MICHAEL OCCHIPINTI
Creation Dream - The Songs
Of Bruce Cockburn (True North)
Reviewed by John Sekerka

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Why on earth would someone pay homage to Bruce Cockburn in an instrumental jazz vein? Apparently Michael Occhipinti thought it a good idea, and he managed to assemble an impressive collection of players who thought likewise (an irresistible paycheck probably wasn't on the table). Slipped in among the ten co-conspirators is Don Bryden who lends his superb Bass clarinet to three tracks (including a great lead on "If I Had a Rocket Launcher"), longtime Cockburn sideman Hugh Marsh and Bruce himself. Must be a bit odd playing on your own tribute album but Creation Dream veers far enough off the folky track to entice the songwriter. Being a guitarist, Occhipinti obviously has a soft spot for Cockburn's intricate chord structures and string virtuosity (a fact Cockburn hides very well). And though the record is pleasant enough I have to ask: Didn't Hugh Marsh already do this a couple of years ago?

© 2000 - John Sekerka