J~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~J O R O C K Y M O U N T A I N H I G H O H =============================================== H N The John Denver Internet Fan Club N D D E M O N T H L Y N E W S L E T T E R E N N V A P R I L 1 9 9 7 V E E R Emily Parris emily@sky.net http://www.sky.net/~emily R ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Table of Contents April 1997 - Issue #36 Concert Reviews: Scotland - March 11 & 13 - George McNair............. 1 Ireland - March 23 - Alva Mac Sherry................. 2 Holland/Belgium - March 30 & 31 - Lucille Feldhaus... 3 Netherlands - March 30 - Johan Stoopendaal........... 4 US - Hawaii - April 5, 1997 - Lloyd Maehara.......... 5 John's Concert Schedule................................ 5 John Denver: The Man, The Music, The Message by Christine Egli (JDMAS)........................... 6 Collecting John Denver 45's by Rory K. Young.................................... 7 John Denver Notes...................................... 8 POETRY: "Tree of Love" by Michael Kurt Rose.................11 Want Ads/For Sale......................................12 =================================== C O N C E R T R E V I E W S =================================== From: George McNair Subject: John's concerts in Scotland It has been a long, long time since JD did a concert in Scotland. Until this week I had only been to two and was dubious about going to another - in the seventies he gave a very polished, rehearsed act and instead of talking with an audience he recited his spiel. It wasn't any different from watching television. I had always taken the reports in the newsletters of how good he was now as being American enthusiasm. But; things have changed...His UK tour started in our fair capital Edinburgh on the 11th of March. He walked on stage, picked up a guitar and sang. It was mainly old stuff, but the effect was far from nostalgic. It was almost electric; blood quickened in veins the way it hasn't since I was in my early twenties. Songs we sang in pubs at college; songs locked in the heart, unleashed. Eclipse - It Amazes Me - Follow me - Farewell Andromeda...I didn't take notes, from then on it was just pure magic. The man IS better than ever. His interpretation of songs is superb and his voice, while more mature, is strong enough to "Belt them out" as my dad says. I would not have believed it possible for him to do "Wild Montana Skies" alone on the guitar and do it justice - but he did; and then some. His talks with the audience now are much friendlier - he chats in a relaxed way, and while the stories may have been refined with practice, they are natural and genuine, and he interacts with each audience differently. He has started singing "For You" to a pre-recorded sound track of a piano, (kareoke-a-la-Denver?), but it diminishes the performance not one whit. He hits, and holds, *That* note like a Memorex tape advert! During the entire evening there were only three songs he did which I do not have recorded on vinyl - the first song of the second set was one I did not recognize, "It's a Sin To Tell a Lie" (audience participation on that one), And, of course, "The Country Song" - We have never heard this over here. In front of a dour Scots audience (and Edinburgh people have a reputation for primness even among the rest of us), he let rip with the country song and it went down a treat. The audience loved it, him, his music. I missed the Glasgow concert on the 12th of march, but went to the one on the 13th. I expected the same concert - again a surprise - about 50% of the first set was different - Boy from the Country - Sweet Surrender - Goodbye again sandwiched between 2 choruses of "Loch Lomond" - a nice try at local colour. His patter was different, and humour was very much to the fore. The audience were with him all the way - it really surprised me how many people knew the words of "Today". The second set was slightly different, with Poems & Prayers & Promises as an encore instead of Perhaps Love which was the Edinburgh one. On this occasion he did not sing "Sunshine on my Shoulders"; three days of Scottish weather seems to have cured him of that kind of nonsense; (It's a song I detest anyway and his missing it out was definitely one of the good parts of the concert). I shall close by saying that I took a Genesis fan to see him at Edinburgh, and she is now an ex-Genesis fan. Live in the song...Geo. -------------------------------------------------- | From Scotland... Where the Haggis run free. | -------------------------------------------------- "John Denver at the Point" by Alva Mac Sherry In a bland succession of 33 tunes in under two hours, John Denver failed to sparkle in an overheated venue last night. His last visit here some four years ago was characterized by some fine collaboration in the world-music vein which pepped up an interesting more heavily Gaila-inspired bill: this time, he rather ignored the artist's obligation