John Denver - "Definitive All-Time Greatest Hits"

"He was a Man Who Said Beautiful Things and He Said Them Beautifully" - Liner Notes to this album.

I discovered John Denver's music about three years ago. I had heard of him and knew his big songs but I never had one of his albums. My parents gave me this album for Christmas and I just loved his music and I now own a bunch of Denver CDs. He has become one of my favorite musicians. His lyrics are complex and catchy often linking everyday experiences to nature. He has a gift for catchy pop stylings that stay within his Folk/Country genre. His music is always honest and a large part of me wants to enter the magical world of Colorado that John Denver inhabits in his songs. The first song of Denver's that I ever heard was "Looking for Space." It was featured prominently in the "Magnum P.I." episode "Limbo." I loved that song and I often watched that episode simply to hear the song.

Denver has written some truly great great songs that are not given the appreciation that they deserve. He is often criticized for being too sentimental and overly earnest. I do not share those ideas. Denver always hits a chord inside my heart that makes me feel and that is what I want, sometimes, in my music. On one of the saddest days of my life, when my grandmother passed away, I sat in my room and listened to "Looking for Space" and "Sunshine on My Shoulders" because for those few minutes John Denver helped me feel better and made my heart calm.

This compilation is basically perfect. It collects his 20 finest and most popular songs, every track is golden and wonderful. This collects big hits like "Rocky Mountain High" and "Annie's Song" with lesser gems like "Wild Montana Skies" and "Shanghai Breezes." There are fine liner notes by fan David Wild as well as individual track memories by producer Milt Okum. There are a number of great photographs throughout the notes as well. There is also a second 4 track disc of early demos and a cover of The Band's "The Weight."

It saddens me that Denver passed away and when I was so young and before I had discovered his beautiful music. I am grateful that his music lives on to be discovered by old fans (like I shall become) and new converts (like I was). I am so grateful for his music and voice and for calming my heart and taking me on a trip through a magical world of Colorado. Thank you John Denver I hope you are riding on a Windsong through your beloved Rocky Mountains.