SETLIST
COMMENTS/FURTHER
INFORMATION
Submitted
by Kevin Loso and Jon Newhard who adds:
As I have never been to a radio taping before I didn't know quite what to
expect. Honestly, I have enjoyed the more straightforward Bruce Cockburn "concerts" that
I have attended in the past more, but this experience was a new one and thus
worth the time to describe.
The show opened with etown hosts Nick and Helen Forster describing what exactly
happens at a radio taping and introducing the show. As Nick and Helen were
running through their opening monologue. Bruce silently walked on stage and
took up position to begin. The audience barely restrained their applause
and the hosts quickly introduced him. This for me was definitely a new experience
as I am more accustomed to the heated anticipation and thunderous welcome
for Mr. Cockburns' appearance on stage.
After a short two songs, Bruce stopped playing and sat down for a brief interview
with host Nick Forster. The two spoke on several topics including the 35
year span of Bruce's musical career as well as his visit to Baghdad. Bruce
also spoke of the differences in life between America and Canada. The interview
finished with Nick asking Bruce about the significance of the new album title
as related to the tenuous grip of life in a third world country. I found
this comment a bit shallow as the lyrics of the title track are not political
at all but just about being lonely. Bruce cleverly skirted around the question
by responding with how the song relates to not just politics but also religion,
sex and the stupid humour that happens in everyones life every day. Way to
go!
Bruce was reintroduced and immediately followed up the interview with Life
Short, Call Now after which he segued with the word,s "I played
this song for my friend Celia and she said it was the saddest song I've ever
heard... So then I played this" with which he beganBeautiful
Creatures. At this point the hosts took over again to introduce
the show's Echeivement award winner, a Californian who has done wonders for
the
sustainable farming industry in Nicaragua and then introduced guest artist
Brett Dennen who played an enjoyable four song set as well as giving a lengthy
interview.
Bruce was introduced yet again and had to kill some time while the crew reset
the recording levels. He passed the few minutes by admitting he couldn't
tell jokes and breaking out the old "horse walks into a bar" routine,
but finally began his closing set with The
End Of All Rivers this
was definitely the highlight of the show for me as Bruce, Julie and Gary
seemed to both
bond and jam the best on this song. Towards the end of the song a recording
technician whispered in Bruce's ear and they immediately followed with If
A Tree Falls after which Bruce invited the crowd to sing along (as
he always does) with Wondering Where
The Lions Are.
After this the radio hosts thanked their guests as Bruce slowly began playing
the chords of Mystery. After the brief thank you, both bands
came on stage and finished the song together. All together a most enjoyable
show.