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 M A Y 1 9 9 7 V E E R http://www.sky.net/~emily Emily Parris emily@sky.net R ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TABLE OF CONTENTS May 1997 - Issue #37 New 5-cd Box Set from LasarLight Digital............1 Concert Schedule....................................2 Essay: Charles Cave - Sydney, Australia.............2 Concert Reviews: Honolulu, HI 4-5-97 by Charles White.............4 Stories: Ann Schnitz.......................................6 Francis Hammock...................................7 Poetry: "The Bard" - Michael W. Maguire...................7 "A New Friend" - Tim Aucoin.......................8 John Denver Notes...................................8 John Denver Want Ads...............................10 ============================================ The John Denver Collection - 5cd box set ============================================ "The John Denver Collection" is a 5-cd Box set which includes some of John's greatest hits. This is a complete compilation of John Denver's Windstar Recordings from LasarLight Digital. They are taken from the albums "Different Directions", "Higher Ground", "Earth Songs", "The Flower That Shattered The Stone", "Country Roads", plus two songs from the "Montana Christmas Skies" soundtrack. The selections were reassembled into a new, re-configured box set; always maintaining a sound quality which meets the highest standards. All packaging has been graphically redesigned and enhanced with liner notes. Available soon from Delta Music: $29.99 plus shipping Delta Music (213) 453-9504 http://www.deltamusic.com ============================================ JOHN DENVER CONCERT SCHEDULE ============================================ May 16, 17 1997 Civic Arts Plaza - Thousand Oaks, CA May 23 - 25 1997 Cerritos Center - Cerritos, CA June 21, 1997 Konocti Harbor Resort - Kelseyville, CA June 22, 1997 Villa Montalvo Arts - Saratoga, CA June 24, 1997 Wente Bros Winery - Livermore, CA June 26-27, 1997 Britt Festivals - Jacksonville, OR July 24, 1997 No. Shore Music Theatre - Beverly, MA July 26, 1997 Cape Cod Music Tent - Hyannis, MA July 27, 1997 South Shore Music Circus - Cohasset, MA July 30, 1997 Wolftrap - Vienna, VA July 31, 1997 PNC - Holmdel, NJ Aug 1, 1997 Oakdale Theatre - Wallingford, CT Aug 2-3, 1997 Finger Lakes - Canandaigua, NY Sept. 20, 1997 Baltimore Arena - Baltimore, MD Sept 26-28, 1997 Jones Hall - Houston, TX Nov 1, 1997 Toronto, Canada (venue unknown) Feb 4, 1998 Ritz Carlton Hotel - Aspen, CO May 15-16, 1998 Weekender Pops - Minneapolis, MN John will be touring Australia in October or November. For more detailed info write "emily@sky.net" and ask for "concert.txt" or see http://www.sky.net/~emily/concert.txt ========================================================== How I Got To Like the Music of John Denver by Charles Cave Sydney, Australia I was vaguely aware of John Denver's songs on the radio throughout the 1970's. In the summer of 1975, immediately following the completion of my end of year school exams, I heard John Denver's "Greatest Hits" album at the house of a friend named Sharon. She had also finished school and was playing the song SUNSHINE ON MY SHOULDERS, which she described as a"feel-good" song. It was an appropriate song for the time of year - in a hot Sydney summer month of December. We had finished school, and were enjoying a few months of freedom before starting tertiary education. I made a cassette recording of the record and played it from time to time. The other song I enjoyed from the album was LEAVING ON A JET PLANE which I knew from the recording of Peter, Paul and Mary. I remember a school friend who had the double album of John Denver at the Sydney Opera House (recorded around 1973), but at the time I didn't think John Denver was a fashionable artist or suitable for male audiences! A month later, under the hypnotic influence of Sharon (I had associated her with John Denver, but she slipped away into another group of friends), I purchased John's then latest album WINDSONG. The songs weren't as powerful, but my favourites would be CALYPSO and FLY AWAY, which I now have on the John Denver Favourites CD. The Windsong album is now too scratched and worn-out to be played, but at least I have the lyrics on the cover. During my university days, I borrowed the album BACK HOME AGAIN which contained the famous ANNIE'S SONG. My favourites from the album were the haunting MATTHEW and the banjo/fiddle very-American GRANDMA'S FEATHER BED and THANK GOD I'M A COUNTRY BOY. The pinnacle of songwriting on this album is the spiritually uplifting SWEET SURRENDER. During the late 1980s, I had a cursory interest in the New Age movement, and read some New Age newspapers in an attempt to find spiritual enlightenment. Articles mentioned the Windstar foundation, John Denver, Werner