"I am disappointed with this CD collection. The music is too fast a tempo, and the instruments are too loud and numerous. John Denver's voice is drowned out by the instruments. I dislike that many of the songs are a bit different from their original version. I would recommend this collection only to John Denver fanatics who have heard all his music before and want something different."
Indispensable for Denver fans
Chrijeff | Scranton, PA | 08/20/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I thought I'd scooped up just about every song the great JD had ever committed to vinyl, and maybe I had, but this collection is chock full of numbers I'd never even heard *of*, let alone heard, before--40 out of the 53 tracks on the five discs. For that alone it's worth the price, setting aside the fact that in most cases $27 will get you at best two and a half CD's.
The "undiscovered" pieces include some of Denver's most beautiful and powerful work, such as "Eagles and Horses," "Ponies," "Whispering Jesse," "Never a Doubt," "I Watch You Sleeping," "For You," "Potter's Wheel," "Two Different Directions," "Chained to the Wheel," "A Country Girl in Paris," "All This Joy," "Thanks to You," "The Gift You Are," "Chosen Ones," "Higher Ground," "Raven's Child," "Amazon," "Falling Leaves," "Islands," "Postcard from Paris," "In a Far Away Land" (sung, if I'm not mistaken, in Chinese!), "Alaska and Me," and "Stonehaven Sunset," plus the delightful novelty "Homegrown Tomatoes," the folky "Foxfire Suite," and the swingingly rhythmic "Sing Australia" (with didgeridoo accompaniment). There are also new and gorgeous mixes of JD's signature songs, "Take Me Home Country Roads" and "Calypso." All are delivered in his unmistakable flexible golden tenor, with great arrangements. These may not be the "original" recordings, but they'll certainly be new to many listeners, and for that reason alone, if you love JD's work and grieved as I did at his death, you need this bargain in your collection."
Wonderful collection of old and new
jmanick | 01/09/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This box set is a wonderful collection of the music we think of when remembering John Denver and his newer music. It is interesting to hear him sing familiar songs such as "Take Me Home, Country Roads", "Annie's Song" and "Rocky Mountain High" in his mature voice. His newer music is catchy and pleasing to the ear and has the same charm of his early music. I particularly enjoyed "I Watch You Sleeping", which perhaps was written for his young daughter. His songs portray "a man who cares deeply for the environment..." and are a wonderful break from some of today's music about violence and crime. I would recommend this collection to avid John Denver fans as well as anyone who is looking for a set of wonderful music at a great price. Where can you beat 5 CD's for $25.00? Overall, a very enjoyable piece of art."
Lacks the sparkle
Chrijeff | 10/25/2001
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Collection features some less known and harder to find tunes, and is great for this, but the recording is poor quality, songs are a bit ragged, not at all the perfection generally captured by John Denver."
Not the originals
jmanick | PA USA | 08/07/2001
(2 out of 5 stars)
"All your favorate songs, just not the version you remember. CD titles are old album titles but track listings seem to have little to do with what was on those original albums. If you are looking for classic JD this is not your best choice."