It was great to see Dan Fogelberg, again. My wife and I have seen him perform over the years, probably seven or eight times. We arrived shortly after the concert began, and he was about halfway through Nexus. The sound quality was terrific, and although we were seated upward and back, we were directly in front of him.
Each time
we have seen him, he has performed with a back up band,
with the exception of one show, also in Dallas. During
each performance, the band would always leave the stage,
and Dan would remain, for a short solo accoustic set. My
wife and I have always felt that he was at this best,
alone, although we have no complaints about any songs
performed with the
band. We were thrilled when we discovered that this tour
would be solo.
The set list was probably similar to that of most shows during the tour, although, he did not play "Crow", or "Fire and Ice", of which I have read many great reviews. He played for about one hour and fifty minutes, and covered some classics, as well as some darn good album cuts, which were never hits. It is some of these songs, such as "To the Morning", "The Reach" and "Beggars Game", which I love the best. (always like the hits, too).
It is too bad Fogelberg is approaching 50, at which age he may consider not touring anymore. It seems like all of the artists that I truly enjoy will soon dissappear. (Must be part of getting older).
At any rate, the concert was one of the best ever, and we will continue to see him, at every opportunity.
Chuck in Texas
Another Dallas Review
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Copyright 1997
Saturday, October 18, 1997
NEWS
In an age beyond innocence, Fogelberg still hits
responsive chords
JEFF RODRIGUEZ
Special to the Star-Telegram
DALLAS - More than 20 years later, Dan Fogelberg is still a gambler.
The veteran performer was at the Bronco Bowl last night. The plan was to give an extended solo show - just Dan, a guitar or piano and his music. It was a gamble that paid off nicely.
For more than two hours, Fogelberg kept a near-capacity crowd spellbound with his music and stories. Alone on the stage, he had plenty of time to weave in a few anecdotes and offer a few glimpses of his wry sense of humor, something that doesn't come through much in his songs about angst and love.
But it's those very songs that brought the crowd in, and Fogelberg did not disappoint. He covered many of his biggest hits, including To the Morning, Make Love Stay, Run for the Roses and Leader of the Band.
For both Fogelberg and his fortysomething fans, the innocent age is long since over. Fogelberg himself admitted as much, joking about the datedness of his songs, including one he said was from the Napoleonic Wars. It doesn't help much that Fogelberg's look has hardly changed over two decades; he still has the same vest-and-jeans garb, and a hair style right out of Boogie Nights.
But unlike other performers from his generation, Fogelberg is in little danger of becoming just another oldies act. That's because his set shrewdly included some innovative and unexpected music.
He also played some fine blues numbers. His covers of If I Were a Carpenter and George Harrison's I Need You also added spark. His encore, Same Auld Lang Syne, was done in a soulful style that may well exceed the original.
Fogelberg may not have the national following he once did, but he's still a fine performer who offers a great show. Those who were there saw a gambler who not only won the bet, but cleaned out the house.
TULSA This October 18 concert was held at the Brady theatre in downtown Tulsa. Although the theatre isn't much to look at from the outside, the acoustics were wonderful. It was just Dan and a guitar or piano - you didn't miss the other instruments, in fact you could actually hear them in your head. Although requests were called from the audience, Dan stuck with his original program. The audience went wild over "The Reach". Although we would have liked to hear the "Scarecrow's Dream", the night was wonderful. In fact, we're trying to make another concert before this leg of the tour is over. Kat9live
Another Tulsa Review
Tulsa World
Copyright 1997
Monday, October 20, 1997
ENTERTAINMENT
No Nostalgia Act // Dan Fogelberg cot resting on his
laurels, still matters
John Stancavage
World Business Editor
"If you came expecting rock-and-roll, you better leave now," Dan Fogelberg quipped as he took the stage alone Saturday night at the Brady Theater. Not a single member of the near-capacity crowd headed for the exits.
Although Fogelberg can rock with the best, much of his mainstream fame has come from his ballads. Many are unabashedly romantic and uncommonly perceptive, but even he wouldn't argue that a few contain more sap than a maple tree.
Fogelberg's current solo acoustic tour is his first in a decade. The Tulsa stop, the second on the campaign's fall leg, offered fans a chance to hear most of their favorite tunes -- except for "Longer," one of those sugar-laden numbers that the singer wisely retired years ago.
It was obvious Fogelberg had put in a fair amount of preparation before hitting the road. He spent the evening eschewing a simple recreation of his studio work, instead altering the arrangements in places, adding stunning finger-picked prologues and soulfully bending his syrupy voice around the familiar melodies.
Fogelberg kicked off the show with "Nexus," the fiery opening track from his ambitious, autobiographical masterpiece from 1981, "The Innocent Age." His fleet-fingered fretwork showed he has recovered completely from a severe finger injury he suffered while sailing and which, for a while, threatened his future as a player.
He followed with the hit single "Hard to Say," which benefitted considerably from its stripped-down presentation. Freed of Glenn Frey's star-turn backing vocals and an unnecessary saxophone part that merely mimicked the song's stuttering guitar line, the tune's poignancy rose to the surface. You no longer had to know Fogelberg wrote it while his first marriage was falling apart to understand the darkness in such lyrics as, "It's never easy and it's never clear/who's to navigate and who's to steer/so you flounder drifting ever near/the rocks."
While showing few lines on his 46-year-old face, and looking 10 years younger in a crisp white shirt, gray jacket and jeans, Fogelberg joked often about celebrating 25 years in the music business. He laughingly introduced "For the Morning" from his first album, "Home Free," as "a song from the dawn of time." The mostly Baby Boomer crowd went wild with recognition of its opening notes, as it did a few minutes later when the singer moved to the grand piano for "Beggar's Game," from the 1979 classic "Phoenix."
Fogelberg doffed his jacket and moved back to guitar for a slowed-down version of the already slow "Make Love Stay." The pacing allowed the singer to show off his slightly clearer vocal cords, the result of him quitting a 30-year smoking habit last year. He also put those improved pipes to good use on "The Reach," a song about fishermen in Maine that he dedicated to "two fallen warriors" -- Jacques Cousteau and John Denver -- and on an unexpected, Nashville-flavored cover of George Harrison's "I Need You."
There are too many veteran rock stars today who've lazily become nostalgia acts, but Fogelberg is not among them. He's still writing, recording -- and performing -- vital new material. On Saturday night, he played the jazzy instrumental, "Todos Santos," from his criminally overlooked 1995 reunion album with flutist Tim Weisberg, and then debuted a brand-new song, "Sante Fe," that conjured images of cracking adobe and prickly cactus with its Spanish guitar figures.
Fogelberg was remarkably relaxed throughout the night, telling jokes and stories even while a number of boisterous fans yelled requests or offered a running commentary on the show's progress. He wound down with "Run for the Roses" and "Leader of the Band," titles that had been shouted out frequently, before closing the set with his hardest-rocking song of the night, "Part of the Plan," with the rhythm part bolstered by audience handclaps.
After a brief time offstage, Fogelberg returned to the piano for another hit single, "Same Old Lang Syne." By then, the piano sounded out of tune, but the singer wasn't, wringing out each famous verse for everything it was worth. Before parting, he thanked the crowd earnestly and profusely for its attention and long-time support, and vowed to return to Tulsa soon.
