Rocky Mountain High (album)

Last updated

Rocky Mountain High
John Denver - RockyMountainHigh.jpg
Studio album by
John Denver
ReleasedSeptember 15, 1972 (1972-09-15)
Studio RCA, New York City
Genre Country folk [1] [2]
Length37:14
Label RCA
Producer Milton Okun
John Denver chronology
Aerie
(1971)		Rocky Mountain High
(1972)		 Farewell Andromeda
(1973)
Singles from Rocky Mountain High
  1. "Goodbye Again"
    Released: July 1972
  2. "Hard Life, Hard Times (Prisoners)"
    Released: September 1972
  3. "Rocky Mountain High"
    Released: October 30, 1972

Rocky Mountain High is the sixth studio album released by American singer-songwriter John Denver in September 1972. It was his first US Top 10 album (no. 4), propelled by the title single, and in addition reached no. 11 in the UK and no. 1 in Canada. [3] The album's cover photograph was taken at Slaughterhouse Falls, Rio Grande Trail, Aspen, Colorado. [4]

Contents

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [1]
Creem C [5]

In July 1972, Record World called the single 'Goodbye Again', "a sad, gentle ballad that threatens to become a standard along the lines of 'Leaving on a Jet Plane.'" [6] In September of that same year, Record World commended the single "Hard Life, Hard Times (Prisoners)" for its "good use of counterpoint towards the end." [7]

William Ruhlmann of AllMusic wrote of Rocky Mountain High that, "Though Denver still couldn't figure out how to fill out an entire album without covering his betters (in this case, old favorites the Beatles and John Prine), he and his steady backup musicians, bassist Dick Kniss and guitarist Mike Taylor, were evolving into an exuberant folk-country sound that would prove enormously appealing over the next few years." [1] Ruhlman highlighted "Goodbye Again" and "For Baby (For Bobbie)", praising the former as "one of Denver's finest ballads." [1]

Track listing

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Rocky Mountain High"
4:43
2."Mother Nature's Son"
2:28
3."Paradise" John Prine 2:13
4."For Baby (For Bobbie)"Denver2:57
5."Darcy Farrow"
4:22
6."Prisoners"Denver3:36
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Goodbye Again"Denver3:36
2."Season Suite: Summer"
  • Denver
  • Taylor
  • Dick Kniss
2:51
3."Season Suite: Fall"
  • Denver
  • Taylor
  • Kniss
1:38
4."Season Suite: Winter"
  • Denver
  • Taylor
  • Kniss
1:36
5."Season Suite: Late Winter, Early Spring (When Everybody Goes to Mexico)"
  • Denver
  • Taylor
  • Kniss
4:00
6."Season Suite: Spring"
  • Denver
  • Taylor
  • Kniss
2:27

Personnel

Related Research Articles

<i>The Pretender</i> (album) 1976 studio album by Jackson Browne

The Pretender is the fourth album by the American singer-songwriter Jackson Browne, released in 1976. It peaked at No. 5 on Billboard's album chart. The singles from the album were "Here Come Those Tears Again", which reached No. 23, and "The Pretender", which peaked at No. 58.

<i>JT</i> (album) 1977 studio album by James Taylor

JT is the eighth studio album by American singer-songwriter James Taylor. It was released on June 22, 1977, via Columbia Records, making it his first album released for the label. Recording session took place from March 15 to April 24, 1977, at The Sound Factory in Los Angeles with Val Garay. Production was handled by Peter Asher.

<i>No Secrets</i> (Carly Simon album) 1972 studio album by Carly Simon

No Secrets is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Carly Simon, released by Elektra Records on November 28, 1972.

<i>Hotcakes</i> (album) 1974 studio album by Carly Simon

Hotcakes is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Carly Simon, released by Elektra Records, on January 11, 1974. Featuring the major hits "Haven't Got Time for the Pain" and "Mockingbird", the latter a duet with her then-husband James Taylor, Hotcakes became one of Simon's biggest selling albums. Her first concept album, the autobiographical songs portray Simon happily married and beginning a family.

<i>Come Upstairs</i> 1980 studio album by Carly Simon

Come Upstairs is the ninth studio album by American singer-songwriter Carly Simon, released by Warner Bros. Records on June 16, 1980.

<i>Sister Kate</i> (album) 1971 studio album by Kate Taylor

Sister Kate is singer Kate Taylor's first album, released in 1971.

<i>Barry Manilow II</i> 1974 studio album by Barry Manilow

Barry Manilow II is the second studio album by Barry Manilow released in 1974. Propelled by the major success of its lead single "Mandy" and featuring a further international hit in "It's a Miracle", the album was a commercial breakthrough for Manilow. First issued by Bell Records, it was reissued after the company was reorganized into Arista Records. The album's success spawned a notable parody in the picture sleeve of Ray Stevens' 1979 single, "I Need Your Help Barry Manilow".

