Donovan [Import]

Track Listings

1. Local Boy Chops Wood

2. Astral Angel

3. Light

4. Dare to Be Different!

5. Brave New World

6. Lady of the Stars

7. International Man

8. Sing My Song

9. Maya's Dance

10. Kalifornia Kiddies

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Reissue on BGO of his 1977 EMI album featuring 'Lady Of The Stars', 'Local Boy Chops Wood' and 'Dare To Be Different'. Digitally remastered from the original master tapes, it contains all 10 of the original tracks, plus faithfully restored artwork and additional sleeve notes. 1998 release.

Tracks:

Mellow Yellow
Colours
Hurdy Gurdy Man
Catch The Wind
Lalena
Epistle To Dippy
Sunshine Superman
There Is A Mountain
Jennifer Juniper
Wear Your Love Like Heaven
Season Of The Witch
Atlantis
To Susan On The West Coast Waiting
Barabajagal
Riki Tiki Tavi

Amazon.com

Greatest Hits is the budget option for those who've concluded that two discs of Donovan is a disc too many and zero is one too few. Troubadour, Sony's 1992 Donovan box set, boasts nearly three times the tracks this 15-song single-disc retrospective offers, but Greatest Hits delivers what it promises: "Colours" and "Catch the Wind" from his folkie phase and "Mellow Yellow," "Sunshine Superman," and "Wear Your Love Like Heaven" from the lad's best-pal-a-flower-ever-had period. Also included are plenty more catchy folk-rock hits cut between 1964 and 1970 as well as four bonus tracks, including the delightfully earnest "Atlantis" and "Barabajagal," with the celebrated first-edition Jeff Beck Group providing backing. Donovan's blissed-out liner notes ("Whatever you think this song is about, it probably is") round out the package quite quaintly. --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews:

Dare To Compare.......2007-05-27

Looking back, I think it might seem easy to dismiss some of this as being lightweight psychadelic dribble. But, in all fairness to Donovan and his producer, Mickie Most, I think they did the most with what they never had an opportunity to work with. They were always aware of The Beatles and their producer, George Martin. The truth is, Donovan was never alloted a Beatle-like budget and the time necessary to compete with The Fab Four and their fanfare. Donovan did "The Beatles" by himself (with studio musicians and time-restraints) and never had the added touch of Sir George Martin to make it all come together in the studio. For the most part, I think a producer like Mickie Most served Donovan very well. Their colaborations are a textbook example of where less is sometimes more. However, looking back, Donovan was never less. As a musician, he was right up there with Sir Paul and the lads. If he would have had all the Abbey Road facilities at his disposal and George Martin to guide him, I think it is very likely that this music would have been even more enduring. As it is, some may criticize Donovan for sounding somewhat simplistic. Well, remember this, none of the solo Beatles could ever compare to Donovan and his unique and special creative abilities on their own. He was and still is that talented.

This is my "never-was-has-bin" super-group that I want to go into the studio with Sir George Martin:

Drums: Mick Fleetwood

Bass: John McVie

Lead Guitar: Peter Frampton (back-up vocals)

Keyboards: Sir Paul McCartney (singer-songwriter)

Acoustic Guitar: Donovan (singer-songwriter)

Think of the fun :o) !!!

GREAT CD.......2007-05-14

This CD was everything I remember Donovan to be, GREAT complilation and great music!

The catchier catch the wind didn't catch here as best as catch could.......2007-04-13

I'm also familiar with the LP version of this CD, and the conclusion of the late 60's "electrified" epic-sounding "Catch the Wind" followed by a new song (at the time): the melancholy after-thought-like "Lalena," gave the "greatest hit" collection an album feel. This new expanded re-arranged edition -- more faithful to the original folk recordings of "Colours" and "Catch the Wind" -- is still outstanding, but the album-like sensibility has been ousted in favor of it being a straight-forward compilation.

Even so, it warrants 5 stars. Heck, it adds "Atlantis." At any rate, though, I'm not sure I can recommend this newer version of the "greatest hits" over the earlier edition. Basically, I loved the "Catch the Wind" re-recording this CD lacks.

BTW: For any Taoists out there who'd like to hear a little of it put to music, check out Donovan's take on Tao called "The Way" from his late-90s CD: "Sutras." That wouldn't have been out of place here on this CD neither (though not quite a hit)....

I forgot how good he was..........2007-04-08

...and how many chart topping hits he had during the Flower Power era. The best song, though, is one that I don't remember getting much air time back then. "Catch the Wind" is a haunting, sad, tale of unrequited love and very reminiscent of Bob Dylan's work in the words and the sound of it.

great.......2007-03-31

the discis great and as always amazon handled the tranaction with great care and quick handling.

Troubadour: The Definitive Collection 1964-1976

Average customer rating:

Donovan Rules!!
Definitive seems to be an overused word for "Epic" these days.
Really A Best of the Best Donovon
A fine introduction to the work of Donovan
Um... not a huge fan

Troubadour: The Definitive Collection 1964-1976
Donovan
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

British Invasion | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Box Sets | Stores | Music

General | Rock | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Classic Rock | Box Sets | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

A Gift from a Flower to a Garden
The Autobiography of Donovan: The Hurdy Gurdy Man
The Lovin' Spoonful - Greatest Hits
Donovan's Greatest Hits
Sunshine Superman

ASIN: B0000027GB
Release Date: 1996-10-29

Tracks:

London Town
Codine
Catch The Wind
Universal Soldier
Colours
Sunshine Superman
Season Of The Witch
The Trip
Guinevere
Breezes Of Patchulie
Museum
Super Lungs
Mellow Yellow
Writer In The Sun
Sand And Foam
Sunny South Kensington
Epistle To Dippy
There Is A Mountain
Wear Your Love Like Heaven
Oh Gosh
The Tinker And The Crab
Poor Cow

Tracks:

Hurdy Gurdy Man
Jennifer Juniper
Teen Angel
Lalena
To Susan On The West Coast Waiting
Atlantis
Barabajagal
Happiness Runs
Celia Of The Seals
Riki Tiki Tavi
Clara Clairvoyant
Roots Of Oak
Riki Tiki Tavi (Previously Unreleased Version)
Maria Magenta
Cosmic Wheels
I Like You
Yellow Star
Rock And Roll Souljer
The Quest
Age Of Treason
What The Soul Desires
Dark-Eyed Blue Jean Angel

