Acoustic Guitar Sessions Presents Bruce Cockburn
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- Опубліковано 25 сер 2024
- The March 2015 issue of Acoustic Guitar will feature an excerpt from Bruce Cockburn’s new memoir, Rumours of Glory, in which the Canadian singer, songwriter, and guitarist talks about why, at 23, he left ’60s-era folk-rock to focus on solo acoustic music. He’d met fingerstyle guitarist Fox Watson, who taught Cockburn how to play in alternate tunings.
“I was sort of disdainful of open tunings back then because I didn’t like most of what people did with them-playing the same four chord formations in different tunings, trying for a specious variety in their sound without going to the trouble of actually learning their instrument,” Cockburn writes. “But when Fox played in any of several tunings he used, what came out was fluid as a mountain creek and agile as a gull.”
That was more than four decades ago. Since then, Cockburn has returned to playing electric guitar in rock bands, but he never left an acoustic guitar far behind, and he’s developed a style that is unmistakably his. In this special half-hour edition of Acoustic Guitar Sessions, senior editor Marc Greilsamer talks at length with Cockburn about his love of acoustic guitars and the singer-songwriter performs three tunes: the instrumental “Bohemian 3-Step,” “Waiting for a Miracle” and his most famous song, the politically fierce “If I Had a Rocket Launcher.”
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Probably one of the most underrated guitar players ever.
You are right about that
He most def is......genius player!
He is brilliant I saw him recently solo acoustic
I don’t think anyone who’s seen him play underrates him. I’ve seen Bruce 5 times and it’s not enough.
Ryan LeRoux absolutely underrated for what he does. Listened to Bruce play at Winnipeg Folk Fest and wow I could not believe the notes coming from his guitar. Surreal experience!
I sit at a computer troubleshooting users' problems, and listening to his music really helps with stress. I smile and sometimes cry from the beauty of the music.
EPIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm 51 and my dad introduce3d me to Bruce when I was 12. I picked up a guitar and learned to play because of Bruce and some others. About 20 years later, my Dad came over to my house in the Belmont neighborhood of Nashville. We were going to go across the street to Bongo Java to get some coffer together. As we crossed the street, I said to my dad "Hey, isn't thet Colin Linden" and just as I said that I noticed he wa talking to Bruce on the sidewalk half a block in front of us. The next bit is a blur of me gushing and Bruce humbly and quietly accepting it. Aside from the day that I randomly ran into a friend on Maui, that afternoon is the main reason I'm open to the idea that there's more than what we see going on.
I began following Bruce Cockburn after hearing " Lord of the Starfields" for the first time. I find him to be one of the few that can express spirit with truth and without fear. I've collected everything he's done and look forward to anything he does in the future.
my older brother introduced me to this guy in the early 70s, then saw him at lakehead university, solo in 78, and many times after that, actually talked to him once, well i didnt talk, my buddy did, at a folk festival in thunder bay, he was standing there with valdy and my friend asked if he could take a photo, they were nice guys , i have admired this guy ever since, and have watched him grow into a legend, i read somewhere that he practiced guitar an average of 8 hours a day in his early years, and i was just in awe where do you get that discipline and dedication,i dont really know about spirituality whatever it is,but when i listen to some of his songs,thats as close as i get,i am old now and i wonder who is gonna fill the shoes of a guy like this or lightfoot,dylan,waits,lou reed,van morisson,paul simon,neil young,nic cave etc.
5/1/15 Bruce Cockburn began his 1st tour in several years. I felt as if I was his guest. I was carried off to a beautiful beautiful place to which I hope to return very soon. I shed a few tears and enjoyed a much needed release. I left breathing more deeply, easily than I have in months. Thank you sir for your generosity.
I love Bruce Cockburn. The best of the best.
Had the pleasure of seeing him a couple of times live, never fails to impress and inspire. What a marvelous talent and a great humanitarian on top of it.
Thanks for posting this! Bruce's mastery of the guitar always made him stand out for me. He composes a full band background for his flaming poetry, carries a torch of protest and warning. Pitty I can't see him often enough in Belgium. He played in the Ancienne Belgique some years ago, and I remember that concert like it was yesterday.
Enjoyed Bruce Cockburn in concert in the Interior of B.C. and then the second time at the Beverly Theatre in Hollywood. Bruce is a Canadian treasure that transcends music with an ethereal sound.
so many fantastic albums. I have seen him live 4 times throughout the years. thank you for all the music bruce.
Bruce Cockburn is so hardcore he drops Eric Nagler's name. What a dude. Greatest guitarist I've ever seen with my own two eyes.
Bruce we love your music. You are an amazing song writer/player/singer!
