Customer Reviews

Wild Places

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"The Wild Places" is among the best three albums this multi-talented veteran singer/songwriter/musician has ever released. Poetic and throught-provoking lyrics (mainly about environmental and humanitarian issues) set to beautiful, memorable tunes. From the irresistable energetic opening title track to the haunting closing tune "Ever on", this CD once again illustrates what makes Dan Fogelberg such a special artist. On top of nine original (and very personal) songs, "The Wild Places" also includes two covers - the wonderful bluesy "Rhythm of the Rain" and a perfect rendition of Bruce Cockburn's "Lovers in a Dangerous Time".

In a career spanning almost 30 years now, Dan Fogelberg has released an amazing number of high-quality albums without a single weak track. He may have had his commercial "high" in the Early 1980's - his artistic summit so far may very well be in the "grooves" of this recording.

Unfortunately overlooked this represents Dan's best work in a few years. Dan wrote an album influenced by his experience with Native American culture. It was a new direction and refreshing after his bitter "divorce" album `Exiles' a few years earlier. Again the songs are heavily geared in native american tradition `Aurora Nova', `Wild places' and `Spirit trail' being prime examples. There is a nice cover of `Rhythm of the rain' which oddly enough would become Dan's last entry into the top 40. David Crosby and old friend Timothy B. Schmidt offer a hand on some of the tracks as well

Dan includes a couple of tributes on this album one is to his ancestors in `Forefathers' and Bones in the sky' is dedicated to the late Georgia O'keefe. The latter is his best writing in some time.

The tour de force on this one though is `Ever on' which closes the album. Trippy is the only world I can think of when I try and describe it, but in a very peyote sort of way. I am not sure if he is referring to a Native American leader, a spirit, or God himself, but whom ever it is will lead us ever on.......

"Wild Places" grabs one's attention when they listen to it. Fogelburg once again created an album where every song is a good one. It continues to prove that very little is beyond Dan's reach. Each song is unique. The more I listen to the album, the more I have grown like it. I personally like: "Ever On", "Song of the Sea", and "Forefathers". Even though he didn't write it, my favorite on this album is "Dangerous Time." It along with the rest of the songs is pleasant and enjoyable. It is puzzling why these songs don't show up on many of his collection albums. They are as good as any other he's written. This album is another great one, among the countless others, in the Fogelburgs. I think it is essential.

Wildplaces has been on my CD player practically nonstop since purchasing it in 1990 when it was released. Quite simply, the music and lyrics are heartfelt, beautiful, and touch your soul. I think its Dan Fogelberg's best work.

Another Review said the re-master is too loud....might up grade your system...it's a great remaster...crystal clear at my end. Glad I have it.

This my favorite solo artist. I got to see him once in concert, it was fantastic. I was pretty broken up about him dying last year.

I have always been amazed at how much raw emotion Fogelberg puts into his songs. Some songs are great to sing along with, some make you want to cry, and some make you say man I've been there.

This album has a lot of good memeories for me because my father introduced it to me and it became one of my favorites. I own most of his albums. I'd recommend this especially if you're a fan but also for anyone else. You won't be disappointed.

i always want Dan's records in the best sound possible & this is an excellent album so i bought this, but unfortunately i was blown away in a negative way by the loudness of the remastering. this is a case of where the remastering is too loud.

what's special about Dan's music is it's melodious & soulfulness, but on this remaster, it becomes Metallica in a bad way.

i played the original cd to compare & the music there is natural, clear, warm & pleasant. i also compared the remastering from the Portrait box set & there the remastering was done well, an improvement, but not hammering loud. IMO, keep or buy the original cd.

Thanks to the ever-creative Dan Fogelberg for getting down in words and music things I have felt for so long. Wonderful music that helps my spirit....

Having first bought The Wild Places years ago when it first came out, I still find that this music SPEAKS even better to me now than it did back then! I swear, Dan has rewritten the lyrics so they continue to apply to me and my life path! I am still referring new people to this cd, in the hope of sharing all his messages. Both the words & the music are AWESOME! He has captured so many of the important things in life....SPIRIT, love, and of course NATURE, and the mountains & sea are blended in a way that they are ONE.....My heartfelt thanks to DAN.....keep it up...i quote you often!

This one's a little different. In many ways, I like it, and it's certainly far superior to River of Souls. But... there's a brash quality to the production that's a bit hard on the ears, and Fogelberg's (creditable, don't get me wrong) "thing" about the native people and the environment and all that... well, does it make the best material for music? You don't always want to be that serious and worthy.

But if you do want to be serious, this album has some good tunes (as always) and Dan's vocals are nicely matured. Oddly, my favourite track is probably "Rhythm of the Rain", simply because he sings it so wonderfully. Bones in the Sky is good too, and Anastasia's eyes... though he sings them in a very slightly tortured way that I could do without.