| Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1979 | |||
| Recorded | May–June 1979 | |||
| Genre | Folk rock | |||
| Length | 36:37 | |||
| Label | True North | |||
| Producer | Gene Martynec | |||
| Bruce Cockburn chronology | ||||
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Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws is the ninth studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Bruce Cockburn. The album has eight songs written around the acoustic guitar and "particularly showcased Cockburn's sparkling guitar work".[1] Up to that time Cockburn's records had been influenced by his Christianity; Third Way magazine wrote in 1987 that "in 1979 the simple Christian faith [Cockburn] had been celebrating was transformed with the release of his most popular ever album Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws, where, with the help of Charles Williams, his pre-Christian mysticism resurfaced after the baptism of faith as mature Christian mysticism. The poetry was astonishing, like no Christian musician had then, or would since, come even close to."[2]
The single "Wondering Where the Lions Are" reached No. 21 in the United States, and spent 17 weeks on the Billboard chart.[3] It was important in bringing Cockburn attention outside Canada, and would be his highest-charting single in the U.S.
The album cover is a painting by Canadian aboriginal artist Norval Morrisseau (1932–2007).[4] In 1992 a remastered edition was released by Rounder Records with two extra tracks, "Dawn Music" and "Bye Bye Idi".[1]
- ^ a b J.B. and Paoletta, Michael (ed). "Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws (Music release)." Billboard, December 12, 2002. Vol. 114, Issue 51.
- ^ Wrote, Martin. "Bruce Cockburn". Third Way, August 1987, vol. 10, no. 8, pp. 18–20.
- ^ Billboard magazine.
- ^ Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws Album cover by Norval Morrisseau