An Intense Artist in Full Command of His Art
Courtney J. Gavin | 06/18/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I first heard about Bruce Cockburn in an interview of fellow Canadian rocker Geddy Lee many years ago. Lee was asked about other artists he admired and listened to - Cockburn was at the top of his list. That was back in the early 1980's. Admittedly, I had never heard of this obscure guy and thought nothing of it. A few years later, I heard "Lovers in a Dangerous Time" on a well known Martha's Vineyard radio station. The song just had that power to reach out of the speakers and grab you by the scruff of the neck - shaking you and commanding your full, undivided attention! At the end of it, the song's title was announced along with the artist's name. Hearing the name, I immediately had that profound "ah ha" moment - so this is who Geddy Lee was raving about! Ever since, I've been hooked on the compelling artistry of Bruce Cockburn. His songs are vivid and intense expressions of his life experiences - a life that is marked by extraordinary richness and an unyielding search for a deeper purpose. Buy this cd - it's like having your own personal exact replica of a Rembrandt or Picasso - yes, Bruce Cockburn is just that good with pen, paper, and a guitar!"
Timeless Achievement from Cockburn at the Top of His Game
Doggymcnuggets | Bedford, IN USA | 06/01/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Though Canadian singer-songwriter Bruce Cockburn had been practicing his craft for over a decade when he released Stealing Fire, this 1984 album was my first encounter with his music and what a way to start! Cockburn is one of those songwriters who seems nearly incapable of writing a bad song, though he has traversed so many styles, subjects, and sounds over the decades that it is inevitable that some of his work resonates more strongly than the rest based on one's tastes. Most agree, however, that this album is one of his strongest and it is incredible. This is in many ways a transitional album for Cockburn, bridging his folksier sound from the past and his more experimental leanings to come. The result is one of Cockburn's most straightforward and accessible albums. An appealing blend of rock, pop, and world influences shape the sound of Stealing Fire along with a sympathetic production. Though there are a few isolated moments when the record betrays its 80s milieu, the record still sounds fresh and vibrant 25 years later.
From beginning to end there is not a weak song to be heard. "Lovers in a Dangerous Time" and "If I Had a Rocket Launcher," the two most recognizable songs from the album, are also the most propulsive rock-oriented songs on the album. Both tracks, along with the western-tinged "Dust and Diesel" and "Nicaragua," reflect very directly Cockburn's then abiding concern for the political, economic, and social conditions in Central America. "Rocket Launcher" contained the controversial "if I had a rocket launcher some son of a bitch would die" lyric inspired by Cockburn's firsthand witness of the persecution of Guatemalan refugees in Mexico. Certainly this is new territory for the artist formerly known for his pastoral folk songs infused with mystical Christian spirituality. On the other hand, Cockburn's Christian worldview is still present in songs like "Lovers in a Dangerous Time" and "Maybe the Poet" ("maybe the voice of the Spirit, in which case you better hear it"), but it is being tested and stretched in ways previously unexplored by the artist. "Sahara Gold" features Cockburn's understated virtuoso acoustic guitar work and "Making Contact" and "To Raise the Morning Star" exude a joy that balances the more difficult songs and reminds us that life with it's tragedies and injustices is still a thing of wonder. "Peggy's Kitchen Wall," one of the most enjoyable songs on the album, is a splendid vignette and offers a break from some of the heavier politically-inspired material. The two bonus tracks included on this disc are nice additions but not essential as neither quite has the melodic presence to match the original lineup of tracks. Diehard Cockburn fans will appreciate hearing these tunes for the first time but owners of the original cd release shouldn't feel the need to make a second purchase.
It is a shame that Cockburn never broke out of relative obscurity in the US. This album is proof that he has always deserved better. One of the best albums of its day & the work of a considerably talented artist at his peak."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1
