Big Circumstance

The result of three years of global traveling. 1989’s Big Circumstance reflects Bruce Cockburn’s heartfelt reaction to war, repression and environmental abuse.

On this album Cockburn fires off some of the most politically potent material of his career, including “If A Tree Falls,” which tackled the issue of the rain destruction.

The remastered version of Big Circumstance features a bonus track, an acoustic version of “If A Tree Falls.” Sharpened rather than dulled by the passage of time, Big Circumstance remains a powerful testament to one man’s social conscience and artistic vision.

Album Info:

People who fed, or found their way onto these songs:

e.e. cummings, Bob and Gracie Ekblad, Tom Kellyji, Brennan Manning (“Lion & Lamb”), Dan Russell and Alison Ottman, Lewis Hyde (“The Gift”), Heather MacAndrew, Ursala LeGuin (“Buffalo Gals Won’t You Come Out Tonight”), USC Canada, Susan Walsh, Nirmala Pokharel, the plant manager at Chernobyl…

That’s all. If anyone’s missing, thank you too. Bruce

All songs written by Bruce Cockburn
© 1988 Golden Mountain Music Corp. (SOCAN)
All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.
Produced by Jon Goldsmith for True North Productions
Recorded at Manta Sound, Toronto, July-August 1988.
Engineer: John Naslen
Assisted by Mike Colomby
Mastering: Bob Ludwig, Masterdisk, New York

The musicians are:
Bruce Cockburn – vocals, guitars and harmonica
Jon Goldsmith – keyboards and electric auto harp
Fergus James Marsh – stick and bass
Michael Sloski – drums and percussion
Background vocals: Judy Cade, Margaret O’Hara (appears courtesy of Virgin Records), and Mose Scarlett
Hugh Marsh – violin (appears courtesy of Duke Street Records)
Myron Schultz – clarinets

Art direction: Bart Schoales
Photography: George Whiteside