<i>Two Sides of the Moon</i> 1975 album

Two Sides of the Moon is the only solo studio album by the English rock musician Keith Moon, drummer for the Who. It peaked at No. 155 on the Billboard 200. The album title was credited to Ringo Starr. Rather than using the album as a chance to showcase his drumming skill, Moon sang lead vocals on all tracks, and played drums only on three of the tracks, although he played percussion on "Don't Worry Baby". The album features contributions from Ringo Starr, Harry Nilsson, Joe Walsh of the Eagles, Jim Keltner, Bobby Keys, Klaus Voormann, John Sebastian, Flo & Eddie, Spencer Davis, Dick Dale, Suzi Quatro's sister Patti Quatro, Patti's bandmates from Fanny Jean Millington and Nickey Barclay, and future actor Miguel Ferrer.

<i>Promised Land</i> (Elvis Presley album) 1975 studio album by Elvis Presley

Promised Land is the twenty-first studio album by American singer and musician Elvis Presley, released by RCA Records on January 8, 1975. It was recorded in December 1973 at Stax Records studios in Memphis and released on Presley's 40th birthday in January, 1975. In the US the album reached number 47 on the Billboard Top 200 chart and number 1 in Billboard's Top Country LPs chart, as well as the Cashbox Country albums chart. In the UK the album reached #21.

<i>Good Times</i> (Elvis Presley album) 1974 studio album by Elvis Presley

Good Times is the twentieth studio album by American singer and musician Elvis Presley, released on March 20, 1974. The album was constructed by the first pick of a session held at Stax Studios in Memphis in December 1973 and two songs, "I've Got a Thing About You Baby" and "Take Good Care of Her", which were left over from the session at Stax in July 1973. The album includes a collection of songs that vary in style and genre. Released the same day as the recording of Elvis: Recorded Live on Stage in Memphis was being made, the title was taken from the song "Talk About the Good Times". Many of the songs are covers of hits at the time, like "Spanish Eyes" and "She Wears My Ring". Charting low at the time of its release, it was considered typical 1970s Elvis material and was his first album to hit the "cut-out bins". The album did have some success though upon its original release, becoming a Cashbox Country Albums number 1 hit and charting in the Top 50 in the UK.

<i>Leon Russell and the Shelter People</i> 1971 studio album by Leon Russell

Leon Russell and the Shelter People is the second solo album by the singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Leon Russell. Released in 1971, it peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 200 in the United States. The album has gold certification for sales of over 500,000 albums in the US and Canada.

<i>Windsong</i> 1975 studio album by John Denver

Windsong is the ninth studio album recorded by American singer-songwriter John Denver, which was released in September 1975. Denver's popularity was at its peak by this time.

<i>John Denvers Greatest Hits</i> 1973 greatest hits album by John Denver

John Denver's Greatest Hits is the first greatest hits album by American singer-songwriter John Denver, released in November 1973 by RCA Records. A version known as The Best of John Denver with the same track listing was released in some countries.

<i>Farewell Andromeda</i> 1973 studio album by John Denver

Farewell Andromeda is the seventh studio album by American singer-songwriter John Denver, released in June 1973. The LP made Billboard's Top 20, reaching No. 16, with three singles subsequently released: "I'd Rather Be a Cowboy" [#62 POP, #25 AC], "Farewell Andromeda" [#89 POP, No. 20 AC] and "Please, Daddy" [#69 POP, No. 69 C&W].

<i>Back Home Again</i> (John Denver album) 1974 studio album by John Denver

Back Home Again is the eighth studio album by American singer-songwriter John Denver, released in June 1974.

<i>Rocky Mountain Christmas</i> 1975 studio album by John Denver

Rocky Mountain Christmas is the tenth studio album and first Christmas album by American singer-songwriter John Denver, released in October 1975 by RCA Records.

<i>Spirit</i> (John Denver album) 1976 studio album by John Denver

Spirit is the eleventh studio album by John Denver. It was released in August, 1976. After the full-blown success of Windsong and its accompanying hit singles, this album began a downward chart trend for the singer, although he continued to have hits on the adult contemporary charts. "Baby, You Look Good to Me Tonight" reached #65 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, as well as reaching the Top 40 on the U.S. and Canadian Country and AC charts.

<i>John Denvers Greatest Hits, Volume 2</i> 1977 greatest hits album by John Denver

John Denver's Greatest Hits Volume 2 is a compilation album by American singer-songwriter John Denver, released in 1977. The single released from this album is "My Sweet Lady." It peaked at No. 13 on the adult contemporary chart, No. 32 on the pop chart, and No. 62 on the country chart in the United States.

<i>Earth Songs</i> 1990 studio album by John Denver

Earth Songs is the twenty-first studio album by American singer-songwriter John Denver released in June 1990.

<i>The Peter, Paul and Mary Album</i> 1966 studio album by Peter, Paul and Mary

The Peter, Paul and Mary Album, also known as Album, is the sixth studio album by the American folk music trio Peter, Paul and Mary, released in 1966.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Ruhlmann, William. "Rocky Mountain High Review". AllMusic . Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  2. ↑ Okamoto, David (January 1, 1998). "John Denver". In Knopper, Steve (ed.). MusicHound Lounge: The Essential Album Guide. Detroit: Visible Ink Press. pp. 132–133.
  3. ↑ "RPM Top 100 Albums - April 21, 1973" (PDF).
  4. ↑ "Musical Maps".
  5. ↑ Christgau, Robert (April 1973). "The Christgau Consumer Guide". Creem . Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. July 8, 1972. p. 1. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. September 16, 1972. p. 1. Retrieved March 29, 2023.


This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.