Bruce Cockburn at Tower Theatre in OKC
Bruce Cockburn brought himself, his poetry, wit and a whole slew of guitars to Oklahoma City’s Tower Theatre on Wednesday night for a memorable evening of songs.
I’m not sure I can pinpoint to my first exposure to Cockburn’s music, but I do remember the first time hearing “Lovers in a Dangerous Time,” likely shortly after its 1984 release on Stealing Fire. Details are somewhat cloudy now, but I would speculate I heard the song late night on either a college radio program, KTRU or perhaps it was played on the public radio station, KPFT. Either way, there was something there that resonated, even if I didn’t really “get it” at the time. “If I had a Rocket Launcher” soon caught my attention as well, and Cockburn’s name was one that I’d hear often discussed with fervor in the folk circles at Anderson Fair and such. Still, it would still be several years, and my starting to work in a record store, before I really began to delve into albums such as Waiting for a Miracle, Big Circumstance and ultimately Breakfast in New Orleans, Dinner in Timbuktu as well as his earlier catalog. I was hooked now.
Wednesday’s concert was my first time seeing him perform. Better late than never, as they say.
It was also Cockburn’s first time playing Oklahoma City, Considering his worldly travels, this can seem somewhat incredulous, but maybe not all that surprising. Regardless, Cockburn received a warm welcome from the OKC crowd, an audience that hung respectively on each and every note. Hearkening back to my early teen years of hearing Cockburn’s music on college and public radio programs, the event was hosted by our local NPR affiliate, KOSU, and while perhaps not technically a sold out performance, the concert was certainly very well attended and very well received. Glancing around the theatre, I found I was comfortable within my over fifty age group, though somewhat saddened that there were perhaps only a handful of younger listeners in the audience. Well it was a school night and all, but still.
Cockburn’s performance consisted of two sets, each running about an hour with a short intermission between the two. The setlist was a career spanning one, that had by my count, 22 songs from 13 different albums, along with one cover, a beautiful rendition of Blind Willie Johnson’s “Soul of a Man.” Performing from a stool and flanked by an impressive array of stringed instruments awaiting his touch Cockburn mesmerized the audience with his guitar playing as much as his lyrical prowess.
Predominantly relying on a 1980’s era dobro as well as one of his prized Manzer 6 and 12 string guitars, Cockburn also incorporated dulcimer, baritone guitar, wind chimes, mouth effects and a charango, an Andean stringed instrument looking much like a small guitar nearly the size of a mandolin. Criminally underrated in any discussion of notable guitarists, it was truly a treat to watch and listen as Cockburn’s fingers picked and danced across the strings throughout the evening. Personal favorites for me included stunning solos from “Strange Waters,” “Lord of the Starfields” and most memorable, “Stolen Land.”
Often referred to as a political singer, it’s perhaps more appropriate to think of Cockburn more-so in the light of his activism involving human, indigenous and environmental rights, rather than any political affiliations. During the course of the evening’s performance, not once did there ever reside an air of condescension or ire for one ideology or another. Rather, Cockburn allowed his songs to speak for themselves, allowing them to reach intended ears rather than bullying from the pulpit as so many others seem intent on doing. Instead, he peppered song introductions with appropriate and informative anecdotes, typically centered around his travels and inspirations within the songs. Nearly all of the “hits” were there including “The Whole Night Sky,” “How I Spent My Fall Vacation,” “All the Diamonds in the World,” “Lovers in a Dangerous Time,” “Wondering Where the Lions Are,” and “If a Tree Falls.”
But, there was one noticeable absence, the aforementioned “If I Had a Rocket Launcher.” Though suggested by an audience member, the request was politely declined, with Cockburn explaining that with the current state of the world, it simply wasn’t the right time for that song to be played. In the past, he’s stated that at times he’s been uncomfortable with audiences joyously singing along to the song, seemingly missing the message of the lyrics. Like it or not, I’d argue that the omission of one of your biggest songs for personal convictions is worthy of respect, and it seemed the OKC audience was in agreement.
Cockburn wrapped up the evening with a three song encore that just might have been my personal highlight. Beginning with “Pacing the Cage,” he followed with a stunning version of “Into the Now” and closed up shop with a rousing “When the Spirit Walks in the Room.” It might have taken me some 40 years, but I finally saw a Bruce Cockburn performance. It may have taken him slightly more than that to finally perform in Oklahoma City, but I think we’re both the better for it, Here’s to next time.
Bruce Cockburn is in the midst of an extensive tour with plenty of opportunities to catch him across the United States well into November. You can visit his website for all the tour dates as well as much more information regarding the man, his art and his causes right here: https://brucecockburn.com
Enjoy our previous coverage here: Interview: Bruce Cockburn on “Crowing Ignites,” Meeting Jerry Garcia, and “Little Ass” Bells
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