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'Why Bruce (Cockburn) Matters Now'

03 Mar 01 - 09:13 AM (#410170)
Subject: 'Why Bruce (COCKBURN) Matters Now'
From: black walnut

Big article and pictures this morning about BRUCE COCKBURN in Arts & Entertainment section of The Toronto Star!

Bruce Cockburn will be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame tomorrow evening at the 30th Annual Juno Awards ('celebrating excellence in Canadian music').

Quote:
"My models for graceful aging are guys like John Lee Hooker and Mississippi John Hurt, who never stop working till they drop. Eventually time is going to get everyone, but in the meantime, they stay out there, doing their thing -- out of necessity, to a degree...and just getting better as musicians and as human beings." ~ bc

Error:
The article states on J1 that Cockburn has 24 albums (30 if you count a few extra pressings). Again on J14, it lists the albums in chart form...24 albums.
Mysteriously missing from this picture is "Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws" (1979).

So, it's 25 albums, folks. And I have'em all...on CD!

~black walnut


03 Mar 01 - 01:20 PM (#410286)
Subject: RE: 'Why Bruce (Cockburn) Matters Now'
From: poor lonesome boy

Nice time for a thread on Bruce, with the big honour tomorrow night and all. And since you brought it up... Bruce has two sets of autobiographies I think. One states he was born in Ottawa, the other in Pembroke, Ont. just up the valley a ways. I figure his pap was stationed at CFB Petawawa, the military base right next to Pembroke, so I assume he was born in Pembroke and moved quickly to Ottawa thereafter (not unlike our favourite shock-comic Tom Green). I've never quite been able to figure it out. If anyone knows, or if Bruce is online today, maybe I can finally get an answer.

And in the Star's defence, they once said I had 23 albums, where I actually only have 22, because one is too scratched to listen to anymore. So they got it half right.


03 Mar 01 - 01:21 PM (#410287)
Subject: RE: 'Why Bruce (Cockburn) Matters Now'
From: poor lonesome boy

autobiographies?... bios... you know what I meant


03 Mar 01 - 01:32 PM (#410294)
Subject: Bruce Cockburn Always Matters!
From: Clinton Hammond

"(not unlike our favourite shock-comic Tom Green)"

Who's favourite?!?!? That guy's a total idiot with no redeeming qualities what so ever!! Because of him, I'm ashamed to tell people I like to watch Canadian TV! I wouldn't thing twice, if I had the power to cancel him forever...

Bruce however, is a Canadian resource! Keep up the great work man!


03 Mar 01 - 02:20 PM (#410331)
Subject: RE: 'Why Bruce (Cockburn) Matters Now'
From: Lonesome EJ

Yes, Bruce deserves the honor. I can't claim to have all of his recordings, but my favories are Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws, Humans, and Dart to the Heart. I saw him when Lovers in a Dangerous Time was a big hit, and was a little put off at how he lectured the audience about Nicaragua, but he did a fine performance.


03 Mar 01 - 02:36 PM (#410337)
Subject: RE: 'Why Bruce (Cockburn) Matters Now'
From: Metchosin

I too am glad to see him getting that honour although I will agree with LEJ, Bruce can be a trifle sanctimonious, that was why I noted on a previous thread that Bruce doesn't seem to have too much problem about "trees falling in the forest" when he's using something made of Brazillian rosewood.


03 Mar 01 - 02:38 PM (#410340)
Subject: RE: 'Why Bruce (Cockburn) Matters Now'
From: Metchosin

forgot to mention Dancing in the Dragon's Jaw was my favourite album also.


03 Mar 01 - 04:23 PM (#410403)
Subject: RE: 'Why Bruce (Cockburn) Matters Now'
From: black walnut

Well, if we're into favourites...I have lots, but the top of the list is Salt, Sun and Time, and my favourite song is All the Diamonds. But Bruce is always changing. I love his old stuff, but I also really like his newest album, Breakfast in New Orleans, Dinner in Timuktu, as well. The solo concert he did on the Breakfast tour was so beautiful....he is so talented and without a band you catch it all. I heard him most recently live with the Concert for a Landmine Free World at Massey Hall.

Some people might think he comes off as sanctimonious, but I think he's a sincere activist who has seen more and been torn apart more by inequities and destruction because he's seen than most of us could ever imagine. I think he speaks from the heart and with passion. He's not satisfied to let things stay the way they are...his love for art and the planet are one.

~b.w.


03 Mar 01 - 04:35 PM (#410420)
Subject: RE: 'Why Bruce (Cockburn) Matters Now'
From: Metchosin

I don't doubt his sincerity either bw or the hard truth in what he says, but lecturing your audience leaves you open for others to comment about "casting the first stone". It was the reason I used If a Tree Falls and If I Had a Rocket Launcher as examples of powerful songs that make you uncomfortable.


