Dan Fogelberg

Well it's time for me to pay tribute to one of my inspirational singer/songwriters:

Dan Fogelberg!

Dan was born in Peoria Illinois in 1951
He passed away in 2007.

I was living in Colorado when I was introduced to his music.  I worked at Keystone Resort back from 1979 to 1983.  Lived at 9000 feet in the mountains.  Dan's soulful voice and amazing abilities with just about every instrument moved me to attempt to write my own songs.  I actually saw him perform an acoustic show in Fort Collins Colorado.  I only wish I had been able to attend more concerts.

I then moved to Reno Nevada and wrote a number of songs.  Using Dan as an example, I played all of the instruments and sang all the parts.  (Not as good as he did of course).  It was a time of intense musical learning on my part.  It was long days working at Harrah's and playing gigs all weekend with only a couple of hours of sleep.  But man it was fun!!!

Later, my wife and I chose his song, Longer off his 1979 Phoenix album to be our first song dance at our wedding!   I am sad that he is not with us now.  It would be awesome to hear what his sound would be like with all of the technology around today.


I have selected two sample songs: The River and Nether Lands. For me every song of his is a
 M. O. M.

 SONG #1:
This sample is off of his 1st album- Home Free from 1972. He was born in Peoria, a river town. This song demonstrates the soft side of his vocal style in the beginning to the raw gravelly tone at the end. He also played the lead guitar that you hear on this song.
 
Click play below to hear the sample of The River.

 SONG #2:
This is the song that started it all for me.  This is the title track off the 1977 Nether Lands album.  Big piano and orchestra sound that takes you away!  Dan wrote all of the songs on this album.  Parts of this one was recorded at Caribou Ranch in Nederland Colorado.

Click play below to hear the sample of Nether Lands.

Loves Lost - Original song by Keenan

Keenan Wright Original Song

And now for something completely different!

Song #1: Loves Lost

Here is one of the first songs that I wrote and recorded back in 1987. It's called Loves Lost. I sing and play all of the instruments including the tenor sax on this recording. It was recorded in Reno Nevada:

Click play below to hear the sample of Loves Lost.

Loves Lost: copyright 1987 by Keenan Wright.
All rights reserved

Shinedown

With this installment I will present two songs for your review from Shinedown. Both of the entire songs could be included as a M.O.M. The songs for this post are:

Song #1: Second Chance

This is from their 2008 CD The Sound of Madness.  This song struck a chord with me as I moved away from home in my early twenties to find my way.  And we all need second chances!

Click play below to hear the sample of Second Chance.


Song #2: Simple Man

This is from their 2003 CD Leave a Whisper.  This song is a supercharged cover of the Lynyrd Skynyrd song from the 70's!

Click play below to hear the sample of Simple Man.

Hope you enjoy the samples.

Shinedown Web Site