Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws

Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This Canadian folk singer finally found a way to U.S. radio with "Wondering Where the Lions Are" in 1979, reaching number 21 on the pop charts. By the late '70s, Cockburn had been changing his music to meet the times. Tired of the quiet, fingerpicking approach, he explored third-world rhythms, added synthesizer, solid drums, and matched them with his spiritual and political concerns. His voice surprisingly has always sounded natural in all these different contexts and he would only get better throughout the '80s. But it's here where the seeds were planted. Tracks such as "Creation Dream" and "Northern Lights" benefit from his open-minded approach. --Rob O'Connor

Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws,Bruce Cockburn,Sony,Folk & Traditional,Pop,Popular Music,Rock,Rock/Pop,Singer/Songwriter

Average customer rating:

Gentle and poetic

Wondering Where The Christians Are?

Cockburn's best work

Bruce's Spiritual Masterpiece

Still powerful after all these years

Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws
Bruce Cockburn
Manufacturer: Rounder / Umgd
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
General | Rock | Styles | Music
Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Rounder Records | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Stealing Fire

The Charity of Night

Life Short Call Now

Humans

Speechless

ASIN: B00006LLPS
Release Date: 2002-11-19

Tracks:

Creation Dream
Hills of Morning
Badlands Flashback
Northern Lights
After the Rain
Wondering Where the Lions Are
Incandescent Blue
No Footprints
Dawn Music (Bonus Track)
Bye Bye Idi (Bonus Track)

Customer Reviews:

Gentle and poetic.......2006-12-02

This beautiful and moving album contains evocative lyrics and an instrumental mix that includes guitar, chimes, dulcimer, synths, marimba, piano, bass and drums. The musical style is typically singer-songwriter but some of the arrangements provide the songs with an exotic, world music flavour. Some of my favorites are Creation Dream with its intricate guitar and percussive textures, Hills Of Morning with its lovely scriptural imagery and the uptempo Northern Lights with its urgent rhythm and celebration of nature. Of course the highlight of the album is the exquisite Wondering Where The Lions Are, a spiritual masterpiece with its hypnotic, lilting beat and stirring lyrics. It reminds me a lot of the music of Van Morrison, not so much in the structure but in the sentiment, truly inspired and inspiring. Because this song is so magnificent, it overshows the rest of the album as the other songs suffer by comparison. Dancing In The Dragon's Jaws is tuneful and intelligent throughout, and worth it just for Lions alone.

Wondering Where The Christians Are?.......2006-02-16

Whether intended or not, 'Dancing In The Dragon's Jaw' is by far the most overtly Christian of all Bruce Cockburn's albums/CD's. While all his earlier works were also deeply spiritual in content, this album with songs like 'Wondering Where The Lions Are', 'Creation Dawn' and 'No Footprints' seemed to exude the Christian message and finally caught the attention of the Protestant community-at-large. Despite his attempt to dis-associate himself from mainstream evangelical Christianity, this album was an overnight hit with young believers and he was immediately embraced as one of the flock. It was probably this unwanted association with Protestantism that accelerated his departure from the mellow folk roots of his early work to pursue a hard-edged, secular rock sound ever since.

Whatever the case, Christian or otherwise, this -11 track re-issue of the CD (containing 2 unnecessary bonus tracks) is without doubt the most upbeat, joyous collection of songs in the immense and eclectic Cockburn collection.

Highly Recommended!

Cockburn's best work.......2005-12-26

After 25 years, this album remains my favorite of Cockburn's, and in fact my favorite from any artist. Cockburn's work from other eras is compelling and from time to time even inspired. Dancin' in the Dragon's Jaws, however, reaches a plateau of transcendent perfection that is simply stunning. The songs are beautifully written and fit perfectly in their melodies. (To be honest, some of Cockburn's later poetry seems shoe-horned into the tunes he writes.) The tunes are fleshed out in a rich mix of acoustic guitar, piano, and percussion. Beneath everything is the power of Cockburn's poetry. He is reaching for a deep spiritual vision that is glimpsed "just beyond the range of normal sight" but never fully grasped. The overall effect is both spiritual longing and tranquility. It has never failed that whenever I have shared this album with friends that they have loved it at once and invariably bought a copy for themselves. If you aren't yet a Cockburn fan, this is the place to start.

Bruce's Spiritual Masterpiece.......2005-10-18

I know Bruce, even in the 70's, has always tried to distance himself from the Comtemporary Christian Music scene - and I can understand why. However, this work should be required listening for every CCM artist. It is wonderful in every way; from it's joyful, poetic, never heavy-handed lyrics to superb musicianship. A case could definitely be made that this is Bruce's finest work. Every song is a success; there is no low point. The remastering makes this cd sound better than ever. The only disappointment is the 2 new instrumentals, which add nothing to an already perfect album.

