"The Country Roads Collection"

The Newests from
John Denver

BMG Japan plans a commemorative release of the 4 CD set "Country Roads Collection" (Release date: Dec. 17)


  • Aside from his untimely death in October, 1997 was a re-release-rush year for JD. Overseas, there came "Love Again" album (released only in Australia and Holland) early this year, followed by the Laserlight's 5 box set of John's Windstar recordings called "The John Denver Collection"(USA) in April. Then in Japan, in May, BMG released10 of John's early album including 5 titles first to be on CD. In July came "The Best Of JD Live"(USA), best selections from "The Wildlife Concert" 1995. And then, on August 26 (coinsided the release date of "All Aboard!"), RCA/BMG(USA) released an ultimate 4 CD collection of JD's RCA recordings , titled "The Country Roads Collection". The set features highlights from the albums he recorded between 1969-1986, as much as 79 songs, over 250 minutes of total playing time. Disappointedly, it contains none of his unreleased materials nor alternate takes as is the case with such kind of set. However the set is useful to overview his career especially for the beginner JD fans. And for the long-time fans, many of the songs should be taken on a whole new meaning after the death of John. Also fascinating is 24 pages booklet full of beautiful photos. In Japan (as always) there was not a plan to release this set, but his untimely death made BMG reconsider about it.

    Tracks:

    DISC 1-

    Leaving On A Jet Plane
    Circus
    Rhymes and Reasons
    Catch Another Butterfly
    Daydream
    Follow Me
    Aspenglow
    Molly
    Sticky Summer Weather
    Isabel
    Sunshine On My Shoulders
    My Sweet Lady
    Take Me Home, Country Roads
    I Guess He'd Rather Be In Colorado
    Poems, Prayers and Promises
    Starwood In Aspen
    All Of My Memories
    Casey's Last Ride
    The Eagle and The Hawk
    Friends With You

    DISC 2-
    Rocky Mountain High
    For Baby (For Bobbie)
    Goodbye Again
    We Don't Live Here Anymore
    I'd Rather Be A Cowboy (Lady's Chains)
    Farewell Andromeda (Welcome To My Morning)
    Rocky Mountain Suite (Cold Nights In Canada)
    Annie's Song
    Back Home Again
    Grandma's Feather Bed
    Sweet Surrender
    Eclipse
    Thank God I'm A Country Boy
    This Old Guitar
    Spirit
    Song Of Wyoming
    I'm Sorry
    Windsong
    Looking For Space
    Fly Away

    DISC 3-

    Calypso
    Come And Let Me Look In Your Eyes
    Like A Sad Song
    Polka Dots and Moonbeams
    In The Grand Way
    How Can I Leave You Again
    Ripplin' Waters
    It Amazes Me
    Singing Skies and Dancing Waters
    Dearest Esmeralda
    Thirsty Boots
    I Want To Live
    Southwind
    Garden Song
    What's On Your Mind
    You're So Beautiful
    In My Heart
    The Mountain Song
    Song For The Life
    Autograph

    DISC 4-

    Some Days Are Diamonds (Some Days Are Stone)
    Country Love
    Dreams
    Heart To Heart
    Shanghai Breezes
    Seasons Of The Heart
    Perhaps Love (with Placido Domingo)
    Falling Out Of Love
    It's About Time
    Wild Montana Skies (with Emmylou Harris)
    Dreamland Express
    If Ever
    I'm In The Mood To Be Desired Tonight
    Don't Close Your Eyes Tonight
    Love Is The Master
    I Can't Escape
    Love Again
    Flying For Me

  • You may feel somewhat dissatisfied by their selecting of the tracks. I wonder why they chose "Polka Dots And Moonbeams" instead of "The Wings That Fly Us Home", "I'm In The Mood To Be Desired" instead of "The Bigger They Fall". Is Paul Williams credited as a compilation producer the one made these selections? And...is he the Paul Williams?? They seem to avoid selecting any rock type songs like "Take Me To Tomorrow", "Downhill Stuff" and "Dancing With The Mountains" as if they want to keep his image away from these kinds of music.

    BTW, though many of you don't mind about this, the title of the track 13 on the disc 4 is incorrect. There's no such song like "I'm In The Mood To Be Desired Tonight"! Shame on RCA!!!

    Feel free to e-mail me! nisenora@ari.bekkoame.or.jp
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