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River of Souls

Dan Fogelberg - River of Souls Audio CD

A fair review of the Dan Fogelberg "River of Souls" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Dan Fogelberg reviews here, or go back to the Dan Fogelberg tabs.

Band: Dan Fogelberg
Title: River of Souls
Rating:

Release Date: 1993-09-28
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Magic Every Moment 2: All There Is 3: Minstrel 4: Faces of America 5: Holy Road 6: Serengeti Moon 7: Higher Ground 8: Love Like This 9: River of Souls 10: Voice for Peace

a mostly weak effort
Specifically, it's the cheesy drum machine (whatever happened to Russ Kunkel?), the me-too world music of "Serengeti Moon", the too-obvious keyboard and synth patches all over the place, and the preachy politics of "Voice For Peace" and "Holy Road". I guess I have to stand with the opposition on this one - River of Souls is a mostly weak effort from a singer, songwriter and musician who is often capable of so much better. The title track is a near miss for me - it takes the smooth jazz dentist's office music factor farther than I want to go on a Dan Fogelberg album. "All There Is" has "I need a hit" written all over it. (am I the only one who finds the idea of a millionaire pop star lecturing a billionaire real estate magnate a bit ludicrous?)
Still, there are at least a couple stand out tracks, even here. "Magic Every Moment" is a joyful song that's difficult to get out of your head once you've heard it. "The Minstrel" - a gorgeous and haunting love song to Dan's beloved sailboat Minstrel is worth the cost of the disc all by itself. Those two tracks are still worth the price of admission, but overall, River of Souls falls far short of Nether Lands, Souvenirs, and even Phoenix.

Where did this come from?
I've loved his music from Home Free to Netherlands, took a pass on the tired phase of his music in the 80's with the obvious exception of the Twin Son's masterpiece and was content with the work up to Netherlands which is an album that can't be far away from me at any moment of life. Dan Fogelberg's music is always very personal when I speak to other fans of his.

River of Souls grabbed me on a much more spiritual level than his previous work and it doesn't let go. I find I think of some of his lyrics from this CD when relaxing. It found its way into the River of my soul, uplifting and soulful in every way. This work made me reevaluate his other works, but none (since the Netherlands album) touch the maturity and meaning as this work. As he says Let mine be a voice for peace, letting us go to a quiet but important place and feel like its just ok to feel love for each other.

His narratives in the liner notes are wonderful insights into his creative process. The title track as well as "Higher Ground" are my personal favorites, though the CD needs to be seen as a complete work rather than individual songs to be understood and appreciated in my opinion.

High class singer/songwriter with a touch of quality most of the time
Anyway when it comes to a certain rousing music, certainly Dan Fogelberg hit the spot on most of the time. River of Souls is nothing revolutionary, when it comes to creativity and plowing of new "musical ground". The first track
Magic Every Moment is an good example. It kick`s of at the first note, and never let you go all trough the song. There`s a certain form of carribean touch, with the rythmic section, that
make it a happy listen. Track 2 All there is is dedicated to Donald Trump, and has a nice melody, and say something to his all that money can`t buy happiness. A fine "slow song". A little let down with the ballad (Track 3)The Minstrel, with weird lyrics, which sounds like a bit "shakespearean
" when it come`s to the "mood" all trough. Skip trough tracks like Track 4 Faces of America, and listen to the more "light rock & roller Track 5 Holy Road which has a certain flaire, but nothing more, sorry to say. Track 6 has a certain " U 2" mood over it, but is right there in the middle,but we are soon back in buisness again with Track 7 Higher Ground which has a certain "touch " of Steve Windwood over it, and a creative soundpicture. Track 8 I love like this, is an okey ballad but nothing more. Track 9 River of Souls with it`s latino sound has a "copacabana" mood all trough with a certain flaire . Anyway Dan Fogelberg is a singer/songwriter with a touch of quality most of the time.
.

If I could choose only one - This is it!
If you enjoy meaningful lyrics sung in a passionate, yet melodic moving voice, a clear quality sound mixture full of diverse instrumentation dappled with dancing percussion then this is the cd to have, enjoy, and share. This is one of those rare gems of a cd that has all the outstanding elements that make it soar it to the top of the list and then keeps it there. It is also an interesting compilation of songs from upbeat catchy to sincere.

My favorite is the stunning, mystical feeling that 'Minstrel' conveys to me, and its clear full orchestration. When I hear it and I become the wind, the islands, and the sea and all that is part of that.

Every song on the cd is timeless and meaningful. 'Faces of America' is a banner song for me symbolizing where we should be; caring for each other, work for everyone, and the American dream. 'Voice for Peace' is perfect right now. I would like a choice on this one. 'River of Souls' a rhythmic interconnectedness with the roots of the ages. The title of 'Magic Every Moment' says it all, an immediate favorite. The song reaches out and touches one. 'A Love Like This' is contemplative, sincere and moving. 'Holy Road', love this song, gets up and rocks with beat and intensity and great lyrics: a wake-up call.

Try this meaningful world-beat musical masterpiece for yourself. I can only thank the man for seeing it to conception and sharing it with us. Sincerely, Carol B.

Long Time Fan
Lyrics, as always, are superb. One of Dan's deepest and wide ranging works. The music is very eccletic, unique and stimulating. Faces of America, Holy Road, Serengenti Moon and A Voice For Peace, in particular, are outstanding. I've been listening to it regualrly for years, and can't seem to stop.

You can see a complete list of all Dan Fogelberg discography, or go back to the Dan Fogelberg tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.