While Bruce Cockburn remains relatively unknown in America except for a small devoted following, in his native Canada he ranks up there with compatriots Leonard Cohen or Joni Mitchell as one of the best Canadian songwriters. Along with his Canadian roots, Cockburn is regularly compared to Bob Dylan for his incomparable story songs that take listeners on vivid journeys while tackling human rights and environmental issues with thought-provoking messages.

Over 25 critically acclaimed releases, starting with a self-titled solo record in 1970 up to his 1999 release Breakfast in New Orleans…Dinner in Timbuktu, Cockburn has continued to weave politicized and spiritual messages across folk melodies, hard driving guitars and world beat rhythms. Perhaps best known in the United States for his only major U.S. single, "Wondering Where the Lions Are" (1979) or his 1984 somewhat violent, yet anti-war, thought-provoker, "If I Had a Rocket Launcher," Cockburn has continued to expand his musical boundaries while gathering devoted fans, and admirers inside the music industry.

While receiving 20 gold and platinum records and 10 Juno Awards (the Canadian equivalent to a Grammy), Cockburn has worked with a large array of talented musicians drawn to his thoughtful melodies, elegant guitar playing and forthright messages. In the past Cockburn has worked with the likes of Colin Linden, Richard Bell, Jonatha Brooke, Murray McLauchlan and Patty Larkin. For Breakfast in New Orleans…Dinner in Timbuktu, Cockburn continues to work with many of these people, but he adds a few more into the mix including Grammy-winner Lucinda Williams and Margo Timmins (Cowboy Junkies), creating one of his more interesting records of his stellar career.

Breakfast in New Orleans…Dinner in Timbuktu has been called Cockburn’s "strongest outing of the decade" (Escape Magazine) and "Smart, lovely stuff from Canada’s most reliable export after Molson lager" (Los Angeles Daily News).