Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
At once a departure and a return, The Charity of Night represents a change from the folk rock stylings of his previous two albums, having more in common with earlier jazz-inflected works such as Night Vision. Shades of light and shadow play through the album's theme of reflection and memory: Cockburn recalls many events of his past, taking stock and coming to grips with them. It's a very cohesive album in subject, with only the anti-land mine "Mines of Mozambique" seeming out of place (though it's a worthwhile song on its own). The centerpiece of the album is the title song, a realization that facing the past can be more difficult when memories are exposed in the cold hard light of day, but the refuge and peace darkness can provide is "the charity of night." In fact, most of the album's events happen at night and this theme is echoed in the haunting booklet artwork by Bill Sienkiewicz, graphic novel illustrator for comics such as The Sandman. Musically the sound is very organic, with solid bass and drums provided by Rob Wasserman and Gary Craig. Guest Gary Burton provides shimmering vibraphone on three of the cuts, adding to the jazz texture. Other guests include Bonnie Raitt, Ani DiFranco, Jonatha Brooke, and Patty Larkin. The album culminates with "Strange Waters," a summation of Cockburn's life-long spiritual search, where he asks the question "if I loose my grip, will I take flight?" Acclaimed by fans and critics alike, this album is an essential part of the Cockburn catalog.
© Rob Caldwell /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From $17.49/month
Bruce Cockburn, Composer, MainArtist
1996 High Romance Music Inc. Marketed by True North Records 1996 High Romance Music Inc. Marketed by True North Records
Bruce Cockburn, Composer, MainArtist
1996 High Romance Music Inc. Marketed by True North Records 1996 High Romance Music Inc. Marketed by True North Records
Bruce Cockburn, Composer, MainArtist
1996 High Romance Music Inc. Marketed by True North Records 1996 High Romance Music Inc. Marketed by True North Records
Bruce Cockburn, Composer, MainArtist
1996 High Romance Music Inc. Marketed by True North Records 1996 High Romance Music Inc. Marketed by True North Records
Bruce Cockburn, Composer, MainArtist
1996 High Romance Music Inc. Marketed by True North Records 1996 High Romance Music Inc. Marketed by True North Records
Bruce Cockburn, Composer, MainArtist
1996 High Romance Music Inc. Marketed by True North Records 1996 High Romance Music Inc. Marketed by True North Records
Bruce Cockburn, Composer, MainArtist
1996 High Romance Music Inc. Marketed by True North Records 1996 High Romance Music Inc. Marketed by True North Records
Bruce Cockburn, Composer, MainArtist
1996 High Romance Music Inc. Marketed by True North Records 1996 High Romance Music Inc. Marketed by True North Records
Bruce Cockburn, Composer, MainArtist
1996 High Romance Music Inc. Marketed by True North Records 1996 High Romance Music Inc. Marketed by True North Records
Bruce Cockburn, Composer, MainArtist
1996 High Romance Music Inc. Marketed by True North Records 1996 High Romance Music Inc. Marketed by True North Records
Bruce Cockburn, Composer, MainArtist
1996 High Romance Music Inc. Marketed by True North Records 1996 High Romance Music Inc. Marketed by True North Records
Album review
At once a departure and a return, The Charity of Night represents a change from the folk rock stylings of his previous two albums, having more in common with earlier jazz-inflected works such as Night Vision. Shades of light and shadow play through the album's theme of reflection and memory: Cockburn recalls many events of his past, taking stock and coming to grips with them. It's a very cohesive album in subject, with only the anti-land mine "Mines of Mozambique" seeming out of place (though it's a worthwhile song on its own). The centerpiece of the album is the title song, a realization that facing the past can be more difficult when memories are exposed in the cold hard light of day, but the refuge and peace darkness can provide is "the charity of night." In fact, most of the album's events happen at night and this theme is echoed in the haunting booklet artwork by Bill Sienkiewicz, graphic novel illustrator for comics such as The Sandman. Musically the sound is very organic, with solid bass and drums provided by Rob Wasserman and Gary Craig. Guest Gary Burton provides shimmering vibraphone on three of the cuts, adding to the jazz texture. Other guests include Bonnie Raitt, Ani DiFranco, Jonatha Brooke, and Patty Larkin. The album culminates with "Strange Waters," a summation of Cockburn's life-long spiritual search, where he asks the question "if I loose my grip, will I take flight?" Acclaimed by fans and critics alike, this album is an essential part of the Cockburn catalog.
© Rob Caldwell /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 11 track(s)
- Total length: 01:07:26
- Main artists: Bruce Cockburn
- Composer: Bruce Cockburn
- Label: True North Records
- Genre: Blues
1996 High Romance Music Inc. Marketed by True North Records 1996 High Romance Music Inc. Marketed by True North Records
Improve album informationWhy buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.