Description:
Four decades and 29 albums into his career, Bruce Cockburn has stood for many things: flawless musicianship, activist actions, and lyrics that effortlessly flow from touching to caustic many times throughout a single CD. It is fitting, then, that Ani DiFranco makes an appearance on Life Short Call Now, as the two world-class guitar players have strong political roots, both seeking to leave legacies that extend far beyond memorable melodies in the hearts and minds of their fans. Their lushly produced duet, "See You Tomorrow," has a slight zydeco feel, the only surprise is the lack of overt political bite in the track;
Four decades and 29 albums into his career, Bruce Cockburn has stood for many things: flawless musicianship, activist actions, and lyrics that effortlessly flow from touching to caustic many times throughout a single CD. It is fitting, then, that Ani DiFranco makes an appearance on Life Short Call Now, as the two world-class guitar players have strong political roots, both seeking to leave legacies that extend far beyond memorable melodies in the hearts and minds of their fans. Their lushly produced duet, "See You Tomorrow," has a slight zydeco feel, the only surprise is the lack of overt political bite in the track; a subsequent Cockburn song, "Tell the Universe," more than makes up for the subtlety with its anti-Bush commentary. "Mystery" is straight-up classic Cockburn, yet the inclusion of Ron Sexsmith, Hawksley Workman, and Damhnait Doyle is not just beautiful but also clever, as it shows the genealogy linking Cockburn's effect on subsequent Canadian songwriters. Familiar sounds aside, there is a wonderfully new commonality throughout this disc: Cockburn has included a 27-piece string section whose arrangements add not just richness to songs ("Beautiful Creatures" and "This Is Baghdad"), but powerfully dark counter-melodies as well. One of the most compelling pieces falls near the CD's end: "To Fit in My Heart" somehow manages to combine his love of jazz, worldbeat, and folk music into one gorgeous, haunting melody. It is rare indeed to see such an experienced musician continue to evolve, but Cockburn has done exactly that with this new disc. --Denise Sheppard
Album Description
Bruce Cockburn's first studio album in 3 years finds the acclaimed Canadian singer-songwriter at the top of his game. The 29th album in a career that's midway through its fourth decade, Life Short Call Now is wide-ranging, playful and adventurous, eager to take chances and happy to push limits. The songs run the gamut from the jangly first single, "Different When It Comes to You," to the classic folksong cadences of "Mystery," and from the vocal intricacies of Ani DiFranco's harmonies on "See You Tomorrow" to the deadpan modernism of the jazzy instrumental "Nude Descending a Staircase." Cockburn's insightful observations on life, love, politics, and the environment are as sharp as ever, and longtime fans and new fans alike are sure to be won over by this sterling album.
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Manufacturer: Rounder / Umgd
Release date: 18 July 2006
EAN: 0011661324428 UPC: 011661324428
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