アルバム年間チャートで見事＃1 
（2008-06-07）
カントリー・ミュージックはあまり、と言いますか、殆ど聴きません。とは言え、[1]や[8]、[11]はカントリー・ミュージックの定番とも言えるもので、たとえJ.デンバーという名前を知らない方であってもそのメロディーには必ずや聞き覚えがあるのではないかと思います。本人のバージョンかカバー・バージョンかは別ですが(^^;
本作('73年リリース)は、所謂、ベストヒット盤であり、まんべんなくオリジナル作品を聴きたいという個人的な志向からは外れるものの、アルバム年間チャートで見事＃1を得たという事、また、J.デンバー作品は一枚も有していなかった事もあり、今回は納得づくで入手しました。
'70s初中期を代表する国民的歌手であったJ.デンバーですが、惜しくも'97年に他界しました。それにしても彼の歌声を聴くにつけ、アメリカン・カントリー・ライフ(広大な大地や雄大な自然、飾らない日常etc..あくまで想像の域を出ませんが(^^;)を謳歌しているように思えます。
Take me home... 
（2005-04-12）
You can go home again with this CD. As with any greatest hits compilations and many of the "Essential" compilations we are at the mercy of those that make the combination. So I hope some of your favorites are here, mine are.
If you have not heard John Denver that is no real frame of reference. If you have then I am telling you what you already know. There are eleven songs that give a pretty good sample of Denver's songs. If you are going to buy only one album of his, this should be it. This is a collection from his first six albums with the added plus of being a little different as he has expanded is ability.
You can tell the CD lost some resolution from the vinyl. However not enough to distract from your enjoyment.
"Take Me Home, Country Roads" (1971) by Bill Danoff, Taffy Nivert and John Denver. Makes you see the beauty of West Virginia from the inside. If you are ever there once you will realize he captured the country roads driving feeling.
"Follow Me" (1969) by John Denver. "Make it part of you to be part of me." It is about the joys of sharing with each other.
"Starwood in Aspen" (1971) by John Denver. Contemplation going home to Starwood on a plane from L.A.
"For Baby (For Bobbie)" (1965) by John Denver. "I'll walk in the rain by your side" If you listen closely you can hear the Pupils of The Whitby School Greenwich Connecticut in the background vocals.
"Rhymes and Reasons" (1969) by John Denver. The coming of the winter a glimpse of Saturn (the bringer of Old Age) a time of reflection and new insights as to flowers and children. A prayer to non believers.
"Leaving on a Jet Plane" (1967) by John Denver. I have several versions of this by various artists; however I consider Denver's version one of the best. Songs hold memories for people this one is a duel for me most of my life is in I.S. so I have done quit a bit of travel and thing of this song. However it was real for me once when I was on my way to Vietnam.
"The Eagle and the Hawk" (1971) Words by John Denver/Music by John Denver and Mike Taylor. Listening to this makes me feel that I am the eagle and I am the hawk. The pace is different from most John Denver songs.
