Bruce Cockburn - Breakfast In New Orleans, Dinner In Timbuktu
STYLE: Roots/Acoustic RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 910- LABEL: Rykodisc RCD 10470 FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 1
Reviewed by Peter Bate
Amiable Canadian Cockburn went down his usual storm at this years Greenbelt - his mix of wry humour, shocking travelogue and self-revealing lyrics as fresh and affecting as always. Yet, in the midst of it all it's easy to forget that this sharp songwriter - who has stirred consciences the planet over - is now in his mid-50s and has just completed album number 25. Consistency is Cockburn's byword and 'Breakfast In New Orleans' continues his renaissance with Rykodisc after the collapse of the artist's relationship with Columbia. Though not a immediate of coherent as the superb 'Charity Of Night' album, his second studio LP for the label has all the usual Cockburn trademarks. Voiceover lyrics collide with fierce-finger picking, trombone and kora on 'Let The Bad Air Out', there's catchy radio-friendly hooks on 'When You Give It Away' and 'Last Night Of The World' and two lengthy acoustic instrumentals. But the surprise ace in the pack is a sun-kissed version of 'Blueberry Hill' featuring star spangled electric guitar and Cockburn's effortless vocals. Here's to album number 50.
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