RUPI'S DANCE

This sounds so J T that I wonder why it isn't. I consider that this came out exactly at the same time than the Christmas album, and think that it was redundant, so I got none of them and just rented them. Hardly essential, relatively pleasant , but average stuff

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Posted Thursday, February 5, 2004 | Review this album | Report (Review #26563)

Ian ANDERSON's solo album "Rupi's Dance" follows the great success of "The Secret Language Of Birds". I heard enough evidence on this album that would indicate it to be a smashing success for Ian. Followers of his solo career and his other role as the grand court jester for JETHRO TULL will find much enjoyment in this delightfully multihued group of recordings. Just in case you were wondering, this music does not sound like JETHRO TULL; it is an Ian ANDERSON solo album.

With a well-dressed blend of rock, world and new age sensibilities, ANDERSON makes his way through 13 animated tracks and an extra special sneak preview of the "Christmas JT" album with "Birthday Card At Christmas," which I found to be delightful as well.

When Ian plays the flute, I get a big smile inside. Three songs grabbed me more than all the others... "A Week Of Moments," "A Hand Of Thumbs," and "Eurology," a stunning instrumental composition. I found all of them to be inexhaustible works of musical art.

I am still wondering how Ian holds his leg up against the other, keeps his balance, and nimbly plays the flute after all these years. He is truly a renaissance man with a multitude of talents to share with us all. This is merely one piece of his world. Do yourself a big favor this year, buy this CD and rub elbows with Ian ANDERSON.

Rating: 4.5/5

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Posted Monday, January 24, 2005 | Review this album | Report (Review #26569)

Rupi's Dance is a more complex (in arrangements) album than the previous solo from Ian The Secret Language Of Birds (but without its joy and freshness). Not only because here there's an important part for electric guitar (Lost In Crowds and A Hand Of Thumbs) while in Secret Language... we have only two sporadic contributions. In fact now there's the important collaboration with Leslie Mandoki and the Sturcz String Quartet, arranged by Laszlo Bencker. For this reason the album sound though remaining similar to the previous solo album is comparable with other 70's Jethro Tull albums when orchestra dominated. The result is an introvert and hybrid album: it seems to be good as a JT album, but not completely.

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Posted Friday, August 12, 2005 | Review this album | Report (Review #42544)

Ian's dance

Ian Anderson is one of my favourite song writers of all time. Normally, as a leader for Jethro Tull - one of my favourite bands - here he is on his own. Some people seem to think that this album and the previous one, The Secret Language Of Birds, sounds just like Jethro Tull albums. These people cannot have heard many Jethro Tull albums. If this is to be compared with Jethro Tull it must be pointed out that this is a very naked and strongly acoustic Jethro Tull. But this is not enough to put them apart. The Secret Language Of Birds and Rupi's Dance are more towards Folk Pop than Prog Rock. It is certainly not mainstream, but also hardly progressive. Rupi's Dance is a slightly rockier and slightly better album compared to The Secret Language Of Birds. But otherwise these two albums are very similar to each other.

The songs on Rupi's Dance are all very well written, highly melodic, flawlessly performed, perfectly recorded, mixed and produced. Indeed, everything about this album is perfect to the point of verging towards being too perfect, almost glossy, but not quite so. Ian has a strong attention to detail and this is a high quality product. But I would certainly not call it progressive rock or compare it with Jethro Tull. An Ian Anderson solo album can, as far as I am concerned, never be compared with a Jethro Tull album.

I enjoy the heavily flute and vocal based musings of Rupi's Dance, and it is a good album overall. But I would certainly not put it up there with Jethro Tull's music. But this is a good Folk Pop album in it's own right. But certainly no more than that!

