Salt, Sun and Time
Bruce Cockburn · 1974
34 min · 9 tracks · folk music
A tapestry of intricate guitar work entwined with poetic lyrics, reflecting on nature and human experience.
Top tracks — play these first
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All The Diamonds In The World Start here — This track encapsulates the album's themes of beauty and transience, featuring poignant imagery that invites reflection on what is truly valuable in life.
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Salt, Sun And Time — The title track weaves together elements of nature with a philosophical outlook, showcasing Cockburn’s ability to fuse storytelling with rich musical textures.
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Never So Free — This song stands out for its upbeat tempo and celebratory tone, contrasting the often somber themes found elsewhere on the album while maintaining emotional depth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Intricate guitar work and poetic lyrics create a compelling folk experience, though it doesn't fully stand out in its genre.
What we noticed
- The album features intricate fingerpicking guitar patterns that serve as the backbone for most tracks, creating a rich acoustic texture.
- Lyrical themes often intertwine personal reflection with observations of nature, with several songs employing vivid imagery and metaphor.
- The tempo varies significantly across tracks, with some maintaining a steady pace while others shift to more contemplative, slower movements.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- reflective solo listening sessions
- introspective storytelling focus
- gentle, soothing background ambiance
- gradual builds and payoffs
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — The album is noted for its lyrical depth and solidified Cockburn's reputation.
- Themes
- philosophical nature· Canadian landscapes· transience of beauty
- Career context
- Released in 1974, Salt, Sun and Time was Bruce Cockburn's fourth studio album, following his breakthrough record, High Winds White Sky. At this point in his career, Cockburn was establishing himself as a significant voice in Canadian folk music, integrating personal and political themes into his songwriting.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Richard Thompson· Leonard Cohen· Joni Mitchell
Tracklist
- 1 All The Diamonds In The World Start here 2:42
- 2 Salt, Sun And Time 3:10
- 3 Don't Have To Tell You Why 4:33
- 4 Stained Glass 3:14
- 5 Rouler Sa Bosse 3:47
- 6 Never So Free 4:01
- 7 Seeds On The Wind 7:04
- 8 It Won't Be Long 3:48
- 9 Christmas Song 2:32
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Blue
Joni Mitchell
Explores personal and emotional landscapes with intricate guitar and poetic lyrics.
Pink Moon
Nick Drake
Features delicate guitar work and reflective themes of nature and solitude.
Songs of Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen
Combines rich lyrical storytelling with an introspective approach to life and beauty.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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