Customer Reviews

Twin Sons of Different Mothers

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is the first of two duet projects by Fogelberg and flutist Tim Weisberg. Fogelbergs sound lends itself easily to the inclusion of woodwind. The flute is obviously more prominent then just another part of the orchestra aka `Netherlands.'

Many of the tracks here are instrumental. `Twins theme', `Intimidation' and `Lazy Susan' start the album off in this way, `Lazy Susan' being a duet of guitar and flute I think is what they set out to achieve when they envisioned this collaberation. And I find it to be the best track on the album. Not all the songs are instrumentals, there are vocals and some cover songs as well. The Hollies song `Tell me to my face' is given a nice reading by the boy's. Judy Collin's `Since you asked' is a natural for Fogelberg and became a popular wedding song for those married in 78 and 79. This song is worth the price of the album alone.

Last but not least on the album is the inclsion of Dan's first top 40 hit since `Part of the plan' back in 1974. Often considered the tour de force of this album, `Power of Gold' began a nice run of hits for Dan spanning the next 5 years.

I usually find customer reviews on Amazon useful, since they reflect the consumer's and the fan's point of view, rather than the prevailing critics' domination of what's cool and what's not.

Not the last two reviews on this album!

I would have posted seven more 5-stars to bring the overall rating of this album closer to justice, only if this site allows it. My point is if you don't like Fogelberg, go somewhere else.

Amongst the discography of the artist, this album surely deserves a better treatment. After the eclectic and overall superb Nether Lands, the artist was at such peak of his creative powers that he made a largely-instrumental album with another not-so-well-known musician, treading on unfamiliar ground with a sense of experiment and adventure. For a singer/songwriter known for his vocal compositions, this is a bold and commendable move in itself.

If The Power Of Gold is weak, the seven minutes version of a Hollies remake (Tell Me To My Face) more than compensates it. If the bossa nova feel of the album makes it sound like elevator music, I don't really mind the ride. In addition, there's the elegant and romantic Paris Nocturne, surely one of the best melodies Fogelberg has ever created.

Can't say very much about albums like Exile, but this album was significant enough in the Fogelberg catalog to warrant a sequel (can'y say very much about that one either.)

I first heard this album in the summer of '78. I thought it was unusual to hear, of all things, a jazz flute? Anyway, this album is one of many which proves the talent and versatility of Dan Fogelberg. It's a shame that when we see "Best Of" and "Greatest Hits" albums that they only contain the old, worn out top 40 hits of the past- not that they aren't and weren't good, but if you have never heard some of the lesser known compositions of Dan Fogelberg, i dare say you have no idea of how fluently poetic and lovely some of those works are. Anyway, back to this album- Tim Weisberg and Dan Fogelberg blend together so well that it sounds like two old friends having a good time. It works because of the versatility and talent of Dan Fogelberg.

Dan Fogelberg, not content to stay within the confines of soft rock, tackles jazz. His outing with flutist Tim Weisberg resulted in Twin Sons Of Different Mothers: a melodic mix of jazz instrumental and Fogelberg's soft country-folk style. Twin Sons, like Fogelberg's own Netherlands, is quit luscious. The CD opens with a mellow flute, piano and string arrangement (Twins Theme) leading into `Intimidation': a dynamic rocker with a dominant bass rhythm. `Twins Theme' is repeated in 'Intimidation.' The lovely theme will surface again throughout the CD. The light `Lazy Suzan' is the first hint of vocals with Fogelberg and Weisberg (I believe) harmonizing an unadorned "do do do" melody. Next, `Tell Me To Face' is a soft rock track featuring Fogelberg's pleading vocals. The high point of Twin Sons is the foot-stooping `Hurtwood Alley': a potent and compelling guitar instrumental rocker with a vigorous bass line. The dreamlike compositions are saved until tracks 8 and 9. These serene and exotic works remind me of the more haunting material from Netherlands. Although the rocker `The Power Of Gold' is an easily recognizable radio hit, I don't care for the composition. A big production number, the song seems out of place here. Still, Twin Sons is a tantalizing mix of classical piano, jazz flute and rock. Fogelberg and Weisberg are a winning combination of contrasting musical styles with a single vision.

This album was the soundtrack to which I fell in love with my wife back in 1979. Does that make me biased? Well, why do you think we were listening to it in the first place? It is gorgeous, romantic music. I can't listen to Paris Nocturne and Since You Asked without... well, never mind. The reviewers who call this music jazz or new-age are mistaken. As for those who refer to it as "elevator music", they have a point, but let me assure you it is an elevator to the stars. It is a very eclectic album, with elements of many kinds of music, held together into a cohesive work by the professionalism and artistry of the two men. The tunes that seem to make some people think of elevators are among the very best, specifically "Lazy Susan" and the ponderously titled "Guitar Etude #3". Both tunes convey a haunting mix of energetic joy tinged with melancholy - and that's something you can't get out of a can! "Etude" is reminiscent of the soft, sexy picking and strumming of Charlie Byrd's jazz samba. My other favorites are the utterly beautiful "Since You Asked", the electric guitar rocker "Hurtwood Alley" and "Tell Me to My Face". The other tunes, including "Intimidation", with its promising latin beat introduction, have lost some luster after 23 years, but are still easy to enjoy. Play it with someone you love with some soft candlelight and see if something doesn't happen.

I'm so happy, after all these years, to have finally broken down and bought Twin Sons of Different Mothers rather than debate it for 30 years. Liking all kinds of music, I have a special place in my heart for "muzak," particularly world and smooth jazz, so whoever has been giving all of the other reviewers here neggies for liking it, go ahead and get mine over with right now as well.

True, you hear several tracks from this wonderful collaberation in the halls of shopping centers and on very light stations, but I also find it easy to listen to in the car and quite romantic all at once. Weisberg's flute is a major attraction for yours truly, and Fogelberg's acoustic guitar playing compliment's his style perfectly. Best tracks are breezy "Lazy Susan," exotic Brazilian "Guitar Etude No.3," haunting "Paris Nocturne," a lovely remake of the old Judy Collins song, "Since You've Asked," and the powerful, wonderfully pretentious "Power of Gold."

If you like your music to be muzak from time to time, I definitely recommend this disc to take the edge off a lousy day or just because you're mellow. Good stuff from two talented musicians whose styles really aren't that far apart in the first place.

I bought this album (yes the big black plastic things) when it was first released. This is a group of songs that from start to finish you aren't looking for the skip button. One of my all time favorites.

Listening to Fogelberg throughout his career, I lovingly recommend this beautiful music to my mother and children. He chose a magnificant accompanyment on this CD.

I had a Grand Torino Sport 1972, fully loaded Jamin stereo and listened to this when I was 17 and trippen... now? I'm 48 the car's gone and I'm sober but I still enjoy listening to this album

When i was growing up , working and listening , i heard a terrific amount of pop and rock music . Obviously , i was not much of a power chord guy . Fairly often , i'd hear an instrumental song from this lovely record . When listering to such radio stations , it's pretty seldom that one would hear instrumental songs . After a while , i remembered a couple of the instrumental songs so well , i could approximate them through humming and other vocal methods . I asked a number of friends who the artist was ? This was WELL before home computers . It took awhile for me to stumble across someone who knew the artist . When i learned it was Dan Fogelberg and Tim Weisberg , i was knocked out . Dan Fogelberg ? Sure enough . Dan was a great player and songwriter as well as an oft brilliant lyric writer . I've listened to the disc five or six times over the last couple of days . I was trying to determine if i felt the record deserved four or five stars . It's not without flaw . But it sure was and remains hugely influential for me . I love these two gentlemen and their beautiful recording . All in for me .