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 'John Denver - Greatest Hits, Volume 2 (March 3, 1977) Remaster (2010)' Review!

 In 1975, riding the success of a multi-platinum selling initial volume of his "Greatest Hits", and testing the waters with a highly successful album of Country music-flavoured Hits ("Back Home, Again"), John and his team of promoters & management at RCA decided to release a live album ("An Evening with John Denver") capturing the, then young artist in his prime, and a single that was proposed would go on to capture the true essence of John Denver and his music, or so they presumed. The song, of course, was "Thank God, I'm A Country-Boy", and the rest, as they say is history - John Denver's name and likeness became widely known across his homeland of the United States, and eventually even in countries on the other side of the pond. However, this new-found success was not all appreciated. John got a kick out of the fact that his "Take Me Home, Country Roads", a Folk song, opened up the door for him to the Country music world, but does it take a person's perception of YOU to make YOU who YOU truly are? I should hope not! (By the way, even some teaching colleagues of mine here in China sang John's most recognizable song for our students, recently, so whether the song was Country or Folk or Pop or whatever, it certainly has a broad appeal!) Yes, the money was rollin' in, and yes, it must have been really nice to be invited to appear on many television programmes, etc., but all-of-a-sudden, John Denver was no longer just a Folk musician, he had overnight, seemingly, become the voice of America - a Country musician; and, that was something that John had not intended on happening. He much rather would have been known as the crooner of love ballads a la "Annie's Song", written for then wife, Annie, and not solely pigeon-holed into the one-dimensional world of Country music. Yet, that is exactly what happened. Hence, John's involvement with the "Muppets", and his moving tribute to Jacques Cousteau and his magnificent, "Calypso" sailing ship. He was trying to distance himself from the labels of good old-boy, country bumpkin, redneck, and any other perceived derogatory notion of who he was (of course, later, he accepted the Country-Boy nicknames, as just another persona of his, like the more mature-sounding cowboy). Nonetheless, in 1975, after winning the Country Music, Singer of the Year & Song of the Year awards (much to the chagrin of Charlie Rich, who preceded to burn the announcement envelope), and finishing it off with the rare hat-trick of Grammy Song of the Year, John Denver and his music had indeed arrived! Thus, it was in early 1977, after the grinning, beloved smile and cries of "Far-out!" had begun to be run into overkill that this second set of Hits was compiled, covering the years 1973-1977 only, the disc was seen as more a gap-filler until John's next release in late '77, "I Want To Live", and to showcase some other exceptional tunes that were omitted from the first album. Originally with 12 songs, and now revamped with a whopping 23, and bringing such fan-favourites as "Matthew" (a tribute to John's dearly departed uncle) and "Sweet Surrender" together with Hits like "Looking For Space" and "My Sweet Lady" to truly show how balanced a songwriter Denver had become, if nothing else. The remaster adds some of Denver's most provocative material ever recorded with "Baby, You Look Good To Me, Tonight", "It Makes Me Giggle" ($128,000 question? What is "it"? lol), and maturely sung and performed versions of earlier recordings - "Amsterdam" (shocking even to this day for many Denver faithful to hear), and the omen-filled, "Forest Lawn". All-in-all, quite a surprise to some perhaps that this set is even better than its predecessor! So, grab your copy while supplies last! - Rick Wilson, former Rock Radio Journalist with Radio Canale Grandé.

 A quick review:

 01) Annie's Song (1974) ***** (Back Home, Again) Brilliant, and no bloody chip buttys in sight! lol
 02) Welcome To My Morning (Farewell Andromeda) (1973) ***** (Farewell Andromeda) John venturing beyond our galaxy!
 03) Fly Away (1975) ***** (Windsong) w/ Olivia Newton-John, and this one flew high up the charts!
 04) Like A Sad Song (1976) ***** (Spirit) But, not so sad as to avoid the charts!
 05) Looking For Space (1975) ***** (Windsong) One of Denver's many legacies!
 06) Thank God, I'm A Country-Boy: live '75 (1975) ***** (originally on Back Home, Again (1974); An Evening With John Denver) Was it real homegrown passion, or just a show?
 07) Grandma's Feather Bed (1974) ***** (Back Home, Again) Did everything but get some sleep in Grandma's bed? Peculiar! lol
 08) Back Home, Again (1974) ***** (Back Home, Again) I used to think this was a Neil Young song! lol
 09) I'm Sorry (1976) ***** (Windsong) For Annie, again.
 10) My Sweet Lady (1971) ***** (originally on Poems, Prayers & Promises; re-recorded as a single in 1974) Moving. I always imagined someone like Neil Diamond doing this one.
 11) Calypso (1975) ***** (Windsong) Long live those undersea adventures, and Jacques Cousteau!
 12) This Old Guitar (1974) ***** (Back Home, Again) Too bad that this old guitar was cremated along with John, so no E-Bay auctions, etc.!
 13) I'd Rather Be A Cowboy (Lady's Chains) (1973) ***** (Farewell Andromeda) Listen carefully, as Denver gives us his best Elton John impersonation!
 14) Baby, You Look Good To Me, Tonight (1976) ***** (Spirit) Banjo-pickin' love song, the kind the Hager Brothers might have done on "Hee-Haw"! lol
 15) Matthew (1974) ***** (Back Home, Again) Uptempo tribute!
 16) Windsong (1975) ***** (Windsong) Song of the Wind!
 17) Sweet Surrender (1974) ***** (Back Home, Again) Great tune! My personal favourite on this collection!
 18) It Makes Me Giggle (1976) ***** (Spirit) So, were YOU able to figure out what "it" is? Did it make YOU giggle? lol
 19) Amsterdam: live '75 (2005) ***** (originally on Take Me To Tomorrow (1970); An Evening With John Denver [remaster]) John Denver giving David Bowie a run for his money!
 20) Forest Lawn: live '75 (1975) ***** (originally on Take Me To Tomorrow (1970); An Evening With John Denver) Morbid? No way! John just being himself! Try it sometime, YOU might like it!
 21) Please, Daddy (Don't Get Drunk This Christmas) (1973) ***** (Farewell Andromeda) Tongue-in-cheek, or a sign of the times?
 22) Christmas For Cowboys (1975) **** (Rocky Mountain Christmas) Home on the Range?
 23) The Music Is You (1974) ***** (Back Home, Again) Short, but sweet tune!