The term “essential” in the title of this collection could be misleading. In my mind it refers not only to the essential must-have songs by this great artist, but also that this great artist was essential to an era of music woefully long gone and badly needed back again.
"Essential" refers to songwriters of a simpler time that were really happy on stage with just a guitar or a piano. They didn't need over-produced, over-orchestrated material, self-congratulatory lyrics or huge fame to sustain them. They had a story to tell and a tune in their hearts.
My personal six essential writer/performers of that era would be James Taylor, Carly Simon, Willie Nelson, Justin Haywood, Bob Dylan, and of course Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr. These singer-songwriters were the essential core of music of the 60s and 70s. It’s impossible for me to imagine any of them not existing and still having a reasonable American musical history.
Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr?
Presented in this new collection is Deutschendorf’s (better known as John Denver) greatest works. When I was initially introduced to his material, I was hesitant. I grew up in an era of Steppenwolf, Three Dog Night, Marvin Gaye and his Motown Sound, Aerosmith, Pink Floyd, and Genesis.
John’s personal life was anything but peaceful and it shaped and molded his music - not as a mirror, but as a contrast. His songs were presented as gifts and he was unmatched at quiet emotions: Joy - “Rocky Mountain High” and “Matthew.” The sadness of love - “Leavin’ on a Jet Plane,” “How Can I Leave You Again?” “I’m Sorry,” and “Goodbye Again.” Contemplation - “Friends with You.” Peace of mind - “Sunshine on My Shoulders” and “Fly Away.”
To sit and listen to this music with headphones in order to shut out the rest of the world is an almost Zen experience because, after a while, you forget you’re being sung to. Suddenly, without realizing it, your mind is filled with peacefulness and images of self worth and happiness. That’s not an easy task for some people, but this is Denver’s unmatched trademark.
“Calypso” carries you off to the sea. You don’t just see the ocean in your mind. You feel it rise and fall beneath your feet on a rolling deck; you hear the gull’s shrieks; you smell the salt air; and you experience the adventure of sailing with explorer Jacques Cousteau. Denver can also make you feel the air currents rise under the majestic wings of an eagle soaring over a mountain forest.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Jet in Columbus
By the way I didn't include his environmental movement, because I wanted to save that for another article...
Enjoy
Jet
2 - Jet in Columbus
There are no John Denver Fans out there?
3 - zingzing
dead prick. he sued new order. and over what?
4 - Jet in Columbus
WTF I can't even write a music review without someone spewing venom at me? New Order plagarized the guitar riff from "Leavin' on a Jet Plane" one of Denver's most successful hits.
Jeez
5 - Christopher Rose
John Denver sucks entirely. There is more talent in the dust on the floor of a New Order rehearsal than Denver will EVER possess. That's not spewing venom at you, Jet, just a stone cold fact. You're being INCREDIBLY over-sensitive recently by the way. Get over yourself!!!
6 - STM
Come on Rosie ... he's like a slice of apple pie ... good, wholesome, and American.
And mate, check out the early haircut. Bloody spectacular. Must be the glasses. I believe Gatesy used him as a role model.
7 - Jet in Columbus
I don't know how to react to that without losing or alienating a friend, so I won't.
Suffice to say tens of millions of fans would disagree with you
8 - Jet in Columbus
Grammy Awards
Grammy Hall of Fame Award, 1998, "Take Me Home, Country Roads"
American Music Awards
Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist, 1975, 1976
Favorite Country Male Artist, 1976
Favorite Country Album, 1976, "Back Home Again"
Country Music Association Awards
Song of the Year, 1975, "Back Home Again"
Entertainer of the Year, 1975
Academy of Country Music Awards
Album of the Year, 1974, "Back Home Again"
Emmy Awards
Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Special, 1975, "An Evening with John Denver"
Other recognition
People’s Choice Award, 1977
Poet Laureate of Colorado, 1977
Carl Sandburg’s People’s Poet Award, 1982
NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal, 1985
Albert Schweitzer Music Award, 1993
Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, 1996
9 - Christopher Rose
Jet, mate, I really don't mind if the entire planet agreed with you, Denver's music is terminally boring and surely only worthy of receiving an award for complete failure of imagination. Talk about cheesy!
