Bruce Cockburn

Bruce Cockburn is similar to... well... Bruce Cockburn. He's really his own breed of cat.

I haven't explored his stuff as much as I should, but one thing is certain - Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws is absolutely essential. Phenomenal.

I also highly recommend
Stealing Fire
Dart to the Heart
Breakfast in New Orleans, Dinner in Timbuktu

Sometimes his albums are hit and miss, though. Looking forward to hearing other suggestions.

Jim,

I've been following Cockburn's career for twenty years now. Some would consider this embarrassing, and as Jayd has pointed out, his albums can be hit and miss, his sound is often derivative and conventional, and some of his songs are high on the schmaltz meter.

Despite this, his music strikes many chords with me, he's an excellent guitarist and singer, and a very charismatic performer.

He's gone through various phases, ranging from pastoral folk to (sometimes not so hot) rock, to urban pop and jazz. I'm afraid the album you've ordered is not one of his best -- has some good tracks, though. If I had to pick three, it'd be these:

Salt, Sun and Time early folk phase, with some jazz elements; apart from the first track, this is one of a rare breed of albums that are hewn from one stone (except for the first track, which you can skip); contemplative and scintillating at the same time

Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws still folky, but more complex and sumptuous; has one of his few hits, "Wondering Where the Lions Are"; for CD get the Deluxe Edition

Breakfast in New Orleans, Dinner in Timbuktu more recent album, rather illustrous musically speaking, ripe with idiosyncrasy; with contributions by Ani DiFranco and Rob Wasserman

I also quite like "Dart to the Heart", which Jayd recommended.

Tons of information can be found here.

Thomas

For well over 25 years now, Bruce Cockburn has been one of my favourites. I recall with fondness the days spent with my best friend, listening to Bruce's self-titled album, "High Winds White Sky", "Sunwheel Dance", "Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws" and "Humans". I generally prefer his earlier output, although I enjoy his later work too (which is somewhat hit and miss).

I just saw him live last year, and really enjoyed it.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Hi Jim

Like Thomas and Mike, I've been a Cockburn fan for 20+ years. He's one of those artists that after you get one or two albums you just want more.

Favourites for me are:

Salt,Sun, & Time
Dragons Jaws
In The falling dark
Humans
The Charity Of Night

Enjoy your new musical discovery.

Rick.

Hi guys
thanks for the information, there is plenty to go at here. I will let you know how I go on.
I think I will order Sunwheel Dance and Dancing in the Dragons Jaws, these seem to be the consesus of opinion.

jim...............

I was just taking a look at his history on www.allmusic.com. Usually their ratings come pretty close to my own opinion on things. In the case of Bruce Cockburn, however, they seem to have things upside down.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

I've just been listening to tracks on this site:

http://www.brucecockburn.com

Fantastic. How have I never heard of this guy?

I've had some of the best music recommendations of the last few years from the The Music Room (Eric Bibb, James Yorkston, Lambchop...). Wish I had some esoteric recommendations for the rest of you. I'll have to have a think.

Hi Kevin,

Yeah, Bruce is not as well known as he deserves. I think he's been described as Canada's best kept secret.

At least you can get all his albums now. Back in the 90's it was imports only and very expensive.

Rick.

I saw a pristine copy of "Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws" last night in a $2.50 cd bin... almost bought it just on general principles.

Will definitely pick up "Salt, Sun & Time" as a result of this thread. Thanks!

Jayd, the second track on "Salt, Sun and Time", an instrumental, is one my favourite pieces of music -- simple and sublime. Most of the rest is also quite sparse, but delivered with both exactitude and ease. His voice comes off really well on that album, too.

Thomas

There are so many great things to say about this Naim Forum. Every now and again you come up with some fantastic new music, Bruce Cockburn is one of them. I bought recently "Nothing But A Burning Light" and "Breakfast in New Orleans, Dinner in Timbuktu. These are absolutely brilliant cds. It really does put a smile on your face to hear such a wonderful artist. I really don't know how I have missed this guy for so many years!

He is so good I have just ordered 3 more of you recomendations,"Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws (Remastered), Salt Sun & Time and Humans (Remastered). Can't wait for these to arrive, I have never ordered so many cds from one artist in such a short time ever. The music has never sounded so good. Thanks for all the recomendations guys, keep them coming.

Bye the way I have taken NBs advice with buying USA copies, they really do sound better (I still don't understand why). The next 3 Cockburn cds are winging there way to the UK as we speak.

jim...............

Thanks, I was just selecting another album. Gone for for "Further Adventures of..."

Wonderful songs, great sound and ambience.

Any albums, of late, not heard anything in the music press...

I'm a huge Cockburn fan - got everything he's done, that I know of, and quite a few albums he sings BVs on...

My faves, for what it's worth, are -

Charity Of Night
Nothing But A Burning Light
Dancing In The Dragon's Jaws
Live (the late 80s Cooking Vinyl one)
Stealing Fire
World Of Wonders

but I really like all his albums...

Steve

Have most of Bruce's early stuff. His later material started to get too political at time, but he can cross that folk/rock barrier and still be loyal to both camps.

My personal favourite LP is "In the Falling Dark" with the track "Lord of the Starfields".

Cheers,

Geofiz, If you like 'Starfields' you should track down the Columbia Records Radio Hour album which features Bruce with special guests live.

The opening track is LOTS with him and Rob Wasserman on double bass...excellent stuff.

Cheers

Rick.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ricky Dasler:
Geofiz, If you like 'Starfields' you should track down the Columbia Records Radio Hour album which features Bruce with special guests live.

The opening track is LOTS with him and Rob Wasserman on double bass...excellent stuff.

Cheers

Rick.

---

Thanks for the suggested LP Rick. Will start the search for it now. That's one that escaped me.

Thanks,

Rob

i own only one B.C. album: Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws. i picked up a mint, sealed promo copy for $7 on a whim. not only is the music superlative, but it is one of, if not the best, sounding albums i own.

blowing my mind on music,
corey

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ricky Dasler:
Geofiz, If you like 'Starfields' you should track down the Columbia Records Radio Hour album which features Bruce with special guests live.

The opening track is LOTS with him and Rob Wasserman on double bass...excellent stuff.

Cheers

Rick.

---

Have to agree with Rick on this one. Just received a copy of the CD and the recording and performances are really good. A must for all Bruce Cockburn fans.

Cheers

Just thought it was the time of year to plug Bruce's Christmas album titled, funnily enough, 'Christmas'.

Cheers

Rick.