Circles in the Stream [Import, Original recording remastered]

Bruce Cockburn | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 30, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Original recording remastered
• Label: Isba
• ASIN: B000006X4L
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #396,087 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. The Pipes.The Pipes

2. Starwheel

3. Never So Free

4. Deer Dancing Round A Broken Mirror

5. Homme Brulant

6. Free To Be

7. Mamma Just Wants To Barrelhouse All Night Long

8. Cader Idris

9. Arrows Of Light

10. One Day I Walk

11. Love Song

12. Red Brother Red Sister

13. Lord Of The Starfields

14. All The Diamonds In The World

15. Dialogue With The Devil

16. Joy Will Find A Way

17. God, Bless The Children

Editorial Reviews

1997 digitally remastered reissue of his 1977 album. 79:30 long, this release contains all 17 of the tracks from the original two LP set, including the only recorded versions of 'Cader Idris', 'Deer Dancing Round A Broken Mirror' & 'Homme Brulant'. True North.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cockburn's Live Opus, July 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Circles in the Stream (Audio CD)

Listening to "Circles" is an intoxicating grand experience. Cockburn amuses with "The bagpipes," draws you into the LIVE experience with the impressionistic renderings of "Star Wheel," and "Never so Free," Then the lyrics come full-speed from richly textured pictures of his own country's abuse of native populations (Red Brother,Red Sister) and his understanding of poverty of spirit (One Day I walk).

Circles is also a theological-poetic work. Although Cockburn makes no effort to hide his passion and wonder for his Christian faith, the poetry also is a stand alone project. "Love Song" transcends love for a human object - focusing to the Greater One. Cockburn assumes the role of a modern Psalmist. "In your heart where the world comes from, there you will find me."

And with "All the Diamonds" "...Two thousand years - and half a world away, dying trees will still grow greener when you pray." But not is all quiet on the path...Cockburn also confronts personified evil in "Dialogue with the Devil" Ultimately he calls attention from human strength to THE greater other...You don't fight a bully on his terms. A word of caution though this work has a lasting impact...the lyrics follow you and the melodies flow as musical mantras...In short it may profoundly affect your heart and mind...BUT that is the hazard of all great art.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It just gets better with age., August 23, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Orlando, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Circles in the Stream (Audio CD)

Back in the wonderful days of vinyl I picked up a copy of this album. Because of the exquisite musicianship of Bruce's previous albums, I was anxious to hear how the music translated live. (At this point I had not had the opportunity to see him live.) Lets put it this way. I've worn out nearly three copies so far. This is without a doubt my favorite live album ever. When I heard that it had finally been released on cd, I had to have it!! (It's tough to wear out those suckers, thank God.) By the way, make sure that you get the copy with Bruce's comments. His very insightful and often hilarious commentary has always been a wonderful part of any live show that I have seen of his. On a parting note, I've purchased several live albums over the years. Most have a tendency to "date" themselves after a few years. This album, without a doudt, just gets better with age.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth buying again? ABSOLUTELY!, July 1, 2005

By 

o dubhthaigh (north rustico, pei, canada) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Circles in the Stream (Dlx) (Audio CD)

Although it is a daunting task attempting to remaster a tape remastered just 8 years ago (the technology hasn'y advanced that much), still there is a definition to the instruments here that positively sparkles. The music has more presence and dynamic to it than it has ever had in any format.

This was a threshold recording for Cockburn, and he must have known that he, Godfrey, Boucher had to deliver the goods. They did. Hockey Night in Canada has nothing of the whallop of this CD. Recorded at Massey Hall in TO, the concert summed up Cockburn's early Christian based folk and romantic music and launched him into a more jazz inflected, mystical and social activist stance that he has cultivated with commitment over the succeeding years. You can't really pigeon hole him well, thank God, but there is that sense that nothing will be the same after this disc. And it wasn't.
Nearly every major song of his early work is present along with his unique blend of historical and contemporary efforts. No. 1 with a cross-bow bolt as he intones on "Love Song" says it all. What you notice throughout is his masterful technique, at times recalling Mississippi John Hurt, at times the Burgundian author referenced, at all times uniquely Cockburn. His voice was a lot more confidant by this point as well. SUN, SALT AND TIME, had been a major advance in his compositional and singing style that was enhanced by JOY WILL FIND A WAY. Those records are well represented and the fact that Cockburn still draws upon them in concert today indicates the role they played in his development. I was fortunate to catch him at this gig and many others in along Bloor, Yonge, Spadina, back in the day. Listening to this CD brings back all the first thoughts I had about this amazing man.
So, having bought the re-issue a few years back, is it worth buying again? Absolutely. It sounds better than ever. There is a nice essay and some terrific photos, but it's really the music, and that just rings out!