It's even possible that fans might be able to relive the event on a future album, since Fogelberg is recording each date on his solo tour. Saturday's show definitely was a keeper.
Another Tulsa Review
Tulsa World
Copyright 1997
Friday, October 17, 1997
ENTERTAINMENT
Dan the Man // He doesn't Want to Be Remembered for
'Longer,' But He'll Take It
John Stancavage
World Business Editor
When Dan Fogelberg steps on stage in Tulsa Saturday night, alone save only his guitar, he'll be coming full circle in a hugely successful career that's spanned 25 years.
The singer got his start playing solo shows in coffee houses while attending the University of Illinois at Champagne-Urbana. One night an ex-girlfriend woke him from a deep sleep, and dragged him to a raucous frat party where a young music agent, Irving Azoff, was waiting to hear him.
After a loud rock act left the bandstand, Fogelberg bravely went on with his acoustic guitar and preceded to play a set of soulful, serene original songs while drunken brawls broke out in front of him and beer bottles shattered against the walls.
Azoff was impressed by Fogelberg's music and his pluck. "You're the one," Azoff told him. "I'm ready for the big time and I think you are, too."
The agent was right on both counts. Azoff went on to become one of the entertainment industry's biggest moguls and Fogelberg emerged as one of its most prolific hit-makers.
Starting with "Home Free" in 1972, the singer-songwriter went on to record two gold records, four platinum, two double platinum and a one triple platinum. Singles like "Longer," "Power of Gold," "Same Old Lang Syne" and "Hard to Say" became radio staples. Along the way, there were plenty of grueling tours; long hours in the studio; heady times with the likes of the Eagles, Jackson Browne and Joni Mitchell; and personal highs and lows.
Fogelberg has spent a lot of time lately looking back on that quarter-century. He worked much of the past year compiling tracks for a four-disc boxed set, "Portrait: The Music of Dan Fogelberg," that was released this summer by Legacy Recordings. The package features pristine digitally remastered sound and also extensive song-by-song notes by the singer -- a surprise, since he's always been a notoriously private man.
"I'm just enjoying the hell out of this," Fogelberg said in a telephone interview. "I've found I like talking about it." Sorting through hundreds of songs -- some never released -- was like "time travel," the artist said. "I relived my entire life."
As the tapes rolled, memories unfolded along with each note and word. "When I'd play something from 'Home Free,' I was back doing vocals at Quadraphonic Sound in Nashville. When I'd put on 'Nether Lands,' I was in the booth at the Record Plant in Sausalito, recording strings," Fogelberg said.
"I got exhausted just thinking about all the studios I'd been in, all the places I'd played, all the people who'd come and gone. It was quite a trip."
Musically, there were a few bum notes that Fogelberg said made him wince, but overall the singer sounds pleased with how his songs have held up over time.
"In some ways, this box set is very validating. It's a body of work I can look back on and be very proud of. It may not be the best music ever made, but it's not the worst, either. Really, for a kid from Peoria, Ill., it's pretty good," he said, laughing.
Each disc on the box set is divided into a different theme: "The Hits," "Ballads," "Rock and Roll," and "Tales and Travels." Most Fogelberg albums had about an even mix of the four styles, although today most casual fans probably remember just the ballads. If anything, the box set should serve as a reminder of how diverse a songwriter Fogelberg is and that he can rock with anyone -- playing overlapping, ferocious lead and rhythm guitars himself, not hiding behind some hired gun.
"It's probably the biggest frustration of my career that the string of ballads I had -- especially 'Longer' and 'Leader of the Band' -- became what I am most known for," he said. "That's just one side of me. There are a lot of things I love -- rock, jazz, bluegrass, the 'world music' I did on my 'River of Souls' album.
"Of course, every time I start complaining about this, I also think, 'Who in their right mind wouldn't be thankful to have written those two songs?' It's like when I saw Tony Bennett in concert recently, and the place just went nuts when he started singing 'I Left My Heart in San Francisco.' He probably hates that song by now, but he knows everybody in the audience loves it."
Fogelberg said watching the 70-plus-year-old Bennett work had him thinking about his own future. The singer said he's not sure if he'll still be on stage at that age.
"In four years, I'll be 50 years old," he said. "That's when I'll take a long look at my life and see where I want to go from there. Touring like I have been can be hard, although I enjoy it now more than I used to. But it takes a lot of time and there's so much I want to do -- write, paint, sail. Who knows?
"I've already satisfied every fantasy I had in pop music. A lot of people get trapped at this stage of their career. But I've always felt a musician has to keep growing. In the next few years, I want to explore some different styles of music that I love but that are a little outside the mainstream. I guess I'll have to reject the mainstream or maybe it'll reject me."
If Fogelberg follows through on his pledge, it really won't mark that great a change in career strategy. Hot off recording his pop masterpiece, "Nether Lands," he veered off the beaten path in 1977 to record the largely instrumental jazz album "Twin Sons of Different Mothers" with flutist Tim Weisberg. Fogelberg followed his muse again eight years later with the bluegrass record "High Country Snows," which featured such venerable pickers as Doc Watson, Ricky Scaggs and Jerry Douglass. And, guess what? Despite the dire warnings of horrified record company executives, both were big hits.
More recently, he's explored political and spiritual issues on "River of Souls" and cut a second jazz record with Weisberg. And even though sales of those two discs didn't match past successes, Fogelberg isn't losing any sleep over it. "You've got to follow your heart and do your best work," he said. "For better or worse, that's what I've done."
Fogelberg's recent career reassessment for the box set also has prompted some personal changes. For one, he quit a 30-year smoking habit. "It's amazing how much better my voice is," he said. "There's no way I would ever start again."
Smoking, he said, was his one remaining vice from the old days. The singer is remarkably candid about being a serious partier in the 1970s and '80s, and even admits in the box set notes that he wrote "The River" from "Home Free" while on an acid trip. To fans who had a different image all these years of the singer writing his sensitive lyrics while living quietly in an isolated cabin, such revelations might come as a surprise.
"I guess I hid it pretty well," he said. "I never did anything before a show, but after.... There were some times, frankly, when I probably never should have woke up the next morning. We were all young and it was just rock 'n' roll."
WICHITA A cozy and imitate 1500 seat theater in the middle of a Kansas wheat field was the setting for the third show of the fall sweep in the Dan Fogelberg 1997 Tour of America. The Cotillion Theater, listed as being within the City of Wichita, appeared to be right out of "The Wizard of Oz", albeit Dorothy and Toto were nowhere to be found. Furthermore, the theater marquee shared equal billing and also the same parking lot with a Peterbilt Truck Factory. However, notwithstanding the foregoing humor, Dan's show was just like those old Sunday nights with Ed Sullivan. It was "a really BIG show", at least for this part of the heartland. Making the drive in from Denver was definitely worth it; After all, it had been 2 months since seeing Dan at The Greek in Los Angeles!!
