This is such wonderful and beautiful album as "Down to the moon", which I believe is #1 album of all the Vollenweider's. To my knowledge, he used piano for the first time for this unique album giving it freshness and variety. I also think he added sound effect very skillfully and efficiently. I am just amazed how he could do another great job in a row after the grammy awarded "Down to the moon".

So... why don't you let this album be in your precious collection. You won't be sorry at all!!

A lion's roar sets the tone for this continuation of Andreas Vollenweider's ever-evolving creative vision. This music for electroacoustic pedal harp, cheng, synthesizer, solo voice, chorus, percussion and a variety of other instruments is so unique and multi-textured that it tends to defy description. If pressed, I'd term the offerings on this album a fusion of the best of jazz and New Age elements with flavorings from Africa, the Orient, and somewhere far off-planet. Energizing and calming, ethereal and grounding, tantalizing and satisfying, it is an unexpected blending of extremes into a truly artful soundscape that transports you to a world free of woes and full of magic. Beginning with "The Trilogy" and "Down to the Moon", Vollenweider continues his musical journeys here, and then enhances his signature sound in ever new and intriguing ways in "Eolian Minstrel", "Book of Roses", "Kryptos" and "Cosmopoly".

In one expression, I love this album. New efforts were made for this recording, I feel. In particular, piano was effectively employed for the first time, as long as I know. Andreas is ingenious in expressing his emotion and feeling with mixing-up of various instruments. With Grammy awarded "Down to the moon", this is my favorite. Don't say anything about Andreas before trying this CD!

Dancing With the Lion is quintessential Andreas Vollenweider. The title cut is representative of Vollenweider's work in total. If there is one song that could give the new listener the general flavor of Vollenweider's work then Dancing With the Lion is it. You won't be disappointed, happy 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.