Search - Dan Fogelberg :: First Christmas Morning

Refreshing change from pop culture

R. Hugh | Illinois | 11/22/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is my new favorite in Christmas albums. Dan's musical abilities on all levels shine through; his lyrics, arranging and instrumentation. How nice to have some new original music that is so uplifiting that it is sure to become a classic for years to come. My favorite original cut is "Christ, the King" and he excels on the traditional hymn "In the Bleak Midwinter". For fans expecting to hear Dan's wonderful voice sing the "traditional" same old songs, you will be disappointed. This thematic album is truly artistic. Dan's use of period style (Medievil, Rennaisance and Baroque) is carried delightfully throughout every cut and the listener is transported back to a different time. A beautiful listen for a quiet evening in front of the fire. His personal notes and history of each piece were educational and inspiring.Thanks Dan for not doing the expected!"

In His Memory

Haley Parnham | NJ | 12/16/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dan Fogelberg's Christmas CD is so beautiful and every year I listen to it from Thanksgiving to the New Year. It's unique in a way only Dan can give us. Different, yet familiar. In his inimitable style, Dan brought us a season that touches our hearts and makes us sing along with him. Having listened to him since I was in college, I was more than pleased when he put out this Christmas album.



If you are a baby boomer and missed listening to Dan Fogelberg, listen now. For those of us who have seen him live, driven down many highways singing along with him loud and happy, and loved him from the first song we heard him sing, let's never forget this wonderful musician, this beautiful man.



Today is December 16, 2007 and Dan Fogelberg left us today, dying after a three and a half year battle against advanced prostate cancer. He will always live in my heart."

A Strong Addition to the Christmas Rotation!

Jersey Lou | Other side of the World | 01/29/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I've been listening to Dan Fogelberg since the early 70's and seen him in concert many, many times. I agree with a lot of reviewers that sometime after "The Innocent Age" Fogelberg went way too pop, and lost me. However, I became interested in this cd after reading all the reviews - I love Christmas music and I enjoy listening to music that celebrates Jesus Christ all year 'round. Certainly, looking at the reviews, people seem to feel strongly about this cd, one way or the other. If you enjoy a variety of Christmas music, are interested in Medieval/Baroque/Renaissance style music, or if you just want a Christmas cd that celebrates the Birth of Christ, I suggest you buy this one. I can't understand why some long-standing Fogelberg fans are so hard on this one - unless they just don't like the Medieval theme, or they're uncomfortable with Fogelberg singing about Christ and Christmas.Some reviewers have a hard time with the opening cut, some mentioning they're disappointed that Fogelberg himself doesn't sing it. I say, "So what?" The whole point of music is to convey a message - the artist is simply the conduit. This cd celebrates Christmas - Fogelberg is letting that take first place. The piece itself is well done as a choral number, and the bells "work" for me. "At Christmas Time" feels a little rushed to me, like he's running out of breath. I would like to have seen Fogelberg do it as a duet with someone, rather than take both 'parts'. He sounds like he's being stretched vocally (though elsewhere on the cd he sounds as good as ever), and it's a little uncomfortable to listen to, though I like the idea musically and I think the lyrics are good. "Winterskol" is clearly a standout instrumental, and it reminded me of so much of Fogelberg's early stuff. "Snowfall" is good, too. "Feast of Fools" and "Yule Dance" are fine, if you can appreciate what Fogelberg is trying to do (and I can), which is to evoke a certain musical period. Even if you're not totally caught up in that effort, they still make nice instrumentals to listen to while you're decorating the tree or enjoying some egg nog while sitting in front of the fire after a long day shopping at the mall! "The First Christmas Morning" and "Christ the King" are great original songs which clearly celebrate the Christ of Christmas but in classic Fogelberg style - I can only say "Well Done!" here. A lot of "Contemporary Christian" artists have failed to deliver such a clear message. "This Endris Night" is beautiful, and Fogelberg sounds great doing it - it could've been his own song. I appreciate the fact that with the non-original cuts on the cd, Fogelberg dug deep. Not that I don't appreciate songs like "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree", but they've been done to death! He delivers "I Saw Three Ships" and "We Three Kings" well, helping me to appreciate a couple traditional songs that have previously always left me cold. "In the Bleak Midwinter" and "What Child Is This?" are a joy to listen to here. I wasn't surprised - Fogelberg is great with this type of song - he's got the voice for them."O Tannenbaum" was a disappointment to me. I agree with some other reviewers about the problems - it sounds like Fogelberg is straining to reach for the high notes (I guess he was a lot younger when he did 'Netherlands'?), the whole "half volume, going for the dated feel" is more frustrating than successful, and even Fogelberg can't quite pull off the autoharp thing. I was mostly disappointed because I think, with his talent, he could have done something so much better. Oh well! It doesn't ruin the cd for me, and for most people, it's just a matter of hitting 'skip' or pre-programming that one out of the sequence.Overall, I was pleased with the cd, and I'm sure it will enjoy its turn in the season's rotation for many years to come!"