What a beautiful humble human being with such a talent. Reminds me of Leo Kottke
Leo with a real message.
Interesting ! I hadn't made that connection. I think of Leo and 12 string orchestral sounds, while Bruce is more about a thinner, yet equally muscular sort of approach.
Humility personified, Thanks for a big piece of my life’s soundtrack❤
Got hooked on Bruce in the early eighties, still love his music compassion. Also he is not a vogue in dress. in music
so tender sweet
Bruce Cockburn is a legend...
Humble and immensely talented...
Bruce is absolutely being humble and is BRILLIANT with the way he moves around in open tunings finding chords and hammer on technigues... he zens out and it flies out him. His first few albums... the 70's stuff is GOLD. Love him! A great poetic lyricist as well. A giant artist that doesn't get nearly enough praise... not that he's comfortable with praise... which makes him all the more praise worthy. :-)
he is fantastic. and just a unique talent on the guitar. I love so many of his songs. what a talent.
Got turned on to Bruce 30 years ago now! Amazing picker!
Always hoping to run across more & more footage of my favorite songwriters...
Bruce you are a living inspiration from my high school days to the most blessed silver years.Thank you for always opening me up like the whole night sky. Love you brother ! ... Thank you ACM ~
I hate that I didn't make a video recording of Bruce when I saw him in Birmingham, AL. We were just 10 or 15 feet away. A few weeks later I shot the Dave Rawlins Machine at the same venue and it turned out great. I made an audio recording - maybe I sould post that.
David Henning Please do, David.
You brought a lot of joy to my soul Bruce for decades. With the rocket launcher song you can see that you are reliving the horrors while playing. 🙏🏻
Canadian icon. Big influence on allot of guitarists. Great interview thanks.
one rabbit hole im glad i fell down thanks bruce!
In an interview for Rolling Stone Magazine back in the 80s, they were interviewing Eddie Van Halen and when they asked him, " How does it feel to be the greatest guitarist in the business"? Eddie immediately, without wasting a second thought said " I Don't know.....you will have to ask Bruce Cockburn". True story and speaks volumes as to Bruce being a musicians musician.Bravo Bruce.
Samuel Cole I have heard that same story using every other guitarist, must be an urban legend, although Cockburn is amazing, I have trouble believing that particualr anecdote.Is there a link you can post to verify that?, it would be awesome if it were true.
***** Have you really? I personally have never heard it about any other guitarist, until your comment anyways. Cheers.
Samuel Cole I too have heard this story several times before, most notably the interviewed guitarist being Eric Clapton who apparently also immortalized Cockburn in this fashion. But common folks, let's get real. There is no "greatest". We'd invent any story, though, to give our favourites the best PR. It is amazing how Bruce can keep those fingers (and passionate voice) going in these his "senior" years (the man turns 70 this year!). All the power to him!
fraxavfer Well fraxavfer at least your comment is something I believe we ALL can agree on........Cheers Man.
Samuel Cole The version I heard was when Hendrix was asked, and he replied, "I don't know. You'll have to ask Rory Gallagher". ;)
The interview was very nice allowing some insight to a humble man with caring music expressed by his poetry and guitar mastery a great match. Thanks!
Got my guitar out to play and check out some new licks. Watched this and stuffed it back under the bed till my jealousy subsides.
Lol, there's a rumor that Eddie Van Halen was asked "How does feel to be the greatest guitarist on the planet?" Supposedly he responded by saying "I wouldn't know I'm not Bruce Cockburn"
Funny you mention that. I heard that rumor. Has to date back at least twenty years. Cool. I thought I was the only other person to hear that. Cheers.
I heard that too.Apparently the rumor was not a rumor. I just read a few replies below this and it was true. Now I feel like a bad guitar player and old too.LOL
@@Acoustribute he said Alan Holdsworth.
There are two excellent books on how to play his material. So don't despair. But I totally hear ya.
One of my top 3 influences - I barely know what you're doing most of the time but I try and thanks for the inspiration to keep trying.
I would have to say top 4...Knopler, Buckingham, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Bruce C.
Thanks for the inspiration Bruce. Good to exchange a few words on your visit to Edinburgh this year. You are on my 'guitar hero' play list. Time to practise!
I have his CD Stealing Fire which oddly enough was pressed in Germany. Superb gentleman who gave his best advice when he reminded us to "Pay attention to the Poet,you need him and you know it."
I must've watched this 20 times. Thanks so much for this upload
Back around 2002 my paralyzed uncle called me up and asked me to go to a concert that night to see Bruce. They brought him down to the front row in his wheel chair and sat me next to him. I could have reached out and touched his shoe at any point during the show. What a treat for me!! The crown was yelling Rocket Launcher.. Bruce replied.. eh not tonight and kinda winced.