Arriving at the theater about three hours before showtime and seeing only a red tour bus and equipment truck in the parking lot, I knew I found the right place. I immediately jumped on the general admission ticket line and the pre-concert excitement started. I made new friends in Jan and Claire (sisters from Denver who started their Dan "mini tour" the night before in Tulsa), Irene, Susan and Sharon from St. Louis (no, they weren't in the "Greetings from the West" video), and Randy and Jeannie (probably the only people from Wichita I'll ever meet in my life who traveled to Red Rocks to see Dan last summer). Jan and Claire had previously been at the theater a few hours before to pick up their tickets. They just missed Dan as he departed from his sound check and return to his hotel to watch the Denver Broncos. Please Dan fans, if you ever meet Dan in person, don't mention the Oakland Raiders.
An hour before showtime, the doors swung open and the eight of us ran like hell into the theater scoring first row seats, 15 feet from the stage in front that "old, wooden chair". We still want to know the story behind it. The show began on time when a disc jockey from Star 104 fm, (I guess do have a radio station in Kansas that plays music besides giving the local wheat prices) introduced "Shawna", a local guitar player. Her brief (thank God for that) 7 song set featured five cover songs (2 from Heart and selections from Seal, Bonnie Raitt and some other artist) and two originals. Shawna, please, don't quit your day job.
Then, the Native American flute music flowed through the theater and before we could make plans for after the show, out walked Dan. He looked great in a purple shirt (the same one he's wearing on page 60 of the "Portraits" CD), black vest and blue jeans with his trademark cowboy boots. I guess he ditched the sandals he was wearing all summer. "Nexus", performed on the 12 string, was the show opener and then Dan greeted his following with "Hello, Buckaroos and Buckarets". After "Hard to Say" and "The Last Nail", Dan moved to the piano for "To The Morning" and "Beggars Game". He joked as to how rumor had it Elvis was going to record "To The Morning" before he died and would have probably "sang the shit of the song"!!! Returning center stage with the Martin D-45, Dan stated "Well, pretty soon we will all be skiing", which prompted a local wheat farmer in the crowd to yell out "not here". Dan then related it would be snowing for the World Series in Cleveland and Claire (one of us Dan fans) yelled "Go Rockies", to which Dan answered "Go where". Dan then requested a "double Absolute vodka with 2 olives" from the bar. He was given one and then wove a melody of soft tunes - "Make Love Stay", "The Reach", "If I Were a Carpenter" and "I Need You".
After Dan finished the latter song, one of the oblivious, non-existent IQ, minimum wage security guards interrupted Dan by handing him a note. At this point, Dan seemed upset and appeared to rush through the remainder of the set. "Run for The Rose", "Morning Sky", "Leader of the Band", and "Part of the Plan" wrapped things up. "Same Old Auld Syne' was the encore. After the show, we all pestered Steve "the roadie" McDonald for further tour information. Steve related that after this leg of the tour finished at the end of October, Dan would be taking the holidays off, but possibly doing some shows on the West Coast in January. A full band tour may follow next summer. Steve also gave Claire's the plastic cup from which Dan drank his vodka. She still has her lips glued to it.
Upon leaving the theater, we heard from one of the more "intelligent" security guards that Dan was staying at the Airport Hilton. We did go over there, hanging out in "Legends Bar", but Dan stayed in his room; even if he was really there. Randy and Jeannie then drove home from the hotel and noticed the tour bus on the road. They immediately made a u-turn and followed it, but it only stopped at some local "Motel 6" type. Dan was definitely not there, either. Well, let's see . . . . summer is only eight months away, but wait . . . . January is only three months away!!! Hey Dan, see you on the West Coast!! John L.
MINNEAPOLIS Dan was at the absolute top of his game last night in Minneapolis. Having followed him for the past 20 years, and being that he was celebrating his 25th year of touring, it seemed only fitting that I was able to get front row seats. The seats were an absolute coup that I can only thank Motley Crue for! Their concert tix went on sale at the exact same moment as Dan's and their fans effectively blocked the whole Ticketmaster system allowing me to grab front row. Life is definitely good sometimes! I have always attended his concerts with two close friends from my college days at Bradley in Peoria, IL (where Dan is from) and they both flew in from Chicago to attend the concert -- it was a reunion extraordinare! We were probably 20 feet from Dan and we were transfixed from the moment he came on stage. He played non-stop for 2+ hours -- alas, the fastest 2 hours of my life!
With respect to those who have commented on his appearance (alas, he had cowboy boots on -- so I can't make any cheesy ankle comments), I will relay that he looked smashing -- white shirt, tight jeans, etc. As mentioned in almost every previous review, his bantering with the crowd was delightful -- smart, witty and unlike the Dan we have experienced over the years . Lots of Minnesota Swedish jokes and even the "Favorite Things" ploy got a good laugh. He really seemed to be relaxed and having FUN.
As for the music, his vocals were heart wrenchingly emotional, his guitar playing simply divine. The silence in the theatre as he played some of the instrumental pieces was awe inspiring. He really didn't deviate from the previously mentioned play list, starting with Nexus and ending with an encore of Auld Lang Syne. He did, however, do a rendition of Morning Sky that was fast, wrought with emotion with almost a "love gone wrong and boy am I angry" tinge to it. It made us literally sit back in our seats. Beggar's Game was fabulous, as was The Reach, which he dedicated to both Jacques Cousteau and John Denver. He called them both "heroic men who lived heroic lives and died heroic deaths", stating that we could all probably learn how to better live with each other if we listened to what they each had to say and teach while they were alive. It was a wonderful tribute.
His hand seemed to bother him somewhat throughout the show, he continually shook it after longer pieces, but overall it certainly did not prevent him from giving us the show of a lifetime. I have always been lucky to hear him play in places where he has family (Chicago and the Twin Cities) so it has always seemed that he gives a "little extra" at these concerts -- last night was no exception.
We did wait outside the theatre by his limo, hoping to chat with him (we were successful once in Indiana a couple of years ago -- he was quite charming and accommodating). He spent quite a bit of time visiting with family backstage, and so ended up jumping in the limo last night after a quick wave and hello to us and then was off. Somewhat disappointing, but certainly not enough to spoil a truly wonderful evening. Thanks for letting me share!
OMAHA
Omaha 10/22/97
Omaha Civic Auditorium Music Hall
Just got back from my very first DF concert...and it was really good! There was a lady opener (Cory ?), but I was a couple minutes late to be seated, (busy buying myself my very own Infamous DF magnet for my fridge!), so I did not catch her name. Played acoustic guitar, seemed really young, said she was from Santa something CA. She almost seemed painfully shy when not playing.
Really nice vocal range, but wasted it alittle with
"Whooooooo,whoooaaaaooo" type stuff...would
have rather had lyrics or just
the guitar, if you know what I mean. She showed promise.
I am happy to announce that the set list was the same as in Dallas, so he did include If I were a Carpenter. Following is the set list w/ MHO's in blue, with some overall comments thereafter. WARNING: this was my first ever DF concert, so I had nothing to compare it to; thus, my comments are all positive :).
Nexus
Hard to Say
The Last Nail
To the Morning
Beggar's Game ( a really nice job on the piano on this
one)
Make Love Stay
Nature of the Game
If I Were a Carpenter (told the ladies in audience who
might be offended by the tone/wording to "remember,
I didn't write it!")
