DENVER, JOHN

Listeners acquainted with the John Denver of "Rocky Mountain High" and "Sunshine on My Shoulders" may be surprised to discover a slightly more gritty folkster in some of these album cuts. Kris Kristofferson's "Casey's Last Ride" is delivered as a spare, ghostly lament, while "She Won't Let Me Fly Away" has a bluesy, urban feel. "Readjustment Blues" is a sobering account of the unwelcome treatment experienced by soldiers returning home from the Vietnam War, and is highlighted by Paul Griffin's haunting organ playing. However, Denver's trademark uplifting nature-oriented songs make up a good half of the tracks. The soaring "The Eagle and the Hawk," in fact, is the centerpiece of the album. Though it's a less well-known work in his oeuvre, Aerie is worth seeking out to get a more complete picture of the artist's range. Rob Caldwell.

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