Canadian Dry
World of Wonders: The Lyrics and
Music of Bruce Cockburn
, James A. Heald
(209pp, Missing Link)
by Rupert Loydell, Stride Magazine, UK
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....
full review at Stride Magazine
