Still A Leader

Dan Fogelberg proved in Thousand Oaks that he's not just a remnant from a more innocent age.

By Joel Hirschhorn, Correspondent
July 10, 2003

Even though Dan Fogelberg was winding down his national tour last week when he played the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, the singer-songwriter sounded fresh, energetic and committed.

MooDan Fogelberg didn't play "Longer" last week in Thousand Oaks, but he did includes hits like "Hard to Say" and "Run for the Roses."

The show proved that Fogelberg is a triple threat onstage.

He can kick back and play mellow favorites with his band, morph into an intense and introspective soloist, then indulge his rock jones and let loose with raw, thunderously driving tunes.

He opened the 15-song set with his first single hit, "Part of the Plan" from the 1974 album "Souvenirs," then switched from guitar to piano for the darkly affecting "Heart Hotels."

It became evident when he sang the Top 10 hit "Hard To Say" from 1981's "The Innocent Age" that his vocals were less ethereal, more full-throated than on the CD, and he curled notes into unexpected and arresting patterns.

Aiding strongly with seamless vocal harmonies were guitarist Robert McEntee and bass player Jim Photoglo.

The singer wasn't particularly prone to small talk or patter and instead let his music speak eloquently for him. "Crow," from the 1975 album "Captured Angel," was a highlight, as was "Full Circle," the title track off his new CD that was written by late Byrds member Gene Clark.

This number made a visceral connection with the crowd, and his rendition of "Run For The Roses," written for the Kentucky Derby, demonstrated that a waltz could be as invigorating and emotionally powerful as up-tempo songs.

"The Reach," centering on the lives of fishermen, took an unlikely subject and made it real.

The song's swaying rhythm evoked ocean movement and managed to make the undersea world come to life. Fogelberg then segued effectively into a questioning lover's mode for "Make Love Stay."

Fans in the audience were so eager to hear personal favorites that their demands bordered on heckling, and Fogelberg gracefully thanked someone who urged him to "play what you want to."

This eliminated "Longer," which many devotees seemed desperate to hear, but Fogelberg's choices were equally valid.

"Leader of the Band," the bestselling and beautiful tribute to his deceased father -- with its haunting line, "His blood runs through my instrument" -- silenced any further objections. This vocal reading was gently and reassuringly familiar.

More surprising was the approach taken to "Same Old Lang Syne," in which the singer injected a heavy dose of blues, alternating between folk-rock and Ray Charles.

Despite the artistically adventurous directions Fogelberg has traveled, his image remains largely that of a poetic troubadour in the Jackson Browne/Eagles mold. He shattered that stereotype with audacious, gravel-voiced, kick-butt romps through "As the Raven Flies" and "The Power Of Gold." Several minutes of virtuoso riffing with his band provoked a standing ovation.

A deserved encore unveiled "There's a Place In the World For a Gambler," from "Souvenirs," in which the singer-songwriter involved the audience, persuading them to sing the "let it shine" line.

What also shone, beyond the star's multi-faceted magnetism, were impeccable, pulsating contributions by McEntee, Photoglo, keyboard player Michael Hanna and drummer Michael Botts (an original member of the group Bread).

The Set List

July 10, 2003

Part of the Plan -- Heart Hotels -- Hard to Say -- Crow -- Reach Haven Post Card -- Run for the Roses -- Make Love Stay -- Nature of the Game -- Lazy Susan (instrumental) -- Leader of the Band -- Same Old Lang Syne -- Missing You -- As the Raven Flies --
The Power of Gold.

Encore:
There's a Place in the World for a Gambler.