Ten Favorite Songs from Kenny Loggins

Kenny Loggins' phenomenal career as a prolific singer, songwriter, wordsmith, author and performer spans over 30 years and includes music from a range of genres including rock, country-rock, adult contemporary and children's music. Zeroing in on 10 favorite songs from such a prolific artist is, to say the least, challenging, and the selected songs represent some of Kenny Loggins' finest lower key tracks. From six Loggins & Messina albums to the first purely Kenny Loggins album, Celebrate Me Home, and through 14 albums more albums, here are 10 of my favorite Kenny Loggins recordings - in no particular order.

1. "Angry Eyes" - Kenny Loggins career took off in 1971 when he combined his talents with songwriter and producer Jim Messina. Although the duo was formed primarily to help launch Loggins' career, Loggins & Messina quickly became known for their brand of acoustically based country-folk brand of rock and their strongly harmonized vocals. While the single version of "Angry Eyes" recorded on The Essential Kenny Loggins CD is a relatively short piece that was recorded as a single, the harmonies and guitar solo work make it a favorite Kenny Loggins song.

2. "Celebrate Me Home" - Recorded in 1977, this song is the title track from Kenny Loggins' first solo album, produced by jazz legend Bob James. The album was a complete departure from Loggins' previous albums with Jim Messina and the tracks are clearly influenced by James' jazz background. "Celebrate Me Home" showcases Loggins' vocal range is set against a bluesy and at times spiritual piano and choral arrangement. This track continues to get more and more play time at Christmas - because it evokes the joy of coming home for the holidays.

3. "Return to Pooh Corner" - Originally recorded by Loggins & Messina as, "House at Pooh Corner" on Loggins & Messina's Sittin' In album, the song was released again on Loggins' 1997 Return to Pooh Corner album, with two new verses added. Return to Pooh Corner was Loggins' first departure into a CD of songs that children and adults could both enjoy. Any adult can listen to the words of "Return to Pooh Corner" and relate to making the transition from childhood to adulthood. That is what makes it a favorite.

4. "Conviction of the Heart" - This song comes from Kenny Loggins classic 1991 CD, Leap of Faith and speaks - with strong conviction - to his beliefs and concerns for the environment. It is a powerful combination of vocals and instrumentation that conveys an equally powerful message. Environmental advocate Al Gore has called "Conviction of the Heart" an unofficial anthem for the environmental movement.

5. "Set It Free" - This track comes from the Celebrate Me Home album and like the other songs on his first solo album, presents Loggins' vocal range in a new and more dynamic way. The best way to describe this song is a low tempo and "lush" blend of vocals and instrumental accompaniment - and a touch of blues - reflecting on the truth and reality of setting a relationship free.

6. "Sweet Reunion" - This song is an upbeat cut from the Leap of Faith CD and Loggins brings an almost intimate insight to this track. The gentle rocking tempo, instrumentals and lyrics recreate the quiet and exhilarating experience of meeting someone for the very first time and realizing that their paths have crossed before in another time and place. It is a surprising realization most of us can identify with at some point in our lives.

7. "Your Heart Will Lead You Home" - Here is a song that children and adults can all relate to and understand. The track is from the More Songs from Pooh Corner CD and is a nostalgic, memory evoking reminder that regardless of age or distance, the heart will always lead to a place that is "home."

8. "All the Pretty Little Ponies" - This is a simple and traditional song that was originally written for children. "All The Pretty Little Ponies" was included on the Return to Pooh Corner CD, Loggins' collection of songs that children listen to as lullabies and adults listen to as reminders of their childhoods.

9. "What a Fool Believes" - The song was originally written by Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald, and first recorded by McDonald. This track, recorded in a live performance by Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald, was included on the Outside: From The Redwoods CD and blends the harmonies of two outstanding and unique vocal styles into a "new and improved" version of an already popular song.

10. "Now and Then" - This track, from the Keep the Fire album, is a reflection on love lost and understanding how it might have been saved. The selection of instruments for the song adds to the melancholy Loggins has created and is a credit to his versatility as a songwriter.

There are many sides to Kenny Loggins' work - the early kick-ass of rock and roll, the pureness of acoustic country-folk, the poetry of well chosen words, the sophisticated blend of voices and instruments, and the artist's view of people, love and the world around him. In the past 30 years, he has built a lasting legacy of music - and he's not done yet.