Sunwheel Dance

Sunwheel Dance is the third studio album by Bruce Cockburn, released in 1972. It was remastered and released by Rounder Records in 2005 with two bonus tracks. For the most part, Cockburn's lyrics here continue to be primarily introspective and spiritual, bolstered by sparse acoustic arrangements. However, Cockburn does make his first foray into political commentary on the anti-war diatribe "Going Down Slow," which also marks the artist's first utilization of a full band on record. The album has sold steadily through the years, receiving a Canadian gold record award in 1988.

Sunwheel Dance
Studio album by Bruce Cockburn
Released	1972
Recorded	September to December 1971
Studio	Thunder Sound
Genre	Folk
Length	34:24
Label	True North, Rounder
Producer	Eugene Martynec
Bruce Cockburn chronology
High Winds, White Sky (1971) Sunwheel Dance (1972) Night Vision (1973)
Singles from Sunwheel Dance
"It's Going Down Slow" Released: 1972 "Up On the Hillside" Released: 1972

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic

AllMusic music critic James Chrispell, wrote retrospectively "Cockburn has begun to show that he couldn't be categorized, and while that made listening to his music so enjoyable, he had a hard time at the retail level. But if you're willing to take a little time and listen with an open ear, you'll find much here to celebrate."

Track listing

All songs by Bruce Cockburn

1. "My Lady and My Lord" - 2:15
2. "Feet Fall on the Road" - 2:41
3. "Fall" - 2:58
4. "Sunwheel Dance" - 1:42
5. "Up On the Hillside" - 3:00
6. "Life Will Open" - 4:06
7. "It's Going Down Slow" - 3:35
8. "When the Sun Falls" - 2:21
9. "He Came from the Mountain" - 3:12
10. "Dialogue With the Devil (or Why Don't We Celebrate)" -6:20
11. "For the Birds" - 2:14

2005 bonus tracks

12. "Morning Hymn" - 2:39
13. "My Lady and My Lord (Solo Version)" - 2:19

Personnel

Musicians

• Bruce Cockburn - acoustic guitar, electric guitar, dulcimer, mandolin, piano, slide guitar
• Eugene Martynec - piano and electric guitar
• Dennis Pendrith - bass guitar
• John Savage - drums
• Trisha Cullen - accordion
• Ian Guenther - violin
• Carol Marshall - cello
• Eric Nagler - jaw harp
• Michael Ferry, Anne and Mose Scarlett, Eric and Marty Nagler - chorus on "For the Birds"

Production

• Eugene Martynec - producer
• Bill Seddon - engineer at Thunder Sound Studios