Post by MaxQuad on Mar 21, 2007 15:37:03 GMT -5
Bruce Cockburn solo at The Tralf, Buffalo, New York 20 March 2007
A series of acoustic guitars and a single performer: Bruce Cockburn. Another wonderful opportunity to experience a masterful Canadian performer - a very talented singer, songwriter, and guitarist. (For those interested in his guitar work, feel free to check out his album Speechless, which is a compilation of various instrumental songs from throughout the years.)
Bruce Cockburn's first album was released in 1970. He is now 61 years old, yet, he continues to be relevant and continues to be creative, with his most recent album release of original material in 2006 (Life Short Call Now).
The set list was a wonderful mix of old and new, with appropriate emphasis (and pride) on his new material. An example, his new tune Mystery.
" Infinity always gives me vertigo
Vertigo
Vertigo
Infinity always gives me vertigo
And fills me up with grace
And don't tell me there is no mystery
Mystery
Mystery
And don't tell me there is no mystery
It overflows my cup "
Cockburn has always had a social and political conscience, with lyrics that do not shy away from such issues. Central American struggles in the 80's to Iraq currently. Songs like Tell the Universe and This Is Baghdad are prime examples.
"Carbombed and carjacked and kidnapped and shot
How do you like it, this freedom we brought?
We packed all the ordnance but the thing we forgot
Was a plan in case it didn't turn out quite like we thought"
He played a full two hours, which included a couple two song encores, the first of which included Peggy's Kitchen Wall, the second of which included the emotionally powerful Pacing the Cage.
" Sometimes the best map will not guide you
You can't see what's round the bend
Sometimes the road leads through dark places
Sometimes the darkness is your friend
Today these eyes scan bleached-out land
For the coming of the outbound stage
Pacing the cage
Pacing the cage "
I had not seen him perform prior to last night, and, as with many things that happen in life, have some regrets about never before having attended a concert of his. He is an open and passionate witness to some of the chaos of the modern world, sharing his feelings and making us feel at the same time. One way to put a positive spin on it being my first Bruce Cockburn concert: it was well worth the wait.
MQ
A series of acoustic guitars and a single performer: Bruce Cockburn. Another wonderful opportunity to experience a masterful Canadian performer - a very talented singer, songwriter, and guitarist. (For those interested in his guitar work, feel free to check out his album Speechless, which is a compilation of various instrumental songs from throughout the years.)
Bruce Cockburn's first album was released in 1970. He is now 61 years old, yet, he continues to be relevant and continues to be creative, with his most recent album release of original material in 2006 (Life Short Call Now).
The set list was a wonderful mix of old and new, with appropriate emphasis (and pride) on his new material. An example, his new tune Mystery.
" Infinity always gives me vertigo
Vertigo
Vertigo
Infinity always gives me vertigo
And fills me up with grace
And don't tell me there is no mystery
Mystery
Mystery
And don't tell me there is no mystery
It overflows my cup "
Cockburn has always had a social and political conscience, with lyrics that do not shy away from such issues. Central American struggles in the 80's to Iraq currently. Songs like Tell the Universe and This Is Baghdad are prime examples.
"Carbombed and carjacked and kidnapped and shot
How do you like it, this freedom we brought?
We packed all the ordnance but the thing we forgot
Was a plan in case it didn't turn out quite like we thought"
He played a full two hours, which included a couple two song encores, the first of which included Peggy's Kitchen Wall, the second of which included the emotionally powerful Pacing the Cage.
" Sometimes the best map will not guide you
You can't see what's round the bend
Sometimes the road leads through dark places
Sometimes the darkness is your friend
Today these eyes scan bleached-out land
For the coming of the outbound stage
Pacing the cage
Pacing the cage "
I had not seen him perform prior to last night, and, as with many things that happen in life, have some regrets about never before having attended a concert of his. He is an open and passionate witness to some of the chaos of the modern world, sharing his feelings and making us feel at the same time. One way to put a positive spin on it being my first Bruce Cockburn concert: it was well worth the wait.
MQ