© 1981 Toronto Star
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Take his two concerts at the Danforth Music Hall next Monday and Tuesday nights, scheduled to help finish Rumours of Glory, the 90-minute documentary on his music being shot during his current American tour which began Oct. 14 in Detroit.
It wasn't bad enough that only four days ago it wasn't certain he could do them. As soon as they're finished he head to hospital to have an operation on his leg.
Almost everywhere he's appeared -- he was in Washington last night -- he's earned rave reviews. In yesterday's New York Times review of Monday's concert at the Bottom Line club there, Stephen Holden called him "one of the finest guitarists, acoustic and electric, among North American folk singers," adding that "Bruce Cockburn has found a musical vocabulary that effectively illustrates his ideas in a mixture of jazz, rock and reggae."
Good reviews are one thing. Money is another. According to manager Bernie Finkelstein, "it wasn't until 3 a.m. Friday morning -- and I mean last Friday morning -- that the rest of the money came through so we could finish shooting. That's why the concerts, which could be the only ones he'll do in town at least until April, were set up on short notice."
Budgeted at $350,000 (an earlier estimate had it at $400,000) Rumour [sic] of Glory is aimed at theatrical release, not necessarily for TV. After it's finally edited, the songwriter intends to write a score. Monday and Tuesday's shoot will include five cameras and will be recorded on 24-track Dolby sound.