Amazon.com

Heaven knows, the Scotsman born Donovan Leitch was ripe for ridicule, even when he was hitting the charts with regularity. He was the ultimate flower child, and his airier pronouncements made cynics want to tighten up those love beads around his neck. Listening to Troubadour, however, it's striking how versatile, melodic, and agreeable most of his material sounds decades after "Mellow Yellow" has faded into a jaundiced yellow. Clearly under the sway of Bob Dylan early on in his career, Donovan nevertheless was capable of directing his reverence into something as enchanting as "Catch the Wind." Amping up as the '60s progressed, he assembled a series of psychedelic-pop classics, including "Season of the Witch," the "Hey Jude"-like sing-along "Atlantis," and the uncharacteristically driving "Hurdy Gurdy Man" (the latter features three-quarters of what was to become Led Zeppelin providing stellar support). This two-disc anthology may be more Donovan than some desire, but the booklet, seven previously unreleased tracks, and expansive perspective it provides makes it a more-than-worthy overview for those who take their paisley folk-rock with a beatific smile. --Steven Stolder

Album Description

Features 21 total tracks including 'Mellow Jellow', 'Jennifer Juniper', 'Colours', 'Riki Tiki Tavi', 'Hurdy Gurdy Man', 'There Is A Mountain', 'Atlantis' and more. Epic. 2005.

Customer Reviews:

Donovan Rules!!.......2007-05-22

If you remember this era in time, you will love this CD by one of the greatest folk artists from the sixties. This is a classic CD of the most beautiful music of that time and it still is beautiful today. I love Donovan!!

Definitive seems to be an overused word for "Epic" these days........2007-04-24

The compilers for this compilation didn't always pick the best non-hit tracks: Where's "Get thy Bearings" or "The River Song" from Hurdy Gurdy Man? Or, "Someone's Singing" from Wear Your Love Like Heaven? Or, amazingly not included: "Young Girl Blues" or "Hampstead Incident" from Mellow Yellow? I can probably add to this many more songs that are essential that weren't included .... "Bert's Blues" from Sunshine Superman, for example. Meanwhile, some of the songs included I've considered kind of un-definitive (e.g., "Writer In the Sun" or "Oh Gosh") -- also, although it was a hit, "Jennifer Juniper"'s kind of dull to me. Basically what I'm saying is this: Don't write off this musical Eastern mystic from the West too soon based merely on the selection choices on this compilation. He wrote and performed many good songs during these years -- not necessarily just these. Donovan deserves better than this compilation, imhumbleo -- but for the price offered, it's agreeable barter at least.

Really A Best of the Best Donovon.......2007-01-21

DONOVON emerged from the folk scene with Sunshine Superman, one of his best recordings. His music can be divided in two basic modes: the simplicity of valued human relationships & a new interpretation of mythic themes. The selected CD TROUPADOUR is the definitive collection of his early to more current work. SUNSHINE SUPERMAN includes such classic Donovan as Legend of a Girl Child Linda, Mellow Yellow, and Season of the Witch.

Donovan's Greatest Hits
Sunshine Superman
A Gift from a Flower to a Garden
The Hurdy Gurdy Man
Mellow Yellow

A fine introduction to the work of Donovan.......2006-09-20

As one who has owned copies of Greatest Hits (both the original CD release and the expanded remaster from 1999), this comp and the 3-CD Try for the Sun box, I have to admit there has yet to be a Donovan anthology that truly does justice to the man's catalogue, as each one seems to exclude one track or another that a fan would want to have there. These, however, are such minor quibbles as to be truly insignificant. Greatest Hits is perfect for the casual fan looking for Don's classic-era songs; Troubadour gives us a complete overview of his decade with Epic plus the two years preceding it in which he cemented his reputation as a Scots Woody Guthrie; while Try for the Sun is for the true completist.

I first bought this set when it was released and there were few enough Donovan CDs to be had; Sony had only seen fit to put Sunshine Superman, Hurdy Gurdy Man, Barabajagal and Greatest Hits out, and sad to say, they are still woefully deficient in their reissue of his catalogue (although Troubadour forgave a multitude of sins, as the Try for the Sun box has also done). Troubadour gives you two wonderful Donovan demos, "London Town" (Don's take on Tim Hardin's "Green Rocky Road") and "Cod'ine" (an early anti-drug song, and one of two Buffy Sainte-Marie songs Don covered, the other being the more famous "Universal Soldier," also included here), and his three hit singles for Pye/Hickory: "Catch the Wind," "Colours" and the aforementioned "Universal Soldier." From there, it launches full-on into his Epic years (1966-76); for me, this collection truly opened my eyes to all Don's music, and the rarities were often the most revealing as to his talents. "Breezes of Patchulie," an outtake from the Sunshine Superman sessions, was nothing like its title would suggest--not some hippie dream, but real folkish angst with sitar and violin to add some colour. A decent selection of songs from the Mellow Yellow LP and A Gift From a Flower to a Garden, which hadn't been available at that point, plus tracks from Open Road, Cosmic Wheels, Essence to Essence, 7-Tease and Slow Down World, all of which had been out of print at the time, were also welcome additions, and only Don's best songs (no embarrassments like the oft-cited "Intergalactic Laxative"--even the title is embarrassing) were included. Of the later rarities, "What the Soul Desires" was my favourite, and one I still play for myself on my guitar even now.

In 1992, this was a much-needed career overview of Donovan's work; even now, in 2006, it's the best set of classic Donovan tracks. For the completist or rabid Donovan fan, I would recommend the box set Try for the Sun, as it gives you loads of rarities and tracks otherwise only available on imports (e.g. the HMS Donovan album, never given a US release) and dares to cover his comebacks (a track each from the Rick Rubin-produced Sutras from 1996 and 2004's Beat Cafe, which I also recommend highly), plus adding the film There Is an Ocean on DVD. But for those wanting more than just the obvious hits, but less than a real vault-raider, Troubadour is just what the doctor ordered.

Um... not a huge fan.......2006-09-12

I love folk music, folk rock, and any genre that is even remotely related, but I have to say that I am disappointed with this collection. There were only three songs worth noting - Catch The Wind, London Town, and What The Soul Desires - that were any good. The rest of the songs were musically well executed, but the lyrics and themes were just shy of idiotic. I ordered this set just to get Catch The Wind, so I guess I can't say I'm upset by it, but I guess I'm just thinking that perhaps Donovan may just be a bit overrated as far as this genre is concerned. He's got a good sound and a good voice, but his lyrics are a bit on the stupid side. Now, if you could give his melodic voice to Bob Dylan or Dylan's song writing ability to him, then we'll have something.

