Icarus Ascending

Slideshow of my photos of clouds and colorful sunrises and sunsets accompanied by an inspirational Dan Fogelberg song, 'Icarus Ascending' from the Full Circle CD.

Many will be remembering Dan today on his birth date and my best wishes to everyone out there who appreciates his music and especially Jean and the Fogelberg family.

I love this song, it must have been special to Dan because this is what he wrote about it (from his website):

"This is the high water mark of this record, for me. This is one of the most recent, a very important song to me as a songwriter. It's a statement of my personal philosophy of being an artist. And I think it is an important song. It does give hope for those who are willing to plumb the depths of individualism in any endeavor, in any art.

The gift of art is an incredible blessing from the creator. I believe that. It's not an easy life, not a popular choice to make if you want to be everybody's friend. You have to listen to that unwavering voice that says 'You're special, but it's not going to be easy.' It will be very difficult, but if you choose to pursue it unfailingly, I believe you will be greatly rewarded in a way people who are not given this creative spark will ever understand. It's perhaps as close as I will ever come to really expressing my core philosophy.

I'm not talking financial here, but spiritual rewards. Many great artists never realized financial rewards. This is a song to those artists, more than someone like me, who has had every reward I can possibly think of.

So many great artists struggled all their lives and will never see the perks. This song says you have to have enormous courage to follow the muse and that's Icarus. The Greek story is one of the great stories of optimism and foolishness, that he would make wax wings to fly to the sun.

But as an artist you've got to be fearless and keep flying to the sun even though you know you might crash. 'There is a gamble in each proud act of flight' is one of the best lines I've ever written."

Category:

Music

Tags:

• icarus
• ascending
• fogelberg
• clouds
• sunrise
• sunset
• new
• zealand
• wairarapa
• tararua
• mountains
• fantail321

[SonnyLees]

That was beautiful! I really loved your photo at 3.05! I read your info! Are you an artist? What's your medium? :)

[fantail321]

Isn't this song great? Unfortunately the photos went sort of blurry on uploading. I do like photography and I also draw and paint. It's just a hobby though because I don't have the courage of Icarus!

[SonnyLees]

Yes I really enjoyed the music, it's relaxing with the beautiful photos! :) Hey have you thought of posting a slide show of your drawings and paintings! I'd love to see them! :) I have a few friends that are artists here on you-tube! Would you like to meet some of them?

I don't know who Icarus is? Why don't you have the courage to persue your passion? :)

[fantail321]

Maybe someday!

[fantail321]

G'day Danfans! Thanks again everyone for watching the video and for your thoughtful comments :-)

[fantail321]

Thank you all for your kind comments :)

[wesalittle]

Wow, FT- Beautiful! In the past, I (naively) thought I was Dan's biggest fan. Obviously not true, but it's not a contest (of course), it's a (still-) GROWING FAMILY of people who love this wonderful, gentle, musical joy named Dan Fogelberg. We all were robbed of his presence in this world and I believe the hearts of his true fans won't ever really, fully heal. Miss you much, Dan. We never met, but thanks for letting me get to know you.

Wes

(And THANK YOU AGAIN FANTAIL!)

[asquare176]

It's great that there are songs of Dan's in his later work here on the tube.He wrote awesome melodies!I fully get lost into them.Full Circle is a wonderful album,which I listen to quite frequently.The more I listen the more I really love it.For me, he could write and sing the phone book as for I was concerned.Thanks again.

[vintagegarden]

Beautiful video-thank you! :) You might want to know that the lyrics for this song were chosen for the Dan Fogelberg memorial in Dan's hometown of Peoria, Illinois. The unveiling ceremony was this past Saturday, August 28, 2010. The other lyrics/songs for the memorial were Part of the Plan and River of Souls. Dan had so many great songs, but as you posted, this song was very special to him.

Missing you Dan....

[iluvsantafe]

Thanks..I always enjoy this! Hope you and you critters are well!

Love, Andrea

[3dogsdesert]

Beautiful video, thanks

[Sebhere56]

I do. This is a great video -perfect with the song. You babe always listen to Dan the man. How many times have you listen to Nether Lands????

[alagumbo]

There is a gamble in each proud act of flight. Thank You Dan Fogelberg.

[alagumbo]

Seb, you know just what to do to make me feel better. :)  I love you.

[chirogirl67550]

GlenAnne99 sent us here and glad she did ....this is a very beautiful video..Never heard this song from Dan Fogelberg ---Fantastic!! 5 stars

Yvonne,Bob and Kazandra

Ava,Illinois

[iluvsantafe]

beggarsgame, I'll just have to agree with you on this one!