Dancing with the Lion [Enhanced, Original recording remastered, Import]

Put the CD in and close your eyes and be prepared for a journey. It's very evocative of emotions of love and romance. Absolutely beautiful. The atmosphere is one of closeness... perfect for a backdrop of a romantic evening or to put in headphones during a stressful day.

The reason I stumbled onto it (released in 1988 and bought by me in 2007) is the background singer Patti Austin. Anything Patti is in I buy.

I have heard of Andreas Vollenweider from the smooth jazz stations but never paid him any special attention. I have been missing out for many years. I'm sure I'm in the dark about many artists and am grateful that Amazon and other sites have the listen feature.

Will add more later. Still listening.

I never really thought of Andreas as being just a New Age artist. Sure, due to the numerous influences and the serenity of the music and the lack of a then, better term, you might be tempted. I would say this is first rate world music.

I own several of Andreas' recording and for me, this is the best of them. The music has more of an edge and the instrumentation is a bit different from is other recordings. The world influences are more pronounced and delineated. There is also a cinematic feel to this music also.

The beginning of this recording "Unto The Burning Candle" starts with a melody line that conjures the early "James Bond" thems but quicky, within seconds distinguishes itself from that and segue into an exotic mesh of eastern influenced music, complete with tablas, wordless vocals and a rich textured arrangements. It then segues in that imitable Vollenweider style to a different mode and lighter mood to a style much like "Caverna Magica". This, "Dancing With The Lion" (the title cut, is lush beautiful music. Again the vocals are well done, subtle and lend a nice texture to the music without take the focus away from the concept. "Hippolyte" is a shot piece with a strong eastern mood which is a strong segue into one of the best pieces(movements) of this recording. Actually it's my favorite movements, which entitled "Dance of the Masks". It starts out elegantly and with great subtlety makes it way to a full rich piece that features an unusual instrument for Andreas, to feature which is a rich guitar lead, followed by a very interesting piano solo, where the pianist does something piano players very seldom due, he explores the lower registers, rhythmically, then to the upper registers melodically. It's a wonderful solo which always keeps the piece in mind, well within the concepts but bringing new accents to light. This piece is a real highlight. This pieces closes with lovely, cascading harmmonies leading into "Pearls and Tears" which feaures a wonderful violin solo and more well placed guitar work and harmonies. "Still Life" features a big bodied tenor saxophone solo which fits in perfectly. Never over powering, but embellishing.

I could go on piece by piece but suffice it to say that this is a recording well worth getting. If you like Andreas Vollenweider, this is can't miss. If you've never heard him, in my opinion, this is the one to get.

It goes straight to the heart, transcendent, with rich multi-cultural influences. Of all the Andreas Vollenweider recordings, I have, this is the one I come back to most.

This CD features other artists that compliment Vollenweider's style. Very nice assembly of middle eastern music that is great for listening or if you're into belly dancing, for dancing to.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 3 reviews  5.0 out of 5 stars