Gary E. Frank
Fogelberg Engages With Pared-Down Presentation
There's still a place in the world for a troubadour.
Singer-songwriter Dan Fogelberg, perhaps the prototypical Sensitive New Age Guy, reminded his fans why they love him so in a solo retrospective of his career Sunday night at the Bushnell. Armed with only his guitars and piano, Fogelberg stripped away the sometimes overbearing, over-produced sound of much of his recorded work, giving his songs a luster in simplicity that completely engaged the audience. That Fogelberg has stepped out in this fashion at this point in his nearly 30-year career is very brave. His voice has lost much of its upper register and flexibility. In fact, Fogelberg struggled with a slight hoarseness throughout his 17-song set.
At their worst, Fogelberg's lyrics have more sap than a stand of maple trees in late winter. But at his best, the 49-year-old Peoria, Ill., native can evoke the sweet simplicity of a Jimmy Webb. This is especially apparent on such songs as "Part of the Plan," a breezy ode to optimism, or "Make Love Stay," a plaintive ballad inspired by the Tom Robbins novel "Still Life With Woodpecker."
Because Fogelberg fills the role of singer-songwriter so well it is often overlooked that he is a marvelously talented musician, especially on guitar. Fogelberg possesses a light and facile fingerpicking style that allows him to shift smoothly from folk to country to blues. For all his eclecticism, what most connects Fogelberg with his fans are his wistful songs about beautiful places, such as "Longer" and "The Reach," or about his family, such as "Forefathers," a tribute to his parents and immigrant grandparents, and the ever-popular "Leader of the Band." Fogelberg's performance of these songs was a gentle reminder that he can be a wonderful storyteller.
The set list for Dan Fogelberg's performance included: "Morning Sky," "Run for the Roses," "To The Morning," "Beggars Game," "Nature of the Game"
and "There's a Place in the World for a Gambler." Articles And Interviews |
