Whose Garden Was This [Import]

John Denver | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 4, 1997)
• Format: Import
• Label: Pid
• ASIN: B000005KAV
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,025,929 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

1997 Japanese reissue on RCA of the late singer/songwriter's 1970 album for the label, feautring 20 bit K2Mastering & Laser Cutting. 11 tracks, including 'Tremble IfYou Must' and 'Sail Away Home'. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An overlooked contribution..., May 30, 2006

By 

The Professor (Dayton OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Whose Garden Was This (Audio CD)

I could not help but write this review in response to the 2 existing reviews. Yes there is a seriousness to this album that is somewhat uncharacteristic of the John Denver that became famous, but this is an extremely important work in the progression of his career. The artist at this point is a mid-twenties up and coming folksinger (this is the predecessor of his breakout, Poems, Prayers, & Promises). Whose Garden Was This establishes Denver's mastery of covers (Lennon/McCartney, Tom Paxton, etc.) with some fairly interesting arrrangements of Eleanor Rigby, Mr Bojangles (I do agree with the one reviewer that this one is better than the NGDB's version and would add that this is the definitive version of this song), etc. The originals are strong as well. Sail Away Home is appropriately dark, but not without optimism. Yes the high-voiced female singers were a bit much, but a sign of the times. The song is timeless and with some updated production would sound as if it were written yesterday. Yes if you are looking for later day John Denver (that singer who enjoyed great commercial success at the cost of becoming a caricature of himself), don't buy this album. If, on the other hand, you want a glimpse of a young artist genuinely exploring his singing, poetry, and developing social/environmental consciousness, get this album. Then make certain you put this, Aerie (probably his best), and Farewell Andromeda right alongside Poems, Prayers, & Promises and Rocky Mountain High. These albums are John Denver... at his artistic best.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the truely best of john denver, March 11, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Whose Garden Was This (Audio CD)

I had this recording as an album a hundred years ago and of all John Denver's music this is his best collection. It is reflective and relevant. J.D. before the "sinatra" phase. I can't understand why it hasn't been re-released.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent performances in this recording, May 14, 2010

By 

Charles - Music Lover (Phoenix, AZ, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Whose Garden Was This (Audio CD)

"Whose Garden Was This" seems to be a little-known recording in John Denver's overall output. This strikes me as a shame, because the recording is a top-notch collection. What this recording lacks in polish it makes up for in authenticity.

Denver sounds looser in his interpretations of folk-rock standards on this album than he did in later releases (I estimate that I've heard about half of his recordings). One writer called "Mr. Bojangles" a definitive recording of the song and I heartily agree. His interpretations of "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" and "Eleanor Rigby" are also striking.

For those who haven't heard "Whose Garden Was This," you are definitely in for a surprise. Released in 1970 before Denver rocketed to super-stardom, you hear an artist unburdened with commercial constraints.