You appear to have me confused with someone who will believe statistics as opposed to their ears. Mind you, I was entertained to see that he won an Emmy for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy. I'm guessing it was for the third of those...
Chill out dude!
10 - JC Mosquito
One exception - there's a song on his Christmas album called "Christmas for Cowboys." He didn't write it, but it was a good choice.
11 - Jet in Columbus
You know Chris, I can see comparing N'synk to Back Street Boys.
Dusty Springfield to Aretha Franklin
The Beatles to the Rolling Stones...
But to fight over comparing John Denver to New Order totally mystifies me.
I only said New Order Plagarized a Denver song (which they were found guilty of doing in court). Lot's of groups have UNINTENTIONALLY done it.
the Rolling Stones untentionally did it with K D Lang between "Has Anybody Seen My Baby" vs "Constant Craving"
the Beatle's George Harrison's greatest hit "My Sweet Lord" is a direct rip off of "He's So Fine, do lang do lang do lang"
The Steve Miller Band's "The Stake" (nobody loves you like the way I do)'s guitar riff is a direct steal from Joe Walsh.
It doesn't mean either is an less talented.
Just because New Order only charted once with a couple of dance hits back in 1986 more than twenty years ago is no reason to cast aspersions, and I wasn't... until now.
Chill out yourself with the hostility!
(:^p~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
12 - Mark Saleski
new order, new smorder...awards, no awards....environmentalism, unfettered capitalism.
none of it matters to me.
what does matter is that Denver's voice always made me want to shove an ice pick into my ear.
but the wife really liked him. oh well, big world out there.
13 - Jet in Columbus
My point :)
Personally I can't stand Polka music, but that doesn't make the greatest polka band on the face of the earth any less talented than anyone else.
Different strokes for different folks
14 - Mark Saleski
hey, i've got an uncle in the polka hall of fame.
don't you be messin' with the polka! ;-)
15 - JC Mosquito
Was he one of the Schmenge Brothers?
16 - Jet in Columbus
the who?
17 - Mark Saleski
ancient sctv characters.
18 - Christopher Rose
Jet, first of all we ain't fighting or exchanging hostilities, you're just being a tad over-excited, again!
It's not your fault if you have hideously mainstream musical tastes, as this tragic litany confirms: "James Taylor, Carly Simon, Willie Nelson, Justin Haywood, Bob Dylan, and of course Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr." Puh-lease! Next you'll be extolling the delights of Celeine Dion!!
I'd actually go further than the esteemed Mr Saleski; listening to John Denver makes me want to stick an ice pick into the ear of Denver and all his schlocky fans!
If you like the kind of schmaltzy, sentimental dreck that Denver produced, well, good for you. Just don't expect to get into a chat about music and expect to emerge with your dignity intact, it just ain't gonna happen! LOL
19 - Jet in Columbus
Mr. Rose, Fair enough, which begs the question, If I'm being so way overly sensitive about being put down for my musical tastes... what exactly is your purpose for posting your seemingly hostile (of course I'm reading them all wrong and you're just posting friendly banter) comments here??????????????
20 - Jet in Columbus
Oh and keep in mind that your favored band is just some glitzy dance band that hasn't posted a genuine hit since 1986 and are so under talented that they have to rip off the likes of John Denver in order to make a recording?
21 - Christopher Rose
Jet, the fact that you consider New Order to be "just some glitzy dance band" is just further evidence that your musical education is sadly incomplete. You're not being put down, my young padawan, you're being contextualised! Try wading out of the shallow end sometime, the water's lovely...
22 - Jet in Columbus
Oh great, now I have this vision of you in a speedo playing lifeguard at the deep end of the pool
23 - Christopher Rose
Whereas you would be in a lifeguard playing speedo in the shallow end? lol!
24 - Jet in Columbus
As Speedo is a bathing suit, you don't actually play it....
25 - Christopher Rose
Sigh...
You're very literal minded sometimes Jet.