Erhardt, EST, Forum, Buckminster Fuller, New Age retreats and so on. Around this time, compact disc players were selling rapidly, and a friend from the office was busily buying CDs while I was busily borrowing! I listened to another "Greatest hits" CD and recorded a few of the songs. The favourite of these was the beautiful PERHAPS LOVE - a duet with Placido Domingo, the world's greatest tenor! "Perhaps Love"is exquisitely crafted and a true classic of romantic song. I am particularly impressed with the effective combination of their voices - the gentle and the powerful. Other songs from this disk included Shanghai Breezes and Some Days are Diamonds. In 1990 I started work for a software company with headquarters in Denver, Colorado. I traveled there in March for a period of four weeks training, and in my spare time I spent a lot of money on compact discs which are considerable cheaper than Australia. Considering I had flown from Los Angeles to Denver and was a temporary resident in Denver, I decided to buy a CD of the Greatest Hits album. The lyrics of STARWOOD IN ASPEN took on new meaning, as I had flown from LA to Denver and agreed that it was a a long time to hang in the sky, but nowhere near the 13 hours from Sydney to LA! In May 1994, I was sitting next to a woman on a flight from LA to Denver. She was very extroverted and excited because she was moving house to Aspen. It turned out that she used to work for Rockwell in California in the group that attached the heat-resistant tiles to the Space Shuttle. This was of great interest to me as I am very interested in the space program and the activities of NASA. We talked a lot, especially on the subject of the Challenger explosion. She was also a great fan of John Denver, and she told me about the song FLYING FOR ME, which I had to have. I purchased a copy of ONE WORLD just for the song, and I was not disappointed. John's autobiography TAKE ME HOME published in 1995 was a must read book for me, and I found it in a local library. Around that time, I watched an interview with John who was in Australia at the time. The interview was reasonably interesting, but what I enjoyed most were the scenic backgrounds of the Rocky Mountains and the Aspen area.I felt homesick for my Rocky Mountain retreat! Last year I was browsing in a second-hand record and book shop and found the record of HIGHER GROUND for $2.50. What a bargain! I had no trouble spending this small amount of money to hear some more John Denver songs. This album was recorded in the time of John's marriage to an Australian singer, and many of the songs have a distinctly Australian content, in particular, SING AUSTRALIA. The printed lyrics on the album contain an extraordinary number of spelling errors showing ignorance of the Australian content. I don't expect everyone to spell Didgeridoo, but at least some proof-reading could have done. I have visited Denver four times now, and taken a weekend trip to Aspen, Snowmass, Vail, Glenwood Springs and Breckenridge ski resorts. The Rocky Mountains are one of the most beautiful places I have visited on this earth, and the ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH song has become my hymn of praise for this special part of the planet. What's important for me is the music, the singing and the lyrics. I tend to separate the life of an artist from his works, but some biographical information is usually helpful to place the artistic works in context. Charles Cave Sydney, Australia Email: charles@jolt.mpx.com.au - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Charlie D. White Subject: John Denver in Hawaii Review of John's concert at the Waikiki Shell Amphitheater for April 5, 1997 on Oahu, Hawaii: The Waikiki Shell is an outdoor amphitheater with both row and lawn seating. The shell is home to the Honolulu Symphony and this night featured Stuart Chafetz as the conductor who would open for John. I'm unsure of the seating capacity but would estimate about 5 to 7 thousand. Whatever it was, it was full. There wasn't an empty seat in the house and that included the lawn section. The evening began with just a light rain which didn't seem to dampen the spirits of anyone there, after all where else in the world would you rather be rained on? . The symphony began with an overture to Russian and Ludmilla and followed with selections from Carmen and Phantom of the Opera, They then ended with a Star Wars Medley. A short intermission took place and then John took the stage with of course Lee Holdridge. He said Aloha! announced Mr. Holdridge and said he'd announce the rest of his band if they played good. He also announced the Honolulu Orchestra and said his intention was to allow them to showcase their abilities...He then began and started with: Rocky Mountain High, followed in quick succession by Take Me Home Country Roads, Back