John Denver - Definitive All-Time Greatest Hits

Artist:

Denver, John

UPC:

828766076424

See Also:

Croce, Jim Eagles Poco Domingo, Placido Mamas & the Papas (The)

Description:

Initials pressings include bonus disc.
Personnel: John Denver (vocals, guitar); Emmylou Harris, Pl?cido Domingo (vocals).
Audio Mixer: Chris Theis.
Liner Note Authors: Milton Okun; David Wild.
Recording information: Goldstar Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA (??/1966-04/1983).
Photographer: Lowell Norman.
Arrangers: John Denver; Milton Okun; Dick Kniss; Lee Holdridge ; Mike Taylor .
Placing the word definitive on a best-of collection is usually a panicked label attempt to fill last-minute Christmas stockings, but in the case of RCA`s Definitive All-Time Greatest Hits John Denver retrospective, it`s a truly apt description. Coinciding with the 35th anniversary of Denver`s first album release on RCA, the two-disc, 24-track overview of the country-pop singer`s storied career is the most concise and nuanced yet. Digitally remastered from the original master tapes, road-trip classics like "Take Me Home, Country Roads," "Rocky Mountain High," and "Back Home Again" are as warm as the singer`s lauded tenor. There are no gimmicky re-recorded cuts or disappointing live tracks -- "Thank God I`m a Country Boy" spent its time on the charts in its live incarnation -- and his spotty `80s material is only briefly covered ("Perhaps Love" and "Shanghai Breezes"). The only real omission is "Grandma`s Feather Bed," but the 20-page booklet and song-by-song commentary by longtime friend Milt Okun more than suffice. The bonus disc, maddeningly sparse at just four tracks, makes up for its brevity by including a goose bump-inducing 1975 acoustic version of "Calypso." With the pompous string section, clanging ship bell, and unnecessary drum fills removed, his ode to Jacques Cousteau`s tenacious vessel is a wonder of emotion and nautical kinsmenship that inarguably exhibits Denver as one of the greatest vocalists of his time. For those unwilling to sift through the exhaustive four-CD Country Roads Collection, this Definitive package is a good buy and a rewarding visit with an old friend.

Track Listing:

DISC 1:

1. Leaving on a Jet Plane
2. Take Me Home, Country Roads
3. Sunshine on My Shoulders
4. Poems, Prayers and Promises
5. Eagle and the Hawk, The
6. Rocky Mountain High
7. Farewell Andromeda (Welcome to My Morning)
8. Annie`s Song
9. Back Home Again
10. Sweet Surrender
11. Thank God I`m a Country Boy
12. I`m Sorry
13. Calypso
14. Fly Away
15. Looking for Space
16. Like a Sad Song
17. My Sweet Lady
18. Perhaps Love
19. Shanghai Breezes
20. Wild Montana Skies

DISC 2: BONUS DISC:

1. Leaving on a Jet Plane - (previously unreleased, original version)
2. Weight, The - (previously unreleased)
3. Annie`s Song - (Acoustic Mix, previously unreleased, acoustic version)
4. Calypso - (Acoustic Mix, previously unreleased, acoustic version)

Album Information

Release Date:

10/05/2004

Type:

Performer

Genre:

Rock & Pop

Subgenre:

Folk Rock

Label:

BMG Heritage

Producer:

John Denver; Barney Wyckoff; Milton Okun; Milton Okun; John Denver; Barney Wyckoff; Rob Santos (Compilation)

Catalog Number:

60764

Original Release Year:

2004

# of Discs:

2

Studio/Live:

Studio

Mono/Stereo:

Stereo

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