Average customer rating:

Wear Your Love Like Donovan
Higher and Higher
Fresh from a garden to me
Life is so good
"I can see by your eyes you're a good man"

A Gift from a Flower to a Garden
Donovan
Manufacturer: Collector's Choice
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

British Invasion | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Mellow Yellow
Sunshine Superman
HMS Donovan
The Hurdy Gurdy Man
Barabajagal

ASIN: B00005MM01
Release Date: 2000-09-12

Tracks:

Wear Your Love Like Heaven
Mad John's Escape
Skip-A-Long Sam
Sun
There Was A Time
Oh Gosh
Little Boy In Corduroy
Under The Greenwood Tree
The Land Of Doesn't Have To Be
Someone Singing
Song Of The Naturalist's Wife
The Enchanted Gyspy
Voyage Into The Golden Screen
Isle Of Islay
The Mandolin Man And His Secret
Lay Of The Last Tinker
The Tinker And The Crab
Widow With Shawl (A Portrait)
The Lullaby Of Spring
The Magpie
Starfish-On-The-Toast
Epistle to Derroll

Product Description

1. Wear Your Love Like Heaven
2. Mad John's Escape
3. Skip-A-Long Sam
4. Sun
5. There Was A Time
6. Oh Gosh
7. Little Boy In Corduroy
8. Under The Greenwood Tree
9. Land Of Doesn't Have To Be, The
10. Someone Singing
11. Song Of The Naturalist's Wife
12. Enchanted Gypsy, The
13. Voyage Into The Golden Screen
14. Isle Of Islay
15. Mandolin Man And His Secret, The
16. Lay Of The Last Tinker
17. Tinker And The Crab, The
18. Widow With Shawl (A Portrait)
19. Lullaby Of Spring, The
20. Magpie, The
21. Starfish-On-The-Toast
22. Epistle To Derroll

Format: CD

Customer Reviews:

Wear Your Love Like Donovan.......2007-06-12

This is vintage Donovan.Most of it has a medieval feel to it, and is perfect for sitting back and relaxing after a stressful day.The only "commercial" cut is "Wear Your Love Like Heaven." The rest is unconventional, and well...pure Donovan.

Higher and Higher.......2007-06-05

When you are young and just starting out in life, you could care less about such things. But, as you get older, the "road" shortens . . . and you get a better view of where you have been, where you are today, and where you will be tomorrow. I am a "child of the sixties" . . . and there is no shortage of great music that helped define my generation. And, of course, It would be difficult to say good-bye to any of the old friends that helped provide me with the soundtrack of my life. But, this I do know, when I leave this world, the two albums that will be safely tucked under my arm will be "Sgt. Pepper" and this one. Enough said. It was and is that personal.

Fresh from a garden to me.......2007-01-10

I have looked for this music for quite awhile. When I got it, it transported me back to the late sixties, early seventies. The music was as good as I remembered it to be....thanks again, it made my year!!!

Life is so good.......2006-11-10

A very happy CD that depicts an era when there was some optimism in music. This is a double album. The first part is so 60's; you want to say Groovy and Neat-O again.

The second part is very accoustic and poetic. This part was one I listened to as a child and was glad to hear again.

"I can see by your eyes you're a good man".......2005-12-18

There is a special place in my heart for this album and for all those who love it too. It's a kind of high-water mark in my life, evoking a time when the world seemed fresh and clean, and full of sweet magic.

Listening to these recordings once again, with more adult, "sophisticated" ears, I am surprised to discover, once again, the excellent artistry they demonstrate. Every note sung just so, as it simply had to be. A well-polished gem.

Average customer rating:

THANK YOU
The Original Made Even Better, Who Would Have Thunk it was Possible?
Donovan becomes eclectic with fourth LP
I thought EMI would've mixed these into first-time stereo...NO WAY
Sublime, the ultimate version of this classic

Mellow Yellow
Donovan
Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

British Invasion | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Classic Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Sunshine Superman
The Hurdy Gurdy Man
Barabajagal
A Gift from a Flower to a Garden
Open Road

ASIN: B00081MUYA
Release Date: 2005-05-16

Tracks:

Mellow Yellow
Writer In The Sun
Sand And Foam
The Observation
Bleak City Woman
House Of Jansch
Young Girl Blues
Museum
Hampstead Incident
Sunny South Kensington
Epistle To Dippy (Stereo)
Preachin' Love
Good Time
There Is A Mountain
Superlungs (Second Version)
Epistle To Dippy (Alternative Arr) (Stereo)
Sidewalk (The Observation) (Demo) (Mono)
Writer In The Sun (Demo) (Mono)
Hampstead Incident (Demo) (Mono)
Museum (Demo) (Mono)

Album Description

2005 Digitally remastered re-issue features nine bonus tracks 'Preachin' Love', 'Good Time', 'There Is A Mountain', 'Superlungs' (Second Version), 'Epistle To Dippy' (Alternative Arr), 'Sidewalk (The Observation) (Demo), 'Writer In The Sun' (Demo), 'Hampstead Incident' (Demo), 'Museum' (Demo). Drawing on a broad range of Donovan's material from his and past present, Mickie Most once again handles the production on Donovan's second album for EMI, while John Cameron provides a selection of exquisite arrangements, with the exception of Mellow Yellow which was arranged by John Paul Jones. EMI.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered Edition of Donovan's Hit Album from 1967. The Followup to the the Breakthru "Sunshine Superman" Continued the Scottish Psychedelic Folkie's Success Streak. Producer Mickie Most Produced Once Again While John Cameron Translated and Arranged the Songs for the Studio Musicians on all but One of the Tracks...the Title Track "Mellow Yellow" was Arranged by One John Paul Jones (Later of Led Zeppelin). Shawn Phillips also Contributed Sitar on the Album. This Edition Includes Nine Bonus Tracks Not on the Original UK Issue: "Preachin' Love", "Good Time", "There is a Mountain", "Superlungs (Second Version)", "EPISTLE to Dippy (Alternative Arrangement)", "Sidewalk (The Observation) (Demo)", "Writer in the Sun (Demo)", "Hampstead Incident (Demo)" and "Museum (Demo)".

