Customer Reviews

Souvenirs

5 star:		(40)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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 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.

The recent death of Dan Fogelberg prompted me to dig out my collection of his CDs and replay them all. I was introduced to his music back in the mid 70s, the days when an album was still vinyl. I wore out the vinyl and bought the CD, and to me, Souvenirs still remains one, if not the, best of Dan's works. Although I love "Dancing Shoes" from Netherlands, and "The Last Nail" from Captured Angel, "Souvenirs" has the most tracks all on one CD that I'll listen to without skipping from song to song. This was back when Dan still rocked out a bit, before he got all "poppy." To me, his best songs never made it into the top 40. I've seen Dan live about half a dozen times, and "A Place in the World for a Gambler" is how I'll remember him, it was always the encore, and I can still see a stadium full of lit cigarette lighters held aloft, swaying back and forth as we all chanted " Oh, let it shine....."
R.I.P. Dan

This album in a word is fantastic. Dan wrote some of his most inspired music on this one and had a great lineup in place to help with harmonies. Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and Joe Walsh. Great songs from one of the masters in true musicianship as a singer songwriter. Enjoy!

What a great artist. Dan Fogelberg combines the best of the two genres mentioned in the title of this review. Strong songwriting and excellent playing are evident on every track. My personal favorite is, "There's A PLace In The World For A Gambler."
When I was younger several of my friends and acquaintences and even myself dabbled in mind altering substances. Music played a large part in that lifestyle. When everyone else was listening to Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin to enhance their highs, I once played this album. When it was over, everyone was overwhelmed and awestruck. We couldn't find anything to follow it, the emotional content was just so awesome. It's hard to picture a bunch of young stoned people so blown away from sheer artistry instead of the usual stoner fare.

It goes without saying that this is a superb album. If I were to own only one by Dan, this would be the one. I highly recommend it.
Dan Fogelberg was one of the most popular singer-songwriters of the 1970'sand 1980's. Dan died this past Sunday, 12/16/2007, at home in Maine at age 56. He had battled advanced prostate cancer since being diagnosed in 2004.
Rest in peace, Dan, and thank you for the music.

Proving the first album was not a fluke Dan returned in 1974. Dan moved from Tennessee to California during the two years in between albums, and the California sound is evident on many tracks throughout.

Session musicians on this album include Glenn Frey, Don Henley, and Joe Wlash. Mr. Walsh would join their band the Eagles a short time later. Many people list this as their favorite lp by Dan. I do not think it is in the same league as Home free, but then nothing else ever recorded does IMO, so that may be biased.

The album of course contains his first top 40 hit "part of the plan" and those that have become fan favorites and standards in his never changing concert repertoire (but that is a discussion for another place). However as always the forgotten songs are the best. The songwriting is brilliant throughout but the title track is as good as it gets. In "Changing horses" Dan voice sounds almost angelic. Ditto on "the long way" and again the title track. "Illinois", about his real home, is classic acoustic Fogelberg. " Morning sky" is a slice of his Nashville day's and quite a foot stomper in it's own rite. "Place in the world for a gambler" is, well let's just say in college most kid's blared Van Halen, I was know to crank it up on this one, why, I do not know..........

From beginning to end the entire album forces you to pay attention, and introspection into ones own life good and bad is not easily avoided. It does this the way only a very rare album can.

Dan Fogelberg combines multiple talents as well as any artist I have ever heard. Just check all the instruments he plays, combined with fine lyrics and a remarkable ability to cross multiple styles with equal sincerity. Souvenirs is my personal favorite because I can cover many of the tunes on acoustic guitar. Although his pop songwriting is excellent, I enjoy his folk/rock stylings much better. Remove Netherlands, a good but eccentric album, and his first six albums are full of great songs with acoustic flavor. My favorite song on Souvenirs (on an entire CD of wonderful tunes) is Better Change. Great voice, great musician, great songwriter, and great performer, Dan Fogelberg is a complete artist. Buy Souvenirs, and while you're at it, pick up all of his CD's through Innocent Age.