I Need You (from the Beatles "Help", written by
George Harrison)
The Reach (dedicated to Jacques Cousteau and John Denver)
Santa Fe
Todos Santos
Run for the Roses
Morning Sky (After the line, "And you don't even
want to talk about it", Dan interjected "Do you
Momma") (not ANA)
Leader of the Band (I cried! more for personal reasons,
but he did a wonderful job on this)
Part of the Plan (Loved it! Loved it! Loved it!)
Encore: Same Old Lang Syne (slowed it down, made parts of
chorus bluesy, voice was giving out by this time; not a
personal fave, felt was overplayed, but hearing it for
the first time in ages, and the changes to way he
sung it, I did like it now.)
Etc stuff: He looked relaxed, joked w/audience off and
on....must be feelin his age right now or something
because many of his one -liners had to do with "this
next song is from the Paleolithic age", etc., stuff
along that line. Said, and not jokingly, that the
country is "alright" right now. There were no
jabs at ex wives, or any mean-spirited stuff. He played
about 1 1/2 hours, with only about a 3-4 minute wait for
encore (while of course, we all stood in ovation,
clapping our hands off). One thing that really
stuck out in my mind was how QUIET the audience was....I
was afraid to even hum along! So, I mouthed the words to
the songs I knew, and the ones I didn't know, many times
I closed my eyes so I could concentrate on the music and
the lyrics. He
really is a gifted man.
Another Omaha Review
Omaha World-Herald
Copyright 1997 Omaha World-Herald Company
Tuesday, October 21, 1997
LIVING TODAY
Critic's Choice
Jim Minge
World-Herald Staff Writer
Critic's Choice. Mail/Phone.
What: Concert: Dan Fogelberg
Where: Civic Auditorium Music Hall, 1804 Capitol Ave.
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday
Info: 444-4750
Comments: With the summer release of "Portrait: The Music of Dan Fogelberg From 1972-1997," the folk-pop and soft-rock singer- songwriter is back on the road performing his hits, including 1980's "Longer" and 1981's "Leader of the Band." Likely to be heard, too, will be some of Fogelberg's breathy ballads, such as "To the Morning" and "Scarecrow's Dream." The 46-year-old multi-instrumentalist can pick up the pace as well, and is sure to have the Music Hall hopping. Tickets for the show are $23, $28 and $33.
Peoria Journal Star
Copyright 1997
Tuesday, October 28, 1997
CITY DESK NEWS
Fogelberg feels right at home Singer makes old
favorites sound fresh, shares a few tender moments with
sell-out crowd
CLARENCE MOORE
PEORIA -- His records don't make the
charts or sell as well as they used to. His musical
genre, the singer-songwriter, is no
longer in vogue.
But one thing always will hold true for Dan
Fogelberg: He can return to his hometown to thoroughly
charm a crowd of loyal fans and supporters.
On Sunday, Fogelberg ruled at the Peoria Civic Center Theater, performing before a sold-out crowd of more than 2,000 loyal and enthusiastic fans who didn't seem to mind if his music isn't exactly cutting-edge or hard-rocking. All that mattered was the man, that he was home again and that he performed his music.
The two-hour concert, which consisted of familiar Fogelberg music, was billed as an acoustic show -- a bit of a misnomer since all of the instruments had some sort of amplified pickup.
The current tour coincides with the release of
"Portrait: The Music of Dan Fogelberg," a
62-song boxed-set retrospective that
chronicles his 25 years as a singer-songwriter.
Comfortable and in a good mood, Fogelberg was dressed in a jacket, a dress shirt and jeans. The singer exuded lots of folksy charm and appeared to be at the top of his form.
As soon as he sat down with his guitar and launched into his opening number "Nexus," Fogelberg could do no wrong. He hadn't even begun his second number when some fans began shouting encouragement: "Welcome home, Dan," and, "We love you, Dan." From then on, he had them eating out of the palm of his hand.
He joked that many of his songs had been written during the "Mesozoic period." However, he managed to make one of those old tunes, "To the Morning," still sound fresh and timeless even though he wrote it at age 18.
Other highlights during the show included his renditions of some of his radio-friendly hits from the 1970s and 1980s such as "Part of the Plan" and "Hard to Say."
Fogelberg also played both the guitar and the piano with skill and artistry, sometimes adding complex or improvised embellishments to familiar arrangements.
Seated at the piano, he played a few verses of
"My Old Kentucky Home," which segued easily
into a stirring version of "Run for the Roses."
As part of his encore, he closed with several
of his biggest hits, a quiet and tender version of
"Same Old Lang Syne" and a
stirring version of "Leader of the Band," which
he wrote as a tribute to his late father and former
bandleader Lawrence
Fogelberg.
In interviews, he has been very candid about how performing a tune like "Longer" has become extremely difficult for him in recent years. But it must be similarly difficult to play "Leader." It's such an intensely personal song for him and for many of his fans. Every time he performs it here, it never fails to move some to tears.
Opening for Fogelberg was female folk singer
Cory Sipper, who entertained the crowd with a short set
of self-penned tunes. She admitted to being somewhat of a
Fogelberg devotee and remarked that she felt honored to
open a show for him in his hometown.
Another Peoria Review
Peoria Journal Star
Copyright 1997
Monday, October 27, 1997
CITY DESK NEWS
MUSIC OVERNIGHT
Dan Fogelberg and Cory Sipper
Performance: Sleek-sounding ballads and mellow rock and pop performed in a solo setting by one of Peoria's most accomplished and gifted natives. At the Peoria Civic Center Theater.
Attendance: 2,011
Quick take: Fogelberg hadn't even begun his second number when his fans began shouting encouraging things like "Welcome home" and "We love you, Dan." Music-wise the artist could do no wrong, singing and playing several of his best-known tunes from his 25-year career.
Fast facts: An esteemed graduate of the Crosby Stills and Nash school of singing and songwriting, Fogelberg added some musical flourishes of his own, such as sensitive-sounding and intelligent lyrics to the genre and became one of the most successful solo artists of the 1970s and 1980s.
This year also marks the Peoria's native's 25th anniversary in the music business.
"Portrait: The Music of Dan Fogelberg from 1972-1997," a 62 song boxed-set, personally compiled and mixed by the artist himself , follows his career every step of the way and includes many of his best known hits including: "Longer," "Leader of the Band," "Same Old Lang Syne," and "Part of the Plan."
Full review:This was reported by critic Clarence Moore. Look for a full review of the performance in Tuesday's Journal Star.
Another Peoria Review
Peoria Journal Star
Copyright 1997
Thursday, October 23, 1997
CUE
Native son offers portrait of life, career Dan Fogelberg looking forward to hometown stop of tour to promote his recent four-disc retrospective Clarence Moore
Over the years, Dan Fogelberg has gained a reputation for being an intensely private individual.
But recently, he's been talking -- a lot -- about his music, his life and his career.
The reason for Fogelberg's change in attitude is a recently released four-disc boxed set titled "Portrait: The Music of Dan Fogelberg (1972-1997)," a career-spanning retrospective.
