Bruce Cockburn Dancing In The Dragon's Jaws CD

After nearly a decade spent in relative obscurity outside of his native Canada, Bruce Cockburn finally made a dent in the US market with the Top 40 hit "Wondering Where the Lions Are" from 1979's Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws. The album continues the jazz-inflected folk he had been pursuing on his past several releases, but with a heavier emphasis on the worldbeat rhythms that would play a larger part in his music in the years to come. This album is the gentler side of Bruce Cockburn, beautiful and searching, with his acoustic guitar once again at the forefront; his intricate, yet melodic patterns the perfect backdrop for his poetic ruminations on spirituality and nature. From the opener, "Creation Dream," his vision of the Earth's genesis to the meditative "No Footprints" Cockburn is overcome by the wonderment of God's work. Even amidst the "concrete vortex" and "people looking ill-at-ease," there's a sense of peace and overwhelming faith that runs throughout. Only "Incandescent Blue" (coincidentally the only song written outside of Canada) exhibits the kind of urban tension and consciousness that would become so evident in his work throughout the next decade; although he still finds a sort of respite in the chorus with its "white birds...[soaring] away free." Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws, though it can't match the sheer power of his next few releases, may be his most beautiful record, as well as an excellent culmination of his '70s work. ~ Brett Hartenbach

True North is proud to announce the continuation of the Bruce Cockburn Deluxe Edition Reissue Campaign.rare & previously unreleased bonus tracks • original vinyl album artwork• 24 bit/96 khz digital remastering• new liner notes written by respected Canadian journalist and author of “Before The Goldrush” Nick Jennings• additional bonus photos• special O Card sleeve packagingRounding out the 1970s and completing a trilogy of acoustic jazz/folk albums, that included \"In The Falling Dark\" and \"Firther Adventures Of\", Bruce Cockburn\'s \"Dancing In The Dragon\'s Jaws\" stands as both n era-ending album and a cumulative release that nearly built in the strengths of its predecessors.Featuring some of his finest guitar work ever the album was voted an \"essential\" recording by Acoustic Guitar Magazine, puttin Cockburn in the prestigious company of such revered pickers as Django Reinhardt, Andrés Segovia, Bill Frisell and Mississippi John Hurt.It also provided Cockburn with a commercial breakthrough on the strength of his buoyant Top 40 hit \"Wondering Where The Lions Are\".

All tracks have been digitally remastered.

Recorded at Manta Sound, Toronto, Canada between May and June 1979. Include liner notes by Nicholas Jennings.

Personnel: Bruce Cockburn (vocals, guitar, dulcimer, synthesizer); Bob Boucher (bass guitar); Benbow (drums, background vocals); Bob Disalle (drums).

Personnel: Bruce Cockburn (vocals, guitar, dulcimer, chimes, synthesizer); Pat Godfrey (piano, marimba, background vocals); Larry "Sticky Fingers" Silvera (bass, background vocals); Robert Boucher (bass); Ben Bow (drums, background vocals); Bob DiSalle (drums).

Q (7/95, p.138) - 3 Stars - Good - "...The inspirations behind Cockburn's AOR stylings are his Christian convictions, strong environmental concerns and a loathing of genocide and oppression. If it sounds over-worthy, surprisingly it isn't."