Home Free

Why should I, a mere mortal, have this disc? That may be one of the cheesiest openers you've heard to a review, but I mean it. For those who just happened upon this artist, Dan Fogelberg was a soft rock/folk singer-songwriter from Illinois. He was also immensely talented. This album (his first) is just amazing for the moody, folky yet sweeping soundscape it creates in my mind. It's even more stunning whenever i think that he wrote some of the songs when he was in his early teens. If you're looking for the flashiest of music, stop, look somewhere else. If you want killer riffs and solos, you're in the wrong spot. It you want stripped down singer-songwriter folk rock, you're no quite there. "Home Free" is a beautiful mix of keyboards/strings, pianos, acoustic guitars, bass, drums, and some of the most emotive vocals I've ever heard. One moment Dan lifts you high, high, higher into the sky, the next your heart breaks with him. A couple of songs do have a much stronger blugrass or country influence, but they aren't of the faceless, sold-put type you see today. They have heart and soul. The album begins with "To The Morning", a slow, dreary pop song that draws you into the little niceties of life, and keeps you there until the last notes of "The River",a slow, soft piano driven song that slowly builds to a loud, megalomaniac rock song about death and heartbreak. The very mention gives me the chills. If you are reading here, listen and see what I mean. You need this more than you can imagine.

BEWARE BUYERS...THIS IS NOT THE JAPANESE PRESSING issue. CD below described as..."Limited Edition Japanese pressing of this album comes housed in a miniature LP sleeve. 2007. - (This text refers to the Audio CD edition)". I ordered this CD above and Amazon sent me a different Plain Jane version. The same Loss Leader/Nice price Catalog Cut-Out CBS has been hawking for years in the standard Jewel Case. Amazon has goofed up and sent me the standard CD and Not the JAPANESE PRESSING as promised.

I have been a Dan Fan from the beginning, and for some reason never got this cd until now. It's a winner, as is all his others. His music never ceases to amaze me.

Dan's first album, released in 1972 when he was just 21 hints at things to come. It has a more organic feel than much of his later work, but many of his trademarks are already on display here - the impeccable acoustic guitar work, the stacked harmonies and the introspective lyrics. Home Free has a somewhat more country feel than most of his later work, with the possible exception of High Country Snows. Standout tracks - well, it's a cop out to say it, but it's true - pretty much all of them.

Some random thoughts:
To the Morning is one of my all time favorite DF songs. Like so many Fogelberg songs, I have a cherished memory that goes with it and I can't hear the song without recalling the memory.
In "Stars" (which was recently lovingly covered by Alison Krauss) you'll find one of the earliest examples of Dan's occasionally quirky phrasing:
"stars fall every time a lover has to face the truth, and far too many stars have fell on me..."
Dan was quoted in an interview once as saying that he didn't play Stars much anymore because of the voyeuristic aspect of the song.
I heard him remark once in a concert that Looking for a Lady was written when he was in a particularly... ah, "amorous" frame of mind. (that wasn't the word he used) I've never been able to listen to that song the same way since.
Dan said Wysteria was a song written about a ghost.
The only track I don't care for is the one that many people seem to think is a standout - The River. I realize this bit of criticism won't earn me points from other Dan fans, but the whole effect to my ears is that of a high school boy trying to write something "important". While the lyrics are occasionally interesting, The music is in large part a tired 3 chord riff supporting an uninspired wah wah guitar solo. The track just doesn't seem to fit with the rest of the album, either stylistically or in terms of quality.
That having been said, Home Free overall is an amazing freshman effort and full of gems that are often overlooked due to the lack of initial commercial success the release received.

Many argue this is Dan Fogelberg's best album. "Home Free" is not my personal favorite, but this Fogelberg's debut truly was a hard act to follow.

Probably my favorites are the opening and closing songs. The opener, "In the Morning" is probably one of my top ten favorite Fogelberg songs. Morning is NOT my favorite time of the day, but this song conjures liquid light. "The River" talks about life's journey and finding one's identity.

Whatever songs you like best, "Home Free" is definitely a worthwhile intro to this amazing artist or adding to your collection of Fogelberg.

R. Kyle, April 2008