Customer Reviews

Full Circle

5 star:		(49)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's been almost ten years since Dan Fogelberg released his last "regular" studio album, and with "Full Circle" he more than delivers on his fans' expections.

Recorded and produced by himself at his home in Southern Colorado, "Full Circle" turns out to be a wonderful collection of ten new songs and one hauntingly beautiful instrumental. The overall sound is light, airy and mainly acoustic; with some exceptionally poetic lyrics to go along with the wonderful tunes. Dan Fogelberg has recently found a lot of personal happiness and joy - and it shows both on this CD and live on stage during his current US tour.

Personal favorites on this CD are "Reach Haven Postcard", the country-flavored title track and "This Heart", which certainly has a lot of radio play appeal; let's hope this independent CD release will find its way to the stations nevertheless. Thanks to Amazon for having it in store so soon!

There's only one thing I didn't like on "Full Circle", which is the "fade" of the closing track, the very moving "Earth Anthem": It somehow seems to comes too soon and in the middle of the chorus at that. This great song could (and should) have gone on for a few more minutes.

Then again, if you're into Dan Fogelberg's music or singer/songwriters in general, you can't do much better than "Full Circle". Get it now and treasure it for years to come, and make sure you get to see Dan and Band live when they're near you.

Let's all hope it won't be another decade before Dan Fogelberg releases new music.

This album is quite good in many spots actually, for me. On the first listen I didn't quite like it at first. Then a year or so later, I came back to it and really dug into it again. And I have to say that I do really like it. Several songs in here give me goosebumps like the Dan of old: "Reach Haven Postcard" (who else but Dan can derive a great song out of the simple image of a postcard??) and the beautiful "Drawing Pictures".

About Dan's voice. Some might remember that two things happened to his voice in the early to mid-80's. 1. He had his tonsils removed and 2. he quit smoking. Dan fans should be able to notice his voice changing between Windows and Walls and Exiles. Personally, I think that around Wild Places and definitely in River of Souls, that his vocals really sound different. But with First Christmas Morning and beyond, it seems like his voice has some power again. Granted, he can't sing high and sometimes he sings vowels odd. Doesn't really bother me any more, and its not like there's anything he can do about it. :)

For my money, Dan Fogelberg has always been a great lyricist with a wonderful feel for words and stories. And he is a fine musician equally adept on guitar and piano, and always more than willing to use different styles. I have enjoyed his music from the first time I heard one of his songs, and I still do to this day. Full Circle is to me another installment in a long line of great music by Dan.

For long time Fogelberg fans, "Full Circle" will be very hard to review and not instinctively compare to previous releases.
For newer listeners, or even listeners who have never heard of Dans music at all, and want to hear about this CD...."Full Circle" doesn't belong to this new world of Pop.
Dan actually has a brilliant touch in everything he has done in his 30 plus years in the music business.
And to know that when Dan releases a project, he has put every ounce of knowledge and musical expression he could muster.
And just like a true artist, it will not be released to the public until himself as his own worst critic is satisfied.

"Full Circle" does not dissappoint.....It's like a gift to us long time Dan fans.
There are two songs not written by Dan here, them being, the title track "Full Circle" and "Earth Anthem"....both songs written over thirty years ago by two of Dans musical heros.
To respect Dans decisions when he puts a song or two in his projects that he has not written is to give and take.
But "Full Circle and Earth Anthem" are two very well sung and played songs and adds perfectly to this CD.

I didn't take to this cd immediatly on first hearing, and I suspect you may not either.....But I now love it.
I wished it were longer, I wish there were more songs,
but thats true of every good cd.
My favorite songs are "Icarus Ascending" a song similar in messege to "Don't Lose Heart" from Dans "Portrait Box set"
"Drawing Pictures" a song Dan wrote directly after releasing "The Innocent Age" over 20 years ago....if you have The Innocent Age ...you will recongnise Dans musical vision in this song from way back then.....one that reminds me of "Mountains to the Sea" from "Portraits"

I really like every song here...it took a few listens to appreciate it.
And look foward to another Cd from Dan I hope in the next few years.

