True North

This mixed collection of instrumentals, political/topical commentary and personal singer/songwriting is what we’ve come to expect from Canada’s perennial folk-hero Bruce Cockburn. He doesn’t like corporations and sees the contradictions that come with living in the modern world ( “The Iris of the World” ). He went to Afghanistan to witness the Canadian Army and its wonder and sorrow. He remembers his mother ( “Lois on the Autobahn” ). He’s inspired by jazz violinist Jenny Schienman and co-writes several tunes with fellow Canadian Annabelle Chvostek (The Wailin’ Jennys). An old closer written in 1968 ( “Gifts” ) is put to tape. It’s the work of an elder statesman who’s shied away from writing many anthems and stuck with his whims, as wry or private as they may be.