Bruce Cockburn - The Charity of Night

At once a departure and a return, The Charity of Night represents a change from the folk rock stylings of his previous two albums, having more in common with earlier jazz-inflected works such as Night Vision. Shades of light and shadow play through the album's theme of reflection and memory: Cockburn recalls many events of his past, taking stock and coming to grips with them. It's a very cohesive album in subject, with only the anti-land mine "Mines of Mozambique" seeming out of place (though it's a worthwhile song on its own). The centerpiece of the album is the title song, a realization that facing the past can be more difficult when memories are exposed in the cold hard light of day, but the refuge and peace darkness can provide is "the charity of night." In fact, most of the album's events happen at night and this theme is echoed in the haunting booklet artwork by Bill Sienkiewicz, graphic novel illustrator for comics such as The Sandman. Musically the sound is very organic, with solid bass and drums provided by Rob Wasserman and Gary Craig. Guest Gary Burton provides shimmering vibraphone on three of the cuts, adding to the jazz texture. Other guests include Bonnie Raitt, Ani DiFranco, Jonatha Brooke, and Patty Larkin. The album culminates with "Strange Waters," a summation of Cockburn's life-long spiritual search, where he asks the question "if I loose my grip, will I take flight?" Acclaimed by fans and critics alike, this album is an essential part of the Cockburn catalog. ~ Rob Caldwell, All Music Guide

Name Credits Ani DiFranco Vocals (Background) Bob Weir Vocal Harmony, Harmony Bonnie Raitt Slide Guitar Bruce Cockburn Resophonic Banjo, Dobro, Vocals, Guitar (Resonator), Guitar, Producer, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric) Colin Linden Producer, Mandolin, Engineer Ethan Allen Assistant Engineer, Mixing Assistant Gary Burton Vibraphone Gary Craig Percussion, Drums, Tambourine Jane Macaulay ?, Translation Janice Powers Keyboards Jo Rossi Mixing Assistant, Assistant Engineer Joe Macerollo Accordion John Whynot Engineer, Mixing Jonatha Brooke Harmony, Vocal Harmony, Arranger, Vocals (Background) Malcolm Burn Photography Marcel Moussette ?, Translation Maria Muldaur Harmony, Vocal Harmony Michael McGuinn Mixing Assistant, Assistant Engineer Ormond Jobin Mixing Assistant, Assistant Engineer Patty Larkin Harmony, Vocals (Background), Vocal Harmony Rob Wasserman Bass Ron Boustead Mastering Assistant, Mixing Assistant Stephen Marcussen Mastering Tom Heron Assistant Engineer, Mixing Assistant Tom Paddock Assistant Engineer, Mixing Assistant William Sienkiewicz Design, Illustrations