Hi Doug,
Hope all is well with you.
I too am a big Dan Fogelberg fan for the very same reasons you note - IMO, he's really is a league of his own.
In the smooth Jazz/Acoustic category, I would strongly recommend anything from Jonathon Butler, especially his eponymous CD. Whenever auditioning kit in here in Hong Kong, I try to bring one of his CDs and without exception, the showroom will run out and pick up the CD. Another in this category you might enjoy would be Earl Klugh - his acoustic arrangements, both original and covers of other popular songs from the 70's, (especially "Laughter in the Rain") are just wonderful. The recording quality on both these gentlemens' CDs is exceptional.
Another fine standard I use when auditioning is Simply Red's greatest hits - wonderfully recorded, it's got everything - reggae, ballads, some Cole Porter, and a number of tracks with really wonderful orchestral backing.
A few standout pop items, all with crystal clear vocals that are beautifully recorded, in no particlur order . . .
Ronan Keating;
Gabrielle (UK singer);
Michael Learns to Rock (Strange name and not so popular in the US) - this group's CDs are a step above the norm with lots of superb melodic tracks with good use of classical backup;
Jamie Cullum;
Olivia Ong (Singaporean whom mainly sings Enlish);
Jeehna Lodwick (Phillipino whom resides in Hong Kong) Any one of her CDs will do the trick. Distinct vocals and recording quality that may be the best I've heard and are held in very, very high regard in Hong Kong;
For some techo-pop/jazz you may want to sample Jamiroqui. For some rock try Queensryche and INXS.
While I could go on all night, to me, these are standouts.
I'll be sure to PM you with other "finds".
Cheers,
Garry
Hope all is well with you.
I too am a big Dan Fogelberg fan for the very same reasons you note - IMO, he's really is a league of his own.
In the smooth Jazz/Acoustic category, I would strongly recommend anything from Jonathon Butler, especially his eponymous CD. Whenever auditioning kit in here in Hong Kong, I try to bring one of his CDs and without exception, the showroom will run out and pick up the CD. Another in this category you might enjoy would be Earl Klugh - his acoustic arrangements, both original and covers of other popular songs from the 70's, (especially "Laughter in the Rain") are just wonderful. The recording quality on both these gentlemens' CDs is exceptional.
Another fine standard I use when auditioning is Simply Red's greatest hits - wonderfully recorded, it's got everything - reggae, ballads, some Cole Porter, and a number of tracks with really wonderful orchestral backing.
A few standout pop items, all with crystal clear vocals that are beautifully recorded, in no particlur order . . .
Ronan Keating;
Gabrielle (UK singer);
Michael Learns to Rock (Strange name and not so popular in the US) - this group's CDs are a step above the norm with lots of superb melodic tracks with good use of classical backup;
Jamie Cullum;
Olivia Ong (Singaporean whom mainly sings Enlish);
Jeehna Lodwick (Phillipino whom resides in Hong Kong) Any one of her CDs will do the trick. Distinct vocals and recording quality that may be the best I've heard and are held in very, very high regard in Hong Kong;
For some techo-pop/jazz you may want to sample Jamiroqui. For some rock try Queensryche and INXS.
While I could go on all night, to me, these are standouts.
I'll be sure to PM you with other "finds".
Cheers,
Garry