John Denver Album: “The Wildlife Concert”

Over the years, I have purchased most of John Denver's LPs and then CDs, and also observed several of his performances on television. (Regrettably, I was never in the audience at one of his concerts.) Recently I saw the PBS program during which the program on this DVD was recorded over a two-day period. Denver has never sounded better nor seemed happier than he does during The WILDLife Concert, totally comfortable playing a rich and diverse selection of older and newer songs. How rare and commendable that he makes each of the 25 seem so fresh. He is joined by immensely talented associates, notably James Burton, Jim Horn, and Pete Huttinger. FYI, this two-disc CD and its companion DVD include the previously unreleased "For You" which is not available elsewhere. I lack the talent to express how much I admire and will miss this talented and good man.

Songs like "Thank God I'm A Country Boy" and "Grandma's Feather Bed" gave John Denver an undeserved reputation as a purveyor of corniness. Songs like "Rocky Mountain High,""Poems, Prayers, and Promises" and countless others showcase the songwriting and performing skills that make John Denver unique among American songwriters.

The performances on this CD are stunning. Some arrangements are very true to the original recordings we know and love; others take songs to a new place. The great surprise of this CD are the inclusion of great songs that, unless you are a serious JD collector, would not be known to most listeners.

I've always loved John Denver, not only because of the beauty of his songs and his committment to various causes, but because he is the only artist whose songs speak to me. Love the outdoors? Then "Rocky Mountain High,""Sunshine On My Shoulders," and "Calypso" are for you. Love someone? Try "Annie's Song" and "For You." Problems with the one you love? "Two Different Directions." Ever contemplate what you might have done differently with your life? "Whispering Jesse" - one of the gems I uncovered on this CD, and truly one of his great songs.

The old cliche is that, "if you could only own one CD"....well, that would be a shame, because there are many other great John Denver CDs...but, if you could only own one CD...

This is hands down the perfect John Dever album. John had always been at his best live, and this release is no exception. It is a line up consisting of his greatest classics, blended smoothly with his newest releases- with a few surprise selections thrown in (try "Darcy Farrow", "Bet on the Blues", and "Dreamland Express"). The result will move you through every emotion- leaving you with a smile on your face and a tear in your eye. Who can argue the beauty of "For You", or the thrill of "Eagles and Horses". "Take Me Home, Country Roads" will remind you of when you origanlly fell in love with John's music, and "Whispering Jesse" will remind you why. It is the perfect blend of country, folk, easy listening, western, and rock styles that leaving you screaming for more. Thanks for this one John!

I bought this double live CD upon its release in 1995, shortly before I saw JD live on stage for the sixth and very last time (and he was not in a very good mood that October night, I'm afraid). Anyway, I'd like to point out that John's voice and performing skills were at the peak in the 90's, sadly long after his commercial pinnacle (and RCA dropping him, very unfairly in my opinion). Listening to these 2.5 hours of classic JD taped in February 1995 will probably even warm the harshest critic's heart; the emotions pouring forth from this man were just incredible. The live recordings sound so much better than the original technically substandard RCA tracks, and the mix of big hits and rare album tracks is fantastic.

John Denver, both as a very special human being and as an outstanding musician, has been a part of my daily life for a very long time, and this is the perfect legacy & a truely great recording. By the way: Check out JD's best albums, "Higher Ground" (1988) and "The Flower That Shattered the Stone" (1989), unfortunately not (yet) listed at Amazon.

Rest in peace, John - and thanks!

This is a late career performance (l995) of mostly early hits, and to my taste, John sounds as good or better than he ever did. His love of performing shines through here, and his stage presence wins you over and takes you back to the days of 20 years earlier when getting the new JD album was a duty, not a joke. I am very pleased with this double-CD. I have either owned, or heard, almost everything John released over the decades, and this one is worthy to stand with the best. The concert was filmed and shown on PBS a few years ago, and when I watched it I was amazed at his energy, stamina and enthusiasm. By l995, nobody was buying his newer songs, and few were admitting even to having loved his previous work. But we did love that stuff in the 60's and 70's, and it was good. This concert brings back that innocence and joy and reminds us that JD was indeed, a great talent.