Even though "Full Circle" is from 2003...I only knew it existed as of a week ago....so to me...this is a brand new Dan Fogelberg album....and what a FINE piece of work it is ! Most of this album...though not as good...takes me back to "Netherlands"..."Phoenix"..."The Innocent Age"...and "The Wild Places"...Dan's best albums in my opinion !

My standout cuts are the beautiful instrumental "Half Moon Bay"
which is reminds me of "Aurora Nova" from "The Wild Places". I also love "Whispers In The Wind"...."This Heart"...."Reach Haven Postcard"..."Drawing Pictures"....and "Icarus Ascending" . Those are the best...but there isn't a bad song on the album ! Longtime Dan fans will love this...trust me...and I'm so glad I found it ! Dan Fogelberg made a big return with "First Christmas Morning"....and "Full Circle" is an awesome follow up...let's hope there's more to come !

BUY THIS ONE!! Dan's final CD is very well crafted, and in my mind is as good as anything else he's done. Brilliantly written songs from the heart, vintage Dan Fogelberg!

WE WILL SURE MISS YOU DAN! YOU WERE AS GOOD OR BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE! You can rest in peace now, you inspired more lives with your music than you can ever imagine.

I have to be honest with the readers and say the first time I listened to this CD I just didn't "get it". I wanted to give Dan a few more chances and listened to it a few more times. By the 4th time I "got it". The reviewers that have written in with negative things to say need to give this CD a chance. I must say this is the best CD in my Dan collection. With any artist, it's the songs that "grab" you later that are the best. The guitar work is incredible, even down to the soul of it with the fret squeeks. Very raw and worth the wait to let it capture you. Dan is the most underated artist of our time, and much loved.

Hi ~ I have been a fan of Dan Fogelberg's since 1978. I ordered Dan's "Full Circle" CD even before it's release date. I was very happy to see something new from Dan. I found myself caught up in the Magic that I have always loved about Dan, from my very first listen to this CD. 1. Halfmoon Bay is a Magical Interlude, it sets the mood perfectly, I love the mystic found in Dan's musical pieces. 2. When You're Not Near Me, in this song Dan's Lyrics and Music are nicely completed by the sentiment in his voice. this song nicely carries you onto the next. 3. Full Circle, even though this song wasn't written by Dan, I can understand why he picked it to be the title of this CD, if you listen closely to the lyrics and if you have read Dan's bio, you too will understand why this song is a piece of the finishing puzzle. 4. Reason to Run ~ Once again Dan's way of making each song of his shine Uniquely is evident on this one. Dan's way with writing songs has always found a way to touch my heart. 5. Once in Love ~ we all can relate with the lyrics in this song, and Dan's way of performing it brings out the Storytelling magic he is known for. 6. Whispers in the Wind, reminds me of Windows & Walls, both have a hauntingly effect on me, once again a nice visual is spelled out in Dan's lyrics. 7. This Heart ~ Dan does this song in a Heartfelt way, and I love how his Magic has aged like fine wine. 8. Reach Haven Postcard is a favorite of mine, I love how this song can capture me. Dan shines nicely on this, by now I find the songs flowing into each other. 9. Drawing Pictures ~~ A very sincere song indeed, and once again Dan's voice, lyrics and music, cause me to relate with the emotion in this song. 10. Icarus Ascending ~ Dan shines brighter than bright on this song, and I feel the very lyrics needed for him to fight the battle he is now, with his prostrate cancer is found in this. Such an inspirational feeling I get from this song. 11. Earth Anthem ~~ A Beautiful Prelude to wrap up this Full Circle Magic. I still find myself hitting the replay on this cd, and how sad it would have been, if we were to have never heard these songs. I am glad to have had Dan's music over the years to accompany me down Life's Highway.I hope there will be more music from Dan. ~ Listen, really listen to these songs and I am sure you too will agree that Dan has come Full Circle nicely! Thanks, Nancy :)

The voice has changed, aged, mellowed since I put stylus to LP and listened to the inimitable "To The Morning" over thirty years ago. So has the music. Both are better than ever.