Home Again and Grandma's Feather Bed. At this point he paused to express his appreciation for everyone for enduring the rain and coming out to see him. He also voiced his appreciation for the Hawaiian Islands and it's people. This led him into Children of the Universe, and for the first time on stage..Islands, Then Eagles and Horses. Here he stopped and told us about his home in Colorado, that it used to be a hunting lodge which was often frequented by Teddy Roosevelt. He also told us about the dream that led him to write his next selection: Whispering Jesse, then came: Foxfire Suite, Whisper the Wind..he pauses announces his next song and calls for Olivia... no response, darn, he says he keeps hoping, anyway we get to sing her part. We all sounded pretty good singing: Fly away. He then introduced his band members and again acknowledged the Orchestra and said that whenever he got to play with an orchestra he liked to sing love songs so that's just what he was going to do. He started with: Dreamland Express, followed by I'm Sorry, Shanghai Breezes, It's a Sin To Tell a Lie, Is it Love?, and For You. Here he paused to tell the audience of his love for country music and growing up with country music, and how you could tell a country song just by the title. So in honor of the country song he had written his own country tune that he would now sing: Get your Tongue Out of My Mouth, Cause I'm Kissing You Goodbye. The audience cracked up... (I still like Toledo Ohio better) At this point he got serious again and just as it started to rain harder he finished with: Annie's song, and: Calypso. It was now pouring, John had left the stage.. and.... not one person moved, except to stand and clap. He didn't keep us waiting long (maybe it was the rain and he felt sorry for us) but he was back it less than 15 seconds, said that since we stayed he'd just play all night and he still had over 240 songs to sing.. crowd cheers, he finishes with: Perhaps Love. He leaves again. The house lights come up and the show is over, people were invited back stage, but since my wife and I was soaked through to the bone we opted for the car and our hotel room, I knew I'd soon get another chance to see him anyway........Personal thoughts: It had been 20 years since I had last seen John live in concert, so I had some comparing to do. His stage presence was the same, from the 16th row he hadn't aged a bit, The high notes were maybe not quite as high and he didn't seem to push his voice as hard as he once did, but he didn't need to, his voice was deeper, richer, and smoother, and he could still belt one when he had to and proved it with Annie's Song and Calypso. The overall tone of the music was mellow and the concert seemed slightly hurried (the rain perhaps?), and of course it was too short. Still there nothing like being at a John Denver Concert. He took 20 years off my life in an instant as soon as he started playing. 26 years ago he was the first to dredge up an emotion born of song from inside me and he gave to me my love for music. I think my appreciation for John's music and talent runs even deeper than before. He still has that spark, the one that touches my soul. The Next day: ...another chance I had learned from the concierge at our hotel that The mayor of Waikiki and John were going to shoot a commercial just down the street from our hotel on Magic Island (a peninsula really) for the "Clean up the reef campaign" that the Islands were beginning. So we watched as he and John rehearsed and shot the different scenes. At one point the Mayor bends down to pick up a discarded cup from the ground while John speaks his lines, He got his exercise for the day bending over and picking up that same cup cause John blew his lines 7 or 8 times. A soft "dammit" was heard coming from John after flubbing his lines for the 5th time, and chuckles were heard. I think one even came from me. Everyone was in good spirits though and the scenes had to be constantly reshot because of a boat or plane passing close by. The wind was also a problem. At one point the camera man told John that his bright blue shirt was causing a good bit of noise on the camera, John apologized, The camera man asked him if he would take it off, no reply from John (I really don't think he heard him... the wind you know.) My wife and I watched for about an hour but then had to leave for the airport. That was hard having to leave John and Hawaii at the same time. I got a couple of shots of him with my camera but nothing too close. I'll have some BMP images available soon. If anyone wants them I'll gladly e-mail them. Charlie White - Huntsville, AL ----------------------------------------------------------- ========================================= J O H N D E N V E R S T O R I E S ========================================= From: Ann Schnitz Subject: JD Story One