Big Circumstance
| Big Circumstance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
_front_cover.jpeg) | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1989 | |||
| Recorded | 1988 | |||
| Genres | Folk, pop rock | |||
| Length | 61:03 | |||
| Label | True North | |||
| Producer | Jon Goldsmith | |||
| Bruce Cockburn chronology | ||||
| ||||
Big Circumstance is the sixteenth full-length album by Canadian singer/songwriter Bruce Cockburn. The album was released in January 1989 by True North Records, making it his first studio album in three years.[1] Rounder Records issued a remastered CD of the album in 2005 with a new acoustic version of "If A Tree Falls" as a bonus track.
In Canada, the album peaked at No. 15. It also spawned "If A Tree Falls", which ascended to No. 8 on the singles chart, became Cockburn's only top ten hit in that country.
Within a few months of its release, Big Circumstances was certified gold in Canada.[2]
Reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [3] |
In their review of Big Circumstances, RPM wrote that "Cockburn's material continues to reinforce his larger-than-life image as a political poet", adding that "Canadians are fortunate to have a recording artist who will 'lock-in' his career fighting for causes that affect so many but are recognized by so few."[4]
Billboard said that Cockburn was "set to win a larger audience" with Big Circumstances and that the "metaphorical richness of his songs handsomely clothes his often-pointed messages", pointing to "If A Tree Falls" as an example.[5] Cashbox believed that Big Circumstances contained some of Cockburn's "harshest social criticism to date", giving particular attention to his criticism of deforestation on "If A Tree Falls".[6]
The European trade magazine Music & Media labeled Big Circumstances their album of the week in their March 18, 1989 edition of the publication, saying that it "immediately ranks itself among the best in the semi-acoustic singer/songwriter genre." They felt that the album marked "an overwhelming return to form" and was "entertaining and engaging."[7]
In his retrospective review for AllMusic, critic Rob Caldwell wrote that the album "was a move away from the somewhat dated, overblown sound of his previous World of Wonders, toward a leaner, more guitar-dominated sound... he takes pains to differentiate himself from right-wing Christianity and express his different view of the faith."[3]
Track listing
[edit]All songs written by Bruce Cockburn.
- "If A Tree Falls" – 5:43
- "Shipwrecked at the Stable Door" – 3:38
- "Gospel of Bondage" – 5:45
- "Don't Feel Your Touch" – 4:49
- "Tibetan Side of Town" – 6:59
- "Understanding Nothing" – 4:26
- "Where the Death Squad Lives" – 4:28
- "Radium Rain" – 9:22
- "Pangs of Love" – 5:18
- "The Gift" – 6:04
- "Anything Can Happen" – 4:31
The 2005 reissue also contains an acoustic version of If A Tree Falls.
Personnel
[edit]- Bruce Cockburn – vocals, guitar, harmonica
- Fergus Jamison Marsh – bass, Chapman Stick
- Hugh Marsh – violin
- Jon Goldsmith – keyboards, autoharp
- Michael Sloski – drums, percussion
- Myron Schultz – clarinet
- Judy Cade – background vocals
- Mary Margaret O'Hara – background vocals
- Mose Scarlett – background vocals
Production
- Jon Goldsmith – producer
- George Whiteside – photography
- Bart Schoales – art direction
Charts
[edit]| Chart (1989) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Top Albums (RPM)[8] | 15 |
| US Billboard 200[9] | 182 |
References
[edit]- ↑ "1989 is shaping to be an exciting season" (PDF). RPM. January 28, 1989. p. 10. Retrieved September 21, 2026.
- ↑ LaPointe, Kirk (April 8, 1989). "Metal Malady Hits Certs | Feb Sees Few High Seller" (PDF). Billboard. p. 70. Retrieved September 21, 2026.
- 1 2 Caldwell, Rob. "Bruce Cockburn - Big Circumstance Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
- ↑ "Albums" (PDF). RPM. February 18, 1989. p. 10. Retrieved September 21, 2026.
- ↑ "Album Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. February 18, 1989. p. 80. Retrieved September 21, 2026.
- ↑ Williams, Joe (March 4, 1989). "Alternatives" (PDF). Cashbox. p. 14. Retrieved September 21, 2026.
- ↑ "Previews" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 11. March 18, 1989. p. 17. Retrieved September 21, 2026.
- ↑ "RPM 100 Albums" (PDF). RPM. March 25, 1989. p. 19. Retrieved September 21, 2026.
- ↑ "Bruce Cockburn Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 19, 2026.
External links
[edit]- Bruce Cockburn – Big Circumstance at Discogs (list of releases)
