Bruce Cockburn

Bruce Cockburn

Bruce Cockburn is a Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist from Ottawa, Ontario. His work spans folk, jazz-influenced rock, rock and roll, and other styles, and his career develops from straight folk material toward more politically focused songwriting. He is also known for his guitar playing, including a number of instrumental pieces on his early recordings.

Career

Cockburn begins recording as a folk artist, with early albums that foreground guitar work and instrumental tracks. Around the time of Salt, Sun and Time, a Christian element enters his music, and his writing gradually takes on a stronger political orientation. His music is marked by change and reinvention rather than a fixed style.

He has radio hits in the United States with “Wondering Where the Lions Are” and “If I Had a Rocket Launcher”. His 1980s albums are widely regarded as among his strongest, including Humans, Inner City Front, Stealing Fire and Big Circumstance. After Big Circumstance, he experiences writer’s block and his output slows, before returning with Nothing But a Burning Light, which shifts him back toward a sparer, more folk-based sound.

The Charity of Night includes “Pacing the Cage”, one of his best-known reflective songs. Speechless is an instrumental collection, drawing on material from earlier albums and highlighting his abilities as a guitarist. Life Short Call Now is preceded by this set of instrumentals. His 31st studio album, Small Source of Comfort, adds acoustic songs that mix folk, blues, jazz and rock with rhythmic detail.

Recognition

Cockburn is inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2001. In 2012 he receives the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for significant contributions and achievements by Canadians.

Associated acts and labels

He is associated with The Children, The Esquires and 3’s a Crowd. He records on Golden Mountain Music Corp. and Holy Drone Corp.