Still powerful after all these years.......2003-12-12

This remains Cockburn's greatest work - standing as a stunning collection of songs, but also as a great sequential album. It contains the typical socio-political commentary found in his other recordings, but also has more than the usual melodic strains to sing along to, and the guitar playing is fantastic. The two extra tracks on this issue are instrumental, and reflect the era of the album well - it's easy to see why Cockburn was voted one of the world's best singer/songwriters so many times over.

If you're starting out with Cockburn, get this first, then follow it up with 'Stealing Fire' (similar era, but much more grittily orchestrated), then 'Humans' (some great poetry on this), then perhaps 'Nothing But A Burning Light' (beautiful songs and a more accepting, positive outlook than some of his earlier works).

Tracks:

Creation Dream
Hills Of Morning
Badlands Flashback
Northern Lights
After The Rain
Wondering Where The Lions Are
Incandescent Blue
No Footprints

Amazon.com

This Canadian folk singer finally found a way to U.S. radio with "Wondering Where the Lions Are" in 1979, reaching number 21 on the pop charts. By the late '70s, Cockburn had been changing his music to meet the times. Tired of the quiet, fingerpicking approach, he explored third-world rhythms, added synthesizer, solid drums, and matched them with his spiritual and political concerns. His voice surprisingly has always sounded natural in all these different contexts and he would only get better throughout the '80s. But it's here where the seeds were planted. Tracks such as "Creation Dream" and "Northern Lights" benefit from his open-minded approach. --Rob O'Connor

Customer Reviews:

Wondering Where the Lions Are.......2001-08-24

This 1979 album is timeless. It does not sound like 1979 at all. Cockburn's acoustic guitar playing is understated yet beautiful. The songs don't necessarily stand out, yet, when the cd is over, I just play it again.... Also, it contains in my opinion his most enjoyable song:'Wondering Where the Lions Are'. I first heard about Bruce Cockburn in the early 80's when I purchased 'Stealing Fire' (****). I don't like his politics and thus did not buy anything else (political lyrics seemed to overshadow the music). I then heard his playing on 'The Best of Columbia Radio,Vol II' and decided to try his newer material. I purchased 1994's 'Dart to the Heart'(*****) and was mildly surprised; he had topped 'Stealing Fire'! The music on 'Dart' is beatiful pop! That finally led me to 'Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws' after I heard 'Wondering where the lions are' on the radio and had to have the song. I was not dissappointed and you won't be either... Musically, 'Dancing' and 'Dart' are his best.

one of his best ones.......2001-07-02

I have about 10 of Bruce's albums, and after listening to them for a few years I would have to say this is one of his best. It does not have the instant appeal of some of his later work, however it does have a relaxing complexity that grows on you.

Many of Bruces anthems of the 80's were loud, heavily political and may to many seem a little dated. Albums such as 'Stealing fire' may be great, but the appeal doesn't last. This album has survived remarkably well - perhaps due to its acoustic, lighter feel.

I have always enjoyed the fact that Bruce sings about things out there that are really important to him. The music is influenced by his Christianity, although he doesn't force these views on the listeners. 'The Charity of night' and 'Nothing but a buring light' are also really good albums - it will be interesting to hear if they sound as good in twenty years.

Wonderful!Wonderful!Wonderful!.......2001-05-18

I have all Bruce Cockburn's albums (except his mid 80's stuff) and this is one of my favorites from him and in general. His music has developed over the years and this may be his peak! Cockburn incorporates a full band to bring his music to a new level. He had previously used a band on a few albums before this, but this is the best one from the 70's "band" era. If you enjoy this album you should investigate Erik Cerame's "In The Light of the Morning", which is another fine album.

One of Cockburn's Best.......2001-02-27

This is a wonderful CD. All of the songs show the professional craftsmanship that Bruce has come to be known for. The lyrics are intelligent and thoughful and the guitar playing is perfectly suited to his voice and the content of the lyrics. He is without a doubt one of the more original, and under-appreciated singer-songwriters around. What kind of a name for a musical genre is singer-songwriter anyway? How dumb!

Soft rock without the wimp factor.......2000-12-13

Bruce Cockburn's "Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws" is an absolute delight. It is soft rock with a backbone, not to mention great hooks. Every song song unfolds in an unexpected way and Cockburn's voice is perfectly suited for the material. The songs are largely accoustic, but feature lush arrangements. The closest comparisons I can make are Steve Winwood's "Arc of a Diver" album and Gerry Rafferty's "City to City," which came out the same year. There is simply not a bad track in the mix, though the single "Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws" is probably the best song. This MIGHT be called folk-rock, except that the lyrics are perfectly oblique. But when the music is this good, the lyrics are largely irrelevant.