Customer Reviews

Harbor Lights Concert

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I had just rediscovered the music of John Denver when he died as the result of a plane crash. For a long time before then, I had considered his music "square" along with much of the rest of the world, but upon reevaluation, I found his pure sentiment and voice very compelling and clear-eyed. Having heard his wonderful "Wilderness Concert" on Sony Records, I was eager to hear this latest release, recorded the same year as the previous concert, but with a significantly different song lineup. Mr. Denver's voice grew richer with the years, and metamorphosed from the almost too-sweet clearness, gaining some roughness and character which helped him to reinterpret many of his standards, giving them needed weight. Mr. Denver is in particularly good voice the evening this was recorded, and easily connects with the small audience (about 5,000) who are appreciative but not intrusive. The song list includes songs from his early career ("Grandma's Feather Bed," "I Guess He'd Rather Be In Colorado," "Today," "Darcy Farrow,") as well as stunning later songs which were never heard by the general public: "Whispering Jesse," "Wild Montana Skies," and "For You." Also included as a bonus for fans are several songs which have not been released anyplace else: the traditional "El Paso," given a faithful reading here, a new song, the sardonic "Kissing You Goodbye" which was a swipe at the negligent Country Music Association, which had failed to embrace Mr. Denver's music, and the rare "Spanish Pipe Dream." A fine, enjoyable concert by the much-missed John Denver.

This is a wonderful CD! This CD truly captures what it was like going to see John Denver in concert. The sound quality is exceptional, making you feel like you have a front row seat. John really does sound like he was having one of those nights when everything clicked. John did have an amazing voice, and that night it was strong and clear, with emotion and passion. The other enjoyable aspects of his concerts was his ability to intimately connect and communicate with his audience, and I believe that intimacy is warmly evident.

The album includes some great live versions of songs that I never tire of hearing. But he also includes some rare gems, such as a wonderful cover of Marty Robbin's timeless classic "El Paso." The love song section is exceptionally gratifying with beautiful versions of "Shanghai Breezes," "For You," and "Annie's Song". But included here is a song that was never recorded prior to his untimely passing..."Kissing You Goodbye". This country flavored tune will really have you laughing along with the audience. The Harbor Lights Concert is a great homage to an entertainer, singer, songwriter who is surely missed. Thanks John!

This is an incredible concert. John had really hit his stride at this point in his life with his music. This show has a much different flavor than "The Wildlife Concert", another masterpiece which was recorded about 7 months earlier in the same year (1995). The reverb on his voice, whether it is from the sound of the expansive canopy above Boston's Harbor Lights Pavilion or whether it is an effect added at the soundboard, is at times almost haunting. It adds an entirely new dimension to songs like "I Guess He'd Rather Be In Colorado", "Today" and "Darcy Farrow", all of which are performed here with about as much finesse as one could possibly conceive. There is also tender playfulness to the show, as if John is just hanging out with a few close friends and the band is totally flowing and in sync. His love of the culture and music of the American West really shines through. This is a very touching album, sometimes wide open and full throttle ("Wild Montana Skies"), and sometimes achingly beautiful and sentimental ("For You"). "The Harbor Lights Concert" is a blast and a heartfelt conversation with the man himself all rolled into one. It is also a fitting tribute to a musical legend. A timeless and a perfect addition to any music lover's collection.

The LIVE recordings are so stunning when you hear John be himself. He loves the audience, he loves his music and he loves to sing from his soul. HARBOR LIGHTS is perhaps one of the most entertaining releases of all the concerts released. He is truly having fun and by 1995, his voice had matured so well he was in control.

HARBOR LIGHTS has all the great songs, but it has some new ones that some only heard in concert and not on any CD. EL PASO is a brilliant rendition of a classic and John has so much fun with it. And the moment when a jet flies over and John launches into LEAVING ON A JET PLANE, you can't help but feel his love for music.

HARBOR LIGHTS is a gift to us all and certainly will be a classic for all time. We can only hope MORE concerts are released as well as some concert videos. They're out there, we have to unlock the doors because John's music will live forever.

