Barron Laycock | Temple, New Hampshire United States | 08/19/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I strongly disagree with a reviewer's comment classifying this album as a "turkey". Anyone who has heard this album knows that it is a special treat! From "What's On Your Mind?", a sexy and suggestive song about wanting love from that special someone to the an amazing perfomance of "Johnny B. Goode" to a winsome and thoughtful "Garden Song", John works his way through a stable of country and folk songs in a way that works wonder on raising your spirirts. My own personal favorite is "Berkeley Woman" an evocative song about a woman spotted rocking gently in her all too-natural beauty, and this rousing live version of the song is superior to the one he previously recordd on an another album. Listen to the balance of the seventeen songs on the CD version of this best-selling classic and you'll spend some quality time with an entertainer with his own special brand of magic. The album is admitted uneven, meaning it combines both twanging country numbers and a song cycle in the middle beginning with "What's On Your Mind" and ending with "Songs Of" that could be an album in and of itself. But it is a rich variety of well-produced songs that it is hard to fault. I certainly enjoy listening to it, and I am a die-hard John Denver fan. Enjoy!"
Must have for any Denver fan.
mranney@ix.netcom.com | California, USA | 09/09/1998
(4 out of 5 stars)
"It's about time they started releasing the balance of John's albums on CD. This has always been one of my favorites. The band John assembled for this album and others later is incredible. The audio mix, the use of percussion, the wind instruments and all other aspects make this one of John's best releases. Unfortunately there are not major air play hits from the release but musically it is top notch. "Songs of" is a beatuiful instrumantal with a simple lyric plaped in the middle. Johnnie B Goode was done on one of John's TV specials during a Jukebox Saturday Night section. The album version is very polished and fun. Speaking of fun, "Downhill Stuff" needs to be the background music for all ski videos. There is one treasure after another. Also included in this release are 5 songs from the album "Who's Garden Was This". It is nice to see some of the older albums being added to other releases. I would not purchase a CD of WGWT but it is great to have the music. The recordings are old but relatively clean and transferred nicely.Again, if you are a fan when it comes to JD (the original album name) it is "Far Out"."
Not any big hits, but who cares - this is one of JD's best
mranney@ix.netcom.com | 11/16/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is my favorite John Denver album. I looked for years for this on cd. Unfortunately, it tooks John's passing away to get it released on cd. Although there are no big hits on this album, it contains some of John's best work. My absolute favorite song on the album (and maybe of all his work) is "Berkeley Woman." I love the line in the song "a women is the sweetest fruit that God ever put on the vine." This live version tells the tale of longing for another woman while at the same time feeling guilty. It's great. "Life is so good" is a simple, soulful prayer on the gift of life. "Joseph&Joe", "Garden Song", "Songs of", and "Southwind" are also classics. If you are a JD fan, you must have this album!"
Surprisingly pleased
willie | west liberty, wv United States | 08/15/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I purchased this particular CD and the "Spirit" CD to have access to the much berated "Whose Garden Was This" - sides one and two appearing as bonus tracks on each CD respectively. "JD", however, is a surprise to one who has not heard this album since its release in the late 1970s. The music is crisp, clear, and John Denver is at his best. Listen to Downhill Stuff, Your'e So Beautiful, What's On Your Mind, and the esoteric Denver compositions of Joseph and Joe and Songs Of. As a native West Virginian, I thought Country Roads was Denver's best, I love that song, but love the "JD" album more.Willie"
Who'd of thunk it!
willie | 09/24/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"John Denver doing rock and roll! This is not your typical Denver collection. It's JD breaking the rules. And it's wonderful. I defy anyone to listen to his rollicking rendition of "Johnny B. Goode" and NOT get on your feet and move. And don't let the opening strains of Downhill Stuff fool you into thinking this is a sleepy little country song, nope. Just as you're about to hit that 'skip' button you hear a joyous 1 2 3 4....and a piano riff straight from Jerry Lee..and it rocks!"