Customer Reviews

First Christmas Morning

5 star:		(63)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is my new favorite in Christmas albums. Dan's musical abilities on all levels shine through; his lyrics, arranging and instrumentation. How nice to have some new original music that is so uplifiting that it is sure to become a classic for years to come. My favorite original cut is "Christ, the King" and he excels on the traditional hymn "In the Bleak Midwinter".

For fans expecting to hear Dan's wonderful voice sing the "traditional" same old songs, you will be disappointed. This thematic album is truly artistic. Dan's use of period style (Medievil, Rennaisance and Baroque) is carried delightfully throughout every cut and the listener is transported back to a different time. A beautiful listen for a quiet evening in front of the fire. His personal notes and history of each piece were educational and inspiring.

Thanks Dan for not doing the expected!

I've been listening to Dan Fogelberg since the early 70's and seen him in concert many, many times. I agree with a lot of reviewers that sometime after "The Innocent Age" Fogelberg went way too pop, and lost me. However, I became interested in this cd after reading all the reviews - I love Christmas music and I enjoy listening to music that celebrates Jesus Christ all year 'round. Certainly, looking at the reviews, people seem to feel strongly about this cd, one way or the other. If you enjoy a variety of Christmas music, are interested in Medieval/Baroque/Renaissance style music, or if you just want a Christmas cd that celebrates the Birth of Christ, I suggest you buy this one. I can't understand why some long-standing Fogelberg fans are so hard on this one - unless they just don't like the Medieval theme, or they're uncomfortable with Fogelberg singing about Christ and Christmas.

Some reviewers have a hard time with the opening cut, some mentioning they're disappointed that Fogelberg himself doesn't sing it. I say, "So what?" The whole point of music is to convey a message - the artist is simply the conduit. This cd celebrates Christmas - Fogelberg is letting that take first place. The piece itself is well done as a choral number, and the bells "work" for me. "At Christmas Time" feels a little rushed to me, like he's running out of breath. I would like to have seen Fogelberg do it as a duet with someone, rather than take both 'parts'. He sounds like he's being stretched vocally (though elsewhere on the cd he sounds as good as ever), and it's a little uncomfortable to listen to, though I like the idea musically and I think the lyrics are good.

"Winterskol" is clearly a standout instrumental, and it reminded me of so much of Fogelberg's early stuff. "Snowfall" is good, too. "Feast of Fools" and "Yule Dance" are fine, if you can appreciate what Fogelberg is trying to do (and I can), which is to evoke a certain musical period. Even if you're not totally caught up in that effort, they still make nice instrumentals to listen to while you're decorating the tree or enjoying some egg nog while sitting in front of the fire after a long day shopping at the mall!

"The First Christmas Morning" and "Christ the King" are great original songs which clearly celebrate the Christ of Christmas but in classic Fogelberg style - I can only say "Well Done!" here. A lot of "Contemporary Christian" artists have failed to deliver such a clear message. "This Endris Night" is beautiful, and Fogelberg sounds great doing it - it could've been his own song. I appreciate the fact that with the non-original cuts on the cd, Fogelberg dug deep. Not that I don't appreciate songs like "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree", but they've been done to death! He delivers "I Saw Three Ships" and "We Three Kings" well, helping me to appreciate a couple traditional songs that have previously always left me cold. "In the Bleak Midwinter" and "What Child Is This?" are a joy to listen to here. I wasn't surprised - Fogelberg is great with this type of song - he's got the voice for them.

"O Tannenbaum" was a disappointment to me. I agree with some other reviewers about the problems - it sounds like Fogelberg is straining to reach for the high notes (I guess he was a lot younger when he did 'Netherlands'?), the whole "half volume, going for the dated feel" is more frustrating than successful, and even Fogelberg can't quite pull off the autoharp thing. I was mostly disappointed because I think, with his talent, he could have done something so much better. Oh well! It doesn't ruin the cd for me, and for most people, it's just a matter of hitting 'skip' or pre-programming that one out of the sequence.

Overall, I was pleased with the cd, and I'm sure it will enjoy its turn in the season's rotation for many years to come!

Dan Fogelberg's Christmas CD is so beautiful and every year I listen to it from Thanksgiving to the New Year. It's unique in a way only Dan can give us. Different, yet familiar. In his inimitable style, Dan brought us a season that touches our hearts and makes us sing along with him. Having listened to him since I was in college, I was more than pleased when he put out this Christmas album.

If you are a baby boomer and missed listening to Dan Fogelberg, listen now. For those of us who have seen him live, driven down many highways singing along with him loud and happy, and loved him from the first song we heard him sing, let's never forget this wonderful musician, this beautiful man.

Today is December 16, 2007 and Dan Fogelberg left us today, dying after a three and a half year battle against advanced prostate cancer. He will always live in my heart.

