With 34 previous releases, 13 JUNO wins, two Hall of Fame inductions, countless honorary Doctorates, Officer of The Order of Canada — and new inductee into Canada’s Walk of Fame this year — all spanning a 50+ year career — it’s no small task to encapsulate Bruce Cockburn’s inimitable imprint when it comes to Canadian music and culture. But his newly announced double-album release, Bruce Cockburn Greatest Hits (1970 - 2020), is a good place to start.
Curated by Bruce Cockburn and set for release December 3rd, 2021 via True North Records, this definitive collection meticulously corrals the acclaimed singer/songwriter’s most favoured tracks — from songs that shot to the top of the charts upon release, to long-lauded fan-favourites requested on tour, time and time again.
Expect to settle in for a chronological journey from the legendary artist’s earliest offerings, to today; curated by Cockburn himself, the hand-picked selection of 30 songs revisit works from 1970 to 2020, and are accompanied by exclusive notes from the artist.
“In 1969, when I was feeling the need to record an album of the songs I’d been writing, I had no concept of what that might lead to,” Cockburn shares. “Not unusual for a young person, I guess…
“In some organic way, it felt like it was ‘time.’ The future wasn’t really an issue. It still isn’t. For each of us, there’s a future or there isn’t.
“But looking back over the arc of fifty years of recording, performing, and travel — not to mention, relationships and personal challenges — I can only shake my head and mutter a word of thanks for all of it. Even if I’d been a planner by nature, I doubt I could have predicted how things have gone.
“And they’re still going!”
The release lands ahead of Cockburn’s “2nd Attempt” North American tour for his 50th Anniversary Concert, previously stymied by Covid restrictions. Bruce Cockburn’s Greatest Hits (1970 - 2020) is available December 3rd, 2021 via True North Records.
Track Listing:
Disc 1
1. Going To The Country (3:16) originally released on Bruce Cockburn, 1970
2. Musical Friends (2:57) originally released on Bruce Cockburn, 1970
3. One Day I Walk (3:08) originally released on High Winds White Sky, 1971
4. Mama Just Wants To Barrelhouse All Night Long (6:26) originally released on Waiting For a Miracle, 1987*
5. All The Diamonds in the World (2:41) originally released on Sand, Salt and Time, 1974
6. Silver Wheels (4:42) originally released on In The Falling Dark, 1976
7. Wondering Where The Lions Are (3:44) originally released on Dancing In The Dragon’s Jaws, 1979
8. Tokyo (3:29) originally released on Humans, 1980
9. Rumours of Glory (5:03) originally released on Humans, 1980
10. The Coldest Night Of The Year (4:26) originally released on Mummy Dust, 1981
11. Wanna Go Walking (2:54) originally released on Inner City Front, 1981
12. The Trouble With Normal (3:37) originally released on The Trouble With Normal, 1983
13. Lovers In A Dangerous Time (4:06) originally released on Stealing Fire, 1984
14. If I Had A Rocket Launcher (4:59) originally released on Stealing Fire, 1984
15. Call It Democracy (3:52) originally released on World of Wonders, 1986
16. People See Through You (3:46) originally released on World of Wonders, 1986
Disc 2
1. Waiting For A Miracle (4:50) originally released on Waiting For A Miracle, 1987
2. Stolen Land (5:22) originally released on Waiting For A Miracle, 1987
3. If A Tree Falls (5:42) originally released on Big Circumstance, 1988
4. A Dream Like Mine (4:55) originally released on Nothing But A Burning Light, 1991
5. Listen For A Laugh (4:06) originally released on Dart To The Heart, 1994
6. Night Train (6:14) originally released on The Charity of Night, 1997
7. Pacing The Cage (4:38) originally released on The Charity of Night, 1997
8. Last Night Of The World (4:52) originally released on Breakfast in New Orleans, Dinner in Timbuktu, 1999
9. Anything Anytime Anywhere (3:35) originally released on Anything Anytime Anywhere, 2002
10. Open (4:03) originally released on You’ve Never Seen Everything, 2003
11. Put it In Your Heart (5:23) originally released on You’ve Never Seen Everything, 2003
12. Different When It Comes To You (2:57) originally released on Life Short Call Now, 2006
13. Call Me Rose (3:16) originally released on Small Source of Comfort, 2011
14. States I’m In (5:41) originally released on Bone on Bone, 2017
* Mama Just Wants To Barrelhouse All Night Long (6:26) was originally released in 1973 on Night Vision but this version is from Waiting for A Miracle, 1987.
Bruce Cockburn 2021/22 Tour Dates:
December 7, 2021 Center for the Arts Grass Valley CA USA
December 8, 2021 Rio Theater Santa Cruz CA USA
December 9, 2021 Freight and Salvage Coffeehouse Berkeley CA USA
December 10, 2021 Freight and Salvage Coffeehouse Berkeley CA USA
December 12, 2021 Soreng Theater Eugene OR USA
December 13, 2021 Tower Theater Bend OR USA
December 14, 2021 Rogue Theater Grants Pass OR USA
December 16, 2021 Aladdin Theater Portland OR USA
December 17, 2021 Aladdin Theater Portland OR USA
December 18, 2021 Bing Crosby Theater Spokane WA USA
December 19, 2021 Neptune Theater Seattle WA USA
February 24, 2022 Higher Ground Burlington VT USA
February 25, 2022 The Egg Albany NY USA
February 26, 2022 Academy Theatre Northampton MA USA
February 27, 2022 The Wilbur Boston MA USA
March 1, 2022 Opera House Waterville ME USA
March 2, 2022 Centre for the Arts Fall River MA USA
March 4, 2022 Ridgefield Playhouse Ridgefield CT USA
March 5, 2022 Newton Theater Newton NJ USA
March 6, 2022 Peter Jay Sharp Theater New York NY USA
March 8, 2022 The Ark Ann Arbour MI USA
March 10, 2022 Old Town School Of Folk Chicago IL USA
March 11, 2022 Old Town School Of Folk Chicago IL USA
March 12, 2022 Barrymore Theater Madison WI USA
March 13, 2022 Englert Theater Iowa City IA USA
April 19, 2022 Showplace Theatre Peterborough ON Canada
April 21, 2022 Centre In The Square Kitchener ON Canada
April 22, 2022 Massey Hall Toronto ON Canada
April 23, 2022 National Arts Centre Ottawa ON Canada