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 Wonderful Album By An Underappreciated Amercan Artist July 14, 2000
Barron Laycock (Temple, New Hampshire United States)
34 out of 35 found this review helpful
Dan Fogelberg is a one-man extravaganza, as anyone listening to any of his albums recognizes when they see how many instruments he plays to both acoustic and electric effect. I was introduced to this one in the late seventies by my then teenaged nephew, who incidentally later went on to star in the production of "Tommy" on Broadway, and have loved Dan Fogelberg ever since. Here are a number of terrific folk-rock entries, from "Part Of The Plan" to "Illinois" (even though when listening to it I always want to call Dan to remind him Illinois is only 2,000 miles east of California, not 3,000!), to "Souvenirs" itself. My personal favorite is "There's A Place In The World For A Gambler". Fogelberg's lush and slightly over-produced sound is something that grows on you, and his terrific voice is a sweetly perfect vehicle for the thoughtful, lyrical, and homespun melodies he writes and plays. This one is among his first outings, and he went on to fame and fortune with a whole string of hits. Still, this album is among my favorites, and I think you'll come to love it as well. Enjoy.
Carefully Crafted Art February 18, 2005
Lonnie E. Holder (Columbus, Indiana, United States)
18 out of 18 found this review helpful
Dan Fogelberg is a singer-songwriter who has his creative feet in several musical worlds, spanning rock, pop, country and folk. He has never been a flashy artist, coming across as almost shy and more focused on his art than on being caught up in the media hype that so seems to snare so many musicians. Fogelberg is a throw back to the days when music was more honest and familiar, a modern minstrel singing to please himself and whatever audience will listen.
This album begins with "Part of the Plan," a song was an early hit for Fogelberg. The song is a quick-paced pop song supported by well known players Graham Nash singing harmony, Kenny Passarelli on bass, Russ Kunkel on drums, and Joe Walsh on 12 string guitars. This song is about having patience in your life and accepting what is thrown at you when it comes. In a way the song is about karma, though I suspect that Fogelberg would say that sometimes karma needs a little help.
The second song, "Illinois," has a noticeable country flavor. Al Perkins makes a guest appearance on pedal steel guitar along with Passarelli, Kunkel and Walsh. This relatively simple and well-executed song has a simple theme, the longing for the state of Illinois, which is also Dan Fogelberg's home state. "Changing Horses" is a short little country-flavored ditty about making changes in your life before you give things a chance. This euphemistic song could readily be about significant others, your career or any number of relatively significant issues. Don Henley plays drums and provides Harmony on this song. "Better Changes" continues the country flavor and is a warning to someone about their lifestyle and that they are headed for trouble if they keep going the way they are.
The title track is a thoughtfully deep and melancholy song which Dan Fogelberg does so well. Though the title is "Souvenirs," and there are references to physical souvenirs, the song alludes to souvenirs in a couple of different ways. One approach to souvenirs is the positive mental imagery that remains with you as you get older. Another is the mental baggage that you retain as you go through life. This song includes a string quartet, and accordion and an ARP bass, played by Joe Walsh.
"The Long Way" reminds me a lot of Justin Hayward at his melancholy best. This song has a theme similar to that of "Old Lang Syne," which approaches this theme much more directly. This well-constructed pop song gives Fogelberg an opportunity to show how well he can hold a note. The next song is a clever song about being blinded by love, and in this case it sounds as though the blinding was intentional. "As the Raven Flies" is pushing toward the rock edge of pop, with a pair of lead guitars and a bass helping speed the song along. This song is one of the better songs on this CD.
"Song from Half Mountain" is a one man effort, with Dan Fogelberg playing all the instruments and singing all the vocals. This heartfelt song is an observation of nature, and includes a credit to a Moog synthesizer, which is used for accent and which I initially mistook for an organ.
The next song is bluegrass. "Morning Sky" is about the pending breakup of a couple, and the different approaches the two have of dealing with the event. The bluegrass flavor is enhanced by Carl Perkins's excellent banjo pickin'. This song is relatively fast-paced and contradicts somewhat the relatively serious topic of the lyrics.
