Customer Reviews

Waiting for a Miracle (Singles 1970-1987) [IMPORT]

5 star:		(8)
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3 star:		(1)
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Canada's Bruce Cockburn has been recording for thirty years now. This 1987 2-CD compilation samples every album from Cockburn's self-titled debut in 1970 through 1985's World of Wonders, plus two previously unavailable songs recorded specifically for this set--"Stolen Land" and "Waiting for a Miracle." Although Cockburn flirted with Top 40 success with "Wondering Where the Lions Are" in 1980--it reached No. 21--Cockburn has unfortunately remained essentially a cult figure in the United States.

I bought this on vinyl when it first came out just to get the two new songs. When I began converting to CDs a few years ago, I got this collection because it had eleven more tracks than the vinyl edition. If you're familiar with Cockburn only since 1984's Stealing Fire (which garnered some MTV play with "If I Had a Rocket Launcher"), this is a cost-effective way to catch up on the first half of this eclectic singer-songwriter's career. Cockburn is a masterful guitar player (both acoustic and electric) and a prolific songwriter (he wrote all of the songs here) utitilizing a variety of music styles often with overtly political lyrics--especially on his later work. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Anyone who is interested in the Canadian legend MUST own this anthology. Its a wonderful history of the artist from the classic early folk ballads, to more rockin' songs from one who can hold his own against anyone. It is good place to start, and a great cd for any collection. I highly recommend it!

I am a native of Zambia in Central Africa. In 1992 as I drove going to visit my girl friend in a little town called Ndola I witnessed a terrible accident involving the then deputy minister of health (who is now the minister of finance). After helping the victims I remained on the accident scene to collect all that belonged to the minister. I picked his laptop, tapes etc among others. One of the cassettes was for Bruce Cockburn. I had never heard Bruce before and out of curiosity I decided to play the tape in my car. I really enjoyed it and since then I have become a Bruce fan. Bruce is a must for anyone who loves the accoustic guitar. I returned what I had gathered from the car to the minister and when I look back I tell myself I accidentally bumped into Bruce Cockburn for sure.

Waiting For A Miracle, Singles 1970-1987 (1987) (nineteenth album) (126.5 minutes with all the extras)
Now if you ask me, and a lot of devotees of compilation music anthology type deals do on a semi-regular basis, then this here monster collection of Bruce Cockburn works is the best to date... the best compilation, that is.

Before you commence to thinking that the profit hungry marketers have done it to us again and just thrown in a bunch of cuts we already purchased plus a couple of new tracks to make us pay for the entire package of songs and, thus, milk us for sales of songs we already purchased... I got news for you. There are indeed two songs that were new to this here CD when it come out, "Waiting for a Miracle" and "Stolen Land." However, there are a few more songs that are slightly different than other versions and worth taking a listen to. For example, the version of "Mama Just Wants to Barrelhouse All Night Long" on this CD is taken from the film 'Rumours of Glory' and ain't like any you ever heard before. From that same film they took the song "Rumours of Glory" and present it here on this CD. "Fascist Architecture" and "The Trouble with Normal" are versions that were, at the time, previously unreleased and somewhat different than other versions.

There are eleven tracks more on the Canadian version, ain't none of them rare or unknown for the Bruce Cockburn aficionado, but if you're going to spend the money and you want better value for dollar... then I'd pony up and fork over enough for the Canadian version. On the other hand, if you're Canadian, since the loonie don't really buy much seeing as how it is so weak, you might have to fork over even more if you want this (or any other ) CD. We folk in Chesterfield County call the Canadian loonie the "Northern Peso."

This here CD is a good way to jump in and get to know the music real quick if you never heard Bruce before. If you got six or seven albums already and are looking to buy more... I wouldn't start here unless you take careful stock of the songs on offer and make sure the majority of them are new to you. Otherwise, buy a different album that will expose you to a total collection of cuts you ain't never heard before. For all you folk out there who absolutely must have everything Bruce Cockburn has ever released, then make an effort to get this one. I write that because the cuts taken from the film soundtrack are nice deviations from what we all grew to love on the original albums and you will sleep better knowing you have another hole in your collection plugged up.

126.5 minutes with all the extras)

Now if you ask me, and a lot of devotees of compilation music anthology type deals do on a semi-regular basis, then this here monster collection of Bruce Cockburn works is the best to date... the best compilation, that is.

Before you commence to thinking that the profit hungry marketers have done it to us again and just thrown in a bunch of cuts we already purchased plus a couple of new tracks to make us pay for the entire package of songs and, thus, milk us for sales of songs we already purchased... I got news for you. There are indeed two songs that were new to this here CD when it come out, "Waiting for a Miracle" and "Stolen Land." However, there are a few more songs that are slightly different than other versions and worth taking a listen to. For example, the version of "Mama Just Wants to Barrelhouse All Night Long" on this CD is taken from the film 'Rumours of Glory' and ain't like any you ever heard before. From that same film they took the song "Rumours of Glory" and present it here on this CD. "Fascist Architecture" and "The Trouble with Normal" are versions that were, at the time, previously unreleased and somewhat different than other versions.

There are eleven tracks more on the Canadian version, ain't none of them rare or unknown for the Bruce Cockburn aficionado, but if you're going to spend the money and you want better value for dollar... then I'd pony up and fork over enough for the Canadian version. On the other hand, if you're Canadian, since the loonie don't really buy much seeing as how it is so weak, you might have to fork over even more if you want this (or any other ) CD. We folk in Chesterfield County call the Canadian loonie the "Northern Peso."

This here CD is a good way to jump in and get to know the music real quick if you never heard Bruce before. If you got six or seven albums already and are looking to buy more... I wouldn't start here unless you take careful stock of the songs on offer and make sure the majority of them are new to you. Otherwise, buy a different album that will expose you to a total collection of cuts you ain't never heard before. For all you folk out there who absolutely must have everything Bruce Cockburn has ever released, then make an effort to get this one. I write that because the cuts taken from the film soundtrack are nice deviations from what we all grew to love on the original albums and you will sleep better knowing you have another hole in your collection plugged up.

Bruce Cockburn / Waiting for a miracle / Singles 1970-1987 (2 CD set, 33 tracks): Bruce Cockburn (he pronounces it `co-burn') has been performing brilliantly, but under the media radar, for his entire career. He is a man of faith ("Waiting for a Miracle", etc), and man of anger ("If I had a Rocket Launcher", etc) and a man of great humor ("Laughter", etc). This truly great collection deserves to be in every music lover's collection. Five Stars.

I like Bruce Cockburn. And this is the best collection of songs from many albums.
Great if you're new to him and want to sample his stuff, and great also if you're a fan.
Music with a political message (most of the time), but great music nonetheless from this talented singer/songwriter.

Sometimes kind of folksy, but very original and talented. Practical Realism and variegated music styles combined to create a unique sound that sticks in your head. Your response to his music might be...'Comforting to know there's entertaining and intelligent lifeform out there...'

A great introduction to a truly excellent artist. Bruce is for me the canadian Bob Dylan (for the lyrics) and Lou Reed (for the music). This Double-CD is a very good and very large overview of his work, with good sound quality. Vocals and music are fine, sometimes a bit depressing, sometimes uplifting. Its mostly for the lyrics you listen to him, which make you think. Also his good vocals and very good band playing adds to a great listen. So if you like songs, where the message is the biggest part of it, this artist is for you.