Fogelberg also is in the midst of a national tour that coincided with the release of "Portrait." The tour stops here Sunday, when the singer-songwriter will perform an all-acoustic show at the Peoria Civic Center Theater.
"Needless to say, I'm really looking forward to it. I always have a ball every time I come back home. Each time is so special. I'm looking at this current show as a way of thanking my fans, and all of my friends there in Peoria, for sticking with me all these years," the Peoria native said during a recent telephone interview from his home in Colorado.
His loyal fans should also consider "Portrait" as yet another gift. It features 62 tracks, including some of his best-known recordings: "Longer," "Part of the Plan" and "Same Old Lang Syne." The set includes his reflections on his career, as well as his personal philosophy and the origins and ideas behind some of his songs.
For example, in the essay that accompanies the boxed set, Fogelberg revealed that the melody he wrote for "Same Old Lang Syne" was based on the "1812 Overture" and was something he started entirely as a joke.
He refers to "Longer" as "the song that put me on the elevators," and he calls one of his most intimate tunes, "Stars," as a "somewhat voyeuristic study of youthful obsession."
The boxed set also includes an essay by writer Paul Zollo based on a series of interviews he conducted with the singer-songwriter earlier this year. In the piece, Fogelberg recalls his early days here in Peoria and his need for artistic expression that was fueled by his parents, his late father, Lawrence, and his mother, Margaret Irvine Fogelberg, who still lives here.
However, parts of the Fogelberg story didn't make it into the final draft of the "Portrait" essay -- such as how his early connection to music was further strengthened by a job he held at Byerly Music's record department.
"This was years ago. Byerly Music was located in downtown Peoria, and I worked there for about two years after school on weeknights because I was playing gigs on the weekends with a local band called The Coachmen. It was a great job for a kid in high school who also just happened to be crazy about music, because I got to listen to everything.
"Working there really broadened my knowledge of music, perhaps much more than my parents had . . . I also learned a lot about how records were marketed and how artists were sold to the public, which in the long run helped me when I eventually decided to get into the music business," he said.
Ironically, before he chose music as career, Fogelberg enrolled as a theater major at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.
"I had performed in dramas when I was a student at Woodruff High School, so I had intended on becoming an actor. But after a few months, I realized it wasn't really what I wanted to do.
"I found the college acting scene to be more political, and that didn't appeal to me. So I switched to art. It was also around this time that club owners began hiring me as a solo performer. I realized that I'd probably make more money singing than I would toiling away for years in some loft as a painter."
Fogelberg recalls being emotionally torn between art and music. However, it was another local full-time job -- one he got after completing his freshman year of college -- that finally made him decide that music would be his career.
"I worked for a national moving company, and it was hell. I hated that job. It was just me and another young man, and we just killed ourselves, sometimes moving two entire households a day. I'd be so tired some days, I'd come home and couldn't eat 'cause I was so exhausted.
"I almost lost a hand on that job. We were moving these big computers down to Caterpillar one day, and I had my hand on one of the machines when the heavy door to this freight elevator came crashing down . . . I got my hand out of the way just in time . . . I could have lost an entire hand. I decided right then, I would never put myself at risk again. For me, it was either make-it-or-break-it time as a musician," he said.
All these years later, Fogelberg definitely is glad he still has two hands, which he put to work writing words and melodies.
The boxed set was a time-consuming but enjoyable task, the musician said. He compiled and digitally remastered all of the 62 tracks, including five previously unreleased tunes.
"I had a ball. I'm very pleased with how it turned out. I'm also pleased with the digital remastering on this collection. Thanks to recent advances in digital recording technology, these songs are finally being heard as they were originally intended . . . You hear a lot of nuances that were lost on the original vinyl recordings.
"This has been a nice time for me to stop, breathe, reflect and think about what I want to do next. I'll be going into the studio
this winter to record a new album, and there's a strong possibility this current tour will be released as a live album, which is something I've never had before."
Another Peoria Review
I grew up in Illinois and had not returned there since I was 19 which is 15 years ago. I went back for a visit to my childhood home this past weekend. Because of this website, I discovered that the weekend of my journey was the same weekend that Dan would be returning to Peoria - so it seemed like a good idea to go to the concert even though I grew up in Buffalo Grove, Il which is quite a bit north of Peoria - but it was something to look forward to in case Buffalo Grove wasn't a ton of fun. Unfortunately, as I live in San Francisco, I missed his three concerts in the Bay Area this summer.
Anyway - to make a long story short - I have recently re-discovered Dan's music (after first listening to it when I was 12) and have been so moved and inspired - it is hard to describe - just love it. His work has recently somehow influenced my art work. . .
I met a man at the concert from Norway. And, he had come to the States from Oslo just for the concert! He is a musician himself and had brought some CDs in hopes that he might be able to give one to Dan. I hope he had an opportunity to give one to Dan (and that Dan has an opportunity to listen to it) because he very generously gave a CD to me and the music is BEAUTIFUL. His band is Vamp. Certainly most people who like Dan's music will most certainly be interested in this band. The VAMP website is http://www.sn.no/fono.
The concert last night was certainly wonderful. However, the sound in the Civic Center was not very good - this was a bit disappointing. Dan seemed a little bit nervous at first and maybe a little bit tired. But, as I said, it was still a wonderful experience and he certainly picked up energy as the evening went on. There were a few songs that really stuck out for me. His rendition of Tim Hardin's song was simply beautiful, I was surprised that I would be so touched by "someone else's" song - but Dan made it his. And, his "revision" of Part of the Plan was particularly powerful. I was also struck by three classical guitar pieces. And, have to say that it was almost overwhelming to hear him play To the Morning - I guess because it's the 1st song on his first album.
Someone I talked to in Peoria had also been at the
Springfield concert. This person said the sound was
better in Springfield and that Dan's voice was in
exceptional form in Springfield.
Julia
Another Peoria Review
Dan Fogelberg brought his Twenty-fifth Anniversary Solo Acoustic Tour to his hometown of Peoria, Illinois on Sunday, October 26, 1997. He appeared at the Civic Center Theater in downtown Peoria on a cold rainy night. The conditions outside the theater could do nothing to stop the warm feelings that Dan's fans had for him inside. Nor could it stop the warmth Dan showed for this hometown crowd.
The show began at 7:30pm when Southern California native Cory Sipper took the stage. She performed a thirty minute set of original tunes. She performed solo, using only a six-string acoustic guitar and her clear and strong vocals. While her voice filled the theater during the numbers, she was timid on stage in between the songs. Her style was reminiscent of a young Joni Mitchell, which may be why she was chosen to open for Dan, he being a self-admitted Joni Mitchell fan. The audience seemed to enjoy her set and applauded appreciatively after each number.
After a brief intermission, which seemed much longer than it actually was, the lights in the theater again went down and Dan Fogelberg walked out on to the stage. The hometown crowd greeted him with thunderous applause as he sat in his old, wooden chair and began to play "Nexus". As the chords of the intro rang out, the audience settled in for what would be a two hour concert of great music played by a truly gifted artist.
Dan was dressed in a gray cloth pinstriped blazer, white cotton collarless shirt, faded blue jeans and cowboy boots. Though it was obvious he was no longer the young man who first recorded "To The Morning" some twenty-five years ago, Dan still looked much as he has for the last ten years or so. His hair is still worn in the parted-down-the-middle fashion and hangs loosely down to his collar.
