Relative newcomer John Denver -- his work with the Chad Mitchell Trio notwithstanding -- released his debut in 1969 to a relatively empty room. It wasn't until Peter, Paul & Mary took the singer/songwriter's "Leaving, on a Jet Plane" to the top of the charts later in the year that he began his ascent from fresh-faced folkie to America's best-selling recording artist in 1974. While the producers did their best to position Denver away from the dwindling folk scene by incorporating lush orchestrations and murky backing vocals, there was absolutely no way that they could remove the artist's heartfelt delivery and gentle disposition. RCA tested the waters by filling Rhymes & Reasons with reliable covers like "When I'm Sixty-Four" and "The Love of the Common People," but it's the four Denver originals that caught the ears and hearts of what would eventually become a gargantuan fan base. The sweet, soft, and ferociously earnest title track, the whimsical "Daydream," "Circus," and the formidable "Jet Plane" -- the latter was originally called "Oh Babe I Hate to Go" -- were indicative of what was to come, and while the other tracks are amiable enough and expertly produced, they're just window dressing that, when removed, reveals the true garden in the making. ~ James Christopher Monger
Includes two bonus tracks.
Personnel: John Denver (vocals, guitar); John Denver; Russ Savakus (violin, bass guitar); George Ockner, Sylvan Shulman (violin); George Marge (flute, English horn, baritone saxophone, horns); Johnny Glasel (flute, trumpet); Richard Berg, Albert Richmond (French horn); Richard Romoff (bass guitar); Paul Prestopino (guitar, mandolin); Max Pollikoff (violin); Marvin Stamm (flute, trumpet); Ray Alonze (French horn); Stan Free, Paul Griffin (piano, organ); Todd Sommer, Herb Lovelle (drums).
Recording information: RCA's Studio A and B, NY (05/09/1969-06/10/1969).
John Denver's best This is the only collection that contains the song "I wish I knew how (it would feel to be free)". I have had that song in my heart since my youth and it is such a joy to hear it again. Submitted by babsywolf (Corpus Christi, TX) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Excellent Some of his best stuff. Submitted by skyywalker (Simi Valley, CA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
This was the official beginning for his solo career! "Rhymes And Reasons", John Denver's first official solo album after leaving the last remnants of the Mitchell Trio (last called "Denver, Boise, & Johnson), marked the start of what was to be a stellar career, altogether cut too short in October, 1997 by an airplane accident. This first album of John's was truly a preview of coming attractions, although this release, plus the two that followed it, were largely ignored until after "Take Me Home, Country Roads" became his emblematic theme song a couple of years later. Still, his first major songwriting success, "Leaving, On A Jet Plane", is showcased here, along with his lovely "Daydream" (his first single for RCA, by the way) and a host of cover songs, including the Lennon-McCartney toe-tapper, "When I'm 64" and the gospelish "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free". The title song, for my money, has always been my favorite Denver composition on sentiment alone, and I look upon this album's domestic release as long overdue. Many thanks to RCA for correcting this oversight. Submitted by sngwrtr525 (Charlottesville, VA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
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