and York economics grad called 'ordinary
heroes'
http://www.yorku.ca/ycom/gazette/past/archive/012898.htm
FRIENDS IN NEED:
Recently, York grad Bela Vados (left) and Ann Marie Keating, a York
doctoral student in clinical psychology (right), joined Victor Crowl
and Melvin Murchie (second and third from left) in accepting TTC awards
of merit for their efforts in rescuing two endangered young boys on
the University subway line.
Photo Credit: The Toronto Star/R. Eglinton
Ann Marie Keating, a graduate student in the fourth year of her doctoral
studies in clinical psychology is grateful for the generous outpouring
of support of her York colleagues, following a traumatic event on the
University subway line late in November.
The Toronto Transit Commission on Dec. 17 presented Keating and three
other subway passengers with awards of merit for undertaking the heroic
rescue of a pair of imperiled young boys on the subway line. But though
she experienced "immediate elation" following the rescue,
she was "actually quite disturbed" by the traumatic event,
Keating told the Gazette.
Her colleagues in graduate studies, however, "have been wonderfully
supportive in a very rich way," she said. And while she experienced
some sleeplessness and other "very mild symptoms of post-traumatic-stress"
in the days and nights immediately following the near-disaster, she
now is grateful for "the learning experience."
According to newspaper accounts, the rescue was a group effort on the
parts of municipal parks worker and musician Victor Crowl, screen printer
Mel Murchie, York economics graduate Bela Vados and Keating. All four
were passengers in the same subway car, late in the afternoon of Friday,
Nov. 28.
Crowl, who had just finished his last day of work on a seasonal job
with the City of Toronto's parks department, was riding south on the
subway line when he noticed a man with two children in his care, acting
strangely, press reports say.
Keating was on her way home, earlier than usual, to a dinner with a
visiting aunt from Newfoundland. "She noticed the threesome " the
man, and James and Jordan Elliott, who are five and six respectively
" because the man was talking too loudly, because the boys seemed scared,
because of her training," according to Toronto Sun columnist Christie
Blatchford.
Vados, heading home from a contract position at Ceeco Machinery, also
took note of the trio, as did Murchie.
"As the train pulled into the St. Clair West station, what they
all saw, albeit with different eyes, was the man head, not to the open
doors of the car, but to the closed ones. Disbelieving, they watched
as he pried them open and pushed young James' head through the doors,
over the electrical rail," Blatchford relates.
As James screamed, Crowl tackled the man, wrestling the boy from him.
Murchie helped Crowl subdue the man. Vados came from the other end of
the car and pressed the emergency strip to stop the train. Keating wrapped
an arm around the boys, who were shaking violently, and, as she began
to comfort them, led them to safety.
"It was horrific for me to see those beautiful little boys in grave
danger," Keating told the Gazette. "One moment, you're reading
your graduate papers " the next you're intervening in a life-and-death
encounter."
In the aftermath of the struggle, the man was charged with aggravated
assault and two counts of child abduction. The unemployed Crowl wound
up accepting a job offer from Mayor Mel Lastman, and Ann Marie Keating
acquired some practical, if disturbing, experience in crisis intervention.
Toronto residents fighting petty crime
TORONTO, Dec. 3 (UPI) _
http://www.concentric.net/~rweller/news259.htm
Last week, unarmed 30-year-old Victor Crowl leaped forward to save the
life of a five-year-old boy as a man was holding the
child through the open door of a subway car and threatening to drop
him on the other track.
Crowl, who had just lost his job before the subway drama, became a local
hero and was invited to lunch by Toronto's
newly-elected Mayor Mel Lastman.
Crowl has since received several job offers, including one each from
Lastman and the Toronto Transit Commission. He says he
has even had offers of marriage.
Toronto police are not recommending that store owners fight back against
armed robbers, saying it could endanger their lives.
The Toronto Sun
Monday, December 8, 1997
"Subway hero's life was no comic book"
By Gail Scala
Heroes are usually the stuff of comic books or cartoons, but ask James
and Jordan Elliot and they'll probably tell you their hero is Victor
Crowl.
In the way of things, Crowl's fame will eventually become the proverbial
nine-day wonder. But for Toronto's subway hero-who rescued the two boys
from an attacker on the TTC-life will never be the same again. But then,
Crowl is accustomed to a life of dramatic changes and upheaval.
Part of the problem with heroes is that we view them in as one-dimensional,
colored only by the good deeds they have done. Crowl, I discovered,
is much more than that. He is larger than life-not in a physical sense-but
much like an unexpected treasure. You feel privileged and humble for
having the good fortune to have met him.
