Live Albums

 An Evening with John Denver was his first live album recorded in 1974.  The versions of the songs we sang at the funeral came from the live album because it had orchestra accompaniment.  And this album is heralded as the best live album he did.  And I can see and hear why.

Later in his career John Denver got way too preachy about the planet and politics during his concerts.  Over the last 2 days I've been listening to a lot of the albums my Dad gave me.  Listening to the later stuff, John Denver turned into John Kerry ranting about the environment, destruction of the planet and the politics of war.  Whatever.

Which is why this 1974 album is so great.  In reading the liner notes, it seems that 1974 was when John hit it "big" after a start about 5 years earlier in 1969 and gradually becoming a solo artist for RCA records.  1974 - you can hear the amazement in his voice of playing in front of 35,000 people.  The purity in his lyrics,  The innocence in his voice and the honesty and sincerity in what he sang about.  It is a stellar album absent of the disgruntled tree hugger he turned into when he was boozing it up, flying around in airplanes and using his celebrity status to preach to the rest of us.  I didn't like it then and I despise that practice now.

I remember listening to this album with my parents a lot in the mid 70s - early 80s while I was growing up hearing it in the living room when we moved to Texas in 1975.  My mom was always so happy when listening to John Denver.  I can see her smile and warmth radiating when she was humming along to a lot of the songs in this particular album...  My Mom connected with John Denver on a fundamental level; much the same way I do with John Williams.  But John Denver's affect on my Mom...  I can still see the smile on her face and the sun shining into our living room.  My Mom humming along was oh so sweet because she was so happy.  Transported to a place of complete serenity. 

As my Mom was dying, my Dad and I had the discussion of what to do with her body - bury, cremation or what..  it was awkward as I listened to some of his ideas - I don't even remember what they were.  I don't think I heard a word he said.  I told him what I was thinking.  Cremation and placed in an urn until he dies.  Once his time here ends, he will be cremated.  My sister and I will take them to Colorado and scatter their ashes.  I suggested the John Denver wild life center...  He started crying and thought that was a wonderful idea.  So he and my Mom will get one last trip to Colorado where their remains will be spread.  I think it is most fitting.