July 10, 2024

COCKBURN FANS ARE STILL LOVERS OF FOLK LEGEND IN THESE DANGEROUS TIMES

Story and photos Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

ORILLIA — Bruce Cockburn fans are still lovers of the folk legend in these dangerous times.

At 79 he remains relevant to generations of followers through collective political, environmental and indigenous activism, singing and song-writing and still protesting.

But it’s his association with the weekend’s Mariposa Folk Festival that also earned him its coveted Mariposa Foundation Hall of Fame Award after almost a dozen appearances at the mega music fete.

It reads: ‘In appreciation of your contribution to the Mariposa Folk Festival.’

Pam Carter, president, said it was that long association with the Orillia fest that was rectified Sunday evening — “belatedly.”

CBC radio’s Q host Tom Power presented the prestigious glass award to a smiling Cockburn with the bearded singer’s name etched on it.

**Festival host Tom Powers presented the Mariposa Hall of Fame Award to Bruce Cockburn Sunday evening after the Canadian folk legend’s sizzling hour-long set.**

With mega hits like Rocket Launcher, Wondering Where the Lions Are and If a Tree Falls (“… in a forest does anybody hear?”), his legacy as a Canadian folk legend is everlasting.

His heated hour-long solo set — before the induction — featured more than a dozen songs like the latter two about war with Russia: “…Sun’s up, uuh huh, looks okay, the world survives into another day, and I’m thinking about eternity, some kind of ecstasy got a hold on me.”

And climate change.

“What kind of currency grows in these new deserts, these brand new flood plains? If a tree falls in the forest, does anybody hear? Anybody hear the forest fall?”

Does anybody care?

Cockburn clearly does — as did young and old acolytes in the crowd who applauded and whistled.

Award in hand, Cockburn leaves the Mariposa main stage with his name etched in his Hall of Fame award.

**Cockburn appears to be looking at his award after receiving it and then playing along with 10 star-studded backup singers.**

To many of his eco fans (“… Green brain facing lobotomy: ‘If Tree Falls …”) his songs were a breath of fresh air. Revelations like Dylan and Lennon, who initially inspired him. And later at Nepean High where T.S. Elliot turned him on to poetry.

Most Mariposa-goers were either reminded or astounded at Cockburn’s deft handiwork on his gorgeous green original six-string Linda Manzer guitar.

Cockburn said afterward when asked if he ever thought back in 1968, when he first subbed in for Neil Young as a Mariposa headliner, that he’d be back on the Gordon Lightfoot Mainstage to receive its highest honour.

“No, I did not.”

He also acknowledged thinking of his old friend Lightfoot and other previous recipients while accepting the glass award with his name etched on it.

“You can’t be here and not think of Lightfoot” — who is now joined with good company.