A Great Lesser Known Collection from John Denver

Released in the early nineties, "The Flower That Shattered the Stone" features some of John Denver's best vocals and song writing ever, in my opinion. With a band that included three members of Elvis' old road crew (guitarist James Burton, bassist Jerry Scheff and pianist Glen D. Hardin), Denver shines on the strongest collection of songs he'd put out in years. The highlight is "Eagles and Horses", a Denver co-composition which features soaring vocals and melody as well as great lyrics (example: "My spirit will never be broken or caught, for the soul is a free-flying thing"). Also great is "A Little Further North", which always makes me want to go lie on a beach somewhere, plus the title song, and "Postcard from Paris", which was written by Oklahoma's own Jimmy Webb, who wrote "Wichita Lineman", "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" and so many of Glen Campbell's other great hits.
This is truly a fine album, and one that I have listened to many times since I bought it three years ago. I ordered mine then from a music store for around thirteen bucks. I can't believe the prices this collection is commanding now. Sixty nine dollars for a cassette?? Anyway, it is a great album, and one that deserves wider recognition.

Hard to find, but worth the search

I just happened to stumble upon this CD a few years ago in a used CD store. It was marked down to some ridiculously low price, and I picked it up. WOW!! I have been a John Denver fan since I was a kid, and this was definitely one of his best. The title song quickly became one of my favorites, and "Stonehaven Sunset"and "Raven's Child" are two others. They are some of the few "apocalyptic" songs Denver recorded: both talk about how the world is falling apart even as we speak, but both end on a note of hope. "Sunset" is especially powerful, with the words, "sweet justice is coming, with a fire in her eyes." "Postcard from Paris" will leave a lump in your throat, as you listen to a cry from someone traveling around the world without the person they love most, and find that all the wonderful things they see seem empty without their love by their side. "A Little Further North" is very remiscent of "Take Me Home, Country Roads" and "Rocky Mountain High": it paints a vivid image of a beautiful time and place, one that you wish could last forever. Another reason I have always loved Denver's music is because of the deep wisdom and insight present in his lyrics, and these songs are no exception. After listening to this CD for the first time, I never looked at the world in quite the same way again. It's a real tragedy that this incredibly wise man is no longer with us.

Wonderful!

Next to "Different Directions," this is his best ever recording. The best ones are the title track, "Thanks to You" and "Postcard from Paris." Great instrumentation and vocals. John was a perfectionist when it came to sound, and it showed in his work. He cared deeply about the music and the people who were listening, much different than some groups nowadays, who don't care at all about the audience and are too busy looking in the mirror. John was truly special. His passion for the earth was real too, and he didn't let his detractors get the best of him in this arena either. We miss your talents and good will.