to challenge the audience, relying on admittedly-reliable material. His is a soaring voice, hard to describe but basically what most of aspire to in the shower. His lyrics make sense and his tunes can lift the spirits. If it's MOR - and it is- then lots of us are quite happy to play in the traffic. It's not easy to hold the attention of a packed audience at a venue this size when it's just the man, his guitar, and a couple of shirts which would draw comment on a Mexican goalkeeper. No backing singers, no glitzy lights, no drummers, no south American instrumentalist, but the audience seemed happy, singing along when asked and cheering with gusto after each number. in among the 33 was much that would be expected - Follow Me, Grandma's Feather Bed, Sunshine on My Shoulders et al; then there was 18 holes,a song about the irresistible draw of that old marriage breaker the golf course. the golf course? what ever happened to poor old calypso? There was Paul McCartney's Mother Nature's Son in there somewhere as well as Home on the Range, I'd Rather be a Cowboy, Wild Montana Skies and some charming new stuff such as - The Thought of You. After the intermission, Denver introduced a backing track for three new numbers - new material - which took the strain off somewhat..... but teased rather in showing us what we were missing. Alva Mac Sherry,reporting. 3 24 97. -------------------------------------------- From: Lucille Feldhaus Subject: Concerts in Holland & Belgium - March 30 & 31st We had two good concerts, John's voice was great but he was very tired. He said later in a short interview for Dutch television that he was exhausted from all the traveling, from packing suitcases, hotels and plane rides and that he was sorry he couldn't do the shows anymore like he used to. He also said no new records are on the making. He did not say much during the concert but made up for it with singing beautiful songs (see the list). He sang The wings very movingly, but my favorite was Durango Mountain Caballero, he did not know the words exactly but most of us didn't mind, we all love that song. He was indeed alone, had 4 guitars and a piano on stage, I know in some concerts he did not use the piano at all. During the second half he sang 2 or 3 songs to a track. I really admire him that he can do such a show all by himself, it must be very hard for an artist to do all the work themselves. We met him briefly after the concert but he said he was very tired so we let him be and went back to our friends. In Antwerp we did not even see him anymore after the concert. There were 2 articles in the Dutch paper, one concert review (not too good) and an interview (not good either), we will have these in our next journal. Greetings from all of us, Lucille - "World of John Denver" - The Netherlands From: Johan Stoopendaal Subject: John Denver concert - The Hague - March 30, 1997 The concert was really marvelous. John was really great. It was my first John Denver concert I went to. John even spoke a few words during the concert. When he made a little mistake (he made them twice) he shouted "shoot" and right after that "take two...." He even tried to teach us a love song, (Dreamland Express) but we already knew the lyrics. We sang along all the songs. And he told us we were the best singing audience. It was really great, because John performed without a band. Just John on the stage and four guitars, a piano and a cup of tea or coffee (which was getting cold). He sang two songs with strings on tape. As an extra last song he played "Perhaps Love". Greetings, Johan Stoopendaal ----------------------------------------------- From: "Lloyd K. Maehara" Subject: Waikiki Shell - April 5, 1997 What a night !! Not even the threat of rain would have stopped me from going to his concert. Passing showers did make is soggy, but mother nature cooperated for most of the concert and the skies cleared up in time for the show, then the skies opened up big time at the most inopportune time, at the end. The Honolulu Symphony Orchestra opened up the concert with some classical pieces, then it JD's turn. To no surprise, he opened with "Rocky Mountain High" followed by "Country Roads". All throughout the concert his songs just carried me away from reality to the world of music. This night was a first for him, as he performed "Islands", which I think was from his album "Seasons of the Heart" for the first time on stage/live audience; which seemed appropriate for Hawaii. The Honolulu Symphony Orchestra added just a touch of flavor to his songs that really made it special. I only wish that he would have performed his other hits: like "Poems, Prayers and Promises", "Farewell Andromeda", The Jet Plane Trilogy and a few others. Due to curfew at the Shell, he had to end it a little earlier than expected, but at least he closed his concert with "Calypso", unfortunately I had to see this through a sea of umbrellas....IT RAINED by this time." Well, I'm not too sure when he'll be coming back to the islands, but if he's performing on the West Coast, you can be sure that I'll make that "pilgrimage" to that venue. 