of my favorite memories, in all my years of devoted Denverdom, is the time I was able to go backstage at the Garden State Arts Center in New Jersey in 1986 and John actually sang to me! My friend Diana and I got the passes from the late Mark Stern. A few minutes after all of us were assembled in the conference room backstage, John came in with his brother Ron (who looks a bit like John -- but not quite!). He made a circuit of the room, chatted with everyone, had a cute interaction with some children, stole a piece of melon from the platter on the table and then he got to us. We were there with some fan club friends and had a fundraiser for Windstar that night, so we presented John with the check -- and he was told not to lose it, which apparently happened once before with a check that ended up in the laundry! One of the club officers showed John a copy of their most recent newsletter which contained the words to Annie's Song in German (it was during the time that he was singing a verse in the language of the country he was in). So he hopped up and sat on the conference table, right next to where I was leaning, and began singing it to me from off the newsletter he was holding! You can only imagine my reaction. John didn't know that my name is Ann and that I can speak German. In his words, "it blew me away". A while later, when we all had to leave, he hugged each of us, and when it was my turn, he hugged me so hard I couldn't breathe for a second. Really funny was what happened when he hugged Diana, who is a "large woman" -- John's words for a certain aunt of his. He took one look at her and blurted out, "Aunt Lou!". We laughed all the way home about that one! It was the second time I'd gotten to meet John, but certainly the best. I'll never forget it. ------------------------------------------------------ From: "Francis C. Hammock Jr." My years as a devout fan have enabled me to become in "tune" with his music and the meanings that lie deep within their cords of existence. John Denver touches the souls of those who can truly listen and understand, who have a special ability to feel and sense the earth and the meaning of our being. His songs are clean and pure, and carry no theme of odd abstractions of pain or anguish as most of your contemporary country music songs naturally do. Any anguish in John's music is very real and of truth. I value his words and his strength for continuing the battle of environmental change for the good of all mankind. I struggle in my own way to help, as we all do. I pray he is able to endure and provoke change in those who have the power to make it so. I pray it all happens before it is to late. I am glad he is with us, making an effort in a clean-spirited way through words and song, and no violence. God bless John Denver and his peace, God bless us all. May we one day live in perfect harmony with our brothers and sisters who live here with us, on Planet Earth. Take care and God bless. Frank -------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<< POETRY CORNER >>>>>>>>>>> The Bard (A Tribute to John Denver) by Michael W. Maguire The Bard, the dreamer, the singer of songs About treasures far better than gold Free for the taking for all So we are told..... The Bard, the dreamer, the lover of children And all who are willing to give The Bard sang songs about life And how we should live Copyright 1992 by Michael W. Maguire http://www.grapenet.com/magfly/songs.htm A NEW FRIEND by Tim Aucoin The sun gives life from far above, And you from far away. A friend I've found, yet never lost, A friend who's here to stay. Distance has no meaning when It's friendship from the heart. And though we've never really met, We've never been apart. We share so much in who we are, We share some special songs. You seem to dream a kind of dream; A dream where friends belong. There's hope in every word we share, In every song we sing. There's hope of good friends hanging on Through what this life will bring Copyright Tim Aucoin, 1996 Cold Nights In Canada http://www.cadvision.com/timco/denver ============================================== J O H N D E N V E R N O T E S ============================================== From: Amanda I recently bought a copy of country artist John Berry's cd "Fences." On the inside cover of his cd, he credits John Denver as one of his musical influences! I knew there had to be a good why I like John Berry' s music! **Amanda** ---------------------------------------------------- Paul Marley....on the "Claim to Fame" www site: Contact date: 1991 Place: Newport, RI Nature of Brush: "Ay, Calypso, matey. I was working as first mate on a charter sailboat in Newport, RI , July 1991. The singer John Denver hired out the boat for half a day to sail around and watch some boat races. He brought with him his son Zack, his sound engineer, Steve and two female