04 Mar 01 - 08:08 AM (#410642)
Subject: RE: 'Why Bruce (Cockburn) Matters Now'
From: black walnut

Cockburn is being interviewed on the CBC radio show 'Fresh Air' this morning at 8:30. During the first half hour of the show, Jeff played some of Cockburn's songs from 'archival moments' of the '70's, including Gavin's Woodpile and All the Diamonds.

Wonder what he'll play live on the radio?

~b.w.


04 Mar 01 - 02:47 PM (#410773)
Subject: RE: 'Why Bruce (Cockburn) Matters Now'
From: Little Hawk

I saw Bruce Cockburn at the Orillia Opera House (a beautiful hall) a couple of years ago, and it was a wonderful concert. Me and a couple of friends got to talk with him after the show for about 20 minutes, and he is a very pleasant, unpretentious guy as far as I'm concerned. He played a whole series of amazing guitars...quite a sight to see.

As far as using a guitar made with Brazilian Rosewood...well, that is not necessarily the problem. If the timber industry would cut selectively, taking out only some trees, then the forests would not be destroyed, but would be a resource available to future generations. One large tree can make an absolutely enormous number of guitars, and it would certainly be possible to plan accordingly, and not cut down the whole Amazon.

Unfortunately, the industry normally cuts down every desirable tree it can find. Kind of like shooting down every last buffalo within range. In this manner, the industry eventually destroys its own source of survival, as well as that of many others.

That is not the fault of people who use the wood or the fur afterwards for some useful purpose. It is the fault of a social order that values money above all else...and lives as if there was no tomorrow, beyond the current fiscal year.

- LH


04 Mar 01 - 03:19 PM (#410789)
Subject: RE: 'Why Bruce (Cockburn) Matters Now'
From: Metchosin

ah but it is the problem Little Hawk, to quote Pogo "I have seen the enemy and it are us" and the industry could but in a lot of instances they don't.


04 Mar 01 - 11:55 PM (#410989)
Subject: RE: 'Why Bruce (Cockburn) Matters Now'
From: Little Hawk

True enough. You could also say "I have seen the hope of the future, and it is us." Either way. That's what free will is all about.

The planet, however, will go on with or without us. She is mightier than the gross national product.

- LH


05 Mar 01 - 12:19 AM (#410998)
Subject: RE: 'Why Bruce (Cockburn) Matters Now'
From: poor lonesome boy

Just saw the induction of Cockburn. The acolades (sp?) came spilling from all over... very nice. He did rant a little about the IMF and all that but otherwise kept it cool. It was a nice show all around, but what was with Lightfoot's jacket and shades? Still so hip after all these years.


05 Mar 01 - 12:20 AM (#411000)
Subject: RE: 'Why Bruce (Cockburn) Matters Now'
From: Callie at work

I was about 14 when I heard "Lions in the Garden" on the radio. They played it allk the time, for a week, and then I never heard it again. Anyone know the background to that song?


05 Mar 01 - 06:19 PM (#411533)
Subject: RE: 'Why Bruce (Cockburn) Matters Now'
From: black walnut

Callie...do you mean "Wondering Where the Lions Are"?

Last night I had a rather tough choice to make....

A. stay home and watch the Junos, and the induction of Cockburn. OR B. go to the Tranzac club to hear Rick, Grit and Paul.

Unfortunately, I was able to do neither. I had to take my daughter to the emergency ward....she'd had a snow-tubing accident, with mild amnesia and headaches. She's okay today, thank the Lord!

We got the Junos on tape...I'll watch it later.

~b.w.


05 Mar 01 - 06:43 PM (#411546)
Subject: RE: 'Why Bruce (Cockburn) Matters Now'
From: mousethief

Really have been un-bruce-ing over the last several years. I hated the title track to Charity of Night, and couldn't find ANYthing on Breakfast in Montreal/Dinner in Thermopolaye that I could relate to (except "Blueberry Hill").

I think Humans is the last album I listen to with any regularity. DITDJ is my favorite, although Salt Sun & Time is a close 2nd.

Falling out of love is so painful.

Alex


06 Mar 01 - 10:24 AM (#411980)
Subject: RE: 'Why Bruce (Cockburn) Matters Now'
From: Jim the Bart

I hate to disagree with you, 'thief. I was extremely impressed with Bruce's latest effort. His choice of instrumentation to color the songs was really interesting. And his images are so striking now. He brings to mind an artist who knows exactly where to put the paint on the canvas.

I still think that Nothing But a Burning Light (I think that's the title) is my favorite BC recording, along with Stealing Fire. And all the rest. His writing seems to have deepened somehow and his skills as a player and singer are right up there with the best.


06 Mar 01 - 12:00 PM (#412031)
Subject: RE: 'Why Bruce (Cockburn) Matters Now'
From: celticblues5

I have to agree with the praise for Stealing Fire - One of the best "concept" recordings ever, and managing to incorporate a couple of hypnotically sensuous love songs amidst all the politics.....

Also have to agree with Clint on Tom Green - it's a fine line between cleverly shocking and plain stupid.