John Denver and Friend

I have the rehearsal of this show on video, and it's almost sad to see Sinatra's could-care-less arrogance towards John Denver. Though I'm not a Denver fan, he did give Frank a great song to cover in 'Leavin' On a Jet Plane.' Frank is not in the greatest of voices, but then again he rarely was after he came out of retirement. The only real highlight is the selection of songs that Frank had rarely performed live, albeit all in quick medley form. There is no buddy chemistry between Sinatra and Denver, hence no reason for "friend" in the title. These two together are awkward at best and corny every else. Oddly enough, this show didn't stop them from teaming up again in concert and on TV with Sinatra's special, Sinatra and Friends (1977).

John sang of love, caring for each other and the earth and its' inhabitants. Only those too shallow to care for these things dislike his music. His respect for people like Einstein, Buckmister Fuller, and Jacque Cousteau generated writing songs to give them the best gift he could. He wrote of ending war, not killing beautiful animals to make ugly people look 'good', looking beyond borders of countries to see that the people there are the same as ourselves on a basic level. (They hurt when someone they love dies, they love their families and the broad-view environment they were raised in.) Being a fan who knew him when he was 'John Deutchendorf',I have little patience with people so egocentric (self absorbed)that have never taken the time to even read some of the lyrics. You don't have to like his music. Just look at the work he has written. His audio track "On Being Human" is a lesson for all mankind. I respect that each of us have differing tastes in music. Just because you don't like a certain performer doesn't mean his/her work has no merit. I personally do not like 'gangsta rap', it's mostly about sex,drugs,violence, and disrespect for authority. That doesn't mean I haven't listened to some of them trying to find some other references to something wholesome. I do like a few of M&Ms' songs. One in particular. Until you are acquainted with something, it's always safer to keep your opinions to yourself unless you are willing to look like a fool. Thanx, MountainMama