At eighty years old (soon to be 81 in may), Bruce Cockburn is still touring and entertaining fans at the ready when he comes to town. Picking from his catalogue spanning over sixty years with 35+ albums to his name, he shows no signs of stopping. Age has caught up with Bruce a bit – back and hands not cooperating due to wear and tear and arthritis. Cdhanging fingerings and tunings Bruce is able to play songs that were once thought to be never played again. His guitar chops have diminished but the lyrics and his voice is as strong as ever.

It’s been over twenty years and countless shows that I’ve seen Bruce play. This one was special; I’ve learned to not take shows like this for granted because you never know. This could be the last Bruce Cockburn show, you never know. Sounds like a dire prediction but one can’t help but think that. WIth that said, I sat in the front row soaking it in and appreciating the music and inspiration that Bruce has provided me over the years.

“Time takes its toll but in my soul I’m on a roll”

Bruce drew heavily from his most recent release, “O Sun, O Moon”. Songs like “Push Comes to Shove”, “Us All” and what I feel is his motto of today, “On a Roll”. There were some deep cuts like “Red Brother, Red Sister” and “Stolen Land”. The fan favorites “Wondering Where the Lions are”, “Call it Democracy and “Pacing the Cage” made there presence known as well.

Two plus hours of time well spent. My cup is full and feel revitalized. Seeing Bruce and live music in general always does that for me. Is it my last Bruce Cockburn concert? Maybe but I wouldn’t bet on it because he’sl is still on a roll.

Bruce Cockburn Concert Setlist: March14, 2026

1st Set:

• Cafe Society 
• Trouble with Normal
• When you give it away
• King of the Bolero
• Push Comes To Shove
• Red Brother Red Sister
• On a Roll
• Waiting For a Miracle

2nd Set:

• Last Night of the World
• 3 Al Purdy’s
• Understanding Nothing
• Call it Democracy
• Stolen Land
• Lovers in a Dangerous Time
• Wondering Where the Lions Are
• When You Arrive
• Tie Me At the Crossroads

Encore

• Pacing The Cage
• Us All

My brother was my hero:

He would tell me stories about his time playing in bands and how it felt great when the people in the crowd would start dancing. It was a sign you had won them over and the night is going to go well. My band, “Alias Smith and Jones,” played a gig the other night and when some couples started to dance to what we were playing, I felt my brother strongly. So strong, I barely kept it together.

My brother passed away almost two years ago and he was my inspiration for playing the guitar. I remember watching him go to gigs, loading his gear all dressed up (this was the 80’s mind you. It’s not a coincidence that I wanted to do the same. Took me a little bit longer get on stage but when I did, he was my biggest fan. I would call him after every gig and we would talk about it and dissect it like a professional football player goes over game tape. We now had this in common and it was no longer him telling me stories but us both going back and forth. I relished having those conversations with him. Now that has been taken away from me and I struggle coping with his death.

Healing since my brothers death

The conversations still occur but now it’s a one way deal, but I talk with him everyday. I swear I could feel him last night and for a brief instance we were sharing that moment when the couples were dancing. Like I said, it took everything I had to not break down but once i composed myself, I smiled and relished in the time we had to talk about playing guitar and being in a band. Life will never be the same and I’m not sure how to heal or how to cope but I will. Billy Bob Thornton said it best when he said that you never really get over a siblings death, your “half happy and half sad” at anytime. But a he said, if that’s the burden of honoring him, I gladly take it. on.

My brother was and always will be my inspiration and everytime I see someone dance to live music, I think of him; Love my big brother and I’m grateful he got to see me play and I miss him dearly.

For Immediate Release

Hercules Castro of Colorado Springs Named a Finalist in International Guitar Competition Guitar Player’s Guitar Superstar Competition Centerpiece of Guitar Player Live! Weekend Celebration September 11-13

• Brendon Small to Host Competition; Judges Include Jennifer Batten (Michael Jackson’s guitarist), Elliot Easton, Greg Hampton, and Steve Lukather
• San Bruno, CA (August 11, 2009) — Now in its fifth year, Guitar Player’s Guitar Superstar competition will be the centerpiece of Guitar Player LIVE!, a 3-day celebration of guitars, music, and gear presented by the Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center in Livermore, California, east of San Francisco, on Saturday, September 12, 2009.
• Ten finalists have been selected from among hundreds of entries to battle for the international title of “Guitar Superstar.” Across the globe, hundreds of “unknown” guitarists of all ages and styles answered the call to post their best performances at sonicbids.com. Ten finalists were chosen to perform onstage in front of a live audience and a panel of world-famous guitar stars that includes Elliot Easton (The Cars), Jennifer Batten (guitarist for Michael Jackson, Jeff Beck), Steve Lukather (Toto), and Greg Hampton, (producer of Alice Cooper, Ronnie Wood, Lita Ford). Host of this year’s big event is Brendon Small, (co-creator of Adult’s Swim’s Metalocalypse animated series).
• The celebrity judges will evaluate each original performance, and rate each contestant on technique, creativity, charisma, and overall vibe, and, at the end of the night, the 2009 Guitar Player’s Guitar Superstar will be crowned, along with two runner-ups.