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Posted Wednesday, June 10, 2009 | Review this album | Report (Review #220604)

Ian Anderson needs no introduction, but I must pointed out that he is one of the most famous, charismatic and intelligent songwritter from prog world in last almost half century. Besides Jethro Tull he has also a solo career, with 4 albums released so far. Rupi's dance is his lates effort to date under his name and is a pleasent release for sure, at least for me. The name of the album came after his kitten Rupi died after a wonderful life spent with his master. So, musicaly speaking is not very much far from JT fame, but this time the arrangements are more acustical orientated with quite mellow passages and quirky elements added. His voice is as I guest great, not a varation from older albums, that means is apleasure to listen. Also the lyrics has that special english amusing metaphors as for instance is on A Raft of Penguins, refering to the musicians that he plays along his career. Passages are well written with flute all over and aswell accordion, keybords and all kind of ingrediants that makes this album pleasent. One of the top pieces from the album is the instrumental Eurolgy, absolute killer track with excellent accordion elements, simply wonderful and elegant, Pigeon Over Berlin Zoo is another highlight for sure. To end this review I must say that I was pleasent enough surprised to give to this album 3-3.5 stars, not a fantastic or groundbreaking release, but well presented and composed.

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Posted Friday, October 7, 2011 | Review this album | Report (Review #544714)

Rupi's Dance is Anderson's 4th solo album, following the wonderful Secret Language Of Birds by 3 years. It has many of the same wonderful ingredients and song structures of Secret Language, but also some new twists that aren't as successful. Mainly, the songs that follow the stripped down, quain ... (read more)

Report this review (#2690561) | Posted by SteveG | Tuesday, February 8, 2022 | Review Permanlink

The previous Anderson album was good folk music - this album is very similar. I love the flute in the opening track - how can Anderson and his flute not put a smile on the listeners face? "Rupi's Dance" is a very pleasant listen. It strikes me early on that this album is a lot more upbeat than ... (read more)

Report this review (#943234) | Posted by sukmytoe | Saturday, April 13, 2013 | Review Permanlink

I`m quite agree that Rupis dance is the best solo album by Ian Anderson - even latest TAAB II - is not so "pastoral atmospheric". I`m listening to this piece of art very often. Lost in Crowd - is magnificent track. Eurology - wow, what a sparkling skittish instrumental piece with Ian on Accordion. T ... (read more)

Report this review (#889118) | Posted by sylphida | Monday, January 7, 2013 | Review Permanlink

For many music lovers, including myself, the acquaintance with an album begins with its cover art. When executed correctly, It sets the tone and the mood. It introduces the concept. It gives you the first bearings of the album's direction, allowing you to tune in faster. I remember looking a ... (read more)

Report this review (#833794) | Posted by Argonaught | Saturday, October 6, 2012 | Review Permanlink

The best solo album by Ian Anderson by far. Old black cat is a lovely song, and the title track is one of his best ever (maybe owning a little black cat has swayed me). All the songs have something going for them which was missing on the previous album. As good as classic Tull? probably not, b ... (read more)

Report this review (#100319) | Posted by laghtnans | Saturday, November 25, 2006 | Review Permanlink

Another Anderson acoustic solo abum, but not good and emotional as "Secret Language Of Birds". It's more similar to Jethro Tull sound than the previous solo work. Especially, The Sturcz String Quartet had an impressive contrubuion to the album. It can be easily a new Tull album. "Pigeon Flying ... (read more)

Report this review (#43917) | Posted by Tichy | Tuesday, August 23, 2005 | Review Permanlink

There's good news for every experienced Jethro Tull/Ian Anderson fan. Ian has still got it in him and has just released a new solo CD. 'Rupi's Dance' is Ian's fourth solo album and, without a doubt, his best. Why? I'll try to explain why in a few words. As a Tull fan from the beginning, i ... (read more)

Report this review (#26568) | Posted by | Tuesday, May 18, 2004 | Review Permanlink

I have had this for a while . It is only now that I have begun to appreciate the depth to the compositions. Wonderful melodies and memorable flute playing characterise this release. Lyrically not as sharp as some earlier works. But Rupi shows that Anderson can still cut it after some 35 ... (read more)

Report this review (#26561) | Posted by platform | Friday, January 2, 2004 | Review Permanlink

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