Dan Fogelberg - Very Best of Dan Fogelberg
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Free Music Notes for Very Best of Dan Fogelberg
Free Music Review: A must-have release, but where is the "Power of Gold?"
Hit: 4 Stars
I am a huge Dan Fogelberg fan and I say it with pride as many seem to either hate or not admit to liking anything that is classified by the industry as "soft rock." The earnest beauty and delivery of this introspective great singer-songwriter is second to none. Although the 1982 "Greatest Hits" release made for a great listen in a pre-CD world, the transfer to CD made the songs sound a little on the dead side and although I am not sure if this CD is remastered, it sounds like a million bucks. Which brings us to this 2001 release titled "The Very Best Of Dan Fogelberg," which in essence grabs the songs from the 1982 release and adds the essential (and previously overlooked) "Nether Lands" and a few post 1982 songs, including the MUST HAVE "The Language of Love," and "The Rhythm Of The Rain."Although in my opinion, Fogelberg is a very underrated talent whose best work is as good as anything that other favorites of mine (Jackson Browne, Eagles, James Taylor) have produced, not many people mention him in the same light; notwithstanding he's right up there in my book and this collection does an ALMOST perfect job of putting together what it promises as all the songs are there with the almost criminal exclusion of "Power Of Gold," which appeared in the 1982 release and would have fit perfectly here as even without taking out a couple songs that are just ok (i.e. "Magic Every Moment" or the closer "A Love Like This") when seen in conjunction to the brilliant songs that make up this collection.
In order to make this a 5-star collection I had to shell out a little more cash to buy yet another (but lesser) greatest hits compilation put out by Sony as they are milking the life out of every act via their sometimes quite good to exceptional (as is the case with Luther Vandross and Barbara Streisand, just to name a couple) remastered "Essential" series. I still think that the 2001 release is much superior to the "Essential" is the latter lacks "Nether Lands," "Believe In Me," the essential and "Lonely In Love." If you are a casual fan this is without a doubt a 5 star release, but if you are somewhere in being a casual fan and a die-hard fan, you may miss "Power of Gold" as it's a gorgeous song that should have been here.
Sidebar: The music industry keep whining about diminishing sales, but surprisingly when they do things right (quality and price-wise) the fans have responded with enthusiasm, as is the case with recent greatest hits releases by "No Doubt," "Sheryl Crowe," and "Counting Crows," all released by Universal. If Sony did the same, their music empire would not be crumbling. There is no excuse to release this amazing collection and overlook "Power of Gold," and even worse less than 2 years later release something called essential that does not even approximate that. Now that I have that out of the way, I can reiterate that this release is amazing and that Dan Fogelberg is an underrated powerhouse and I am so glad that I bought this release and don't feel horribly about having to buy "Essential" to have "Power Of Gold." Enjoy!!!!! And a message to Dan.... Keep them coming!
Free Music Review: Fogelberg's Collection Longer, Somewhat Better
Hit: 4 Stars
Dan Fogelberg's first greatest hits collection contained the 1980-81 string of hits originally from 1979's "Phoenix" and 1981's critically acclaimed "Innocent Age." Pensive, sentimental songs like "Hard To Say," 1980's wedding ballad "Longer" and detailed folk-jazz like "Same Old Lang Syne" and "Heart Hotels" provided gentle moments on early 80s radio against the new wave dance rock popular then. Fogelberg was hipper and less pious than fellow Coloradan John Denver, although he could be as kitschy and cloying on songs like "Believe In Me" and "Make Love Stay." Fogelberg could occassionally country-rock as hard as his contemporaries and friends the Eagles, most notably on 1984's on-point "Language of Love." (once and future Eagles Glenn Frey and Joe Walsh, along with CSN's Graham Nash, show up as producers and background vocalists.) But it's Dan Fogelberg's folky ballads which remain lite rock and MOR standards this day, and again form most of this collection.
This "Very Best" includes nearly every song on that first best of except for 1978's "Power of Gold." It reaches for Fogelberg's semi-classical experiments (1977's soaring title track from "Nether Lands," missing "Love Gone By" and "Dancin' Shoes" from that same LP). It taps his last major radio hit, 1990's surprisingly soulful reading of the Cascades' 1963 hit "Rhythm of the Rain." But it misses concert favorites ("There's A Place In The World For A Gambler," "Since You Asked,") or even "Go Down Easy." an exceptional ballad from 1985's superb "High Country Snows" bluegrass LP.
"The Very Best of Dan Fogelberg" provides middle ground between Dan Fogelberg's overblown mid-90s multi-disc sets and his skimpy but effective hits collections. It prvides a fuller yet still incomplete picture of his often interesting, occassionally haunting body of work.
