Features the songs of Bruce Cockburn, including performances by Don Byron and Bruce Cockburn.
CD Reviews
Fascinating (and successful!) transformation!
10/25/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I admit, I was hesitant when I saw this on Amazon -- but I'm a big fan of Occhipinti's earlier, award-winning stuff, so I took a chance: and I'm glad I did! While Cockburn isn't what I'd call a melodically or harmonically gifted songwriter (he tends to rely more on lyrics), Occhipinti intelligently uses Cockburn's shortcomings in these areas to his advantage. By tranlating Cockburn's vague melodies into spacious improvisational textures while still maintaining the fundamental yearning of Cockburn's lyrical outlook, Occhipinti has fashioned a successful tribute that more than stands on its own as album of spacious, haunting contemporary jazz. Check it out. . ."
Evocative, intelligent modern jazz...
10/26/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Hmmm. . .Canadian's premier jazz guitarist performing a program of songs entirely writen by the ecletic, passionate songwriter Bruce Cockburn: how could it NOT be good? Often these days, jazz interpretations of vocal material are handled indulgently -- interpreters ignore the original vibe that the lyricist tries so hard to create. Occhipinti, though, avoids that pittful, sympathetically translating Cockburn's poetic eloquence into spacious, Frisell-ish (without his obnoxious irony) sheets of sound. . .surely one of the year's best."
Unknown becomes known
11/24/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have always enjoyed Bruce Cockburn and couldn't resist an innovative Jazz set, even though I was completely unfamiliar with Michael Occhipinti. I originally ordered this to give as a gift- no can do now. It's a top-shelf keeper!"
Go for this one
Cletus J. "Bubba" Huckabee Jr. | Chesterfield County | 06/17/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"So you can't decide if you want to spend your extra pocket change on that Cockburn tribute CD featuring the Bare Naked Ladies covering Lovers in a Dangerous Time, or this one by a guy you've never heard of. Select this one. While you may miss out on the naked ladies presenting a Cockburn song in a style that even Cockburn said was "....interesting..." and Jane Siberry's cigarette-breath warbling is particularly beautiful in tribute to Bruce - Occhipinti does it right. All of it. Roping in Don Byron was his first smart move, then getting Hugh Marsh was the second. The music is an interpretation of Cockburn's work and though Cockburn fans might find it difficult to see room for any interpretation, on listening to this CD it starts to become clear. After it becomes clear, it becomes infectious. This album is one that bodes well at a volume level suitable for background music, but be prepared to get up out of your chair and start inching the knob up as you strain to hear more and more of the beautiful complexity."
A Different View
Timothy Flint | Greeneville, TN USA | 02/14/2002
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Bruce Cockburn fans are reminded that this is first and foremost a jazz album, albeit a good one, and far from Bruce's style. I had difficulty identifying some of the songs without help from the label. Every piece seems to be played in a different genre which never let me get comfortable with their style. Some individual performances were very good."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1