'Til next time....ALOHA from Hawaii !! ============================================================ JOHN'S CONCERT SCHEDULE....... May 16, 17 1997 Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Thousand Oaks, CA May 23,24,25 1997 Cerritos Center For the Performing Arts Cerritos, CA June 21, 1997 Konocti Harbor Resport and Spa Kelseyville, CA June 22, 1997 Saratoga, CA Villa Montalvo Arts June 24, 1997 Wente Brothers Winery Livermore, CA June 26-27, 1997 Britt Festivals Jacksonville, OR July 31, 1997 PNC Bank Arts Center - Holmdel, NJ Sept 26-28, 1997 Houston, Texas Jones Hall for the Performing Arts ============================================================== JOHN DENVER.....THE MAN, THE MUSIC, THE MESSAGE By Christine J. Egli (JD Music Appreciation Society - Australia) I was in a record store some years back looking through some cassette-tapes in the "D" section (for another well-known singer/entertainer), when one of the tapes with a picture of a man with blonde hair, glasses, and a very happy smile, caught my attention. Captivated by this unknown person, I hesitated, then continued to look through the tapes. Hesitating again, I somehow felt compelled to go back to the tape that had caught my attention earlier. I turned the tape over to read the songs on the back. Recognizing a couple of songs, including "Leaving on a Jet Plane" (which had been a favourite of mine when it was sung by Peter, Paul & Mary), I then realized that "John Denver" was the person who wrote that song - as well as many others on the tape! As I was interested in hearing more of his songs, I decided to buy the tape......it was the concert recording of "An Evening With John Denver". As soon as the tape began, my attention was drawn to the personality of the singer, the lyrics, the voice. and the music....so I played the tape over and over for the entire day, then again the next day. After that I went to every record store to look for more of his albums; and then I did a grand tour' of all the second-hand record stores I could possibly get to, in an effort to collect every JD album I could find. I still can't define exactly what happened that day - I just know that there was (and still is) something special about John, the messages in his songs, and the music, that just seems to reach out and touch our hearts and our souls. What more can I say, except.... "John: "The magic is You". Christine Egli Note:"au" at the end of an email address = Australia, "nl"= Netherlands, "de" = Germany. These are called "country codes" Collecting John Denver 45's. (Rory K. Young) -------------------------------------------------- I'm sure the thought has crossed your mind, as you peruse old boxes of used 45's in collectors' record shoppes: "Should I collect any of John's old 45's?" Well, this story may not give you a definitive answer to that question, but it should answer a few questions that you have pertaining to John Denver 45's, as well as bring up even more questions, prompting you to even wonder if I have enough experience to write an article of this nature. Relax! I'm not an expert on 45's: I'm not even a seasoned collector, yet, but I can tell you that I, most definitely, am now starting to add John's 45's to my collection, and will continue to earnestly do so in the future. While browsing through one of Dallas' best local Record Shoppes for John Denver albums, a few weeks ago, I happened upon a very exciting discovery. It opened up my eyes to a new area of collecting in John's realm: 45's, or singles. Everyone, I guess, knows the standard story about singles. They're released by record companies as a general feeler to see how an album's going to be received by the public audience. Some are sent to radio stations as promos, while others are given out as gifts. Of course, the vast majority are sold in stores. If a single does really well, its a good indication that the company needs to start producing enough of the singer's albums, to meet the public's demand. In my visit, I learned a few things. For example, you can directly tell by the serialized numeric-stamp on the vinyl, just at the base of the paper label, whether the record was a first press, a second press, and what batch/machine it came off of. Here is what I have learned. To see what I'm talking about, take an album or single of your own, and position it so that you can read the numbers that are stamped on the inside of all the grooves, past the end of the song. That number contains information, that, among other things, allows you an idea of the relative age of the album. I learned that RCA treated all of John's albums this same way, although other record labels may not use this scheme. For example, I have "Please Daddy", a 45, with "Rocky Mountain Suite" on the flip side. If you'll look at