Bruce Cockburn's early- to mid-'70s work is a delicate cathedral of sound based on his dexterous and emotive acoustic guitar work, which transforms even the most traditional tune into a feat worth a turn of the head. "All the Diamonds in the World" sparks things with a melody that encompasses sadness, hope, and yearning in less than three minutes. The instrumental title track makes plain Cockburn's talents on the fretboard, in case you needed convincing. However, Cockburn's never a musician just for musicianship's sake. His carefully crafted tunes evoke as much mood as they do musical challenges. His voice often takes a backseat to his obvious abilities, but the singing here is both soulful and restrained. "Don't Have To Tell You Why" is an expert exercise in vocal control. Cockburn's use of mild vibrato emphasizes his emotions. "Seeds on the Wind" is an expansive acoustic guitar piece, while "It Won't Be Long" is a compact composition that combines folk, country, and blues touches into Cockburn's signature sound.