With 34 previous releases, 13 Canadian JUNO wins, two Hall of Fame inductions, countless honorary Doctorates, Officer of The Order of Canada — and new inductee into Canada’s Walk of Fame this year — all spanning a 50+ year career — it’s no small task to encapsulate Bruce Cockburn’s inimitable imprint when it comes to Canadian music and culture. But his newly announced double-album release, Bruce Cockburn Greatest Hits (1970 - 2020), is a good place to start.
Curated by Bruce Cockburn and set for release December 3rd, 2021 via True North Records, this definitive collection meticulously corrals the acclaimed singer/songwriter’s most-favored tracks — from songs that shot to the top of the charts upon release, to long-lauded fan-favorites requested on tour, time and time again.
Expect to settle in for a chronological journey from the legendary artist’s earliest offerings, to today; assembled by Cockburn himself, the hand-picked selection of 30 songs revisit works from 1970 to 2020, and are accompanied by exclusive notes from the artist.
“In 1969, when I was feeling the need to record an album of the songs I’d been writing, I had no concept of what that might lead to,” Cockburn shares. “Not unusual for a young person, I guess...
“In some organic way, it felt like it was ‘time.’ The future wasn’t really an issue. It still isn’t. For each of us, there’s a future or there isn’t.
“But looking back over the arc of fifty years of recording, performing, and travel — not to mention, relationships and personal challenges — I can only shake my head and mutter a word of thanks for all of it. Even if I’d been a planner by nature, I doubt I could have predicted how things have gone.
“And they’re still going!”
The release lands ahead of Cockburn’s “2nd Attempt” North American tour for his 50th Anniversary Concert, previously stymied by Covid restrictions.
Bruce Cockburn’s Greatest Hits (1970 - 2020) is available December 3rd, 2021 via True North Records.
Bruce Cockburn 2021/22 Tour Dates:
December 7, 2021 Center for the Arts, Grass Valley, CA
December 8, 2021 Rio Theater, Santa Cruz, CA
December 9, 2021 Freight and Salvage Coffeehouse, Berkeley, CA
December 10, 2021 Freight and Salvage Coffeehouse, Berkeley, CA
December 12, 2021 Soreng Theater, Eugene, OR
December 13, 2021 Tower Theater, Bend, OR
December 14, 2021 Rogue Theater, Grants Pass, OR
December 16, 2021 Aladdin Theater, Portland, OR
December 17, 2021 Aladdin Theater, Portland, OR
December 18, 2021 Bing Crosby Theater Spokane, WA
December 19, 2021 Neptune Theater, Seattle, WA
February 24, 2022 Higher Ground, Burlington, VT
February 25, 2022 The Egg, Albany, NY
February 26, 2022 Academy Theatre, Northampton, MA
February 27, 2022 The Wilbur, Boston, MA
March 1, 2022 Opera House, Waterville, ME
March 2, 2022 Centre for the Arts, Fall River, MA
March 4, 2022 Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield, CT
March 5, 2022 Newton Theater, Newton, NJ
March 6, 2022 Peter Jay Sharp Theater, New York, NY
March 8, 2022 The Ark, Ann Arbor, MI
March 10, 2022 Old Town School Of Folk, Chicago, IL
March 11, 2022 Old Town School Of Folk, Chicago, IL
March 12, 2022 Barrymore Theater, Madison, WI
March 13, 2022 Englert Theater, Iowa City, IA
April 19, 2022 Showplace Theatre, Peterborough, ON, Canada
April 21, 2022 Centre In The Square, Kitchener, ON, Canada
April 22, 2022 Massey Hall Toronto, ON, Canada
April 23, 2022 National Arts Centre, Ottawa, ON, Canada
