A Blast From The Past
   
Thanks to Roberta E. Summers For Sending This In!!

    The Clarion~Ledger  Monday, September 16, 1974

    ONE- MAN GANG

Fogelberg Kills 'Em 
Again With Folk Rock

         By MIKE FORESTER

   Clarion-Ledger Staff Writer

Dan Fogelberg came back to Jackson Friday night, and sold out two houses at the City Auditorium. 

And he performed in the best Fogelberg style, at the first one, noting that he wasn't going to talk quite as much as had when he was here in February (when he also played to a full house) because his throat was a little sore.

And he didn't do the second show, because he'd lost his voice.  He will be back to make up for it, next Friday night.

And I hope he does another two shows - or three.  I wish,. he'd come every Friday night.  The man is a born performer, in addition to being an artist of the first caliber.

Many people, still, are probably saying "Who's Dan Fogelberg?", and that's unfortunate.  Early in 1973, a local radio station started playing new Columbia Album by a young man whose songs made people feel almost immediately as if they'd known him all their lives.  They're soft, gentle folk-rock, with lyrics that aren't thrilling or anything - just plain, simple statements - almost perfectly simple.

The melodies, however, are magnificent.  They're intricate, sophisticated, not always 'Terribly Singable - but always very satisfying to listen to.

The songs as a whole are pointed, specific - and perhaps it's a comment on his artistry that they're pointed straight at you.

Anyway, this album by this Unknown young man wasn't available in Jackson until August of '73 -- at which time a friend of mine bought what he swears was the first copy in Jackson, and insisted I listen to it.

He pointed out that Fogelberg not only sang, did all the acoustic and electrical guitar work, and added all the organ, piano and synthesizer himself; but that he’s written all the songs and done the album cover – a self portrait – himself.

I was impressed before I ever heard it.  And when I heard it I was – well, really quite excited about the whole thing.

I was not alone.  The album “Home Free” and Fogelberg were becoming huge successes in Jackson. – although I understand he’s not particularly well-known nationally; and I think that’s a crying shame.

In addition to artist, he's an engaging performer.  Denying his vow not to talk much, he told the story of "someone who doesn't exist any more" - a girl who got married a couple of weeks ago.  A friend told him it was a beautiful wedding.  "That'll be worth a couple of songs," he said, and launched into one of them.

He did everyone's favorite from the album - "Stars," "Wysteria," "Looking for a lady." He did a new song for the first time; and he did songs from his second album, to be released in about two weeks.  He included some which, he said “I guess’ll have to be on the third album, 'cause they're not on the second, and they're sure not on the first.”

And, though his throat was indeed ripping itself to shreds by the last numbers, he kept on. It was a side of Fogelberg no one had ever heard before.

Alone on stage, accompanying himself on guitar and piano, he shone with dedication - this was, Jackson, this was where they loved him.; and though he was in pain, he didn't let the artistic quality suffer that much.

The 2,500-plus audience responded with a standing ovation.