Fogelberg Light And Laid-Back
St. Petersburg Times
Apr 3, 1994; TONY GREEN

Dan Fogelberg didn't know what exactly to call his show at the USF Sun Dome. Kind of acoustic; semi-acoustic. Whatever the term, it was different from both the full band and the fully acoustic shows, he is used to doing.

"Just don't call it `Unplugged,' " he said.

Which it wasn't. It was just toned down. Mellow. Listener friendly. Fogelberg and his small band leaned heavily on the laid-back side, perking up for a couple of numbers near the end, but generally soothing the mostly older crowd of 4,133.

The night included plenty of dipping into Fogelberg's more than 20-year-old catalog. He may experiment in the studio - singing bluegrass to world beat - but in concert the emphasis is on songs near and dear to his fans' hearts.

Fogelberg included just three songs from his most recent album, River of Souls, opening the night with Magic Every Moment, the first song off the album. The rest of the night featured him going back (when he said he was going "way back" for 1974's Changing Horses, the crowd cheered). The set's centerpiece was a six-song solo ensemble that featured the pop-rock troubadour at the piano and on the acoustic guitar.

After Magic, the band went through the title track from Innocent Age and followed with Forefathers and Changing Horses. After The Reach, Fogelberg took a short break and returned on acoustic guitar for How Do We Make Love Stay, Run For the Roses and Same Auld Lang Syne.

"I probably get asked more about this song (Same Auld Lang Syne) than any other," he said as he sat down at the piano. "People always ask did it happen to me. Yes it did."

For Saturday's performance, Fogelberg was backed by a three-piece band that featured Eagles, Joe Walsh and Crosby, Stills and Nash drummer Joe Vitale; Heart and Firefall bassist Mark Andes; and former Carole King guitarist Robert McEntee.

The last two got a chance in the spotlight after Fogelberg finished his solo spot with Leader of the Band.

Andes took the vocal for Cinderella by his old band. The most hard-edged the band got was during the night's back-to-back blues tunes. Fogelberg picked up the electric for both of those, backing McEntee on Robert Johnson's Walking Blues and taking the lead on Muddy Waters' Blow, Wind Blow.

"I know I said this was an acoustic set," said Fogelberg. "But if I don't play an electric I go crazy."