Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

IN THE MAINSTREAM

Canadian Cockburn is the sort of singer/songwriter that discerning music fans rave about but here in the UK he still has only an enthusiastic cult following. This singles collection excludes his first nine albums but gathers together some of his core music and although he's never had a British hit, it acts as an introduction to his brilliant music. Spiritually, he occupies similar territory to U2 and Martyn Joseph with occasional references to the concerns of faith but a lot of regard for wider socio-political issues. Here his vitriol is reserved for environmentalists ("If A Tree Falls") and nations and regimes who use strong arm tactics and bully others ("If I Had A Rocket Launcher") and the money people whose global policies only perpetuate poverty ("Call It Democracy"). Although he states he believes in peace, it seems his anger and frustration make articulate swipes at the powers that be. There are tender songs too including "Last Night Of The World", "Wondering Where The Lions Are" and "The Coldest Night Of The Year" which all remind me of his earlier rootsier music. The collection is bookended by two new songs - "My Beat" opens it and the title cut closes a solid snapshot of Cockburn's work but with 28 albums and counting, perhaps I'm not surprised that a couple of my favourites have gone MIA here.