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Canadian
Dry World
of Wonders: The Lyrics and Music of Bruce Cockburn , James A. Heald (209pp,
Missing Link) |
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In
sharp contrast to the condescending and ill-judged evangelical slant of Brian
Walsh's recent book on Canadian singer-songwriter Bruce Cockburn (which I
reviewed in Third Way and
for The Matthews House Project) James A. Heald takes an
informed and intelligent approach to Cockburn's albums and songs,
contextualising and appraising the work under a series of headings mostly
within a linear timeline. My
biggest quibble is that I'd have liked a more academic approach, particularly
fuller referencing and a bibliography, and arguments followed through a
little more, but Heald's enthusiasm and breadth of knowledge more than
compensates for this (and, of course, it's not being marketed as an academic
title, it's just me being difficult). The
book offers plenty of biographical fact, lyrical analysis, and both
speculative and informed context to the long career and large discography of
this intriguing singer. Cockburn started as a new-age folkie within the hippy
movement before engaging with both spirituality and politics in equal
measure. His inquisitive and engaging questioning and exploration is suitably
matched here by Heald, who manages to interrogate literary and musical
inspiration and sources, political histories and geographies, as well as the
personal, throughout this engaging and witty volume. Heald
isn't afraid to offer opinion and critique, but he does so sparingly and
always defends those opinions. He weaves personal anecdotes and experience
into the text where appropriate, too: a road trip into Native American Indian
territories, a musical epiphany from the past, his part in an online
discussion to clarify some lyrical or biographical detail, the shared
enthusiasm or disappointment at a concert or the first spin of a new Cockburn
album. This
isn't obsessive writing either (there are, thankfully, no detailed setlists
or wardrobe details) this is just one fan's engagement with the complexities
of a musician whose work has continued to inspire and intrigue him. Like me,
Heald has been entertained, bored, and informed by Cockburn's music and quest
for spiritual and political answers. The good thing about Cockburn is he
never settles for the obvious; he finds out for himself, then moves on,
leaving a trail of songs about love, doubt, desire and faith in his wake.
Heald isn't afraid to admit Cockburn's albums haven't all been great, or that
production values or marketing have sometimes done Cockburn a disservice. But
he is astute enough to dig beneath that to the ongoing troubadour spirit
which keeps Cockburn and his fanbase interested and listening. © Rupert Loydell
2012 |