Brian J. Walsh
Brazos Press, 2011, 216 pp., $18.99
In 30+ albums recorded in more than 40 years, Bruce Cockburn has helped define the term Christian crossover artist. Now, fellow Canadian Brian Walsh dives deep into nearly 150 of Cockburn’s songs, unpacking their insights on faith, life, love and politics in Kicking at the Darkness.
Walsh, author of acclaimed books on developing a Christian worldview, writes as critic and fan, examining Cockburn’s musicianship (which blends folk, rock, jazz and world music styles) and lyrics (which vary from inspiring to challenging, and include theology and biblical imagery).
Walsh agrees with U2’s Bono, who praises Cockburn as a contemporary psalmist, but also identifies Cockburn as a modern prophet whose songs address everything from postmodernism to American foreign policy.
Cockburn declared in a letter to Walsh the book makes him feel understood, and the book helped me understand Cockburn better after following his career closely for decades.
If you don’t know Cockburn’s music, you’re missing out on something special. Try picking up his 2002 singles collection, Anything, Anywhere, Anytime; and read this book while listening so you can plumb the depths of this artist’s powerful poetry.