Customer Reviews:

THANK YOU.......2007-01-23

THis was a gift for my father and he was very impressed with the quality and speedy delivery. Thanks again!

The Original Made Even Better, Who Would Have Thunk it was Possible?.......2006-07-22

This is one of my favorite Donovan albums, with "Young Girl Blues," being right up there as one of my favorite Donovan songs, if not my favorite. It's a sad, weepy song that never fails to move me. "Writer in the Sun" is another song like that. One can only wonder if Donovan was thinking about bowing out of the music business, because of the problems he was having getting "Superman" and "Yellow" released in the UK. Seems those Pye guys just didn't want to let go of their number one moneymaker.

"Mellow Yellow" was a huge hit and how can you not like that song. "Sand and Foam" written, while Don was in Mexico, is absolutely beautiful. I just love this whole record, it was and is a masterpiece that laid the groundwork for some many rock and roll greats who followed. If you are into rock and roll, you've gotta have this as "Mellow Yellow" is one of those important rock records that will never die.

And then you add in the extra songs on this disc, "Superlungs" they way it was meant to be heard. The neat alternate version of "Writer in the Sun," "Epistle to Dippy," Donovan's letter in song to a lost friend and more. This is a super package. The originally "Mellow Yellow" made even better, who would've thunk it was possible?

Donovan becomes eclectic with fourth LP.......2006-06-17

Donovan's fourth album, originally released in 1967, was his second with producer Mickie Most and arranger John Cameron, and though it featured the flower-power light-psych title anthem, it also reached back past the previous "Sunshine Superman" LP to Donovan's folk and jazz roots. When released, its original ten tracks comprised Donovan's most eclectic collection to date, ranging from the solo folk tunes "Sand and Foam" and "Young Girl Blues," to the ornate arrangement of "Hampstead Incident," the bohemian jazz of "Bleak City Woman" and "The Observation," and the swinging, name-checking pop of "Sunny South Kensington."

Much of this material was written during a tumultuous period in 1966 that saw Donovan separating from (and then being sued by) his initial management team, embargoed from releasing new material in the UK, and unable to promote his work in the US. Melancholy, lethargy and the pain of personal and professional setbacks permeate the lyrics. The dispirited artist stoked his artistic muse in Greece and Mexico, and spent downtime preparing material with his producer and arranger. Once back in the studio the sessions produced sophisticated, eclectic material in short order.

EMI's reissue doubles the original ten tracks with bonuses that include the single sides "Epistle to Dippy" (in both it's original electric-guitar version and a violin-based alternative), the island-styled zen koan "There is a Mountain," a second run at "Superlungs" that prominently features brass and guitar, and a quartet of songwriter demos that demonstrate the integral nature of John Cameron's arrangements for the album. This is a superb helping of Donovan's mix of folk, jazz, blues, pop and light psych, remastered in its original mono, with stereo for bonus tracks 13 and 15-20. [©2006 redtunictroll at hotmail dot com]

I thought EMI would've mixed these into first-time stereo...NO WAY.......2006-04-03

Along with the first Procol Harum LP, these 1967 Donovan recordings are the last mono or rechanneled albums issued. Three tracks from this and the Mellow Yellow original LPs (Sunshine Superman, Season Of The Witch and Sunny South Kensington) have been mixed into stereo. Strangely, only Sunshine Superman is in stereo here....the other two are mono!

I'm very disappointed that they did NOT remixe Writer In The Sun, San And Foam, The Observation, Bleak City Woman, House Of Jansch, Young Girl Blues, Museum, or Hampstead Incident into stereo.

To my ears, these tracks sound no better than the US Epic original CDs.

Sublime, the ultimate version of this classic.......2006-01-29

In a review of an import version of "Mellow Yellow" a year or so ago I wished for a proper remastering with bonus tracks to be released; this has finally happened and so here is the updated review, which is nothing but superlative. "Mellow Yellow" followed up on the quality of the previous masterpiece "Sunshine Superman" and is nearly its equal; although the Indian influence is mostly absent (save for the closing "Sunny South Kensington", which turns out to have been from the "Sunshine" sessions"), the sophisticated jazz/folk/classical arrangements are just as exquisite and particularly noteworthy tracks include the title cut, "Young Girl Blues", "Sand And Foam", "Hampstead Incident" and "Writer In The Sun". The sound quality, as on "Sunshine Superman", is now rich and full, and the bonus cuts fit perfectly with the tone of the album; of particular interest is the jazzy version of "Superlungs" and the alternate "Epistle To Dippy", both of which should have made the album in place of say, "Bleak City Woman". But now you get all the tracks, and can program them in any way you please; the liner notes are informative and this is now the definitive version of the album, one that has stood the test of time very well; Donovan's vocals here are especially resonant and beautiful.

Average customer rating:

Super Sunshine
40 years with this recording
An Ineffable Musical Experience
Review of the Vinyl LP--AMAZING
A mixed bag

Sunshine Superman
Donovan
Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

British Invasion | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Classic Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Mellow Yellow
The Hurdy Gurdy Man
Barabajagal
A Gift from a Flower to a Garden
Catch the Wind

ASIN: B00081MUY0
Release Date: 2005-05-16

Tracks:

Sunshine Superman
Legend Of A Girl Child Linda
Three Kingfishers
Ferris Wheel
Bert's Blues
Season Of The Witch
The Trip
Guinevere
The Fat Angel
Celeste
Breezes Of Patchulie
Museum (First Version)
Superlungs (First Version)
The Land Of Doesn't Have To Be
Sunshine Superman
Good Trip (Demo) (Mono)
House Of Jansch (Demo) (Mono)

Album Description

2005 Digitally remastered re-issue features seven bonus tracks 'Breezes Of Patchulie', 'Museum' (First Version), 'Superlungs' (First Version), 'The Land Of Doesn't Have To', 'Sunshine', 'Good Trip' (Demo), 'House Of Jansch' (Demo). Sunshine Superman marked the coming of psychedelia and utilised the production skills of already established producer, Mickie Most, whose bass heavy style complements Donovan's enigmatic lyrics and their beatnik delivery brilliantly. EMI.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered Edition of Donovan P. Leitch's Third Album that Served as his Breakthrough on to the Pop Charts around the World. "Sunshine Superman" Marked the Coming of Psychedelia and Utilized the Production Skills of Already Established Producer Mickie Most, Whose Trademark Bass Heavy Production Style Brilliantly Compliments Donovan's Enigmatic Lyrics and his Beatnik Vocal Delivery. This Special Reissue Includes Six Bonus Tracks: "Breezes of Patchulie", " Museum (First Version)", "Superlungs (First Version)", " the Land of Doesn't have to Be", "Sunshine", "Good Trip (Demo)" and "House of Jansch (Demo)".

