Customer Reviews

Tribute to John D

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I liked John Denver's music when it was first out, through the years of mockery, and now after his death. Not in a kitsch way either, I just like most of what can be called his sappy and positive songs. After he did the est training (for you youngsters, est was a late 1970s-era enlightenment weekend seminar), he was the butt of jokes, personal and media, but I continued to listen to his music. And my husband Eric is even worse; we're old folkies (in our mid-40s) and he would sing John Denver tunes at our music circles. "Who wrote that?" people would ask admiringly, then feel they had to sneer when they heard it was John Denver tune. We hosted a John Denver song night when he died, all John Denver tunes, all evening. We mourned his death. Positive people are often looked down on as being Pollyanna-ish, but I tell you, having upbeat, loving people in one's life -- people who aren't afraid to swoon over the pleasure and mystery of life despite our overwhelmingly negative and superficial culture -- is a blessing.

That said, I also like a lot of contemporary music too, and I love this collection. It's moody and emotional and personal. I admire what the artists have done with Denver's songs. I hear the songs anew and appreciate them all over again.

Rachel Haden's playful rewrite of "Poems, Prayers, and Promises" is brilliantly executed, and Hannah Marcus does a dark "Looking for Space" that I found quite effective. "The Eagle and the Hawk" is a spare rendition, austere even, that highlights Denver's songwriting ability.

I mark this CD down a star because of the interminable version of "Fly Away" by Red House Painters, 6+ minutes of jangly guitar noise, out of place on an otherwise atmospheric and delicious disc. However, their finale tune, "I'm Sorry," shows that they do understand both the sentiment and the songwriting of John Denver. I'm glad this isn't a mocking "tribute" to a dead Pollyanna, but rather a tender and insightful homage.

This is a beautiful album . I purcahsed this CD exclusively for "Poems,Prayers, and Promises"sung by the TALENTED Rachel Haden (That Dog,The Rentals, & Jimmy Eat World). But to my delight the rest of the album turned out well. Fans of Death Cab for Cutie, Belle & Sebastin, Matthew Sweet, and indie rock will be able to enjoy the lyrics of John Denver set to the sweet voices of Rachel Haden, Rachel Goswell, and James Hindle.This album is one that is perfect for rainy days and days where you need comfort.

This album is a good introduction to John Denver.

I have loved john d. for years. This is unusual for a Guy who's main musical preference is hard core punk, but knowone can honestly say that john d. isnt one of the best song writers ever. This cd not only captures his spirit, it takes his masterpieces and ads a modern touch to them, which should appeal to youth, spreading what all john denver fans already know!

I am a lifelong Denver fan, and have been sad for so many years that this man doesn't walk with us anymore. I appreciate that the majority of these seem sincere and some even interesting. All seem respectful--- if oddly chosen.

The opening "EAGLE AND HAWK" is haunting... "MATTHEW" and "WHISPERING JESSIE" are too dark. "POEMS PRAYERS & PROMISES" has been bubblegummed. However, that's not the point--- the point is that John Denver's music is being looked at again.

His great lyrics stand up to almost everything this CD throws at it. I believe John would enjoy hearing these--- he seemed to have not only a beautiful heart--- but a sense of humor. At a concert of his I attended he said "I dare those of you who bought a t-shirt to wear it!" I still wear mine.

John Denver has left us. It is a great, great loss. He was arguably one of the greatest American songwriters. And to date, I believe this is the third tribute CD to be released in his name (Minneapolis Does Denver, Rocky Mountain High, and now Take Me Home). Sadly, John's spirit has left us... But that doesn't mean we need to remove his spirit from the music. Unfortunately this tribute has about as much flavor and texture as a meal at a retirement center. It's amazing how one can take such brilliantly hooky songs and completely pillage them into boring, indigestible spittle. The majority of the vocalists on this compilation are rather poor. And the recreation of the material is largely unimaginative and sad. Ironically the last song on the compilation is "I'm Sorry"... And they should be! If you want a decent tribute album check out "Minneapolis Does Denver". They have retained the spirit of the music and even added their own flavor without molesting the songs. But as for "Take Me Home"... Yikes! Stay the heck away!

Despite his reputation as a muppet-loving, tree-hugging master of cheese, even the cynical must admit John Denver occupies an unusual place in American music: too hippie to be country, too folk to be rock, too popular to be underground, too radical to be mainstream. In a sense he is to America what a Boris Grebenshikov is to Russia--a singer/songwriter somehow in touch with the American soul, in all its sadness and glory. It is the intense melancholy that is perhaps the most overlooked aspect of Denver's legacy, which is unfortunate since it may be the most compelling. This tribute CD, put together by master of melancholy Mark Kozelek, is a step towards rectifying this. A few of the interpretations miss the boat; interestingly, the most familiar song on the album, "Leaving on a Jet Plane," is the most butchered. However, fellow American legends (in their own time) Low and "Bonnie Prince Billy" fill Denver's songs with majesty and lump-in-the-throat intensity. One hopes that as Denver's life recedes into the past, dedicated artists like these will keep his contribution immediate.

Because of his straightforward and honest approach to music, you have to give John Denver just a little bit of credit. As much as it may shame you to admit that you sing along to "Sunshine on My Shoulders", I bet that you also know the words to "Leaving on a Jet Plane". Four years after his untimely death in a plane accident, it is suddenly o.k. for one to admit that they are a John Denver fan. Luckily, Mark Kozelek, one of the best singer/songwriters of the 90s, is also a Denver fan, and his passion for Denver's lyrics and melodies led him to assemble this rewarding compilation of songs. Most the artists on this cd have placed their own unique stamps on Denver's song, a strategy that pays off for Low ("Back Home Again"), The Innocence Mission ("Follow Me"), and Will Oldham (The Eagle and the Hawk.") Unfortunately, Tarnation destroy the beauty of "Jet Plane", but that is the only disappointment here. The highlights come from Kozelek, who harmonizes beautifully with Rachel Goswell from Mojave on "Around and Around." Additionally, Kozelek and his acoustic guitar shine on "I'm Sorry", a sad tale of yearning and love lost. Despite the depressing lyrics: "I'm sorry for the way things are in China, I'm sorry things ain't what they used to be, but more than anything else, I'm sorry for myself", they ultimately reflect Denver's social conscious and desire to deliver from the heart. I highly recommend this cd for anyone interested in discovering the magic of John Denver, or to hear current independent musicians honor this great songwriter.

I bought this cd because I enjoyed "Bonograph" ,a tribute to Sonny Bono. Sonny got his due with fresh, fun, and soulful renditions of his songs. I was expecting a similar journey through John Denver's career . I feel this effort is sincere but lifeless in most cases and not very innovative. The man's music is under appreciated and proceeds of this cd go for a worthy cause but you're left wanting. If you've heard Placido Domingo's version of "Perhaps Love" and "Annie's Song" you have to sit and wonder what could be done with Denver's other material--a treasure not fully unearthed at this point. I applaud these artists for their interest but please try again.

I am a big John Denver fan. I liked this record very much because it has a big range of musical artists doing John's songs, each in their own way. It feels like a tribute when I listen -- they are taking his songs, which they love, and making the songs part of their own repertoire. They are not trying to imitate John Denver -- that would feel false, I think. Instead, they are absorbing his music and giving it back as the combination of his work and their feeling. This is a good listening record!

I already reviewed this once, where are my comments?