Includes an impressive supporting cast consisting of Gary Burton, Gary Craig, and Rob Wasserman, plus special guests Jonatha Brooke, Ani DiFranco, Patty Larkin, Maria Muldaur, Bonnie Raitt and Bob Weir.
Includes an impressive supporting cast consisting of Gary Burton, Gary Craig, and Rob Wasserman, plus special guests Jonatha Brooke, Ani DiFranco, Patty Larkin, Maria Muldaur, Bonnie Raitt and Bob Weir.
Fred P. (beeman07) from CLINTON, MI Reviewed on 11/16/2008...
By far, this is my favorite Bruce Cockburn album. His politics, though always present, don't seem as overbearing as they do on some of his other albums. Overall, this album is laid back and smooth and an fine place to start with Cockburn's work.
"Pacing the Cage" may just be one of my top 10 favorite songs of all time.
Good stuff.
CD Reviews
Had to stop the car
S. Thieme | Beaverton, Oregon | 04/12/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A few years back I was driving and had to pull over and stop the car to listen to "Charity of Night" which was playing on an alternative radio station. I wrote down the info, bought it and then just last year lent it to a friend to listen to and never got it back. Now I have to buy it again! It's money well spent and I won't be lending this one out!"
A virtuoso's masterpiece
J. COLBY | Santa Cruz, CA USA | 08/20/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a tour de force. Although I love almost all of Bruce Cockburns albums, and for different reasons -- he embraces change and always seems to be exploring -- this album has a special place in my heart. The concluding song, "Strange Waters", makes the album worth buying for just that song alone. Bruce Cockburn spans the wide range of human emotions; he's truly alive. That turns some people off. He goes places some people don't want to go. But it touches me deeper than words can describe. He is truly a virtuoso."
Starlight Beyond the Darkness
Kelly L. Norman | Plymouth, MI United States | 08/27/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The world of Charity of Night seems one of fear and blindness, of mob hits ("Charity of Night") and prison, whether of the heart ("Pacing the Cage") or of metal ("Night Train", "Birmingham Shadows"), of police states and dissidents. But the lyrics and the music itself points to a hope beyond the darkness, although certainly one of Cockburn's intentions is, Brecht-like, to create enough angst in us to not forget that there is a world rife with....well, what shall we call it? Terror? Sin? Bad Guys? beyond our speakers. Bruce is a superb musician and his voice is haunting. A jewel among the Cockburn collection."
The culmination of 25 years of incrimental growth.
Patrick Wilson | Cochrane, AB, Canada | 12/20/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the Bruce Cockburn at his very finest, which is something extraordinary! Cohesive, lyrically stunning, and passionately reverberate. His guitar playing is absolutely unparalled, and this set of deep subversive songs shine brighter with every listen. A true gem."
ONE OF MY FAVORITES
rom | 12/04/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have been listening to Bruce for over 20 years and have seen him live 5 times. This is one of my favorites of his. He released several in the eighties that I hold in high regard as well. If you ever get a chance to see him live, by all means do so. He is a virtuoso and someone who respects his audience. I do not understand the celtic and Islamic comments by the editor. Bruce is well known for his Christian beliefs, although he can also be a strong critic of Christianity as it is practiced. I can only assume the editor doesn't know much about him. For the record, although he affects a number of styles, including some blues, his unique guitar style is probably most affected by his formal training in jazz in college."