Customer Reviews:

Super Sunshine.......2007-04-01

Well, here's a blast from the past... I've owned the original album for many years (since it came out in 1966, in fact), so was intrigued with the opportunity to pick up a sonically cleaned-up version with no fewer than seven bonus tracks. I still think it's a great work. 'Season of the Witch' is one of the 60s' defining tracks, 'Sunshine Superman' still holds its own as a pop track, and all the rest continue to shine as an ensemble showing the way toward myth-, lore-, and jazz-influenced pop. This was actually quite a creative album, mostly recorded in late 1965 and early 1966 just before similar explorations by the Beatles and others. I've always been a Donovan fan, and this is arguably his best album (and also his most commercially successful, I think). One of the least noticed things about Donovan's music from this period is how he integrated a blues and jazz sound into many of his compositions--this is more evident on "Mellow Yellow", the next issue, but even here one can strongly feel those influences having been absorbed on 'The Trip,' 'Bert's Blues' and 'Three Kingfishers.'

40 years with this recording .......2007-02-18

I've been listening to this record for 40 years now. It is an amazing, piece of music. I'm glad to see that others have enjoyed it as much as I.

An Ineffable Musical Experience.......2007-01-24

Other reviewers have delineated the technical brilliance of this album. I would not have much to add or subtract from their observations, except to affirm that the clarity of the mix enabled me to hear things I had never heard before, which injected new life into some well-worn tracks. The rest of my comments will be unapologetically subjective, possibly because Donovan has an odd way of reaching each individual at a personal level, though his stance is usually an acerbic but kindly, somewhat detached observer. In the musical firmament of the '60s, Donovan was the Pleiades, the mystic purple star system where faerie visions came and went, suggesting spiritual and sensual doings of an evanescent and yet intense character. No one else was even close. "Purple Haze" was the pile driver version of the grail at the end of that quest. "Sunshine Superman" was the lyrical version. Funny thing is, Donovan's songs still take you there, if you let them. I grew up in the SF Bay Area, and the Flower Power movement (if you could call it a "movement") emerged about the time I got my driver's license. I went in search of it, borrowing my parents' car. (Incidentally, the term "Flower Power" was coined by a reviewer of a Donovan concert who noted the flowers he tossed to the audience.) Maybe I found a little piece of the dream one fine day with a girl who seemed to know the power of silence, but for the most part it was illusion. I wanted to believe, but reality kept conflicting. Then I attended a Donovan concert at the Fillmore. For that two-hour moment, which was actually of infinite duration, it all came true. Like the gateway to the Pied Piper's Kingdom, the door is now nothing but a rock wall, but it is hard to forget having been among the elves for a moment, and the one who played the pipes that transported me there. Donovan's music suggested the beauty possible in a '60s mindset, and no album suggests it better than "Sunshine Superman." Think what a miracle it was to hear so much groundbreaking, diverse, and original music exploding all at once, and here was this guy singing songs that fitted it all perfectly, and yet didn't belong in any one stylistic camp or category at all. This quality of poetic vison and independence from convention still comes through today, surprisingly. Donovan's music brushes off the dust that tried to collect on its robes, and keeps on walkin', shimmering and catching the dreamlight. There is no absolute definitive interpretation of any of the songs. I think that's what you'll like about them. They're like kaleidoscope images that attract different parts of your soul on different days. Some of it is silly, and yet overall there's something profound about it. There are classics on this CD, such as "Sunshine Superman" and "Season of the Witch." But there are some underrated wonders here, too, such as "Bert's Blues," which is kind of a jazz/pop soliloquy on the "To Be or Not To Be" question. I will always be nostalgic for a belief in Peace and Love, even if the dream is deader than JFK, RFK, and MLK. But maybe another place and time? If you were there, you know what I mean. If you weren't, this might be your ticket. And if this isn't a five-star experience, then what is?

Review of the Vinyl LP--AMAZING.......2006-12-25

I note that this has been remastered and has additional songs, but the original vinyl of Donovan's 'Sunshine Superman' is one of the most enjoyable listening experiences in my collection. Donovan was an original, and yet you hear elements of the Beatles and Harry Nilsson in his music as well. It would be classified as psychedilic folk/rock. Yes, the songs play like one long drug trip, but the imagery is extraordinary and allows the listener to legally and vicariously see what some of these sixties musicians saw when they were stoned out of their minds. I really enjoy the Tolkein-esque imagery of the songs and the whimsical, child-like nature of the lyrics. The instrumentation includes all kinds of instruments one found in the late sixties on experimental rock albums, such as sitars and oboes and strings. The resulting sound is lush and accomplished. This is a great album, and though I don't know how the CD versions stack up, the vinyl is awesome and clear.

A mixed bag.......2006-11-12

I bought this album because I remembered it as one of my favorites when I owned it on vinyl... a long time ago. Listening to it again after all these years, though, was not entirely a happy homecoming. Several of the songs ("Sunshine Superman", "Season of the Witch", and "Bert's Blues", among others) really stood the test of time for me and remain classics of the genre, while others just seemed to drag on and on in a fog of monotony. The "unicorns and fairies" flavor of some of the songs, which seemed enchanting and new on the original release, suffer now from decades of plastic figurines and tacky posters in cheap mall stores; it's really impossible to hear them without that filter of kitsch at this point.

Perhaps my least favorite feature of the album, however, is the group of "bonus tracks" at the end; suffice it to say that it's easy to see why these weren't included on the original release. I think the bad taste left in my mouth at the end of the album is in large part due to these cuts, and I probably would have had a much more positive review overall even with the caveats of the first paragraph if not for this feature. In fact, I'm thinking of taking the trouble to burn a copy of the album that ends where the original one did, so that I don't have to remember to turn it off there manually.

