Bruce Cockburn

As he points out in the liner notes, this is the first ever live solo album from the veteran Canadian folk legend - three earlier live records were made with his band. Recorded last spring at eight New England shows and one Quebec concert, the 25-song double CD set includes both inevitable favourites like "Lovers In A Dangerous Time," "Wondering Where The Lions Are" (marred a little by the crowd sing-along), "If I Had A Rocket Launcher" and songs from his more recent albums, as well as one strong brand-new track, the hauntingly bluesy "City Is Hungry." The solo setting confirms that, at 63, Cockburn's voice is aging incredibly well, and it also reminds us what a fluent and imaginative guitar player he is, demonstrated by the flamenco-ish flourish that opens the second disc. Bits of the dynamism and musical nuances of the original band-recorded versions of these tunes are lost, inevitably, but their lyrical strengths shine through. The inclusion of guitar tunings, chats with the audience, sound checks and plenty of applause may fit in with the coffeehouse ambience the folkie crowd loves but are a little excessive to these ears. They are only minor flaws in a set sure to delight the large and loyal Cockburn audience.