A Valedictory

This collection may be the last of John Denver's recordings to have been released. Although none of the songs are new, they are all marked by a maturity of voice and expression which sets them apart from prior versions. John once remarked that he was surprised by the fact that he could find new meaning in songs he had been performing for 20 or more years. Even though we've heard the songs many times, these performances are enlightened by a freshness and vitality and honest emotion that make them sound new. It's as if John is saying, "Here's where I've come to, after all these years. What do you think?"

The quality of the recorded sound is outstanding and deserves special mention. It's among the finest I have heard. It's almost like he is sitting on the other side of the room from you.

Excellent "Mature" Denver

This recording, from 1996, is a great collection for those who remember Denver from the '70s but are unfamiliar with his work in the '80s and '90s. It includes acoustic re-recordings of songs originally released either on RCA or on his Windsong label. It is important to note that "Unplugged" is the same as "A Celebration of Life" except "Unplugged" includes four more songs: Annie's Song, Seasons of the Heart, For You and Thank God I'm a Country Boy. For me, this definitely makes this import worthwhile. If you like this I also recommend the album Earth Songs which is a similar album (re-recordings, mostly) from, I believe, 1990.

The Unplugged Collection

This is a wonderful tape of John's most popular songs. I highly recommend it.