Average customer rating:

Great
A Nice Complication of Donovan's Early Work
donovan doesn't colour by numbers

Catch the Wind
Donovan
Manufacturer: Castle Pulse
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Revival | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

British Invasion | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Classic Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Classic Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Mellow Yellow
Sunshine Superman
A Gift from a Flower to a Garden
The Hurdy Gurdy Man
Barabajagal

ASIN: B0000AM786
Release Date: 2003-09-30

Tracks:

Colours [Original Single Version]
Sunny Goodge Street
Candy Man
Jersey Thursday
Universal Soldier
War Drags On
Do You Hear Me Now
Turquoise
Josie
To Sing for You
Donna Donna
Why Do You Treat Me Like You Do
Catch the Wind
Catch the Wind [Single Version with Strings]

Album Description

2003 compilation for the UK's finest 60s folk singer-songwriter. Highlights include 'Catch The Wind' (Original & Single Version With Strings), 'Colours' (Original Single Version), 'The Universal Soldier', & 'Turquoise'. Castle Pulse.

Customer Reviews:

Great.......2007-05-13

I have to confess that I've always loved the old Donovan songs and his suggestive slightly imperfect voice.
If you are like me it is the best CD you can by in the world.

A Nice Complication of Donovan's Early Work.......2006-07-18

This is a folk type record with Donovan accompanying himself on guitar and harmonica. Though many people of the day were heralding Donovan as the British Dylan, his music is really quite different. True he does play the harmonica, but Donovan has a melodic voice that Dylan, and most anyone else for that matter, could ever equal. "Josie" is one of my all time favorite Donovan songs. I heard him sing it when I was sixteen at the Golden Bear in Huntington Beach, California and was really blown away.

Of course, "Catch the Wind" Donovan's first huge single is everybody's favorite (if it's not it should be) and as a bonus the single version is included on this disc as well as the LP version. But one should not overlook "Colours" when listening to Don's early work. It's one of my favorite songs. "The War Drags On," is an anti Vietnam war song and I wish I was alive back in the day to see how people reacted to it. "Candy Man" is simply outstanding. I've heard Bob Dylan's version on the bootleg "Great White Wonder," and believe me, Dylan may have turned out to be the Poet of a Generation, but Donovan beats him hands down when it comes to performing and interpreting traditional songs. Just something about his Scottish voice I guess.

donovan doesn't colour by numbers .......2006-01-02

i've read in donovan's book "hurdy gurdy man" that he was one of the first singer/songwriters too mix politics with rock or folk
and suceeded jut like bob dylan did with his first 3 or 4 albums
anyway donovan is a talent that goes vasely un-noticed due to the sucession of bob dylan..who wrote excellent lyrics in his sleep.....
donovan also wrote excellent lyrics and beautiful melodies and this album shows where donovan could make abstract songs packed with a punch like "sunny goodge street" and his classic recording "universal solider" this album also features my favorites "the war drags on" "do you hear me now"

a man who had his heart right in the centre of what was going on in the world..a messiah who stands along side bob dylan as a truly great poetic genius

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: London Palladium Cast Recording (1991 London Revival Cast)

Average customer rating:

REMASTERED RELEASE OF LLOYD WEBBER'S FIRST HIT MUSICAL
A wonderful JOSEPH recording
SOME GREAT MUSIC!!!
SOME GREAT MUSIC!!!

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: London Palladium Cast Recording (1991 London Revival Cast)
Andrew Lloyd Webber , Michael Dixon , The Joseph Orchestra , Amanda Courtney-Davies , Aubrey Woods , Caroline Dillon , Connor Byrne , David Easter , Elizabeth Renihan , Gael Johnson , Jacqui Harman , Jacqui Jameson , Jason Donovan , Jason Moore , Jocelyn Vodovoz Cook , Johnny Amobi , Mark Frendo , Megan Kelly , and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Related Recordings)
Manufacturer: Decca Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: (karaoke/accompaniment)
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1982 Original Broadway Cast)
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1992 Canadian Cast)
Evita (1978 Original Broadway Cast)

ASIN: B000BSM28O
Release Date: 2006-05-23

Tracks:

Prologue
Any Dream Will Do
Jacob & Sons/Joseph's Coat
Joseph's Dreams
Poor, Poor Joseph
One More Angel In Heaven
Potiphar
Close Every Door
Go, Go, Go Joseph
Pharaoh Story
Poor, Poor Pharaoh
Song Of The King (Seven Fat Cows)
Pharaoh's Dream Explain
Stone The Crows
Those Canaan Days
The Brothers Come To Egypt/Grovel, Grovel
Who's The Thief?
Benjamin Calypso
Joseph All The Time
Jacob In Egypt
Finale:Any Dream Will Do/Give Me My Coloured Coat
Joseph Megamix

Album Details

Digitally Remastered Edition of the 1991 Original Cast Album of the Hit Andrew Lloyd Webber Musical featuring Pop and Stock Aitken Waterman Star Jason Donovan in the Lead Role. Includes Full Libretto and Deluxe Packaging.

Customer Reviews:

REMASTERED RELEASE OF LLOYD WEBBER'S FIRST HIT MUSICAL.......2007-04-18

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is Andrew Lloyd Webber's first staged musical work and his first staged collaboration with his best lyricist Tim Rice. The very first musical they wrote together, called `The likes of us', didn't reach the stage at that time and was put there for a single special performance in 2005, luckily, captured on CD and also available here at Amazon.

With `Joseph', it all began when in 1967 Lloyd Webber and his friend Rice were commissioned by the head of music at Colet Court School, London, to write a religious concert for the school choir. Joseph was first presented in 1968 and, after further performances at St Paul's Cathedral and the Roundhouse in London, and the Edinburgh Festival, opened in the West End in 1973. It wasn't much of a success, however, until Lloyd Webber bought back the rights to it in the early 90-is, reworked it and put on stage a very successful production that has been put in many other countries in the world and filmed for a special DVD.

The plot takes motives from a well known biblical Old Testament story of Joseph, the youngest son of Jacob, patriarch of Israel, and the coat of many colours that Jacob gave to Joseph as a sign that he is the special one among his sons. Joseph's older brothers became jealous and sold Joseph to be a slave in Egypt, telling their father that he's been killed by a passing goat. After being imprisoned by his equally jealous master, Joseph helps the pharaoh in solving his enigmatic dreams and becomes his first adviser who saves Egypt from the great famine. Back in Canaan, Joseph's brothers and father are starving and so the brothers go to Egypt where food is in abundance. Joseph recognizes them, but not vice versa. After he learns them a lesson because of their past behaviour, Joseph is reunited with his brothers and father in Egypt.

