Nothing But a Burning Light

by Bruce Cockburn

Overview

Nothing but a Burning Light, Bruce Cockburn's first release for Columbia, teams him with producer T-Bone Burnett, whose singer/songwriter background, and spiritual leanings, seemed to be a perfect match. Throughout, Burnett's production is understated, allowing Cockburn's voice, guitar, and songs to lead the way over a solid foundation of bass, drums, and tasteful organ by Booker T. Jones. This sort of sympathetic production brings out the best in Cockburn and his material, which is consistently strong. Songs such as "Kit Carson," "Mighty Trucks of Midnight," and "Indian Wars" continue the weightier concerns of his work of the past decade, but the majority of the record takes on a more personal, introspective tone. "One of the Best Ones" and "Great Big Love" are winning affirmations of love and life, while the retelling of the nativity, "Cry of a Tiny Babe," is as beautiful and moving a contemporary Christmas song as you're likely to hear. Cockburn also decides to include a rare cover, his excellent reading of the Blind Willie Johnson gospel-blues "Soul of a Man," which fits nicely in the whole of the album. Though it may lack the immediate power, Nothing but a Burning Light is Bruce Cockburn's best since his 1984 release Stealing Fire. Jackson Browne and Sam Phillips guest on backing vocals. ~ Brett Hartenbach

Product Details

Release Date:	04/07/2009
Label:	True North Records
UPC:	0620638007723
Rank:	77453

Tracks

1. A Dream Like Mine
2. Kit Carson
3. Mighty Trucks of Midnight
4. Soul of a Man
5. Great Big Love
6. One of the Best Ones
7. Somebody Touched Me
8. Cry of a Tiny Babe
9. Actions Speak Louder
10. Indian Wars
11. When It's Gone, It's Gone
12. Child of the Wind

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Bruce Cockburn   Primary Artist,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Guitar (Resonator),Guitar,Vocals
Michael Been   Guest Artist,Bass
Sam Phillips   Guest Artist,Vocals (Background),Vocals (Background)
Mark O'Connor   Guest Artist,Violin,Mandolin
Booker T. Jones   Guest Artist,Organ
Jackson Browne   Guest Artist,Guitar,Vocals,Guitar (Resonator),Vocals (Background)
T-Bone Burnett   Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Larry Klein   Bass
Denny Fongheiser   Drums
Michael Blair   Percussion,Tambourine
Edgar Meyer   Bass,Bass (Acoustic)
Jim Keltner   Drums,Washboard,Percussion
Booker T. Jones III   Organ
Ralph Forbes   Percussion

Technical Credits

T-Bone Burnett   Producer
Patrick McCarthy   Mixing,Engineer
Blind Willie Johnson   Composer
Joe Henry   Assistant Producer,Production Assistant
Pat McCarthy   Mixing,Engineer
Greg Calbi   Mastering
David Leonard   Mixing
Willie Johnson   Composer
Anton Corbijn   Photography
Dave Leonard   Mixing
Bruce Cockburn   Composer,Arranger
Paula "Max" Garcia   Second Engineer,Engineer
Christopher Austopchuk   Art Direction