The set was about the same as all the shows he has played this leg of the tour. He did add another Latin-American classical number after "Todos Santos" called "Manana Canibal". He explained that this was a Brazilian number and was the theme song of a movie. During this number, he playfully played a few bars of "These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things".
Early in the show, after only a few numbers, the woman sitting next to me in the second row from the stage began to take flash photos of Dan. As he was introducing "The Last Nail", a flash went off and Dan looked over our way and politely said, "Would you mind not taking flash pictures? It's very distracting." I, for one, was very thankful for his request as I was being blinded in my right eye after every flash! The woman honored Dan's request for the rest of the show.
Dan was very relaxed and talkitive. He reminisced about growing up in Peoria and, at one point, said "Man, it's weird coming back home!" He told tales of doing the "Gator" at a school dance at Woodruff High and getting suspended from school for it. He talked about getting his first inspiration to become a pop musician while watching The Beatles' "A Hard Day's Night" at the Rialto Theater in Peoria. He said he saw the girls screaming and fainting over The Beatles on the movie screen and thought to himself, "That's a good job!" This same story was told by John Lennon on a Tom Snyder television interview in 1975. Only, in that story, the movie theater was in Liverpool, England and the star was Elvis. It wasn't clear if Dan knew this, but I believe he did. He asked if the Rialto Theater was still there; and, when told it wasn't, he said, "Oh well. The Beatles are no longer, too."
The mood got more serious when Dan was introducing "To The Morning". He told us about how he remembers writing the song on his Mother's piano at his childhood home in Peoria. He said he was about 18 years old at the time and was watching the sun come up through the window as he played. As he told this story, he kept looking up to the row of boxes along the right side of the theater (to Dan's left). I got the feeling that his Mother was probably in the same box in that area that she was in during his last show here a year ago, but I never could see her.
The most emotional moment came when Dan played "Leader Of The Band". This song, emotional as it is for him, means much more when played for a local crowd. Many of us in the theater remember his Father, Larry Fogelberg, as the reknowned leader of the Pekin Community High School Band. Many more actually knew the man or, as in my case, had him as a music teacher at one time. Pekin is a smaller city about seven miles south of Peoria, and Larry Fogelberg was the high school band leader there for many years. His son's tribute to him is a moving moment at every concert Dan plays in this area. After the song ended, and as the applause thundered on, Dan appeared to wipe tears from his eyes.
Dan was in fantastic form and played to perfection as
he effortlessly worked his way through the set. He
received a standing ovation at the end of the show, and
another one at the end of the encore. The house lights
came up in a hurry after the encore, probably to
discourage us in the audience from cheering all night! I
think I can safely speak for all 2,011 audience members
when I say, "We cannot wait for you to come home
again, Dan! Thanks for the last 25 years of music, and we
look forward to the next 25!"
Jim
Another Peoria Review
My husband and I enjoyed our third Dan concert when we
went to Peoria last Sunday evening. I was really excited
because I expected an extra special show since Peoria IS
Dan's hometown and his mother is usually in attendance at
those shows. We've seen him at Moline and Davenport in
the past--they're closer, but no go this time. It was a
good show, but I have to admit I came away somewhat
disappointed. The girl singer (Corey Sipple?) who opened
the show was from Santa Barbara, CA and thought our
weather was very cold. She sang about 6 of her own
songs--reminded me of an Alanis Morrissett type, although
the songs weren't as angry. Nice voice, but didn't go
with Dan's type of music at all. It was kind of a downer.
Then we had a half-hour delay while we sat and waited and
twiddled our thumbs. I still don't understand the delay.
The Indian music must have played for 15 minutes before
Dan finally came out. He had on his white shirt, faded
jeans, cowboy boots, and a sports coat for the first
several songs (he took the coat off later). Again the
playlist mostly followed the pattern that has been
reported here. He didn't play Crow, but did play the next
several. He left out Longer, Don't Lose Heart, Fire and
Ice, and Souvenirs (all from Mark's original playlist
after the first concert of the summer tour.) I thought
the crowd seemed rather subdued--there was very little
interaction. He made several references to landmarks in
Peoria where he had seen movies, the high school, etc. He
did shake his hand a lot on one particular song--I don't
remember which one, but he was using the 12-string.
During the rest of the concert he didn't seem bothered by
it. He said after playing Leader of the Band to a rousing
response--everyone was on their feet, that this was one
of the most memorable nights he'd had in the past year.
Maybe he said this at all of his shows, I don't know.
After the Run for the Roses (with My Old Kentucky Home as
an intro), he left the stage to another standing ovation.
He returned for his signature encore of Same Auld Lang
Syne and did the soulful version I've been reading about.
It was very moving. He received another standing ovation,
came out for a bow, walked to the front of the stage and
waved and said thanks. Then he was gone......we kept on
clapping, but the lights came on and everyone left in a
very subdued mood. My husband and I found ourselves
standing in the hallway of the civic center by Dan's
speaker cases and equipment. It was all marked with his
name. Kind of neat. A bittersweet evening. I had looked
forward to this year's concert schedule for so long---Had
seen him on the River of Souls Tour, then again on the No
Resemblance Tour. This was so close to the end of this
tour, I felt he was tired and ready to retreat. He is
always worth seeing and I would travel much further than
the 80 miles this time, but somehow I felt let down.
Sorry....
Wendy
Another Peoria Review
Fogelberg feels right at home
Singer makes old favorites sound fresh, shares a few
tender moments with sell-out crowd
by Clarence Moore, Journal Star Critic
His records don't make the charts or sell as well as they used to. His musical genre, the singer-songwriter, is no longer in vogue.
But one thing always will hold true for Dan Fogelberg: he can return to his hometown to thoroughly charm a crowd of loyal fans and supporters.
On Sunday, Fogelberg ruled at the Peoria Civic Center, performing before a sold-out crowd of more than 2,000 loyal fans who didn't seem to mind if his music isn't exactly cutting-edge or hard-rocking. All that mattered was the man, that he was home again and that he performed his music.
The two-hour concert, which consisted of familiar Fogelberg music, was billed as a acoustic show--a bit of a misnomer since all of the instruments had some sort of amplified pickup.
The current tour coincides with the release of "Portrait: The Music of Dan Fogelberg," a 62-song boxed set retrospective that chronicles his 25 years as a singer-songwriter.
Comfortable and in a good mood, Fogelberg was dressed in a jacket, a dress shirt and jeans. The singer exuded lots of folksy charm and appeared to be at the top of his form.
As soon as he sat down with his guitar and launched into his opening number, "Nexus, " Fogelberg could do no wrong. He hadn't even begun his second number when some fans began shouting encouragement: "Welcome home, Dan," and "We love you, Dan." From then on, he had them eating out of the palm of his hand.
He joked that many of his songs had been written during the "Mesozoic period." However, he managed to make one of those old tunes, "To The Morning," still sound fresh and timeless, even though he wrote it at age 18.
Other highlights during the show included his renditions of some of his radio-friendly hits of the 1970's and 1980's such as "Part of the Plan" and "Hard to Say."