This is one of those Lloyd Webber shows that are aimed at everybody, the young and the old (just like `Cats' or `Starlight Express'. The songs are mostly pop and a merry note can be found in most of them. Also, this show is supposed to be fun, so there are numerous musical styles in it. For example, there is a country song that the brothers sing; at the other point they sing a French chanson with the French accents. The pharaoh sings like Elvis and one song is in a calypso tone. Overall, it's a nice whole of diverse songs and singing styles. Tim Rice has written his funniest lyrics, blending beautifully with the score. The most notable songs are "Any dream will do" and "Close every door" sung by Joseph and the big number "Jacob and sons" .

This London cast recording features Jason Donovan, the Australian pop singer as Joseph and Linzi Hateley as a female narrator. Donovan's voice isn't as strong as that of the American Joseph Donny Osmond, but his voice has the boyish charm that Osmond lacks. Hately's soprano follows the speedy tempo of her songs with ease. She hits all the high notes without problem and remains one of the best Joseph narrators to date. The children choirs add a special touch to the songs.

This is a remastered and improved release of the 1991 original CD. This means that it has resolved the main problem of the past, i.e. the bad sound. Now we hear everything with crystal clarity. The CD comes in a nice slipcase, with a separate libretto and a booklet with new production pictures. All this is a significant and welcome improvement.

The flashy production of Joseph can be seen at the DVD of the same name with Donny Osmond playing the lead. Joseph remains a part of Webber-Rice trilogy that cannot be overlooked.

A wonderful JOSEPH recording.......2007-03-05

Of the recordings of JOSEPH I've heard, I consider this to be the most wonderful and characterful recording of this Lord Lloyd-Webber musical. Osmond offers us all a rich portrayal of the eponymous dream-teller, filled with presence, but Donovan captures more subtleties of the character. Donovan conveys more wide-eyed and youthful innocence in his portrayal of Joseph and turns in a wonderful performance, capped by his renditions of the beguiling Any Dream Will Do and the pathos of Close Every Door. Donovan is well-partnered by Linzi Hateley as a charismatic and winning Narrator. Yes, I know you'll argue that the late-lamented Laurie Beechman virtually owns the role with her superior lung-power but Hateley engages the listener and makes the role her own. The superb line-up includes David Easter in an overripe performance of the Elvis-styled Pharaoh, and one can hear the little touches of humour he brings to his portrayal. The ensemble features a strong line-up of Brothers, and Nicolas Colicos as Reuben and Johnny Amboi as Judah make the most of their solos in One More Angel and in the Benjamin Calypso. Philip Cox gives a wonderful solo in Those Canaan Days (though Jeff Blumenkrantz is probably more memorable). To have it remastered makes it better than ever, especially with an improved libretto booklet despite some errors. Highly recommended to those who want their first recording of Joseph.

SOME GREAT MUSIC!!!.......2007-01-14

This is a great CD if you are doing this musical for your school play. I liked this CD because it had some great music and had pictures of this musical, and a packet full of lyrics to the show. The guy who's palying joseph(Jason Donovan) had a stict londen voice which sounded good but it didn't sound as good as Donny Osmand or Michael Damian. Also to me, the people singing the Joseph megamix seemed not exciting and dead compared to the other CDs of Joseph. Still, if you would like the original Londen new cast of Joseph, buy it!

SOME GREAT MUSIC!!!.......2007-01-14

This is a great CD if you are doing this musical for your school play. I liked this CD because it had some great music and had pictures of this musical, and a packet full of lyrics to the show. The guy who's palying joseph(Jason Donovan) had a stict londen voice which sounded good but it didn't sound as good as Donny Osmand or Michael Damian. Also to me, the people singing the Joseph Remix seemed not exciting and dead compared to the other CDs of Joseph. Still, if you would like the original Londen new cast of Joseph, buy it!

Average customer rating:

Redundant, but Great
Epistle to the 60's
The best of Donovan collections
BUY THIS DISC!
If you liked him in the old days...

The Essential Donovan
Donovan
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

British Invasion | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Essential Dion
Catch the Wind
Fairytale
The Essential Byrds
A Gift from a Flower to a Garden

ASIN: B0001MDPZY
Release Date: 2004-03-30

Tracks:

Catch The Wind (Mono)
Colours (Mono)
Sunshine Superman (Unedited Version)
Season Of The Witch
Mellow Yellow (Mono)
Epistle To Dippy
There Is A Mountain
Wear Your Love Like Heaven
Jennifer Juniper
Hurdy Gurdy Man
Lalena
To Susan On The West Coast Waiting
Atlantis
Barabajagal

Customer Reviews:

Redundant, but Great.......2006-07-20

I do have this disc and I play it quite a bit, because of the excellent job Sony did remastering it. However since they'd already gone and remastered the "Greatest Hits" that came out on Epic all those years ago, plus added extra songs, there is really no reason to buy this disc, as good as it is, because the set list, though ordered differently (this disc has the songs ordered by when they were originally recorded) is exactly the same and you get one more song, the great "Riki, Tiki, Tavi" on the GH version. One does wonder, just how many ways can they repackage this man's stuff. Are the same people buying it over and over? However, the songs are outstanding, the recording is too, so five stars, even though it was redundant as soon as Sony put it out.

Epistle to the 60's.......2006-04-10

What a wonderful collection. I spent a few minutes bouncing around trying to find out if I'd be better off with this or the greatest hits package, and I finally gave up and picked this instead. Sound is crisp, quality is pure Mr. Leitch. Everything sounds better than I remembered, and I finally forgave myself to getting rid of the vinyl during some move over the years. There is a wonderful cd I found in the local department store 3.99 cd bin that is a greatest hits live--I can't figure out if it's a legitimate release or not, but it's the only Donovan collection that beats this one.

The best of Donovan collections.......2005-12-19

During the "Sixties," I was not particularly a fan of Donovan. I thought he was a bit soft. But about three months ago, I heard him interviewed on the NPR program "Fresh Air." I was impressed by how intelligent and articulate he is, and the excertps from his songs stuck me as wonderfully fresh and engaging. So I bought "The Essential Donovan" and have been playing it continually, enjoying it more and more.

For Donovan to have moved from a ballad like "Colours" to "Sunshine Superman," with its surrealistic poetry and multi-colored orchestration, in only a few months, is a real artistic advance. At that time, 1966, Donovan was twenty, and he was consistently writing better songs -- with more imaginative lyrics and more sophisticated rhythms -- that did either The Beatles or Bob Dylan at the same age.

