Christmas Music Review: Dan Fogelberg's the First Christmas Morning

Singer-songwriter Dan Fogelberg has always followed a singular musical vision taking him into pop, rock, folk, country, blues, and bluegrass, classical and world music. In 1999, he released his first Christmas album entitled The First Christmas Morning. In a time of overtly-commercial Christmas albums, Fogelberg's was a refreshing departure. Eschewing the pop tunes and schmaltzy neo-Tin Pan Alley orchestration, the album is entirely Rennaissance and Classical in nature. Even Fogelberg's original tracks are written in period style. He has research and indeed, unearthed several forgotten songs for this project.

The album kicks of with "Bell Fantasy/Hark the Herald Angels". The hymn is in classic choral style and makes a beautiful segue into the album. "At Christmas Time" follows with a lively and hearty toast to the season.

"Winterskol" is the first of several beautiful instrumental pieces on the album. Fans of Fogelberg know that while he is a first-rate songwriter, he is also a very talented instrumentalist adept at many instruments and in many styles. His guitar work is always sublime and here is another example. Perfect for watching the snow fall outside your window on a December night.

The title track and first single "The First Christmas Morning" is a beautiful song about Christ's birth on that day so many years ago. The song has a few shades of "Same Old Lang Syne" melodically. Potentially a new addition to the modern Christmas catalog of standard tunes.

"This Endris Night" is a 15-century Old English carol. Fogelberg did extensive research for this album as the whole effort has a decidedly olden folk/classical feel to it. This song in particular is a treat. Fogelberg condensed the song (which has at least 8-10 verses if not more) for his current version.

"Feast of Fools" is another instrumental, this one in a Renaissance style

"I Saw Three Ships" is next; it is a lively rendition of this old standard, replete with bouncing vocal and spirited touches of percussion.

"Snowfall" is another hauntingly beautiful guitar instrumental that captures the mood of its title.

"In The Bleak Midwinter" is the in many ways I believe the hidden gem of the album. These songs are perfect for an artist like Dan. Just an acoustic guitar, vocal, and a simply poignant lyric.

"Yule Dance" provides another festive instrumental interlude.

Three covers of classic carols follow "What Child Is This?", "O Tannenbaum", and "We Three Kings". All are well-done and in keeping with the tradition of the album.

"Christ the King" ends the album with another Fogelberg original. This one has a definite nod to Bach and early Beethoven in its melody and piano part. The song is a very fine end to the album and a symbolic turn to the newness of Christmas morn.

Fogelberg has always done creatively interesting work in all styles of music, and this continues in that spirit. This is a very unique album, and worthy of both a second lesson, a permanent place in your Christmas music collection.