the stamp on this record, it reads "APB0-0182A1". "APB0-0182" is RCA's number for the recording. "A" is Side 1, and "B" would be Side 2. The "1" further over is very important. It indicates what Press the record was. Therefore, I'm holding a first print single from the "Farewell Andromeda" album, Copyright 1973. (NOTE: From what I've gathered, the numbers may have also been machine lots in the same print. Apparently, for example, in a large run, such as the "Rocky Mountain High" single, four prints/presses were actually released in the first run, therefore, it is entirely possible to have a "--4s", on a RMH single, and still have a first run.) I bought the single for $1.50 (US). Last week, I heard from an author of a national, well-known record-collector's book that was just released. He succinctly stated that ANY single from the 1960's was worth as a general rule, $10.00 (US), and that the 1970's are also in a period of huge potential growth. In short, if you are a collector of JD Records, you'd better start your collection, now, if you haven't already, because they already are starting to appreciate. I'll be the first person to tell you that I don't collect John's albums to make a profit. I collect them because his voice and talent far exceeds money. However, the seventies are gone, and they aren't returning. To this date, RCA has not released all of John's albums onto CD. To think that they will in John's own lifetime is probably a long shot (although I'd love it if they did). All I'm stating is that, at this point, conditions are favorable to complete a collection of original, first-print editions of John Denver at prices that are virtually guaranteed to rise in the future. I don't believe that these conditions will last. I don't predict them to be this favorable ten years from now. Everyone knows some of the most sought-after albums: "Violets of Dawn", "Aerie", "Take Me To Tomorrow", and "Who's Garden Was This". To be honest, I've only seen one copy, ever, of "Who's Garden Was This", and I bought it, on the spot. Three weeks ago, while in a half-price used books and albums store, I ran across "An Evening With" for $2.99 (US). Looking inside, I found the original two records, plus "Aerie"! "Aerie" was in pristine condition, not even looking like it had ever been played. Right then, I figured things weren't going to get any better, in that store. I simply walked up to the counter, and bought that album. As a point in closing let me show you what I found for a total of $10.28 (US), at that Collectors' Record Store: FareWell Andromeda/Whiskey Basin Blues (1973) "A" First Print. Stereo $1.50 (US) Rocky Mountain High/Spring (1972) "3S" Stereo $1.50 (US) Rocky Mountain High/Spring (1972) "4S" Stereo $2.00 (US) Please, Daddy/Rocky Mountain Suite (1973) "1" First Print. Stereo $1.00 (US) The following are very special 45's that I have found, all at the same time, with the others. One side is the stereo version of the song, while the flip side has it in Mono. Also, the Record Numbers are prefixed with a "PB" in front of the catalog number, with the words "NOT FOR SALE". I guess these were promos or advance copies. Note: Press#'s on these are hand-written on the last letters, with signature-initials, as well. What's on your mind, from JD. 1979. Press 1. $1.00 (US) Autograph, from Autograph. 1980. Press 1. $1.50 (US) Love Again, From Greatest #3. MASTER DISK $1.00 (US) [Ed Note. OH MY GOD! I am not joking! The third one is REALLY stamped with MASTER DISK, into the vinyl!!!!!] Wow! I really wasn't expecting to see that last one! I was pulling each 45 out, and studying the numbers to enter in what printing each had, when I saw the words, MASTER DISK stamped into the vinyl. This is a good example of what you can find when you're least expecting it. So, as you can see, I found all of that for less than eleven dollars. I can bet that they're worth a little more than that, especially the last three I mentioned. In closing, I only want to say that I truly believe good deals on John's albums are out there, and that they will escalate in the future. It might be a good idea, now, to start listing what vinyl albums you are searching for, in case any fellow JD fans find them. Yours, Rory, :) ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R N O T E S ======================================= From: Emily Parris Subject: John Denver Memorabilia Rory Young's article about collecting 45's was very interesting. I like to go to thrift stores, flea markets and antique malls so I had collected a few 45's simply because they were too cheap to pass up, but I'll go back over and inspect my collection now to see what the codes are. Another item I found while perusing an antique store was a metal belt buckle that says "Rocky Mountain High," and it has a picture of mountains. I never knew such a thing existed. Have any of you found other John Denver memorabilia items that are of