After tacking towards American roots-rock in the early ‘90s, Bruce Cockburn embraced a cosmopolitan jazz-folk sound on The Charity of Night (1996). In some ways, the album returns to the sparkling rhythms of 1979’s Dancing In the Dragon’s Jaws. The musical reach of these songs is truly impressive —– Cockburn makes surprising connections between muscular rock pieces (“Night Train”), delicate jazz instrumentals (“Mistress of Storms”) and slinky beatnik-style narratives (“Birmingham Shadows”) without straining. Injustice and oppression is a reoccurring theme, stated with particular power in “The Mines of Mozambique” and “Get Up Jonah.” In “Pacing the Cage” and the title tune, Cockburn confronts the world’s suffering and achieves a measure of acceptance and forgiveness. His guitar work is as eclectic as his songs, running the gamut from sharp electric slashes to elegant acoustic embroidery. Bassist Rob Wasserman and vibes player Gary Burdon add shimmering accompaniment throughout the album. All told, The Charity of Night ranks high in Cockburn’s catalogue, a mature work by an artist still infused with youthful fire.