Fogelberg also played both the guitar and the piano with skill and artistry, sometimes adding complex or improvised embellishments to familiar arrangements.
Seated at the piano, he played a few verses of "My Old Kentucky Home," which segued easily into a stirring version of "Run for the Roses."
As part of his encore, he closed with several of his biggest hits, a quiet and tender version of "Same Old Lang Syne" and a stirring version of "Leader of the Band," which he wrote as a tribute to his late father and former bandleader, Lawrence Fogelberg. In interviews, he has been very candid about how performing a tune like "Longer" has become extremely difficult for him in recent years. But it must be similarly difficult to play "Leader." It's such an intensely personal song for him and for many of his fans. Every time he performs it here, it never fails to move some to tears.
Opening for Fogelberg was female folk singer Cory Sipper, who entertained the crowd with a short set of self-penned tunes. She admitted being somewhat of a Fogelberg devotee and remarked that she felt honored to open a show for him in his hometown.
Another Peoria Review
CALL ME A BOOTLICKING POLLYANNA......................but tonight's Peoria concert was AWESOME! Dan was energetic, chatty, engaging, and.........he played his derriere off! I'd have to say tonight's concert rivaled the Red Rocks experience (except for the minor differences of awful weather [sleet/freezing rain/central Illinois' first snowfall) and the major differences of absent folderfolk [we missed ya, Hªnd, Ann, and Vinny!])
Dan's repartee had some of the same elements as those previously reported (the dyslexic devil worshipper joke, and the references to the Mesolithic and Paleozoic Eras), but he was definitely in a chatty mood this evening, sharing some reminiscences of stories about places in Peoria that he'd been to, and a really funny story about his senior Homecoming dance, at which he got thrown out for doing the 'gator........but won a quart of beer and 5 bucks from a classmate..........
He was jazzed up, and really into the music, and God, can the man play! He really showed some emotion tonight.......the set list was shorter (18 - see below, after spoilers), but his energy was amazing........he played for over two hours. I'd say, for me, it's a worthy trade-off any day.
Whatever he did over his break between legs 2 and 3,
do it more often, Dan
The BBQ at Martovich Manor was a blast...........I had
a really great time, and let me tell you something
else..........there's many a musical talent in this
folder as well.........John and Steve play a mean guitar,
and the harmonies were great......now, if we could all
only agree on the words!
Tonight's set list: Nexus Hard to Say The Last Nail To the Morning (Dan prefaced this with a wonderful story about remembering when he wrote it, sitting at his mother's piano--very cool) Beggar's Game Make Love Stay Nature of the Game (superb vocals-blues album, Dan, blues album) If I were a Carpenter I Need You The Reach (dedicated to Jacques Cousteau and John Denver) Santa Fe Todos Santos (dedicated to Jeannie.............hmmmmmmmm.......???) theme from Black Orpheus Run for the Roses Morning Sky (incredible guitar AND vocals on this one) Leader of the Band Part of the Plan Same Old Lang Syne (encore)
Dan mentioned tonight that he only has a few more shows left on the tour......if any of you get the chance, you've gotta take it........and I hope your experience will be as golden.......
NASHVILLE
Nashville Banner
Copyright 1997
Friday, October 24, 1997
Backbeat
Dan Fogelberg
Carol Davis
BANNER EDITOR
Column: What's Up!
Dan Fogelberg makes his first appearance at the Ryman Auditorium this week, as part of a solo acoustic tour marking his 25 years as a recording artist.
The show, which starts at 8 p.m. Tuesday, features acclaimed Nashville songwriter Matraca Berg as the special guest.
Fogelberg's enduring career began in 1972 with his first album, Home Free, which was recorded in Nashville.
He recently released Portrait: the Music of Dan Fogelberg from 1972-1997, a four-CD set chronicling his music from that first album through some of the hits like Leader of the Band, Longer and Same Old Lang Syne. The 62-song collection also includes five previously unreleased tunes.
Fogelberg's was supposed to have already made his Ryman debut -- he was on the bill for the Tin Pan South Legendary Songwriters Acoustic Concert last April, but he bowed out because of illness.
Berg, whose songs are sought after by country's biggest female stars, just won the Country Music Association's Song of the Year for co-writing Strawberry Wine, recorded by Deana Carter.
Berg's CMA performance of the self-penned Back
When We Were Beautiful, from her newly released Sunday
Morning to Saturday Night was a highlight of the
nationally televised show.
Another Nashville Review
MATRACA: DON'T DRINK AND DANCE
Dan Fogelberg's opening act for his Ryman show tonight is singer/songwriter Matraca Berg, who once went to a senior prom with a Longer theme. (Remember? "Longer than there've been fishes in the ocean ...")
"His name was John and he had a blue Trans Am and a blue tuxedo. I had a white organza dress with pink roses at the base of my satin strap," Matraca offers.
"The theme was Longer, and we danced to it and we broke up at midnight. He was acting weird. He was drinking and I didn't like it."
But you're sure to like the show.
Another Nashville Review
The Tennessean
Copyright 1997
Sunday, October 26, 1997
ARTS
FOGELBERG'S 'ANTHOLOGY' NOT SAME OLD LANG SYNE
RICK DE YAMPERT STAFF WRITER
Column: ENTERTAINMENT SPOTLIGHT
Dan Fogelberg is about to confess the Big One. In his new 4-CD retrospective box set, the singer-songwriter writes that he "will finally answer my most frequently asked question."
No, that question isn't "Did Same Old Lang Syne really begin as a musical joke on Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture?" (By the way yes, it did.)
Fogelberg's most-asked question is this: "Did that accidental rendezvous with an old lover, described so poignantly in Same Old Lang Syne, really happen?" Now, after years of refusing to answer that question, after years of pulling a Don McLean (who's vowed never to explain American Pie), Fogelberg is ready for the first time to spill the ...
"No, I was saying I was going to answer
that question for the last time!" Fogelberg says
during a phone interview from his
Colorado ranch, where he's recovering from a touch of
bronchitis prior to his Tuesday night concert at the
Ryman.
Fogelberg seems a bit horrified about this misinterpretation of his liner notes to Same Old Lang Syne, one of 67 songs on his new anthology, titled Portrait.
"I have answered that question so much,
that I wanted to put it in the liner notes so no one will
ever ask me again," Fogelberg
says. "It's true it actually happened. I've
said it a thousand times, so now everyone can read that
it's true and quit asking me
that question.
"It's the most frequently asked question
I've had in my entire life, other than 'Can I see your
registration and driver's
license?"'
That last bit is a joke, probably tossed out as a signal that he's only slightly peeved that he's had to explain the same ol' same ol' about Same Old yet again.
Of course, box sets that cover an artist's
entire career, as Portrait does, are supposed to explain
a lot about the artist. So
it's no surprise that the press release accompanying
Portrait crowed that "this is the first time ever
that Fogelberg, a notoriously
private man, offers his own thoughts and insights on the
origins of each of the songs included here."
What is surprising is that Fogelberg admits the
booklet accompanying Portrait isn't so revealing after
all.