Many artists today know of the Colorado Loner (Dan Fogelberg), they know of his gift of words, of his dedication to his will, and for going his own direction, for better or worse. After listening to this secluded artists latest project, I'm left amazed by the strength of his ability to put the usual standards in the closet and dive into projects and directions that seem to be so far from the norm of the rest of the industry superstar holiday CD projects. "The First Christmas Morning" is another project in which Fogelberg has went that extra mile to accomplish what most wouldn't take the time to work through. This CD can be broken down into three catagories; Instrumentals, Self-Written, & Baroque to early 20th century material. Each type is exceptional, well thought through, and performed to the standard of what Fogelberg fans have known is within his capacity to accomplish at will. His music is sharper than I've heard in recent years, and the voice, simply put, outstanding on this CD. The three Chrismas songs; At Chrismas Time, The First Christmas Morning, and Christ the King, are equally impressive in music and vocals. The instrumental Snowfall,is an exceptional piece many a star today will wish they had written. This Endris Night, We Three Kings, and The Bleak Midwinter, will leave you amazed by his gift with the craft of making music shine. For any and all that are interested in Chrismas Music, the joy of special time and season of Christmas and winter, this Fogelberg project is for you. CD doesn't stand for Compact Disc when speaking of The First Christmas Morning, it stands for "Christmas Delight!"

As a general rule I do not buy Christmas Albums by popular artists. However, I am a Fan of Dan Fogelberg and felt that this might be different. It is, this is truly a timeless Christmas CD by Mr. Fogelberg. All the compositions, except Fogelberg originals and one written in 1905 were written prior to the 20th Century, giving this CD a truly Old Fashion flavor. If you enjoy Dan Fogelberg and traditional Christmas music, order this CD immediately. And Dan, put an instrumental CD out, its been too long.

Dan Fogelberg's First Christmas Morning CD is a fine return to form for an artist that seemingly lost much of his gift for music in the past ten years.

Fogelberg hearkens back to the Home Free/Captured Angel days with this disc. As other Amazon reviews have implied, Dan's vocals are sometimes strained (e.g., At Christmas Time) and certain songs (e.g., O, Tannenbaum) do break the "flow" of the record. However, this is nitpicking and songs like "The First Christmas Morning", "In the Bleak Midwinter" and "Christ, the King" more than make up for the disc's faults. In addition, Dan has not modernized these recordings at all, nor has he used the unconvincing "bluesy" voice that he has adopted since Exiles. This makes for a very pleasant listening experience and reminds me of Dan's "classic" period.

I urge anyone interested in hearing quality music performed well to buy this disc, sit down in front of the fire, put it on, and absorb the music AND the message.

This is the best music Fogelberg has done since The Innocent Age.

Dan has once again proven that the best just keeps getting better! The First Christmas Morning CD (Dan's First Christmas CD) captures the genuine feelings attributed to Christmas. For many years I have wished he would come out with something related to Christmas. I was very pleased that Dan did not do the typical "jingle bell rock" like everybody else in the business. Dan's Christmas CD not only has original songs that he wrote but also some of the very traditional songs that are the epitomy of Christmas! The CD is based on a medieval and rennaisance theme which has a feel to it like no other Christmas CD I have ever heard or owned. This is the best Christmas CD I have ever listened to (and I have many). The way Dan can make a guitar sing and a piano flow not to mention his own singing makes the listener come to a clear understanding that Dan is the Master. He just keeps getting better and better over the years and his creativity and talent are incredible. This CD will not disappoint!

I have been an admirer of Dan Fogelberg's music as long as I can remember and this Christmas CD is the best gift any fan of his can receive for the holiday! It is so beautiful that it's hard to find words to express it. This CD contains joy, cheer, reverence and peace -- just as the holiday season should. Dan has captured Christmas! I love "I Sailed Three Ships" and "This Endris Night" as well as many others. His instrumentals are fantastic and yes, his voice is different than it was on "The Innocent Age". How could it not be? It is richer and more mellow. I find the maturity of it VERY soulful. It is comforting. This style is very different than anything you would expect from Dan Fogelberg but it fits him like a glove and I am grateful he shared another treasure with us.

Having been a fan of Dan Fogelberg for many years, I must say that this is a truely exceptional CD. It captures the very essence of the season. The only weak track on the CD is "O Tannenbaum" but the rest shine so brightly that I hardly even notice. The cover art fits the package as far as I'm concerned. Christmas is meant to be a simple time. Remember, Christ was born in a stable not a posh resort. I've owned this CD for about a month now and I have played it everyday. Now, if you are reading this Dan, how-a-bout another CD of original tunes....maybe another Bluegrass set.

First of all, thanks to Amazon, as the album is not available in Europe. Unfortunately I only received the album in January, too late for the Christmas season but I'll sure be playing it for the next couple of Christmases to come. It took Dan a long time to record this album but it was well worth the effort. As with all of Dan's recordings the result is a brilliant piece of work. The Fogelberg originals are wonderful, and the standards have been arranged with the typical Fogelberg craftmanship - unique, intense and high emotional. If you only buy one Christmas album, get this one.