• Guitar Player’s Guitar Superstar Competition 2009

• Jim Fuselli, rock critic of the Wall Street Journal wrote about last year’s competition: “…I admired the contestants. With their reputations on the line in front of Mr. Satriani, Mr. Vai and the other judges, they performed with conviction.”,
• Vicki Genfan, the reigning Guitar Superstar, will perform at the competition before handing over her crown, and will also play on Sunday, September 13 at 3 pm along with Laurence Juber and Jennifer Batten.
• “It’s a dream to launch a weekend-long celebration of guitar with Guitar Player LIVE! and our fifth Guitar Superstar event,” says Guitar Player Editor in Chief Michael Molenda. “If you’re a guitar zealot, it’s like some 6-string Woodstock—total badass madness, from Friday night’s opening Shrapnel Records concern starring Richie Kotzen, Michael Lee Firkins, and Chris Duarte, to bands rockin’ hard all along the Livermore plaza, to Guitar Superstar on Saturday, to Sunday’s Triple Threat Guitar show with GPGS 08 champ Vicki Genfan, Jennifer Batten, and Laurence Juber.”
• The ten finalists, representing a wide range of guitar styles ranging from rock to country are: Dave Benzinger, Brodie Cumming , Brian Davidson, Hercules Castro, Danny Jones, Steve Langemo, Steve Senes, Krisz Simonfalvi, Doug Towle, and Jeff Zampillo. The contestants will perform with the GPGS house band Thud Factor, music directed by Bass Player Editor Jonathan Herrera.
• All ten contestants receive an all-expenses paid trip to the San Francisco Bay Area. The winner, First Runner-Up and Second Runner-Up of the event will receive custom trophies and complete gear packages. The champion will receive a feature article in Guitar Player magazine and prizes from event sponsors—including Harman International–Digitech, Mesa Boogie, Taylor Guitars, D’Addario, Planet Waves, GBase, Line 6, Sennheiser, Washburn, Randall and Gallien Kruger.
• The competition takes place Saturday, September 12, 2009, 8:00 p.m. at the Bankhead Theater, Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center, 2400 First Street, Livermore, California. Admission $23.00. Tickets can be ordered online at www.bankheadtheater.org or call 925-373-6800.

• Guitar Player’s Guitar Superstar Competition 2009

  About the 3-day Festival:

• Guitar Player LIVE! includes concerts at the Bankhead Theater and free performances by well-known regional bands and exhibitor endorsees on four outdoor stages. Another highlight will be an exhibition of Bill Owens’ photographs commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Altamont Raceway Free Concert. To cap off the festival evenings, several local taverns and restaurants will also host local band performances, and the Vine Cinema will feature a special run of classic and cult guitar films.
• • Shrapnel Records Guitar Night Friday, September 11 at 8 p.m.
  • Guitar Player’s Guitar Superstar Competition Finals Saturday, September 12 at 8 p.m.
  • Triple Threat Guitar – Featuring Laurence Juber, Jennifer Batten, Vicki Genfan Sunday, September 13 at 3 p.m.

  For packages, call the box office at 925-373-6800.

  About Guitar Player magazine:

• The Music Player Network of publications for musicians performing and producing music includes Guitar Player, Bass Player, Keyboard, and EQ magazines and related websites, TV, enews and events. For more information please visit www.musicplayer.com. Music Player Network is a division of NewBay Media, LLC.

What’s my point, you ask?

I would have normally talked myself out of going and then regretted it later. But that was the old me.  I’m now practicing my guitar new years resolutions by expanding my boundaries in my guitar life; not only with playing but listening to new music and seeing more concerts.   There is something about live music that gets my blood flowing and keeps my motivated to become better at my instrument every day.  If it does me good, I guess I should do it more. 

What are you trying to expand your guitar/musical life?

Bruce’s Set

• Slow Down Fast
• Pacing The Cage
• Interview with host Nick Forster
• (Joan Osborne Played Her Set)
• If a Tree Falls
• Beautiful Creatures
• Jerusalem Poker
• The City is Hungry

Bruce walks out on stage with a new hairstyle; grown long and pulled  back to a pony tail, samurai style.  He made a joke that he needed to put a bone in his hair to complete the look.  Bruce played two small sets with an interview placed in the middle.   Nick Forster (etown host) asked Bruce questions about his accomplishments, influences and intentions regarding songwriting.  A common theme in Bruce’s answers was that he didn’t want to look back but just live in the moment.  He said, at one point, his greatest achievement was being on “this stage at this time.”

His performance of Jerusalem Poker was incredible.  It never ceases to amaze me how he can keep that thumb going while he plays the ridiculously hard solo for that song.  His last selection was a new piece called “The City is Hungry.”  He mentioned that it was inspired by New York City where has spent quite a bit of time visiting his girlfriend.

