Musician, poet Bruce Cockburn is known to you. Most likely he is on the periphery of your awareness or perhaps known to you for his mainstream radio hit, “Wondering where the Lions are”. Mr. Cockburn is a favorite musician among other established singer-songwriter artists for his guitar mastery and politically aware lyricism.  You will find many notable artists (Patty Griffin, Jonatha Brooke) in vocal supporting roles on quite a few of his recent recordings. Some find his political songs pedantic, and somewhat soph·o·mor·ic.  I find his voice most resonant when he focuses on the individual narrative within a larger socio-economic geopolitical context.

Night Train, a lesser-known song, is one of my favorite BC tracks. This may have something to do with the prominent, percussive, snakeline Rob Wasserman bass-thumping standin for the Night Train; perfect for the beginning of a long road trip. Yet there is something viscerally furtive in the lyric.  Decide for yourself. The studio version is the second of these two videos.