Ive been working recently on preparing some discussion/sharing material on Canadian musical legend Bruce Cockburn. What an amazing, singular songwriter and performer he is! Had an epiphany: much better to approach him like an artist in an art gallery than as a music maker. Music has become such a commodified art form that we mostly dont come to it expecting profundity, potent imagery or artistic vision. Whereas we do go to an art gallery expecting to pause, reflect, absorb, wonder. Thats how Cockburn needs to be approached too. Just came across this gem from his 70s period: And the lights lie tumbled out like gems The moon is nothing but a toothless grin Floating out on the evening wind The smell of sweat and lube oil pervades the night And the rush of life in flight at the speed of light A million footsteps whispering A guitar sounds – some voices sing Smoke on the breeze – eyes that sting Far in the east a yellow cloud bank climbs Stretching away to be part of tomorrow’s time Earthbound while everything expands So many grains of sand Slipping from hand to hand Catching the light and falling into dark The world fades out like an overheard remark In the falling dark Light pours from a million radiant lives Off of kids and dogs and the hard-shelled husbands and wives All of that glory shining around and we’re all caught taking a dive And all the beasts of the hills around shout, “such a waste! Don’t you know that from the first to the last we’re all one in the gift of grace!” https://youtube/watch?v=lYAFzVTLIQs
Posted on: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 18:19:40 +0000
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