Part of the reason he has been such a darling of the media is that he
is articulate, charming and personable. Publicity is something he has
been learning to handle for the past 15 years while hoping for success
in his music career. At the age of 30, there isn't much Crowl hasn't
experienced. But this talented singer, writer and composer has learned
to take the blows life has dealt him and come away with a renewed determination
to succeed.
For most of his life, Crowl says he felt isolated and unwanted. He spent
his first 6 years in Jamaica where he was a lonely and unhappy child
who shared his love and feelings with the only living creature he believed
would not deliberately hurt him-a small goat. He questioned why his
father had abandoned them and why his mother had left him and his older
brother in the care of relatives while she lived in Canada. It was not
until many years later that he understood she had left, like so many
other women from the islands do, to make a better life for her children
and herself. But only months after arriving in Canada, Crowl was put
into the custody of Children's Aid. He spent 4 years in many different
foster homes before being returned to his mother's care.
The experience could have left him embittered and angry-a fertile breeding
ground for juvenile delinquency. But Crowl is a survivor with an uncanny
wisdom and sense of right and wrong. He said being in foster homes taught
him several things: although his was often the only black face he saw,
he learned how to get along with people from different cultures and
different walks of life; and how to be disciplined. The regimentation
of living by schedules stays with him even today.
"It taught me there is a law to everything," he says.
Returned to his mother at 12, he went from living on a farm to the claustrophobic,
teeming maze of urban government housing that characterizes the area
of North York's Jane and Finch corridor. Once again he was an outsider
because, although he was now among people for the most part looked like
him, he was the only black kid who spoke with a Canadian accent and
he was often ridiculed and rejected. But he learned to overcome obstacles
by finding ways to go around them and he used his exceptional talent
as an artist to find a way out. He won a scholarship to take classes
at the Art Gallery of Ontario and so was able to minimize the time he
spent at home.
While attending C.W. Jefferies Secondary School, as one of the few black
students in a predominately Italian student population, Crowl says for
the first time, ironically, he had no trouble fitting in. He became
the first visible minority president and developed strong, lasting friendships
with members of the Italian community. Last week he sang at Johnny Lombardi's
82nd birthday party.
The publicity of his simple act of caring has been unbelievable and
although it can be overwhelming at times it has made him feel very special
and is much appreciated. As for the job offers, Crowl says he doesn't
want to a token and just fill up space, so he will take some time in
considering what he wants to do.
Many years ago Crowl named his company Smile Music and Film Productions,
because he believes in always having a positive approach to life. James
and Jordan Elliot will forever be grateful for his caring and on December
20 at 12:30pm, the brothers will once again be recipients of his generosity.
Crowl will be back in his own neighborhood to participate in a benefit
concert in the York Gates Mall, northwest corner of Jane and Finch.
Two dollars from the sale of each CD will be donated to the two children.
Maclean's December 15, 1997
Opening Notes Edited by Barbara Wickens
A boy's rescue opens new doors
Victor Crowl's life these days is full of coincidence. On Nov. 22, the
Toronto man who moonlights as a singer-songwriter, put the finishing
touches on a video for the song Save Me from his second independent
CD, The Healing. "It's about stopping violence against people,
and it's me with a bunch of kids," says Crowl. Just five days later
- the same day he was laid off from his job with the city's parks department
- he rescued a boy being thrown from a subway train. Crowl, 30, was
waiting on the platform when a train pulled in. As the doors opened,
he heard the hysterical screams of two young boys and saw a man prying
open the doors on the opposite side of the car - if the youngsters fell
out, they could be electrocuted on the subway's power rail. "I
wedged my body between the boy and the man and fought him for the child,"
recalls Crowl. Then, as police took away the assailant, who was charged
with two counts of abduction, he greeted Crowl by name. "It was
someone I knew 12 years ago in my church youth group," said Crowl.
Since the incident, Crowl has become a local hero. He has received several
job offers, by both the Toronto Transit Commission and by mayor-elect
Mel Lastman, as well as five marriage proposals. Lastman also created
the Save Me Award in Crowl's honour and asked him to sing at city council's
inaugural ball on Jan. 2. Crowl also struck a bond with the boys he
rescued, James Elliot, 5, and his brother, Jordan, 6. Their mother died
2 years ago and their father is out of work, so the musician will perform
a benefit for the family on Dec. 20. For Crowl, one good turn leads
to another.