Customer Reviews

Aerie

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Critics panned this album as too short, too sweet. But perhaps that's its charm - this 1972 album truly is short and sweet. Aerie cemented Denver's status as a pop-folk star, with such hits as "Starwood in Aspen" and "Friends". In those days, his music was essentially performed by a trio - Mike Taylor and Dick Kniss on acoustic guitar and upright bass, and Denver picking his big Guild guitars (he was highly under-rated as a player), but this LP was fortified by the sounds of bluegrass musician Eric Weissberg and harmonica virtuoso Toots Thielman, plus some other drop-in friends.

Oddly, this beautifully melancholy album has never been released on CD in the US. It took me 3 years to find a Japanese copy; expensive but well worth it. To a true John Denver fan, Aerie is the holy grail.

WOW! Definitely worth every cent I spent! I had been hunting down this CD for years, in every avenue I could think of, and was THRILLED to find it finally on amazon. This was my first exposure to John Denver many years ago, and I agree it's his best effort! Having treasured the album for decades, I am amazed that I'd forgotten how many beautiful songs are on this one. Can't name a favorite, but I'd say Eagle and Hawk, along with Readjustment Blues and All of My Memories are right up in the top three! Any true Denver fan has to own this!
Treat yourself for Christmas! That's what I did...:-)

Having this CD, I can say that it is a wonderful John Denver classic. Being a huge fan of John Denver, I would pick this to be a favorite of all of my John Denver music collection. The Eagle and the Hawk is a wonderful treasure for any Denver fan and for this cd. There is at least one or two political songs on this album to even everything out.

"I am the eagle I live in high country, in rocky catherdals that reach to the sky.

I am the Hawk and there's blood on my feathers But time is still turning, they soon will be dry.

And all those who see me, and all who believe in me share in the freedom I feel when I fly."

The piano at the end of this song make the whole album. Awesome work. Denver was anything but shallow. His lyrics and songs will live in our hearts forever.

Before he was famous, before he was a household name, John Denver was trying to make name for himself. Included in this compilation were songs that spoke to a generation. Anti-war and anti-establishment, these songs found meaning to the disenfranchised. "Casey's Last Ride" and "Spanish Pipe Dream" were songs I was too young to fully understand, at the time, but totally appreciated as I've become "older." While these songs are not only a part of history, they reinforce the ideals of that generation that I was at the tail end of. I truly believe this is one of his greatest albums. While he may not have written many of the songs included in this album, he gives due credit to the likes of Kris Kristofferson and Tom Paxton by singing their songs with feeling and understanding. The songs that are written by Denver, such as "Eagle and the Hawk," are truly inspirational and give a hint to his future prowess as a singer and songwriter. I'd recommend this "album" to anyone who's willing to listen to a John Denver before he became a commercial success.

John Denver's love of the West is center-stage on this project, starting with a tribute to his new home in the Rockies, "Starwood In Aspen." This original version, with its mournfully sweet harmonica solo, is much more authentic than the somewhat over-produced rendition on the Greatest Hits album. There are several cuts with that same wide-open, solitary feel about them, so perfectly in keeping with the West itself. Standout tracks include "Friends With You", "The Eagle & The Hawk", and "All Of My Memories." I usually skip "Re-adjustment Blues", a Vietnam-era piece that has lost its relevance, and "She Won't Let Me Fly Away", another blues number that just doesn't appeal to me. Over all, a great album for camping or travelling.

Before he was famous, before he was a household name, John Denver was trying to make name for himself. Included in this compilation were songs that spoke to a generation. Anti-war and anti-estasblishment, these songs found meaning to the disenfranchised. "Casey's Last Ride" and "Spanish Pipe Dream" were songs I was too young to fully understand, at the time, but totally appreciated as I've become "older." While these songs are not only a part of history, they only reinforce the ideals of that generation that I was at the tail end of. I truly believe this is one of his greatest albums. While he may not have written many of the songs included in this album, he gives due credit to the likes of Kris Kristofferson and Tom Paxton by singing their songs with feeling and understanding. The songs that are written by Denver, such as "Eagle and the Hawk," are truly inspirational and give a hint to his future prowess as a singer and songwriter. I'd recommend this "album" to anyone who's willing to listen to a John Denver before he became a commercial success.

I have always enjoyed the music and writtings of Mr. Denver. This particular album/cassett came along in a part of my life when I was really searching for answers and reasons for my prayers, most of the songs in this group provided help and answers for my direction

This John Denver album from 1972 is one of his finest; it contains my favorite John Denver song "Starwood in Aspen," and "The Eagle and the Hawk" is also quite spectacular. The songs on this album, along with John Denver's other early albums, are characterized by strong acoustic guitar playing, and this particular album also features some bluegrass sound as well as lovely harmonica work. "All of My Memories" is a John Denver hidden gem, which is reason enough to get the album. This album desperately needs to be released as a cd, and can only be found as an import from Japan, or otherwise a vinyl.

Before he was famous, before he was a household name, John Denver was trying to make name for himself. Included in this compilation were songs that spoke to a generation. Anti-war and anti-establishment, these songs found meaning to the disenfranchised. "Casey's Last Ride" and "Spanish Pipe Dream" were songs I was too young to fully understand, at the time, but totally appreciated as I've become "older." While these songs are not only a part of history, they only reinforce the ideals of that generation that I was at the tail end of. I truly believe this is one of his greatest albums. While he may not have written many of the songs included in this album, he gives due credit to the likes of Kris Kristofferson and Tom Paxton by singing their songs with feeling and understanding. The songs that are written by Denver, such as "Eagle and the Hawk," are truly inspirational and give a hint to his future prowess as a singer and songwriter. I'd recommend this "album" to anyone who's willing to listen to a John Denver before he became a commercial success.