The next song is flavored by blues and deals with a man caught up in stories someone is telling about him and a liaison that never happened. "(Someone's Been) Telling You Stories" has pop elements with a touch of country flavor, perhaps influenced by Don Henley and Glenn Frey on backing vocals.
The last song on this CD is a masterpiece. "There's a Place in the World for a Gambler" features outstanding harmonies along with a zither, Moog synthesizer, piano, saxophone, drums and a variety of guitars in a deeply layered song. The lyrics are about the depths within us, and allowing that which is within to be released. However, it is the multi-tracked orchestrated sound with the catchy pop hooks that make this song one of Dan Fogelberg's best, and the best on this CD.
Dan Fogelberg has incredible ability as a songwriter and singer. On this album he is joined by several members of The Eagles along with veterans including Graham Nash, Russ Kunkel and Kenny Passarelli. Amazingly, the horsepower provided by the numerous guest performers is used appropriately and sparingly, and the music remains effective and powerful rather than bombastic and over-produced. Such simplicity makes great albums, but not necessarily great singles. It is albums such as these that explains why I rarely listen to top 40 radio. Greatness is not necessarily established by popular vote.
My First Fogelberg Favorite February 6, 2000
W. Quimby (Keene, NH)
11 out of 12 found this review helpful
Back in college (a long time ago) a friend introduced me to this album one night in a dorm room after a party, when I decided not to drive home. It made a major impression on me and I still listen to it to this day. Souvenirs was produced by Joe Walsh and has a host of incredible musicians on it, including Walsh's virtuoso guitar playing...Not to mention Dan's outstanding songwriting, playing and singing. Souvenirs has a purity and cohesiveness that make it one of my favorites of all time. This one is a must for any Dan Fogelberg fan.
 Fogelberg's Breakthrough 2nd Album July 12, 1998
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
Fogelberg's first real taste of commercial success, this album features what many still consider his signature song, "Part of the Plan." It moves gently through the first side..."Illinois" expresses a wistful longing for home, while the title track is a walk down memory lane. Side 2 rocks a bit more, with the somewhat caustic "As The Raven Flies" warning of the pitfalls of relationships. "Morning Sky" is pure bluegrass, still a concert favorite, and not available on any of the "Best of" collections. Likewise for the studio version of "There's a Place In The World For A Gambler," which closes out the album. The list of musicians who contributed to this album reads like a virtual who's-who of the folk-rock genre. This album is an essential part of any Fogelberg collection.
One of Dan Fogelberg's best. December 17, 2007
G. Merritt (Boulder, CO)
9 out of 10 found this review helpful
"You've got to just follow your heart and do your best work. There is no doubt in my mind or heart that everything I've done is exactly what I intended to do." --Dan Fogelberg (1951-2007)
Dan Fogelberg died yesterday at age 56. He was a Boulder County resident when he recorded three of his finest albums, Souvenirs in 1975, Captured Angel in 1975, and Nether Lands in 1977. (Rumor has it that his song, "Same Old Lang Syne," is based on a real-life accidental meeting with a former girlfriend at Ideal Market here in Boulder. Fogelberg, however, says the incident actually occurred in Peoria, Illinois in 1975 or '76.) Whether he was playng New York's Carnegie Hall or Colorado's Red Rocks Amphitheatre, whether he was performing with a full band or solo, Fogelberg was always real (a rare quality these days). Souvenirs was recorded when Fogelberg lived in the mountains of Nederland, Colorado, roughly another 3500 feet above Boulder, and the songs capture the feel of that pristine environment of "Ned" in the mid seventies. I discovered Dan Fogelberg through this album and Captured Angel. I was in high school at the time. Fogelberg plays organ, synthesizer, guitar, piano, electric guitar, keyboard, and vibraphone, with Graham Nash, Glenn Frey and Don Henley contributing harmony vocals, and Joe Walsh (another Boulder resident at the time) on guitars. This album is one of the few that continues to speak to my soul. We will miss you Dan . . .
Tracks include:
1. Part of the Plan
2. Illinois
3. Changing Horses
4. Better Change
5. Souvenirs
6. The Long Way
7. As the Raven Flies
8. Song from Half Mountain
9. Morning Sky
10. (Someone's Been) Telling You Stories
11. There's a Place in the World for a Gambler
G. Merritt
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