John Denver was the greatest songwriter of all time. His voice was gentle and peaceful. The voice he had was very comforting. This CD is one of my favorites because it captures the many sides of John Denver. It shows the heart and soul, the story teller, and the HUMOR!!! "Kissing You Goodbye" is the best country
song that was never played on country radio. John Denver was screwed over by Nashville and thrown to side. He was more country than anyone in country music today yet he is still cast away by Nashville. They need to put John Denver in the Country Hall of fame as well as the Rock hall of fame. Those stupids in Nashville need to wake up and realize how important John Denver was and still is to American music and country music! May the legacy live forever!!!

I own about 20 John Denver CDs and I prefer the recordings of live concerts to studio recordings. John Denver always seemed to have an enthusiasm and spark at concerts that was sometimes missing in studio recordings. Harbor Lights is a good example of this. In this concert, he was obviously relaxed, enjoying himself, and enjoying the audience. He talks and jokes with the audience, and tells the story behind two of his songs. This alone made the CD unique and enjoyable to me. The music selection has many standards, but also a few that I had not seen recorded before, such as El Paso, and Kissing You Goodbye. John's introduction to Kissing You Goodbye is funny, and his comments at the end of the song had me laughing out loud.
In short, if you want to feel that you are once more with John at one of his concerts, this is a terrific album - one that you will play often.
I hope that recordings of some of John's other live performances will be released, and soon.

I rediscovered John Denver's music just recently. This was one of the first albums I purchased, and I fell in love with it. The inclusion of songs not normally identified with John, such as "Today" and "El Paso", was inspired.

Something special happened on that stage that night. His performances of many of his most familiar songs are extraordinary. I found this recording of "Whispering Jesse" to be truly remarkable, transcending any other recorded version I have heard. The first time I played the album was the first time I had ever heard the song, and when it was finished, I had tears in my eyes, and the only word I could get out was "Wow!". What a wonderful, melancholy love song. It moves me every time I hear it. For me, this song alone is worth the price of the set.

John had really grown into a mature artist.I am disappointed that I never got to see him in concert, but very grateful for concert recordings like this one which capture the magic forever. This album is to be treasured.

I have attended many John Denver concerts in Ireland over the years.This recording at Harbour Lights brings it all back to me.
The athmosphere comes across as both intimate and electric.All
songs are superbly delivered by the maestro but his perfomance on
FOR YOU and TODAY are breathtaking.John holds THAT note in FOR YOU incredibly.He performs a brilliant rendition of EL PASO.All in all this is an awesome and wonderful memory of a jd concert and certainly not to be missed by any of his many fans.What a
legacy of song,music and memories John has left for us.Order this
cd ,you will have no regrets.
PEACE FROM IRELAND
COLM NELSON

This is IT! The ONE album to take with you on a deserted island. The rest of my collection hasn't even seen the light of day since this one floated in the door.

John has never been in better voice or better form. He was back in that playful, lighthearted mood that, sadly, was sometimes missing in other performances. The bantering with the audience was delightful, his stories a joy to hear. Everything clicked.

The band was the perfect middle ground between his early, simplistic sound and the middle years' highly-orchestrated sound. The reverb----something that on other artist's albums I've found irritating---was beautiful, giving his already rich and pure voice even more depth and character. Anything else sounds flat after hearing this. If anyone had told me in '76 that his voice would someday be this much better I would have said it was impossible.

As far as glitches in the sound: There's one bit of feedback that will make you cringe, but other than that there's nothing that doesn't just add to the "live" feeling.

Your feet will tap with "Foxfire Suite" and your heart will break with "Whispering Jesse". You'll soar with the "Eagles and Horses", and "For You" is just unbelievable (as he says himself, he's a "romantic old fart".) And you middle-aged gals like me will pee your pants laughing the first time you hear "Kissing You Goodbye", so go tinkle before it comes on. :)

If ever you can forget that he's gone, it will be while listening to this album. Slap on the earphones and run the family away. He's there, and you're there-----front row center.

The best.

Don't bother with all the other rehashes of what had ben recorded much earlier (the exception would be Celebration of Life, recorded shortly before his death). This live recording is John at his best, mature voice, banter with the audience, magic. I am a long time JD fan, but kind of quit listening to his music since his death, with this CD I'll listen again, with joy not sorrow. The music on this CD goes well beyond the familiar (the hits) and showcases the range of styles and his personality, the things that made his concerts so enjoyable. All I can say is if your interest runs beyond "the hits" buy this one you will never regret it! Beware for people who aren't JD fans but kind of like the music, this may very well turn you into a fan!