Pros: Just plain good songs...and these are his best...
Cons: Definitely not for everybody.
The Bottom Line: John Denver was a unique singer-songwriter, and this collection goes to show that his gentle demeanor and outstanding songs went hand-in-hand.
lambchops's Full Review: The Essential by John Denver
Growing up in the wilds of Northern Michigan presented a few challenges as far as music was concerned. Everybody loved country music and the artists of the sixties and seventies, but to me it never quite felt right. But even with that said, I must admit a few things—I did like some of the songs and I did enjoy some of the artists. Usually they were of a folk/rock slant and thus seemed somehow more appropriate to my budding tastes.
One such singer-songwriter was the late John Denver. I won’t get all mushy here, but what I will say is that much like Van Morrison, Gordon Lightfoot, Simon & Garfunkel, and even Tom Petty his music transcends years and otherwise impermeable musical boundaries. My early admiration for John Denver has, however unfortunately, slid into the great abyss of long forgotten childhood. Replaced with hair metal/pop bands like Bon Jovi, Cinderella, Skid Row, and White Lion I forgot my roots—heck, even now I prefer to just deny them.
Although with summer fast approaching my guise was shattered as a result of the two-disc The Essential John Denver. It was the kind of thing I just had to have. It collects a total of 24 songs from his career which spanned from 1969 through his accidental death in October 1997. While I would never consider myself to be a fan of Denver, I can say that this compilation has everything from the singer-songwriter I could possibly want. Admittedly, I’m only really conscious of the hits but that’s not to say I don’t appreciate those on this album which happen to be new to me.
With a distinctive voice and amiable nature, Denver’s well-deserved posthumous collection is an easy and satisfying listen. It’s the kind of thing that is perfect for somebody who desires but one album from Denver. I like it, and I suspect that many other people who aren’t usually interested in what is best described as “country” music will provide similar if not identical feedback.
There are of course some particular standouts throughout The Essential John Denver. Those which strike me are without question the most obvious choices. The classics that I expect are all present and accounted for. They are as familiar as the scar on my pinkie finger but still as satisfying as a breezy summer day. I’m hard pressed to find fault with this collection. I want to scream at the top of my lungs that it is corny and melodramatic, but somehow I actually believe what Denver once had to say. He seems so very pleased to be alive. Music was clearly a byproduct of his contentment. There’s no anger to be found at any time here…just songs about life and love and joy.
Denver’s style is smooth and easy. It’s the kind of music you can sit back and listen to—he helps to erase all the ills of today’s world. The song that always jumps out at me is Thank God I’m a Country Boy.. I’m not a country boy, nor do I believe in a god, but it was always the kind of song that could get any room moving—even at parties in college. It’s a kitschy, nifty track that reeks of country sentimentality. Even as much as that one is a guilty (oh my is it EVER) pleasure, there are songs that are much, much more appealing.
Among those that I think are without question classics are the touching Sunshine on My Shoulders, the folk classic Leaving on a Jet Plane (written by Denver and later by Peter, Paul & Mary not to mention Chantal Kreviazuk), Take Me Home, Country Roads, Rocky Mountain High, and Annie’s Song. And that’s just the first disc!
The second of the collection includes twelve additional gems—some which are well known and others which listeners may or may not be familiar with. What really impresses me about Denver’s arrangements is his use of orchestral elements. On Windsong, for example, he includes a beautiful cello, violin, oboe, and light percussion. It’s a gently sweeping melodic piece that really does prove he is something more than just a country crooner. There are of course other songs of note scattered throughout the second disc. This isn’t to downplay any of the others—I just have my own personal preferences. Shipmates and Cheyenne, Love is Everywhere, the gorgeous Fly Away and finally the sweeping Calypso. One other particular thing of note is the Starland Vocal Band’s Late Nite Radio--this is, as far as I can gather, Denver’s only release of the recording.
My favorite songs here are definitely Windsong, Sunshine on My Shoulders and last (but not least) Leaving on a Jet Plane. The Essential John Denver is an important compilation for folks who would just like to own something from the singer-songwriter. These are but 24 of his hundreds of songs, though for folks like me who are largely ignorant to his vast work it is more than enough to suffice. John Denver isn’t for people unwilling to connect with their inner country boy (or girl as the case may be), but if you can drop all pretenses and for a moment accept the fact that he was indeed an influential songwriter it’s a definite must-own collection.
Rating: 5/5 stars
Track Listing:
01. Sunshine on My Shoulders
02. Back Home Again
03. Thank God I'm a Country Boy
04. Leaving on a Jet Plane
05. Dreamland Express
06. Perhaps Love
07. Take Me Home, Country Roads
08. Love Again
09. Rocky Mountain High
10. Seasons of the Heart
11. For You
12. Annie's Song
13. Windsong
14. Cowboy's Delight
15. Spirit
16. Looking for Space
17. Shipmates and Cheyenne
18. Late Nite Radio
19. Love Is Everywhere
20. Two Shots
21. I'm Sorry
22. Fly Away
23. Calypso
24. Song of Wyoming
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.