Even though this was a shorter performance that I’m used to, Bruce was in great form and I can’t wait to see him for the “Slice of Life Tour.”

P.S.  I went to this concert only to see Bruce but I have to say that Joan Osborne blew my mind.  Her voice is so strong and her tone is spine tingling.  She put on a great show and I look forward seeing her live again.  Loved her performance so much I bought Relish and Little Wild One the next day.

Links:

• http://cockburnproject.net
• http://etown.org
• http://www.kingkoncert.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=2245

Highlights:

• The mix: I know I said this in the last post but it’s so good and really makes the CD’s an experience to listen to.
• Working Man’s Blues:  Good old fashioned blues with Littell on the harmonica.  They played off each other well and had a nice little jam going at one point.  I’m not a huge fan of the harmonica but this was truly impressive.
• Morning Aire:  Beautiful song.  I don’t know if there is more I can say.
• Initiation:  Tommy Does a long version of this where he’s really working the delay but in the end there’s a point where you could tell he just releases and lets the music take over.  “Primal Guitar” as Michael Hedges used to say.
• Questions:  Last track on the CD and all I would write down in my notes was, “Wow!”

Any “lowlights?”  For me, I would say too much harmonica.   The first four tracks felt like they were Tommy featuring Littell.   There was great guitar in those tracks but the harmonica seemed to butt in like a third wheel at times.  My thoughts were, “I bought this CD for Tommy Emmanuel, not the harmonica.”  As I said before, I’m not the biggest fan of the instrument.  Great playing and I have a great respect for Littell’s playing but it was too much for me.

Final Thought:

Once again, if you don’t have it get it!  If you are still wondering and waiting, get it anyway.  You won’t be disappointed.  Can’t wait for the DVD!

Highlights:

• The Mix:  Every song on CD1 was engineered to perfection.  From Tommy’s playing to the just the right mix of crow noise makes you feel like your there at times.
• Nine Pound Hammer:  Great improv solo much like Guitar Boogie.  At one point, Tommy is playing guitar with one hand a moving baseline on the other.   Oh yeah, he’s singing on top of all that.
• And So it Goes:  Beautiful arrangement of a timeless Billy Joel song.  This performance just might bring a tear to ones eye.
• I Go to Rio:  Just love that he plays this.  It’s partially because I performed this in Jr. High choir and he does an awesome job with it.
• Beatles Medley:  Not the best one that I’ve heard but it’s still worth mentioning.  He does like to mix it up so this version had “Here Comes the Sun”, “When I’m Sixty Four”, “Day Tripper” and “Lady Madonna.”

No “lowlights” that I could find.  Some of the Tommy detractors might not enjoy some of the rhythmic montages that Tommy has been known to get into.  I believe he goes into a three or so minute rhythmic trance during Mombasa.  If you don’t already have it, get it.  If you’re still wondering and waiting, my thoughts on CD2 will posted soon.

Certified Guitar Player is pre-selling “Center Stage” for $15.95.  I’ve already placed my order, have you?

The show started off a bit tough because the mix was a bit hot and Bruce even mentioned it and asked for the mix to be turned down a bit.  A few songs in, the mix was pretty much dialed in and we were on our way.  As always Bruce’s playing was spot on and that thumb never quits.  Had some great solos on “Stolen Land” and “If a Tree Falls” and surprised me with “Kit Carson” and “Trouble with Normal.   Ended the night with “Rouler sa Bosse” and “Tie Me at the Crossroads.”

Great show by Bruce, one of the better shows that I have seen him do.  The only thing that was different about Bruce, this time was that he didn’t really converse with the crowd all that much.  He would respond to some of the comments the audience made but wouldn’t offer anything on his own like he usually does.  So sometimes there was an awkward silence when he was tuning or switching guitars.  Maybe because of the long delay before he went on, bad day, etc…  Who knows?  Either way, his performance was awesome and he never fails to deliver.

Set List

1. Last Night of the World
2. See You Tomorrow
3. Lovers in a Dangerous Time
4. Pacing the Cage (wow!)
5. Trouble With Normal
6. Stolen Land
7. Kit Carson
8. Put it in Your Heart
9. If a Tree Falls
10. Wondering Where the Lions Are

Encore:

1. Rouler Sa Boss
2. Tie Me at the Crossroads

Other Bruce Cockburn Concerts I have reviewed:

1. 7.22.03  Boulder Theatre  – Boulder, Colorado (First time I saw Bruce Live)
2. 10.30.05 Gothic Theatre – Denver, Colorado (solo)
3. 8.17.06 Chautauqua Auditorium – Boulder, Colorado (Sarah Harmer, opening act)
4. 8.18.06 Denver Botanic Gardens (Sarah Harmer, opening act)

* I also was at the the November 12, 2003 show at the Paramount Theatre in Denver but didn’t leave submit a review.  Should-of though because he did a version of “Stolen Land” on electric guitar that was amazing.  I remember thinking that he was channeling the spirit of Jimi Hendrix during that song