Where's the Sunshine?

There are at least nine "(Very) Best of" John Denver albums available. There are at least seven John Denver "Greatest Hits" albums available.



At this point, you may as well just buy his albums, which a true fan should do anyway. But sometimes we just want a simple compilation that is true to Denver's spirit.



First, right off the bat, I believe The Rocky Mountain Collection is one of the best compilation albums. But it's also too long and too varied.



The Best of John Denver, Macery's release, trims it down to 14 tracks. Many reviewers are warning of the re-recorded versions found here. Despite my love of Denver's older recordings, I love these newer renditions.



Rocky Mountain High has a new invigorating Denver singing about seeking grace. The 12-string guitars have an edge to them lacking on older recordings. Annie's Song has a beautiful humming that is more enveloping (like 3D sound!), and the same goes for Windsong, and the wonderful I'm Sorry.



While I favor these newer versions, the collection as a whole lacks a certain spark. Most of the songs here are quieter, sadder, and personal. Excluding RMH, and Sunshine on my Shoulders, the tracks are mostly regarding John's life than they are nature and breathing and living.

Don't Listen To The Whingey Reviewers!

This album is superb! I just don't understand the whingebags who are like having hissy fits because John Denver rerecorded some of his best hits. I think the newer recordings that he rerecorded when he was older are just as good a the ones he recorded when he was younger and shows that his voice was still going strong! Stop whinging and just enjoy this CD! Highly recommended to open-minded John Denver fans!

Buy the original Greatest Hits

I bought this cd for the track "Annies Song", which I had hoped would have been included in the original "Greatest Hits" package. The tracks on "Best of...." come across as over-orchestrated, and I don't care for the free-stylin' changes or interpretations of the original songs. One track that really struck me as odd was "Country Roads..." Then I realized the steel/slide guitar sound was missing. Most of the tracks are good songs, but the better interpretations of them can be found on the original "Greatest Hits" and the "Wildlife Concert". The only redeeming quality of this package is the price, but even then I would avoid "Best of...." You'll be happier with the original greatest hits series, and the wildlife concert collection.