Lucky to have seen him do an acoustic show in Denver years ago. He is amazing, and a very cool guy. One of the best.
What a treat this is.
Totally underrated . One of the best on the planet
Thank you so much Bruce so much, for all your creativity through the years.
I feel so lucky to have the ability to hear.
All your music moves me.
I love the audible "humming" in the intro song.
Love Bruce's music and style!He loves the early blues players USA and poets like Canada's Al Purdy! His latest album Crowing Ignites all instrumental really good!AMD Scottish roots in the music! Met Bruce in 2019 we talked and photo taken he was 74 years of age and still touring amazing!He had a cane so he must be suffering perhaps arthritic complaints ?I never enquired out of politeness! Hes a great artist songwriter loved his music since a teen!
Splendidly Amazing...
Could listen all day...
We all love you Bruce !!!God blessed you may the only good lord JESUS CHRIST protect and always love and heal you
One of the BEST ever!
I met Bruce in 81 thru a mutual friend . He was a musical hero for me and i was trying to play his music. He was very approachable. Now , after having given up guitar for thirty yrs , i'm back learning his music, Pacing the Cage, Sun Salt and Time. This interview is really a blast of the past as i use to visit the Toronto Folklore centre in around 69,70, and was there when Fox Watson did a house concert because as i remember the folklore centre at the time was in a house and the concerts were held in what use to be the living room , now small folklore centre. In fact for all i know Bruce was in the house gleaning what he could from Fox. Me , iwas just a teenage kid looking for my place in the world. I remember that Martins were the guitar of choice of the day.
Thank you for this music
Bruce is one of the many great lyricists and musicians who helped shape my world. Who gave me permission to roam free and not be defined by the existing fabric of my life. To redefine it, one note, one line at a time.
I grew up in Ottawa, where Bruce also grew up. I remember him from his early days in Three's a Crowd and still enjoy his music
One of the great ones....
Indeed.
Great interview! Ironically I grew up in Ottawa at same time and now also live in the Bay Area. Have loved his music and guitar playing for nearly 50 years
Bruce still inspires me to play, not that I think I'm all that. I actually found this video while looking for a passing chord I was missing in "pacing the cage". I thought I was really something when I learned "Night Train". (the secret is dropping the G string to F#)
As a younger guitar player/student I wore out vinyl trying to become Bruce. Also got my first Larivee at Toronto Folklore Center in1978 from Chopper McKinnon. Nice viid.
Absolutely incredible guitarist -- just gets so much out of the instrument. Impossible to imitate but easy to appreciate.
Amazing guitarist! Cool looking guitar. Love the music.
Bruce is national treasure, and a brilliant guitar player. This interview is shallow as puddle.
It's acoustic guitar focused for Acoustic Guitar Magazine.
I 've been following Bruce from 1970, with his first album! Liked him way more up to Rocket Launcher. Pacing the Cage is awesome!
Eddie hadn't heard/seen Michael Hedges yet. But Bruce Cockburn has kept me alive. Honestly.
Bruce Cockburn is an infinately talented man !!! ..One in a million!
Love this! Big Thanks! 💓
Bruce played at our young people conference in 1975 at the University of Ottawa, so fresh in my memory.
Great spirit. True inspiration
It's a travesty you rarely hear this wonderful performer on the radio. Instead of the shite we are constantly bombarded with. Such a great treasure Bruce is. His work is spot on. Think about his early work," If a tree falls" and to think how many acres have been destroyed since in the Amazon, and how the government there has only accelerated the destruction with their blessing. The native people who are killed to stop them protecting the forest. You know how it goes ( no natives, no problem) . It's obscene. Bruce brought this to the forefront in his song. May he live long! He has my admiration!
If I Had a Rocket Launcher sparked my first interest in Bruce. I currently own eight of his vinyls in 2023.
Bruce never fails to leave me spellbound... best guitar player... ever.
(Don't forget, Mr. Natural's seen quite a few in his day)
amazing how much he sounds like early John Fahey, RIP
For those who haven't heard his 'Gavin's Woodpile' you'll find this acoustic gem right here on youtube complete with incredible lyric imagery and references to water pollution, greed, prison reform, solar energy and the need to exist as one. Oh yeah, some killer licks. "Bruce wrapped in a bow!"
LOVE HIS MUSIC!!!!!!!!!!!
