This Dragon Won't Sleep

Released in 1995, This Dragon Won't Sleep marked Don Ross's debut for Columbia/Sony Canada, signaling a move toward a more commercial and expansive sound. While Ross had already established himself as a fingerstyle virtuoso, this album was a departure due to its inclusion of full band arrangements on the majority of the tracks. This shift allowed Ross to explore the 'jazz fusion' side of his writing, placing his percussive acoustic style alongside electric bass and drums. The album features several re-imagined versions of earlier compositions, such as 'Catherine' and 'Zarzuela,' which are given new life through the ensemble format. Critically, it is often cited as one of the most accessible entry points into Ross's discography, balancing his technical 'heavy wood' philosophy with melodic pop sensibilities and world music influences, particularly on tracks like 'Tierra Maya.'