Throughout the Seventies, Bruce Cockburn (pronounced Co-burn) has been Canada's favorite wandering minstrel, a publicity-shy antistar combination of John Denver's mind, Nick Drake's voice and John Fahey's hands. He has eschewed the desire for international success in favor of a somewhat reclusive, nature-oriented existence. But with the acquisition of the True North catalog by Island Records, Cockburn may well become a cult star despite himself.

In the Falling Dark is Cockburn's seventh and best album. While songs such as "Gavin's Woodpile" and "Lord of the Starfields" display the laid-back acoustic feel and joie de vivre motif that has typified Cockburn's work in the past, there is ample evidence of a new musical maturity. Delicate African tribal rhythms underlay several songs, especially "Giftbearer." A strong, surprising jazz feel crops up in "Silver Wheels." And if there are any doubts about Cockburn's virtuosity on guitar, "Water into Wine," on which he compares favorably to Leo Kottke and John Fahey, should dispel them.

But like the other singer/songwriters mentioned here, Cockburn is an acquired taste. He is a sensitive and gifted musician whose prime concerns are nature and man's abuse of it. At this point in his career his music blends jazz rhythms with the kind of folk music popularized by Gordon Lightfoot, and apt comparisons can be made with anyone from Nick Drake to Neil Young to Tim Buckley. His popularity among Canadians has grown with each album. It is not unreasonable to suggest that, given proper exposure, the same thing might happen in the U.S. (RS 240)

ALAN NIESTER