Never much liked the Rocket Launcher song on the radio, but when he plays it like this, I love it...it's as if this is the way it should have been! Also, I wish it weren't the only song people know...he has so many great songs. This reminds me a little of Richard Thompson....everyone knows "Vincent Black Lightning," but he has hundreds of other dazzling tunes. So it goes! Thank you Bruce for your consistent brilliance ...thank you Acoustic Guitar for letting it shine!
here in the netherlands he is mainly known because of a live acoustic performance of 'If I had a Rocket Launcher' he did at the radio, which ended up on a compilation cd of that radio show.... I never liked the original version as much
Please add Rose Above the Sky to playlist. Had it on tape years ago and haven't heard it since. Bruce was fantastic at the Celebrity Theater in Phx long long ago. Wish to relive that concert!!!
one of my favorites of his
Bruce is my favorite Canadian musician
Intelligent, soulful man, and so is his music.
P.S. Thanks Acoustic Guitar for what you do.
so beautiful!
I saw Bruce 2 times. Once at small college on Lookout Mountain.... and a second time in Atlanta GA... the second time I had an opportunity to have a brief conversation after the show. Share a few mutual thoughts... we now both have one thing in common... we are both old....
+Shanghai Road I was at that show on Lookout Mountain. Covenant College. I talked to him afterward. what a talent.
It's so hard to play stuff like this perfectly in rhythm and combining lead lines with rhythm. So many people are just impressed by someone playing scales quickly. Bruce has a mastery of the whole instrument in many tunings
Saw him last summer at the Markham Jazz Festival, and he was wearing the exact same clothing. What a show that was.
+canadianroot he's always had terrible taste in clothes. love his music though :)
sirvidia haha! It's his forester look.
Johny Cash always wore the same outfit. Alot of performers do that.
excelente he is a fine man
Acoustic or electric, with or without effects, just a fantastic guitar player. Add his great lyrics on top of that and you really got something. Been a huge fan for many decades, I have most of his albums, been to a lot of his shows. Always thrilled when a new album comes out - I always buy it without hearing a single note!
He also plays a Boucher Canadian maker great guitars
That's one beautiful instrument.
Amazing ....
I'm excited
Magical Extasy of intelligence of the times EPIC
Honestly hes prolly one of the most important folk musicians ever in the history of music, just as much as Dylan. Yet he is criminally underrated!!!!
incredible. ...wow......i have loved bruces creativity and political views for decades........just wow
I can't believe there would be any unlikes.
+Rob Bennett Agreed. Inconceivable.
+Rayle Roads Yes, but to put minds at ease, do factor in a standard 4 percent margin of error. As of today's date, the dislikes are only 1.5 percent. The WRONG people are still void, and screw them anyway!
I never gave her a dislike. She's awesome. I just made a comment on technique.
Always!
Rob Bennett There's always Bieber fans!
Agreed. It isn't until you attempt a by ear tuning and play one of his pieces that this is fully realized.
legend.
Resonator guitars (aka that Dobro) were originally designed to be louder in noisy venues, but survived after electric guitars due to their unique sound.
My wife, Claire Lynch, is about to appear in a tribute to Bruce at Toronto's Hugh's Room before it goes dark. I've sent her a link to this video and know she will love it. BTW, she will be playing a Martin 00-18-inspired Preston Thompson custom guitar, gifted to her by the builder. If you are in Toronto, please come !
No surprise Bruce was using a D-18 so much great music from the simple D-18.
Guitar sounds phenom
Just wow.
Malheureusement il n’est absolument pas connu en France, je l’ai découvert à la fin des 70’s au Québec
Ok who the hell gave this a thumbs down?!
Vaughan Birch It was probably Bruce. He's rather humble, eh.
Well that figures.
I saw him at the Markham Jazz Festival a couple of years ago, and between songs, someone yelled out, "We love you, Bruce!"
He replied, "You fools, you."
Come to think of it, he was wearing the same green shirt and brown vest.
Night Ember someone got too excited with joy he/she pressed the wrong one
bruce has aged very well
Hey all, go check out Bruce's instrumental "Bye Bye Idi". Unreal.
Had an hysterical moment learning this opening Bohmian number from this video. Assured, from many other Cockburn songs I know and as well from Bruce's gentle denigration of open-tunings, that this had to be a simple drop-D tuning I simply couldn't make it work relative to his fret positions. It finally dawned on me it IS an opening tuning.
It might also be pointed out that this song is derivative of another open-tuning master songwriter: Kashmir (Jimmy Page) is defined by the same riff.
Joke is on Bruce on this one.
LEGEND
If I had a rocket launcher, I'd just put it away and enjoy this music ;)
'melt the guns and never be part of them,' eh?
A master!
Excellent. It doesn't get much better than that.
I didn't know that trolls had no ears. Apparently at least eight of them don't!
God bless the truth tellers.
Man that was f$#king good!!