Description
Waiting for a Miracle: Singles 1970-1987 is a double disc compilation album by the Canadian singer, songwriter, and guitarist Bruce Cockburn, released on True North Records in 1987, manufactured by CBS Records Canada. The compilation was produced by Bruce Cockburn and Bernie Finkelstein for True North Productions. All songs written by Bruce Cockburn except “Stolen Land” co-written with Hugh Marsh. Cover painting by Robert Davidson, entitled “Raven Bringing Light to the World”.
BRUCE COCKBURN – Waiting For A Miracle (Gold Castle)
Bruce writes of hopes to be dashed for those with lives in the balance. Not for stations that describe themselves at Musak-intensive. [The GAVIN REPORT, July 3, 1987 (REVIEWS by Ron Fell & Diane Rufer)]
Waiting for a Miracle, with two discs spanning 33 songs, is the third and by far most comprehensive of three Bruce Cockburn retrospectives released in a six-year period. Still, because it’s centered around his Canadian singles, it lacks the sort of impact a best-of collection should have from someone such as Cockburn, who could never be mistaken for a “singles” artist. On the other hand, if you’re looking for an overview of his career, Waiting for a Miracle, which also has a sprinkling of new songs and alternate takes to lure fans, isn’t a bad place to start. The chronological order of the tracks makes it easy to see the progression of his career, from mystic folky, to outspoken, left-wing, worldbeat rocker. It also shows Cockburn’s growth as both a writer and performer, although the choices included here from his early records are good ones. Waiting for a Miracle may not be a perfect representation of Cockburn’s work, but until something better comes along, it will have to do. [Brett Hartenbach, AMG]
This collection of radio singles released in Cockburn’s Canadian homeland (some in the United States) over the last 17 years encapsulate the most commercial aspects of his long sojourn, including many, if not all, of his greatest artistic achievements. While this work as an introduction to the novice, to the connoisseur it chronicles the growth and metamorphosis of Cockburn and, as is often true, the listener – from romantic idealism to realistic optimism.
The first thing anyone is bound to notice is what’s missing. Where’s «Joy Will Find A Way», which Cockburn has used to close his live shows ever since I can remember, «Creation Dream», «How I Spent My Fall Vacation», «The Loner», «Hoop Dancer», and «Going Up Against Chaos»? These would make more sense to me than «Peggy’s Kitchen Wall» and «It’s Going Down Slow», but you can add your own list of MIAs. Maybe the existence of several other compilations (the early live ‘Circles in the Stream‘, and two “best ofs” – ‘Resume‘, in the States but likely out of print, and ‘Mummy Dust‘, a Canadian import) and limited space on the vinyl necessitated these choices. A proposed CD will include 11 more tracks, but we’re still waiting…
The second thing to notice, right off the bat, is the inclusion of only two new tracks, «Stolen Land» and the title track. The first, a throbbing funk song decrying the mistreatment of Native Americans (north and south of the equator), continues Cockburn’s outcry against American political injustice («Call It Democracy») and his concern for the plight of the first settlers.
«Waiting for a Miracle», a delightfully memorable pop song with an uplifting message, reminds us that Cockburn has always had a way with pop songs (like «Coldest Night of the Year», present here, and the conspicuously absent «World of Wonders» and «Candy Man’s Gone») when he puts his mind to it.
One has to wonder, finally, if he would not have had a bigger hit by now in the States if the more commercially viable tracks just mentioned had been released instead of the politically and musically obtuse «Rocket Launcher» and «Call It Democracy», not to mention the fact that the strong sentiments (and vulgarities) expressed make airplay and mass consumption nearly impossible.
Say what you will, Cockburn is a talent and intellect to be dealt with. We need artists that touch life’s difficult reality with poetry and hope, that ask hard questions about relationships, personal meaning, political justice, and realistic faith. Besides, who can deny the beauty of «One Day I Walk» and «All the Diamonds in the World», the encouraging honesty of «Tokyo», «Fascist Architecture», and «Lovers in a Dangerous Time», and the undaunted hopefulness of «Rumours of Glory» and «Waiting for a Miracle»? Since «Wondering Where the Lions Are», also included here, we’ve been wondering, waiting on the recordbuying public to recognize Cockburn’s great talent. Maybe this will ruin his “best kept secret” status. I think it’s long overdue. [Brian Quincy Newcomb, CCM, October 1987]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/bruce-cockburn-live-deluxe-edition/303506472)
2LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Going To The Country” – 3:12
A2. “One Day I Walk” – 3:06
A3. “It’s Going Down Slow” – 3:31
A4. “Mama Just Wants To Barrelhouse All Night Long” (from the film Rumours of Glory) – 6:24
A5. “All The Diamonds In The World” – 2:40
A6. “Burn” – 3:37
Side Two
B1. “Silver Wheels” – 4:06
B2. “Laughter” – 3:22
B3. “Wondering Where The Lions Are” – 3:39
B4. “Tokyo” – 3:26
B5. “Fascist Architecture” (previously unreleased) – 4:04
B6. “The Trouble With Normal” (previously unreleased) – 3:04
Side Three
C1. “Rumours Of Glory” – 5:01
C2. “The Coldest Night Of The Year” – 3:59
C3. “You Pay Your Money And You Take Your Chance” – 4:17
C4. “Lovers In A Dangerous Time” – 4:06
C5. “If I Had A Rocket Launcher” – 4:59
Side Four
D1. “Peggy’s Kitchen Wall” – 3:42
D2. “People See Through You” – 3:44
D3. “Call It Democracy” – 3:50
D4. “Stolen Land” (previously unreleased) – 5:23
D5. “Waiting For A Miracle” (previously unreleased) – 4:48
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl double LP housed in a gatefold sleeve. Also released on CD as a single disc featuring 17 tracks, and as well as a fat double disc featuring 33 tracks (11 bonus tracks: Musical Friends / Up On This Hillside / Feet Fall On The Road / I’m Gonna Fly Someday / Vagabondage / Free To Be / Wanna Go Walking / Tropic Moon / Candy Man’s Gone / Making Contact / See How I Miss You). Available at Bandcamp: https://brucecockburn.bandcamp.com/album/waiting-for-a-miracle
“Waiting for a Miracle” (MUSIC VIDEO)
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.