John Denver Album: “Poems, Prayers and Promises”

This is possibly the best John Denver CD available. It's simple, acoustic and avoids the overproduction of his later works. His rendition of James Taylor's "Fire And Rain" is really a treat and his acoustic version of "Let It Be" is wonderful. If you like Denver's early works, this is the CD to get.

This CD was to be the last in a 4 album RCA record deal for John in 1971. The previous 3 albums did not sell. He was at the end of his rope. This CD is a treasure because it expresses the desperation that he was feeling at the time. He would never sing like this on his next 30 albums. He does a cover of "Let It Be" that is the most moving I have ever heard. He also covers James Taylor nicely with "fire and Rain". It also includes the country hit "Take Me Home Country Roads" which is the song the radio stations played immensely when this album was released. Because of that country radio airplay, RCA signed him to a new deal and saved his career. This was ironic because the country music scene never embraced John as a true country artist. But the airplay led to a bevy of pop hits that propelled him from semi-successful folk-artist to a veritable pop phenomenon. Rocky Mountain High, Calypso, Annie's Song, Back Home Again, Thank God I'm a Country Boy, I'm Sorry, and others might never have been heard if it weren't for this critical CD. The title track "Poems, Prayers, and Promises" is one of my favorites cuts of this song later re-recorded for his Greatest Hits Vol.I. then again on his live album "An Evening With John Denver". For those of you who are interested in discovering what kind of artist and songwriter John Denver was in late 1960's and early 1970's before his pop explosion which alienated many of his early folk fans, buy this CD. It is unique and raw..all acoustic guitar with minimal help from any kind of effects. 16 years later, it is still sitting in my CD player!

John Denver was a bit unusual, even during the height of his popularity. While music during this time was realigning itself to rock as pop, and acquiring a harder edge, John Denver became a success with a series of folk/country/pop songs.

John's fourth, and first commercially successful, album, yielded two John Denver songs that are now considered country standards: "Take Me Home, Country Roads", and "Sunshine on My Shoulders". Both of these relatively mellow songs set the tone for most of this album. The only song that breaks out of the mellow mold is "Wooden Indian", a short country-rock song.

There are several wonderful songs that were commercially overlooked from this album. "Junk", a Paul McCartney song, is a lovely acoustic fireside song well fitting with John Denver's image. "Gospel Changes" is another simple, yet beautiful, acoustic song. "I Guess He'd Rather Be in Colorado" is one of several songs John sang that related to the state that he enjoyed so much, and endeared him to the citizens of the state during and after his peak popularity.

The other songs on this CD are generally similar. Mostly acoustic, mostly John's voice. Generally mellow. A trademark of John's albums is that while he sings many of his own songs, he also sings songs by others. On this album he sings "Let It Be" by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, "Fire and Rain", the classic James Taylor song, the aforementioned "Gospel Changes", and collaborations on several other songs.

The last selection on this CD is somewhat unusual, a story titled "The Box". "The Box" is a combination political statement, cautionary tale, and protest tale all in one. The story fits well with John's image as a political activist, but it is difficult to believe that the story was allowed to go onto a commercially released album. Regardless, it's there, an artifact of days when protests were more vocal (and often more violent) than those of today. Fortunately, you can program your CD player to skip over this selection in favor of the beauty of the rest of the CD.

I listen to John Denver occasionally to balance my musical tastes. His music is a reminder of a simpler time, perhaps, of my youth, and of our country from not that long ago. There is beauty in this CD.

I dont know about any one else but I have been trying to find this for a very very long time. I had it once on tape and didnt realize it. I was listening to a john denver tape one day and THE BOX came on. oh my god its so moving. I lost it over the years while moving accross country. and now I have found it again. I thought maybe it was just someting he put on a recorded tape never to be heard again. I just wanted to share with you all this is the best thing on this entire alblum.

Those of us middle-aged hippies who remember the 70's will reflect on this album with the greatest of affection. John Denver gave us some of our very best memories and this album typifies his very best. I still get goosebumps when I listen to it and I am transported to a time of wonder and joy! I long for those days of backpacking and travelling in West Va., of camping in the mountains...we were younger then...our best years! How sweet and mellow is this, his best album. When John died, he took some of me with him. Godspeed John!!!