For three decades, Canadian singer/songwriter Bruce Cockburn has spoken out on issues from the environment to human rights. "If I Had a Rocket Launcher" took aim at Guatemala's military for attacking refugees in Mexico. "If a Tree Falls" underscored the plight of endangered forests.

But Cockburn's new CD focues on his extraordinary talents as a guitarist and composer, rather than his political views. Speechless: The Instrumental Bruce Cockburn, includes cuts culled from previous albums, as well as three newly recorded tunes.

Cockburn tells Liane Hansen how the recording came to be, and where his music is headed next.

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