Search - Dan Fogelberg :: Portrait: Music of Dan Fogelberg 1972-97

A Portrait of Timelessness!

Lawrence Ryan | Kansas City, Missouri United States | 11/22/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dan not a man who should be contained inside a box,
Never to be labeled just a Balladeer.
And most of all, never to be underestimated as a true
songwriting force that this generation should overlook.
The best of Dan isn't what we have heard in his "Greatest Hits" or "The Very Best of"....though certainly those songs were the very reasons why Dan became among the most respected singer songwriters of the 70's and 80's,
It's just that "Portrait" is Singularly the reason why Box sets are produced and sold like they are......To allow you to consider
the artist as a whole, and judged purely on volume, and to let the story be dignified by His output and purpose behind the music.......each song indexed by Dan consists of His own story behind each song.So if your remotely considering buying this box set,
here are some helpful hints as what to expect.
A well conceived layout, conveniently attractivly shaped case,
surrounded with four very appealing pictures of Dan from his three decades of music......also....lots and lots of Pics of Dan.
The stylish booklet inside holds the essence of his music in words.......if your expecting a wild tale of sex, drugs and rock and roll decedance ,then may I suggest VH1 Behind the Music where very doubtfull Dan will ever appear, for his life and lifestyle has been greatly guarded throughout his long career.
But you will come away from reading the booklet respecting his views and musical aspirations......and of course the man himself.But you buy it for the music......and the music never dissapoints.
Four Cd's in four catagories......The first is "The Hits"
Containing those well loved songs you have heard on the radio.
"Longer"...."Same Old Lang Syne"......"Leader of the Band"....
"Part of the Plan".....if those songs dont sound familiar, they will!Second Cd is "Ballads"....."Too the Morning" starts this Cd Beautifully.....its what I call an Epic Ballad.....one of those songs that plays on and your taken in soley by its sense of perfection......."Stars".....most recently covered by Alison Krauss.....and then "Wysteria".....a haunting poetic song that allows you to consider its true meaning from your own heart.
There are 17 songs on this Cd alone.....Of the Four Cd's this one I listen to the most.Next Cd is "Rock and Roll".......if your not aware, Dan writes all of his music, Plays Most all the Instruments including Acoustic and Electric guitars and Piano....and he is no amateur,
Dan is geniunly gifted and it shines through so personally that it inspires so many others to play like he can......each song selected here contains a notch or two above his Ballads as far as his musical range, meaning he has more to say than just Love songs.The last Cd is called "Tales and Travels".
A personal favorite here is "The Last Nail".
Dans ability to tell a story so poetically are for those who
desire more from a song than just a chorus a bridge and a unestablishing solo, Dan showcases his brilliance with true stories from his personal relationships, songs that reflect our own realness.On a side note......one song that was not included on this Box set for some Ungodly reason........"There's a Place in the World for a Gambler" can be found on his "Souvenirs" Cd.
If you have...that same eternal question.....Why was this song not included......then be suprised and go out and buy "Souvenirs"....its one of those songs that I called an "Epic Ballad".....well worth looking into."

Beautiful music X 4!

Melodie Stickrath | Aurora, CO USA | 07/02/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dan has been one of my favorites since he started recording, and this set showcases a brilliant career. But like a lot of others, I wonder what happened to A Place In the World For A Gambler. Of all the box sets in my music collection, this is the only one that NEVER gets dusty. I play it at home, in the car and it goes to work with me, too. I've even turned some of the 20-somethings I worked with onto this man and his incredible music. Dan is amazing, on record and in concert, and this set is nearly perfect."

The Most Complete Artist That Ever Existed

Melodie Stickrath | 05/31/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A fan would be putting things lightly for me. He has been with me through many years of growing up and adulthood. It all began with Part of the Plan, then came the album Netherlands oh WOW nothing more could be said. I loved the whole album and memorized it word for word and when I learned to play guitar played it note for note as with every other album he came out with. When has anyone ever seen an artist so complete, rock, country, bluegrass, jazz, ballads anything you wanted Dan could produce. His album High Country Snows took me to anouther level of appreciation, bluegrass is very differnt than what I assumed and if Dan Fogelburg would not have that album I would never had learned to appreciate that too. Then came the song Nexus unbelievably beautiful and humbling that so much talent can shine in one song. This guy has the most beautiful lyrics anyone could want. They have meaning and he is well versed in language and some of the lyrics he writes will floor you. Dan Fogelburg is by far the greatest in my book. His music stays in my car and home. Even my teenage boys love his talent, his music is ageless and passionant. How many times teasingly I've told my husband who is also a very good musician that he would be perfect if only he had Fogelburg's voice. Through the years I have listened to his music mature and expand. This CD set is perfect because anyone that can really appreciate Dan Fogelburg will understand the divercity and growth and new ways of entertainment he has blessed us with. Every mood and every heartache and every joyous moment has been shared with his music. There is nothing anyone can really say, there's no real discription of him. He's the Mozart of our music today. Dan thanks for the music and this great CD set. For all of us that have laughed and cryed with your music, we love you and through your wisdom and talent we will all be Part of the Plan."