interest? ------------------------------------------------- From: "Grainger, Ron" Subject: CD's Hi Emily, I just received another cd from CD EUROPE called "John Denver's Greatest Hits Live". It is exactly the same as "An Evening With John Denver." It even omits the songs "Today" and "Boy from the Country". There is a nice picture on the front cover but I wanted to let the fans know that they more than likely already have this cd. Also, "Country Christmas" is the same as "Christmas Like A Lullaby". I also received my "Love Again" cd! This is a must for JD fans! I can't stop listening to it! Make sure you order it from International Disc. It is cheaper and takes a lot less time. This is without a doubt my favorite cd. It is just like being at one of his concerts! Peace, Ron ----------------------------------------------- I found this on afjd and couldn't resist... :-) From: Colleen Reck Subject: Rocky Mountain Thighs I would talk to John about my business proposition we spoke of-the John Denver exercise video, which I think should be appropriately "Rocky Mountain Thighs". Since Richard Simmons turns me off, who better to get me motivated than Mr. D. It could start off with John singing the title song as we work those legs, followed by "Shanks To You". Of course we could work the posterior while John sings "Aspenglow". The ladies could improve their bustline while John sings "I Head A Little Further South Each Year". I wonder what type of exercise attire he would wear? I know I'd buy several copies of this video. Of course, the ordering number would be toll-free, with a disclaimer that "you must be over 35 to order". Colleen -------------------------------------------------------- Subject: JD Albums - New Record Contract Recently there has only been one album of entirely new JD material - "Different Directions" released in 1991. There was the Wildlife CD released in 1995 with new arrangements of old songs and a couple of new songs. The Rocky Mountain Collection is another re-release. There is also a compilation CD from Europe which has a majority of his earlier songs on it. It's quite good. I just got information that he has signed a contract with Delta Records based out of Atlanta, GA. They will be re-releasing some of his earlier CD's formerly on Windstar Records - this includes "Higher Ground", "Different Directions" just to name a few. I have heard this will start in April 1997. This apparently does not include any new material - just re-releases.. I'm hopeful that some day we'll get a brand new CD - However, I won't hold my breath!!!!! Mary Ledford Pres/Editor - Rhymes & Reasons The Environmental Club for John Denver * Note from Emily - Here's the address for Delta Music: Delta Music, Inc. / 2500 Broadway Avenue, Suite 380 Santa Monica, CA 90404 / Ph 310/453-9504 / Fax 310/828-1435 ------------------------------------------------------- Subject: John and Pink Floyd??? From: Barb Thought you might find this interesting too.....I just purchased the Pink Floyd box set called "Shine On". Included is a book about the band, nice hardcover book with tons and tons of information and pictures. There is one picture of the band in about 1977, right after the release of their (excellent) album called "Animals." There in the picture is none other than Roger Waters wearing a T-shirt that has a photo of JOHN DENVER!!! It is the picture is the one that is on the very first JD Greatest Hits album...in his suede hat. Now...who'da thought that the main lyricist of Pink Floyd would have been a JD fan??!!! Wayyy cool!!! ------------------------------------------------------- Subject: (fwd) Latest UK CD Release Update From: John Thorogood I've just seen that the latest John Denver UK CD "The Rocky Mountain Collection" has entered the UK album charts at number: 22. ============================== P O E T R Y C O R N E R ============================== TREE OF LOVE by Michael Kurt Rose Love is the power To overcome all hate. Love is the answer, So why do we still wait? Everybody knows this, We all say its true So what's going on here? We have so much to do. I don't know why we must hate each other I can't comprehend how this can be. Why can't we all just love one another? After all we're branches on the same old tree. We're all the same beneath the skin We all need love and care. And at the rate we're going We'll end up cold and bare. I will give you comfort, I will give you love. We must work together To free the captured dove. I don't know why we can't love each other Couldn't we just love and let it be? Remember that no matter where one comes from We're each a branch upon the same old tree. (Copyright) Michael Kurt Rose May 4, 1996 Inspired by John Denver ENDFILE: ************************************************************* Rocky Mountain High: The John Denver Internet Fan Club emily@sky.net http://www.sky.net/~emily April 1997 * Issue #36 * Editor: Emily M. Parris *************************************************************