RECOLLECTIONS
OF A
FOGELBERG FAN

River of Souls (1993)

I bought this album on its first day of release in September of 1993. Not having been thrilled about The Wild Places, I really wasn't expecting much. So much so that when, prior to the release of the album, tickets for a Fogelberg show at nearby Westbury Music Fair had gone on sale, I had ignored the radio ads thinking I'd seen Dan enough for one lifetime. I listened to the CD once from start to finish and then filed it alphabetically with the rest of my Fogelberg collection and let it collect dust for a week or so. When I finally went back to it to give it another chance, I began to appreciate the opening track "Magic Every Moment" a little more. I decided to push the repeat button and listen to that track four or five times in succession. It began to wash over me like a mantra, and all of a sudden I had a new favorite song. I played it for anyone who would listen, and tortured my staff at the store with it over and over. I sent my local radio station a copy and barraged it with requests because I knew it would be a smash if only it got some airplay. Of course it never did. However, I did succeed in getting my 8 year old daughter and several of her friends to think it was wonderful.....we got some very strange looks in the car that year for dancing at traffic lights. My wife at the time gave me a wonderful Christmas present based on the song, complete with dove ornament, calligraphy, custom-made sweatshirt, and a dove balloon flying out of the box when I opened it! Click on cover art for additional information, song samples and on-line shopping!

No Resemblance Whatsoever(1995)

By the time this one was released, I had made the acquaintance of some kindred spirits and fellow Fogelberg fans from around the country through the miracle of the internet. We were all anxiously awaiting this follow-up to the Twin Sons album to be released on Irving Azoff's short-lived Giant label, and the reunion of Fogelberg/Weisberg. New Age had become very popular by this time, and some of the keyboard work was reminiscent of Yanni's finest material, notably the closing track "Windward," and the influence of Brazilian guitarists such as Luiz Bonfa were heard on several tracks including "Forever Jung" and "Todos Santos," making this an extremely listenable album for a very wide audience. Click on cover art for additional information, song samples and on-line shopping!

Portrait 1972-1997 (1997)

Nothing says "you've made it!" like the release of a boxed set. Fogelberg chose the material included in this 4-CD collection spanning 25 years of recording for the Columbia and Epic labels. It would be the last of the Fogelberg albums released during my tenure in music retail, and I was somewhat humiliated to have to purchase this album from the competition in order to have it on its first day of release. The song selection and sequencing surprised me a bit and I was somewhat dismayed at the exclusion of both "Morning Sky" and "There's A Place in the World For A Gambler." Despite this, the sound quality of the remastered material as well as the extensive liner notes essay written by Paul Zollo and the song by song notes from Dan himself make this an essential piece of my Fogelberg collection. Plus, its release was cause for Dan to get out on the road performing lots of his best material on a solo acoustic tour which brought him to two different New York area venues on successive nights, and I was fortunate enough to obtain great seats for both shows. Click on cover art for additional information, song samples and on-line shopping!

First Christmas Morning (1999)

Strange seeing Dan on TV with Regis and Kathie Lee, but OK. As apprehensive as I usually am about Christmas albums, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this one contained primarily original material, largely composed in Medieval, Baroque, and Rennaisance styles. First track is another one of those infectious pieces you hear five or six times and you can't get it out of your head. And there are some gorgeous guitar pieces here you can curl up with alongside the fire all winter long. Click on cover art for additional information, song samples and on-line shopping!

Live: Something Old New, Borrowed and Some Blues (2000)

I got lucky again with this one as it includes about a half dozen selections recorded during that 1993 River of Souls tour I'd regrettably elected to pass up. These tracks feature Tim Schmit on bass and backing vocals. There are also fine covers of the Beatles, Allman Brothers and Poco on this set. Click on cover art for additional information, song samples and on-line shopping!

Full Circle (2003)

31 years after the release of Home Free, Fogelberg comes Full Circle in 2003. As with many of the releases in recent years, it took me a few listens to realize what a fine work this really is, each listen bringing a greater appreciation for the fullness of the arrangements and the richness of the melodies. Title track is a cover of an old Byrds tune, and several of the original compositions have a familiar ring - a guitar riff here, a harmonic tone there - as if they'd been recorded during the Captured Angel era. Listening to this album frequently during Summer, 2003 is kind of like having an old friend come for an extended stay. How great getting caught up! (Speaking of old friends, special thanks to John from Nation for hooking me up with tickets for Dan's Westbury show.) Click on cover art for additional information, song samples and on-line shopping!

Three fine websites featuring Dan Fogelberg are danfogelberg.com, The Living Legacy, and The Fogelberg Page. Dan Fogelberg song lyrics may be viewed at Dan Fogelberg Lyrics.

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