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news from
the cockburn project
at
www.cockburnproject.net
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5 July 2002

Greetings!

Here in the northeastern US, where I hail from, we've been having
scorching heat, but Bruce has been generating some heat of his own!
There's all sorts of Bruce 'news' to relate so let's get right to
it. Starting right at The Cockburn Project
http://cockburnproject.net:

Bobbi Wisby has put together a new "On My Beat" fan report from the
Kate Wolf Festival of last weekend. Bruce is again on the move and
apparently playing with a vengeance! There's lots of photos, direct
quotes (curtesy of Doug Stacy) and I think you'll get a real feel for
what it was like to be there, thanks to Bobbi's ability to convey the
feel of the event!

Our ever vigilant, Audrey Pearson found out that The Kate Wolf
concert show for West Coast Live will be broadcast on July 27th. You
can find a web version and times/locations on the site under the list
of affiliate stations at http://www.wcl.org/home.html

There's also a report from 'Human' Randy VanDalsen on the July 1st
show at the Hawkins Amphitheatre in Reno, Nevada. Randy gives a
great rundown of the setlist and his impressions as Bruce played.
Randy also found Bruce to be in rare form and spirit. We appreciate
the contribution, Randy.

Out in the 'world' Bruce has again been honoured by receiving an
Officer level of the Order of Canada. Previously, Bruce had been
honoured at the Member level. You can read the complete list at:
globeandmail.com

Audrey offers this article from Canoe:

http://www.canoe.ca/JamMusic/jul5_canada-cp.html

Friday, July 5, 2002
Canada honours Joni Mitchell, Bruce Cockburn

OTTAWA (AP) -- Singer-songwriters Joni Mitchell and Bruce Cockburn
were among 99 appointees to the Order of Canada announced by Governor
General Adrienne Clarkson.

Mitchell, a Saskatchewan native who wrote and performed songs such
as "Big Yellow Taxi," "The Circle Game" and "Both Sides Now," was
made a companion of the order, the highest designation.

Also appointed companions were former Supreme Court Justice Peter
Cory, Toronto social activist and feminist author Doris Anderson and
Roger Blais, a renowned engineer, scientist, teacher and entrepreneur
from Montreal.

Cockburn, known as much for his outspoken social activism as his
folksy music, was promoted to an officer of the order after
previously being made a member.

Lorne Michaels, founder of TV comedies Saturday Night Live and a nine-
time Emmy Award winner, was appointed a member of the order.

The Order of Canada was established in 1967 to recognize Canadians
for outstanding lifetime achievement and service.

Today's (5 July) Toronto Star goes on to say: "Cockburn, who was
made a member in 1983, was promoted to officer in recognition of his
efforts "to give voice to important social and environmental
causes."" So, congratulations, Bruce!

And to finish out this issue of The Cockburn News, an article from
today's Oregonian which gives mention to the show tonight at the
Oregon Zoo Amphitheater in Portland, Oregon, USA.

Entertainment News: Mr. Social Justice meets Ms. Optimism 07/05/02

MARTY HUGHLEY

Considering that Bruce Cockburn frequently has written about world
affairs, traveling to such trouble spots as El Salvador and Tibet and
reporting in his poetic firsthand way about social, economic and
militaristic turmoil, it might be tempting to label him a topical
songwriter.

But that certainly wouldn't be by design.

"I don't really make plans about stuff like that," Cockburn said in a
recent phone interview about his tendency to travel and write about
the world at some points and to focus on his life in his native
Canada at others. "I just write what's there."

It makes sense, then, that when the veteran singer-songwriter last
played here, in March at the Aladdin Theater, he had a new song
called "Put It in Your Heart" that suggested a broad-minded and
spiritual response to the horrific events of Sept. 11. And he also
has a new tune called "Trickle Down" that rails against the anti-
democratic dynamics of globalization.

He also points out, though, that despite an ongoing war, life tends
to seek equilibrium.

"For the most part, it's back to normal, in terms of audience
response and the vibe, and just walking around the streets, sitting
in restaurants and all. . . . Americans just seem to have absorbed
it."

So his reactive relationship with muse and circumstance also explains
why he's apt to make a fine complement to Shawn Colvin, a songwriter
not taken to such explicit politicizing, when the two co-headline a
Friday night concert at the Oregon Zoo. In addition to espousing the
values of social justice and individual freedom that he holds so
strongly (he's described himself jokingly as a "left-wing redneck"),
Cockburn writes with grace and poignancy about matters of the heart.
And whatever he does, his warm baritone, impressive guitar chops and
all-around musicality deliver the human dimension of his art in a
powerful, accessible way.

Similarly, Colvin's performances feature a steady alto that can
convey sweet optimism and understated angst all at once, arrangements
that breathe easily despite their textured precision, lyrics that
balance plain-spoken emotionalism with layers of intriguing
ambiguities, melodies that carry you along like a queen-size cloud.

Though Cockburn hasn't issued an album of new material since
1999's "Breakfast in New Orleans, Dinner in Timbuktu," we're likely
to hear a few new tunes this time around. These could include the
aforementioned takes on geopolitics and a couple of songs that were
added to his singles collection, "Anything Anytime Anywhere,"
released earlier this year. And with Colvin's usual musical charm,
the combination should be ideal for a summer evening.

"What's happened when we've been on bills together before is that
there's enough contrast that it's not boring," Cockburn said, "but
there are also some similarities that people can latch onto. There's
a certain weight on the lyrics and on the guitar playing for both of
us. I think it'll make for a good evening."

That's it from here! Enjoy your weekend and if you make it to that
show in Oregon send a fan report/photos to:
editor@... and we'll get your report out to the rest
of us who didn't get to go!

Peace,
Suzanne Myers
editor@...