John Denver Album: “Whose Garden Was This”

I had this recording as an album a hundred years ago and of all John Denver's music this is his best collection. It is reflective and relevant. J.D. before the "sinatra" phase. I can't understand why it hasn't been re-released.

I am a hugh John Denver fan. I bought this album many years ago. I believe the year was 1977. I had heard several other albums by John at this time in my life and loved everything about his music. Until I played this one. I agree with the last reviewer. It is too dark and gloomy. I like to think of John as a positve and uplifting singer/song writer. I bought the CD to make my collection complete. However, if you are looking for a inspiring, uplifting John Denver album this one is not for you. Although, I try to look for positive messages in all of John's music, and there is some positve messages here for it's time. I don't believe the ocassional John Denver listener will enjoy this recording as much as some later recordings. Try his "Spirit" album, or his "I Want To Live" album. With these recordings you can't go wrong. They truly are, "FAR OUT"!

This is a good CD. It was music I have never heard JD sing before. Again very good.

So, why only 2 stars from an obviously devoted JD fan? Because I respect truth and quality and beautiful music too much to tell you it's good if it isn't. I'm not saying it's all bad. There are some redeeming moments ("Mr. Bojangles" is better than the famous version by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), but I'm afraid they are outnumbered on this album. The production is tasteful, the performances professional, arrangements are well done. The problem is the material.

The theme here is the environment, or the "ecology" as it was called in the 70s, with occasional forays into the social/political arena. "Sail Away Home" is a war protest song, delivered in blues/rock style, with a gospel choir in the background. Along the same vein is "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down", which seems to be patterned after The Band's version. The title cut, written by Tom Paxton, is sung in bitter remembrance of a world where once there were flowers and blue skies and white snow and fresh air, and now it's all gone. "Old Folks" is a spooky, fatalistic view of aging, featuring the lines, "They tremble as they watch the old silver clock when day is through / Tick-tocks oh so slow / it says yes, it says no / It says 'I wait for you'". Even "Jingle Bells" is given a morbid treatment here, with much the same sentiment as the aforementioned Tom Paxton song.

John himself later proved that the enviroment theme can be done in a much more appealing style, as it was on the "Earth Songs" album. This project is gloomy and depressing throughout, and even John's masterful singing can't make it an enjoyable listening experience. Try another one of his albums. ANY other album.