John Denver "Around The World Live" (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
John Denver certainly wasn’t bluegrass in the pure sense. But had some production values been different, several of his songs would have fit the genre, especially in today’s almost-anything-goes market. In fact, some of today’s bluegrass bands are doing covers of Denver material.
So, it stands to reason that a new five-DVD set, released by Eagle Rock Entertainment, might appeal to the bluegrass crowd. The release of Rocky Mountain High: Live In Japan on DVD and Around The World Live celebrates the life and immeasurable influence of this popular artist.
Denver, according to Eagle Rock’s PR department, “was a rare combination: an exemplary songwriter, gifted performer and unwavering philanthropist. His peaceful vision and generous spirit permeated into every aspect of his work, touching fans all over the world.
“Selling over 40 million albums worldwide, Denver’s music has acquired him two Grammys, three American Music Awards, two Country Music Awards, and an Emmy, as well as an induction into the Songwriter’s Hall Of Fame. It was his devotion to environmental and humanitarian issues that stratified him from music mainstay to cultural icon before his passing in a 1997 plane crash.”
The first three discs of Around The World Live are comprised of live performances from Australia in 1977, Japan in 1981, and England in 1986, complete with bonus tracks. Disc 4 complements the collection with a 1984 Japanese solo acoustic set, as well as a sprinkling of Farm Aid performances from 1985, 1987, and 1990.
John Denver performs Rocky Mountain High. From the upcoming John Denver box set, “John Denver Around the World.”
The final disc digs a bit deeper with two documentaries, each running two hours. One is an Earth Day program from 1990, and the other is a 1972 special about Bighorn sheep, which reside in Denver’s beloved Rocky Mountains. This restored footage was produced by Barry Ehrmann of Enliven Entertainment, who also produced ZZ Top’s Live From Texas DVD and Jason Aldean’s Wide Open Live & More DVD.
“I was delighted to work with Eagle Rock on the production of this box set, as they share my vision of meticulous values that resulted in the pristine restoration of this treasured footage from the prime of John’s career” said Ehrmann. “This box set is a wonderful tribute to the legacy of John Denver.”
Disc 2 of Around The World Live will be sold separately as Rocky Mountain High: Live In Japan, which captures one of his seven shows from this Japanese tour in 1981. It includes four of his five No. 1 hits: “Annie’s Song,” “Calypso,” “Sunshine on My Shoulders,” and “Thank God I’m A Country Boy.”