"The biggest problem was trying to remember anything about the songs," he says. "A lot of these songs were written 20 years ago. People say, 'Well, what did this song mean?' I go, 'I don't know. That was two decades ago. How could I remember?' I actually struggled on some things just to find anything to say."
And his "notorious" privacy is still pretty much intact, though the notes to the songs Believe in Me, Lonely in Love and Seeing You Again hint at his failed marriage.
"I didn't give a lot away, you know?" Fogelberg admits. "I'm giving a little insight about where a song was written or who it was written about, or what it was about. But you're not getting a lot of details."
That doesn't mean Portrait is without its biographical rewards. The opening essay by journalist Paul Zollo tells the Fogelberg story: Born on Aug. 13, 1951. Youth spent in Peoria, Ill., with his music teacher dad and a mom who studied opera in college. Grandfather gave young Dan a guitar. Piano lessons. Beatles become an influence! Rock bands in high school. College at the University of Illinois in
Champaign-Urbana, studying art and acting. Coffeehouse performing days.
Discovered by fledgling music biz manager Irving Azoff. Some time in California. First album, Home Free, recorded in Nashville, where Fogelberg lived in town but also, the bio claims, somewhere "up in the trees." Second album, Souvenirs, features the break-through hit Part of the Plan. Huge success followed with such soft rock, folk rock and ballads as Longer, Leader of the Band, The Power of Gold and Heart Hotels.
Along with the biography, Portrait offers some
insights into Fogelberg's muse: Make Love Stay was
inspired by novelist Tom
Robbins' Still Life With Woodpecker, while Bones In The
Sky is a tribute to artist Georgia O'Keeffe. The River
was written "on an acid trip." Democracy, a new
song, is both a tribute to John Lennon and "a
comment on the hypocrisy of the Reagan-Bush years."
A comment that not much music of the
Fogelberg-Gordon Lightfoot-Jimmy Buffett school seems to
make it onto radio these days brings a shrug.
"I don't pay much attention to it but I'm
sure you're right," Fogelberg says. "The '70s
was a different time, you know. If they
want to hear crap these days, let them hear crap,"
he says with a faint chuckle.
"The only singer-songwriters you hear on radio are girls. Well, that's fine. The '70s were like a male singer-songwriter thing, so now the girls are having their shot. Great. There are some very good women songwriters. I haven't heard any good male singer-songwriters lately."
Fogelberg's Ryman date will be a solo affair with him playing just guitar and piano. Has he played the hallowed venue before?
"I have never played the Ryman when I lived there it wasn't allowed," Fogelberg says. "I was a long-haired hippie. They didn't allow us type of people in the Ryman."
A quick rundown of recent acts to play the Ryman from James Brown to Bruce Springsteen to alternative rocker Beck convinces Fogelberg
that Music City isn't the same old lang syne.
"There you go," he says. "I
guess we won, didn't we?"
CHARLOTTE
I just returned from seeing Dan in Charlotte, NC having
traveled there from Pgh, PA. The concert was held
at the Ovens Theater and was a much dryer experience than
my summer trip to rainy Cleveland. Thanks to all of
our web and email discussions, I even made connections to
people on both sides of my seat.
There was no leading act which was not a disappointment, nor were there any distracting special effects. There was just Dan, guitars delivered by the now "famous" Stevie McDonald, the wooden chair and the piano. What another wonderful night it was.
At first Dan seemed a little ambivalent and spoke of
this night being the next to last. He seemed as
though he was a little relieved. I'm sure it is
hard to travel so long and make it seem fresh so many
nights in a row. But early in the show Dan seemed
to be energized, perhaps by the magic of his own
playing. Although his voice was not quite as loud
as I heard earlier
this summer, his playing seemed even better than his
usual excellence. He embellished several songs with
wonderful intros especially "Nature of the
Game". (Great song, play some more of these
blues Dan!). His piano playing that night was
particularly clean and careful, slow and artful.
The set list was similar to the summer with an
unfortunate omission of his newest
"Fire and Ice" and "Don't Lose
Heart". (I had even started reading those
Thomas Moore books just to see what they were all
about!) He frequently was lowering his left hand as
he played "The Reach" so I thought that his
hand was hurting or cramping and that it may have been a
factor. But he continued to play great guitar so
maybe it was a time constraint. What talent in the
"Santa Fe" and Todos Santos pieces!
I was especially touched by his dedication to both
Jacques Cousteau and John Denver. He truly seemed
moved by their passing and expressed how we could all
learn a lot from them. His manner through the
concert was relaxed as
has been the case this whole tour. His newer, more
soulful arrangements of many of his older songs leave me
anxious for a live concert CD release. The
renditions were great, especially "The Last
Nail" and "The Beggar's Game". I
thoroughly enjoyed another night seeing Dan and look
forward to seeing him again next year. I hope that
new work as well as a CD (and maybe a
video???) follows as soon as he recovers from the road.
Listening to his concert with its variety, looking at someone who needs only a guitar and piano for a night of entertainment made me realize just why he has become such a special legend to his dedicated followers. We have all traveled far and wide this summer (many more than once) to see him on tour. That must be the mark of a true artist. I have contacted people at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland (actually earlier this summer after being there) to hope that this man whom we all admire and respect so much will find a deserved place in history for all that he has given and shared with us. His diverse talent has spoken to our hearts and souls for years and has both guided and carried us all through life's journeys.
On my drive home his words echoed in every mountain top and "all along the road". Thank you Dan for a summer of fine entertainment and for recognizing your "life's work" so early in life. Please continue as long as you can and we shall follow.
Set List: Nexus, Hard to Say, Last Nail, To the Morning, Beggar's Game, Make Love Stay, Nature of the Game, If I Were a Carpenter, I Need You, The Reach, Santa Fe, Todos Santos, Run for the Roses, Morning Skies, Leader of the Band, Auld Lang Syne.
Cindy Yates Pgh, PA
(cmbyates@hotmail.com)
JACKSONVILLE
Friday, October 24, 1997
WEEKEND
Music visions
Fogelberg sighting: Traveling troubador back on the trail
Tiny Green, Times-Union music writer
Dan Fogelberg hasn't been completely out of sight in the '90s. Think of his low profile as hiding in plain sight; the result of a fiercely private demeanor, and a bit of music-biz common sense.
"I think I've consciously tried to move away from the spotlight so I don't get engulfed in the craziness that often happens to musicians," he told the Boston Tab.
The 46-year old troubadour has not only shunned the spotlight, but a good part of the golden-bricked geezer circuit, giving himself time to delve into his musical craft.
He played nearly all the instruments on 1993's River of Souls, for example. And earlier this year, he released Portrait: The music of Dan Fogelberg from 1972-97 on Sony Legacy, a four-CD collection that highlighted often overlooked areas of Fogelberg's body of work.
"One of the reasons I put out the box set was the need for some music that has gotten overlooked to be heard," he told the Boston Tab. "What happened when songs like Leader of the Band and Same Old Lang Syne hit was that too many people identified me only with ballads. My music has more dimension to it and it too often got ignored."
Fogelberg will play the Florida Theatre, 128 E.
Forsyth St. Thursday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $32.50 and
$26.50. Call (904) 355-2787. for information.
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This page was last updated Tuesday, March 21, 2000