Dan Fogelberg is music's master lyricist and tunesmith. Nobody comes close to matching his genius. I've seen the steady decline of music over the years as evidenced by the insensitivity of metal and grunge to the ugliness of rap and hip-hop to the silliness and shallowness of image-grabbing celebrity hounds like Madonna and Britney and Jennifer Lopez, et al.

Fortunately, Dan has remained true to his craft and has elevated it above the fray and idiocy of the MTV and VH1 crowd. This latest, and perhaps last, effort of his is an exclamation point from Fogelberg to his critics who have accused him of not being commercial enough. Each of the tunes on "Full Moon", save the two he did not pen, has mass appeal, but I like to pretend each was written especially for my listening pleasure and for no one else.

"Half Moon Bay" takes me back to the days of "Aspen" (Captured Angel) and underscores his limitless musical talents; "Reason To Run" and "Once In Love" would be a great country hits; "This Heart" beckons back to the days of Roy Orbison, and the song drives memorably hard, with a great melody and lyrics, without piercing the ears; "Whispers In The Wind" is poetry set to beautiful music - this is how a love song should be written; "Reach Haven Postcard" - classic Fogelberg - is another superb tune, the irony of which Fogelberg, with all his many gifts of expression, finds himself at a near loss for words describing his intense desire to be with his lover while he watches as the "stars lay like diamonds on the breast of the sea." All he can say, after it all boils away, is "But the only thing I wrote was 'I wish you were here.'" Those five simple words say it all.

"Icarus Ascending" is the most optimistic and encouraging song from Fogelberg I can recall. It drips with metaphors for staying the course, even if the sun is melting your wings, much in the vain of "Don't Lose Heart", and it would have been the perfect conclusion to the album.

While I am no fan of the song, "Earth Anthem", it is acceptable filler on an otherwise brilliant collection of songs.

Extraordinarily well-done effort, Dan, even by your lofty standards, and we hope there will be more to come from you!

I don't know about others, but I don't expect, nor do I want, the same thing time after time with any musician. I have listened to and loved Fogelberg's music for 30 years. One of the things I have loved is his ability to surprise me. Even though he always sounds like himself, I never really know what direction he will take. He moves easily from rock to folk to blues to country (not a personal favorite, even from him) to classical, with jazz, Celtic, Native American and Latin elements thrown in on occasion. His latest album did not disappoint me. I loved it from the first listen. Whispers in the Wind is so beautiful, vocally, musically and lyrically. It has a tender, Mediterranean feel to it. Another personal favorite is Once in Love, one of those songs that just naturally lifts your spirits. The other songs are wonderful, too, from Half Moon Bay (a great instrumental) to Icarus Ascending. He goes a wee bit flat on Earth Anthem in one spot, but then picks it up again and runs with it. It's a beautiful song, especially in sentiment. If he should choose to leave the music industry behind him tomorrow (as I've heard rumored several times), I would be very disappointed, but I would also be very happy and grateful that we were given another fine album to take with us "along the road."

I was hoping Dan Fogelberg would return to the music he created in the 70's and for the most part, he has done this with Full Circle.

There is a lot of beautiful music on this and some excellent guitar playing. Personal favorites are 'When You're Not Near Me', 'Once In Love', 'Drawing Pictures', and 'This Heart. 'This Heart' has a melody that sticks with you after listening. The title track is a good upbeat song. Several songs will remind you of songs from Souvenirs or Captured Angel.

I can't give this CD 5 starts due to some minor weaknesses. A couple of songs call out for real violins (like Dan made good use of back in the 70's), but instead synthesized strings were used (Half Moon Bay and Drawing Pictures). I don't care much for 'Earth Anthem'. And has been said before, the CD is short at just under 45 minutes. Some songs seem to end too soon.

But I prefer to end on an upbeat note. If you have been waiting for Dan Fogelberg to return to his roots, you will not be disappointed with 'Full Circle'.