Way of the Sun [Import]

Jade Warrior | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 5, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Import [Generic]
• ASIN: B000060P5B
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #689,020 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Sun Ra

2. Sun Child

3. Moontears

4. Heaven Stone

5. Way of the Sun

6. River Song

7. Carnival

8. Dance of the Sun

9. Death of Ra

Editorial Reviews

Eclectic Discs are pleased to release the classic albums recorded by the legendary Jade Warrior for Island records between 1974 and 1978. The duo of guitarist Tony Duhig and virtuoso flautist and woodwind player Jon Field were signed to Island records in 1974, following the recent break up of the four piece Jade Warrior (who recorded three albums for Vertigo records between 1970 and 1973). Island founder Chris Blackwell signed the duo upon the recommendation of Steve Winwood, declaring Jade Warrior to be "an ornament to my label". Blackwell gave Duhig and Field access to unlimited studio time to create four albums that were later hailed as instrumental masterpieces, all of which fused ethnic African and far eastern influences with superbly innovative rock guitar playing by Tony Duhig.

Way of the Sun was perhaps the band's most fully realised work, drawing upon South American musical influences which blended effortlessly with western rock. Way Of The Sun has been re-mastered from the original master tapes and features extensive liner notes, deluxe slip case packaging and fully restored artwork. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's A Masterpiece, January 16, 2009

By 

Stephen KEEN (Western Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Way of the Sun (Audio CD)

When I first began to collect Jade Warrior's "Island era" albums on vinyl in the seventies I commenced with "Waves" [1975], & for a while I thought that Tony Duhig & Jon Field had reached some peak of musical achievement. I was quite mistaken. My next purchase [out of sequence with the chronology of the four albums] was "Way of the Sun" [1978]. I gave up trying to define or predict anything about Jade Warrior's music ever again.

Whatever this album's title & cover art suggest is only a thin representation of the musical depth within. The music is built around ethnic Central American themes with segments that can sound majestic & sometimes almost orchestral, while much of it is exotic, haunting, & mystical.

I have always loved the sound of flute, & this album is a flute lover's delight. Once again Jon Field's flutes evoke celestial beauties & harmonies in partnership with Tony Duhig's guitars, both electric & acoustic. But Tony's electric guitar playing on this album is nothing short of mesmerizing, especially on the final track.

The first track "Sun Ra" creates a vivid impression of a sunrise. Then "Sun Child" is centered around a delightful flute tune, with picollos also, & the enchanting sounds of harp played by a guest musician. "Moon Tears" is a sweetly earthy tune played with both wooden flute & conventional flutes as well as guitars, & a myriad of small bells & chimes as it drifts into "Heaven Stone", a beautiful flute piece with cool jazz-like accompaniment largely from acoustic guitars. "Way of the Sun" ventures into a more familiar Latin American influence with Tony Duhig's electric guitars multi-tracked. Then "River Song" has multi-tracked flutes producing joyful trills & flutters. "Carnival" has a lively rumba-like rhythm, followed by "Dance of the Sun", based on a tribal percussion beat.

Most tracks contain modest keyboard backing with Duhig's electric guitar frequently drifting in & then fading out of the various musical segments. As with the earlier masterpiece "Waves" there is a real musical & recording mastery in this album. At the very least this music may send you somewhere else for a while.

But nothing will prepare the listener for the awesome final track titled "Death of Ra" which has Tony Duhig's electric guitar & Jon Field's flute harmonising with sad overtones which are almost tearfully beautiful.

Where on Earth did two Englishmen find the inspiration to create music like this? "Way of the Sun" is the last of Jade Warrior's "Island era" albums. I can certainly recommend all of them, but don't miss this one, it's a masterpiece.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jade Warrior Is A Band That Should Be Heard By More Listeners, August 6, 2005

By 

Blabberless (In the world somewhere) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Way of the Sun (Audio CD)

"Way of the Sun" is a more upbeat album than their previous 3 releases, blending Eastern sounds with soft fusion and progressive. Soft flute passages mix with acoustic guitars and lush percussive waves, similar at times to Mike Oldfield and even Gandalf.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 stars easily, November 18, 2008

By 

B. E Jackson (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Way of the Sun (Audio CD)

Way of the Sun sounds like it was influenced by both Santana and Camel- the incredible guitar playing of the former, and the instantly jaw-droppingly beautiful instrumental playing of the latter.

Why is it that whenever I listen to any rock album from the 70's, I find that at least 80% of the music is good? Bands back then knew how to put a song together.

Make sure when you listen to this Jade Warrior album you have the lights off in your room and you're feeling warm, because the music contains a friendly and comfortable atmosphere that's sure to please fans of beautiful instrumental playing and especially Camel fans.

We really need for the 70's to make a comeback with young people today. Maybe someone 14 years old will find out about Jade Warrior, and recommend the music to their friends, and that will start a trend that will carry all through North America and Europe.