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news from
the cockburn project
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21 January 2004

Greetings:

Bruce is still in Iraq and is due to return on January 22. A reader
in the US sent along this information:

http://www.foei.org/about/cockburn.html

Fact-finding in Iraq

Foei Patron Bruce Cockburn on a Mission

"The calamitous situation faced by Iraqis is a human event that needs
to be understood by all of us. As a songwriter, it goes with the job
to bear witness to human events; as a concerned citizen, I welcome a
unique opportunity to gain some of that understanding which I hope to
share with others." http://www.chartattack.com/

On January 12th, Canadian musician and activist Bruce Cockburn
(http://www.cockburnproject.net) set off on a fact-finding mission to
Baghdad together with Bishop Thomas Gumbleton from Detroit; US
photojournalist Linda Panetta from the School of the Americas Watch
(http://www.soaw.org) and physician's assistant Johanna Berrigan from
Catholic Worker (http://www.catholicworker.org). He
visited the Friends of the Earth International Secretariat on the eve
of his departure and told us about his trip.

"The main reason for going is the lack of reporting,particularly in
the US media, with an alternative viewpoint about what is happening
in Iraq. For example, although there may be news about the US
corporation Halliburton's contract to rebuild Iraq's oil industry,
these mentions are sober and cautious. Part of our mission is to
counterbalance this reporting."

The delegation also hopes to gain a better understanding of the war
and how the presence of the US in Iraq has affected the population.
Cockburn and his companions plan to meet with political leaders and
Iraqis from all walks of life, including local musicians. They will
visit hospitals, schools, orphanages and encampments for those left
homeless by the war.

Is he nervous? "I'm not really worried yet, but I may be when I get
there. I've been in war zones before, but this will be the hottest
one."

The Friends of the Earth International (http://www.foe.org) will
follow up on January 23rd with photos and an interview with Bruce.

Another reader sent along this review of the Belcourt Theater
Nashville, Tennessee gig:

Just off of 21st Avenue in Nashville's Hillsboro Village is one of
Tennessee's last "neighborhood theaters." The Belcourt Theater has
been hosting movies and live performances for over 75 years, and on
this night it would house the most intimate Bruce Cockburn concert
this reporter has ever seen.

It is no wonder that Cockburn grinned as he sang of being tested, "by
the planet's arc, by the falling dark, by the state of the art, by
the beat of my heart," which could apply as much to his career as it
could to the venerable theater. Cockburn's "Lovers In A Dangerous
Time," and "Mighty Trucks Of Midnight," each held their own
poignance, speaking to widespread uncertainty and failing industry.
Cockburn is a master of immersing himself in his songs, and getting
his often weighty messages across without seeming preachy.

He is also a masterful guitarist, always finding the proper effect to
underscore the message of his song. He can craftily embellish on a
simple melody, as on a slightly rewritten version of "Burn," (which
was originally written close to thirty years ago); as well as he can
deliver dark haunting guitar to make "All Our Dark Tomorrow's" sound
more ominous.

"Tried and Tested" and "Tomorrows" are each from Cockburn's recently
released CD, You've Never Seen Everything. Cockburn is never shy
about "chatting up" the audience, he chuckled as he mentioned that
some newspapers had mistakenly called it, "You've Never Seen
Anything." Songs from this album were sprinkled throughout the
show. "Wait No More," and "Open" were paired early in the second
set, and he followed a powerful version of his classic "Call it
Democracy," with the title track, which hushed the crowd with it's,
at times, disturbing lyrics.

Cockburn was fronting a four piece band, with ex-Ani DiFranco side-
woman Julie Wolf particularly shining on keyboards and occasional
accordion. Her extended solos on "Trickle Down" and "Night Train,"
were outstanding. She took a decidedly classical approach to her
lead on "Trickle Down" (earlier in the week she had delivered a
dissonant jazz-style lead to the same song).

Thanks for the contributions to share with our readership. Thanks
also for the contributions to The Cockburn Project, you're keeping
us 'live' and ever growing.

Peace,
Suzanne Myers
editor@...

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