model types. Once all were aboard and we had gotten out into the bay John, an experienced sailor, took the helm. We sailed to where the races were being held and all but joined into the race as we sailed so close, even pissing off one of the racers. After lunch we engaged another large sailboat in an intense windward tacking dual with John again at the helm. We won the day in a very handy fashion. I had the pleasure of working one of the "grinder" winches with one of the girls. John and his entourage were very nice and everybody mingled easily. John did enjoy a number of St. Paulie Girl beers remaining very cool the whole time. He also tipped well". --------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Different Covers on the album "Beginnings" ** Newsgroup: alt.fan.john-denver ** Debbie wrote in article... Hi All, Today I found two copies of "Beginnings" by The Mitchell Trio. The cover of each one was different. One had the scene of the mountains and water, and the other one was nothing but John's face; kind of formed by dots in a flesh color. I have seen the water cover but not the other. Is anyone familiar with this one ? Does anyone know the story why there are two different covers ? Thanks, Debbie From: Tim Aucoin The cover with the water & mountains was the original release of the album. I think it was released before John was very well known, thus it was titled "Beginnings - The Mitchell Trio featuring John Denver". The other cover (John's face with the stipple effect) was the second release of the album after John had become much better known in his solo career. It was then titled JOHN DENVER & The Mitchell Trio - Beginnings. He got top billing on the second release! ----------------------------------------------------------- From: Pat Palka Subject: JD/song of the century There is a sweepstakes on the Internet called the Song of the Century. It is at http://www.songofthecentury.com/main.html They want you to vote for your favorite songs/artists. You can vote as many times as you want, but only once for each song you listed. Check it out. I thought we could try to get one of John's songs in there, with enough votes to at least get him in the top 100. It seems like there will be a TV special in a few years to award the artist, plus grand prize is a trip to the awards. You can enter a vote by mail also. ----------------------------------------- From: Katie Leland Subject: TV Listings Hi! While searching the web to help my daughter with a research project I stumbled across another search program for tv listings. This one is similar to the TV Guide one, but is supposed to list all programs and channels. The web site is . Katie ----------------------------------------- From: "Christine Moon" Subject: Has anyone ever seen Starwood? (in Aspen, CO) Newsgroups: alt.fan.john-denver If you visit the mapquest site http://www.mapquest.com/cgi-bin/mqtrip?screen=mqhome&link=tq_p age&uid=30aa6x0180erdgx and enter an address in Aspen (Main Street will do) and Starwood as destination, it will give directions and a map. I haven't tested the accuracy, but plan to when I go there in September.--Peace, Christine =================================================== JOHN DENVER W A N T A D S / F O R S A L E =================================================== From: Belle Davis / 1445 Bett Level Road Dawson Springs, KY 42408 I have all the old shows & clips of JD on video - over 150 hours full. I will sell or trade 4 hours of video for $12.00. For a list I ask to send an SASE. Also audio & lps. ---------------------------------------------------------- From: Robert Dennis <1709 Bunting Lane / Edmond, OK 73034> Recently, I have tried in vain to find the sheet music to John's album "Higher Ground." I am in hopes that someone in the fan club might have the sheet music to "All This Joy" and "Falling Leaves" which are songs within the album HG. ----------------------------------------------------- From: W. W. Jones Subject: JD and the Mitchell Trio I am looking for any records or tapes of the Mitchell Trio. There are apparently four albums that were made by JD and the Mitchell Trio before they broke up. I'm hoping some of the newsletter readers might at least have the vinyls that could either be sold or copies be made on tape for a small fee. Thanks for the help. (505) 343-1060 ----------------------------------------------------------- From: Frank Schiro Subject: "Aerie" Emily,>> Perhaps you may be able to give me some help on finding an older John Denver album. One of my favorites of John's was "Aerie". I have always loved the songs on this particular album. ENDFILE ********************************************************* Rocky Mountain High: The John Denver Internet Fan Club emily@sky.net http://www.sky.net/~emily May 1997 - - - Issue #37 *********************************************************