Free Music Review: A Good Mix Of Fogelberg's Best Work
Hit: 4 Stars
Though I was a die-hard rock & roll fan at heart (listening to Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, AC/DC and Deep Purple) in the 1970's, I couldn't help but notice a few of Dan Fogelberg's songs. Fogelberg, known mostly as a ballads kind of singer, had a few songs that really painted a nice picture. "Same Old Lang Syne" was one of those songs. Images of snow falling, shopping spree's, a warm fireplace, and someone's heart breaking (somewhere?) I'm sure came to many a listener's mind. Okay, enough of the sentimental crap. I'll readily admit that Dan can write, he can sing, he can play guitar, he had a more than competent band playing with him at times... and for the most part his music is enjoyable. Especially now that I'm 40+ years old and I'm not banging my head (to music that is) all the time now. All the songs from his 1982 "Greatest Hits" package are here minus "Power Of Gold" (why-oh-why?). That is the only drawback to this new and improved release. Take away a clunker like "A Love Like This" or "Magic Every Moment" and substitute "Power Of Gold" and you probably have a 5-star winner here. You don't here much about Fogelberg anymore... kind of like Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Seals & Crofts, Neil Young, etc... you only here about them if a new 'hits' package has been released by "Rhino' or the artist has been arrested for DUI and has landed himself in jail. Fogelberg is one of those 1970's folk/ballad/country/light-rock kind of sentimental singers that had some good songs back in the 1970's and early 80's. Some of his better albums were "Nether Lands", "Twin Sons Of Different Mothers", and "Innocent Age". However, if you own nothing of his and need an introduction - start with this one. 17 tracks on one disc; remastered sound and head and shoulders above his previous "Greatest Hits" minus the exclusion of "Power Of Gold".Free Music Review: A FINE COLLECTION OF DAN FOGELBERG'S INTRICATE, GENTLE AND PERSONAL SONGS !
Hit: 4 Stars
Dan Fogelberg is a very accomplished musician who has worked as a session musician for some of the big-name artists, and he is well-respected by many people in the music business. Most people don't know that about him. He's mostly famous for his sensitive folk/pop ballads, his handsome good looks, and his support of Native American and environmental causes. This collection of songs was handpicked by Dan himself, and it pretty much covers his sucessful career of writing and performing delicate acoustic ballads with elaborate arrangements. OK, this isn't exactly the music you want to play at your next keg party, and it's probably not a good idea to put this on at the Tuesday night poker game when you and the guys are throwin' a few back and shootin' the bull. But with a special someone and a bottle of wine (optional), or just reflecting in solitude, this music is ideal. The songs range from love songs (Longer), a heartfelt tribute (Leader Of The Band), compassionate symbolism (Run For The Roses), thoughtful reflections (Heart Hotels) to philosophical (Part Of The Plan). In Netherlands, he sings:
Sunny bright mornings,
And pale moonlit nights,
Keep me from feeling alone.
Now, I'm learning to fly,
And this freedom is like,
Nothing I've ever known.
Most of the songs are arranged around Dan's acoustic guitar or piano, but they also include other instruments and orchestration for emotional effect. Dan's mature and thoughtful lyrics, crisp tenor vocals and pleasant melodies weave a down-to-earth, gentle and compassionate quilt of sound that's both comfortable and passionate. The Very Best Of Dan Fogelberg is a good way to enjoy Dan's best songs or maybe get to know Dan Fogelberg and his music for the first time.
Free Music Review: The most underrated songwriter ever?
Hit: 4 Stars
Dan Fogelberg far from gets the recognition, that he deserves.This guy is so unbelievably talented. In my opinion, much more so than most of his contemporaries. To me "Nether Lands" is up there with acclaimed classics such as "Pet Sounds" and "Hotel California". Personally, it's my all-time favorite album. Still, many critics dismiss him as a tree-hugging, overly sensitive songwriter, just because the man's got a heart, and isn't afraid to pour it out in one beautiful song after another? Now, this collection won't change anybody's mind. It's pretty much the most familiar D.F. songs. How about a less predictable set, including some of the hits, as well as the best album tracks? I really believe that many of Dan's songs would appeal to a great deal of young people today, if they were properly introduced to him. The ideal compilation? Well, how about this one?:
1)Illinois, 2)The Last Nail, 3)Next Time, 4)There's A Place In The World For A Gambler, 5)The Power Of Gold, 6)Dancing Shoes,
7)Scarecrow's Dream, 8)Beggar's Game, 9)Heart Hotels, 10)Hard To Say, 11)Same Old Lang Syne, 12)Run For The Roses, 13)Make Love Stay, 14)Missing You, 15)Tucson, Arizona (Gazette), 16)Seeing You Again, 17)Ever On.
Thomas Thomsen, Denmark.