John Denver's cut of "Four Strong Winds" is one of the truest recordings of that song by anybody. I'd place it with the evocative cover byJudy Collins. It captures the mood differently than the breezy strong duet ofNeil Youngwith Nicolette Larson. It's much more interesting than all the many 1960's folk versions, even the original byIan and Sylvia-- and yes, even the one byThe Chad Mitchell Trio.As for the rest of the album, it's fine and special. Because most of the songs were recorded in different years, with different musicians, in different studios, it is left to John Denver to provide consistency and over the dozen years here he does very well. It is indeed jarring when the ballads give way to the ouside enthusiasm of the funny rowdy songs but that's why we have shuffle. Although I LIKE those cowboy songs. It's a good collection and I'm glad to have it.