I've since explored more Donovan albums. I am increasingly impressed by the abundance of his imagination, and I find it dismaying that he is so little remembered, especially considering that he is one of the truly emblematic figures of the age and was, at the time, almost as famous as The Beatles.

I call this the best of Donovan anthologies because the versions of "Catch the Wind" and "Colours" are the clean and simple ones, without backup strings and vocals; because the version of "Sunshine Superman" is the long one; and, most importantly, because the songs are presented in chronological sequence.

The insert notes about original release dates and popular chart success are a welcome addition.

BUY THIS DISC!.......2005-06-10

Forget all the other reviews here.This CD is the FIRST to include the TRUE STEREO versions of almost all of Donovan's hits.If you own a home STEREO and not a home mono or if your car has a STEREO and not a mono,BUY THIS CD!I REPEAT!!!!!! BUY THIS CD!!!!!

If you liked him in the old days..........2004-10-01

and do not have any of Donovan on CD, this is a good choice. I always liked his folky early songs better than the later psychedelic tunes, and this disc has more of the latter and only two of the former. I wish "Universal Soldier" had been included after "Catch the Wind" and "Colours" at a minimum. However, if your taste runs to the acid/hippy phase of Donovan's brief career near the top of the charts, tracks three through 14 will satisfy your longing. Some earlier reviewers think the remastering here was not entirely successful compared to his "Greatest Hits" LP transfer of some years back. I have not heard that, so I have no comment except that one prior critic clearly says he likes this new disc better. Donovan proved to be Dylan light, and his choice to progress from folk-protest to mellow, spiritual, hallucinogenic songs instead of to rock and roll, Dylan's own choice, put him in a narrow box by the end of the sixties. But he is hard to dislike, and I enjoy "Catch the Wind" and "Colours" no matter how many times I hear them, so for nostalgia's sake, at least, I am pleased to own this.

Average customer rating:

A bit of a mish mash
Donovan is the Hurdy Gurdy Man
Donovan - 'Hurdy Gurdy Man' (EMI)
Solid but unfocused effort
Another Fine Donovan Re-Issue!

The Hurdy Gurdy Man
Donovan
Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

British Invasion | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Classic Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Mellow Yellow
Sunshine Superman
Barabajagal
A Gift from a Flower to a Garden
Open Road

ASIN: B00081MUYK
Release Date: 2005-05-16

Tracks:

Hurdy Gurdy Man
Peregrine
The Entertaining Of A Shy Girl
As I Recall It
Get Thy Bearings
Hi It's Been A Long Time
West Indian Lady
Jennifer Juniper
The River Song
Tangier
A Sunny Day
The Sun Is A Very Magic Fellow
Teas
Teen Angel
Poor Cow
Lalena
Aye My Love (Mono)
What A Beautiful Creature You Are
Colours
Catch The Wind

Album Description

2005 Digitally remastered re-issue features six bonus tracks 'Poor Cow', 'Lalena', 'Aye My Love', 'What A Beautiful Creature You Are' 'Colours' and 'Catch The Wind'. The album forshadows the coming discontent which eventually drove Donovan out of the music business. The title song, 'Hurdy Gurdy Man,' combines what are upbeat lyrics with a very dark performance. This ambivalence continues in a set of songs with a very bitter edge like 'Teas', 'Tangier', and 'Hi It's Been a Long Time', 'Yet 'Jennifer Juniper' & 'Peregrine', among others, stand in stark contrast. EMI. 2005.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered and Expanded Edition of Donovan P. Leitch's Landmark Album that Featured the Hit Singles "Hurdy Gurdy Man" and "Jenifer Juniper". Once Again, the Production Duties were Handled My Mickie Most who Continued to Help Leitch Evolve his Out of the Ordinary Sound. Donovan Delivered Remarkable Performances in the Studio and Further Cemented his Stature Among the Late 1960's Counterculture. The Title Track and Hit Single features Guitar Work by None Other Than the Yardbirds/Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page. This Reissue Adds Seven Bonus Tracks, Among Them, the Singles "Lalena" and the FM Favorite "Catch the Wind".

Customer Reviews:

A bit of a mish mash.......2007-01-03

The aim of this album seemed to be diversity which is both its strength and its weakness. The World Music and heavy elements work, the pop and cute jazz have not aged as well. Donovan could sing jazz very well, such as the version of "Young Girl Blues" he did for the BBC around this time, which is magnficent. The jazz cuts on here are the weakest by far with the singular exception of "Get Thy Bearings".

The bonus tracks are mostly singles (some recut for a greatest hits package) and b-sides. By far the best surprise is the duet "What A Beautiful Creature You Are" which is funny and sexy and would have sounded great on the Barabajagal album.

Donovan is the Hurdy Gurdy Man.......2006-07-23

I liked the title song, but not much else on this record the first time I heard it. But after a few months of being in my car (I do a lot of long driving trips) the record started to grow on me. It's not, in my opinion, something you can like right out of the box, like "Mellow Yellow" or "Sunshine Superman," but it's every bit as good. Donovan was sort of moving in a different direction back then. There is a lot of Indian (like in the big country next to China, not Native Americans) influence here, mingled with that kind of medieval atmosphere associated with "Superman" and "Mellow." I don't know, it's hard to wrap my mind around this record that is so hard to define. I just know I like it now, that I play it a lot now.

And on this version I especially like the extra songs. "Teen Angel" originally a B side is just outstanding. And this record is a good place for "Poor Cow" to finally find a home. Also I like that it ends with the versions of "Colours" and "Catch the Wind" that were rerecorded for the Epic "Greatest Hits" record. They work really well here as does "Lalena." The Hurdy Gurdy man brought songs to the people. Donovan is the Hurdy Gurdy Man.

Donovan - 'Hurdy Gurdy Man' (EMI).......2006-03-06

Nicely assembled twenty track collection of tunes by none other than THE '60's folk/rock stalwart/icon,known simply as Donovan.I've never been the biggest Donovan fan,but I need to be in 'the right mood' to properly enjoy this music genre.Most of his great tunes are here,like the title cut "Hurdy Gurdy Man","Get Thy Bearings",the beautifully done ballad "Jennifer Juniper","A Sunny Day","Lalena" and "Catch The Wind".So,get out those love beads,lava lamps,tie dyes and Scooby snacks.Long live the hippy era!

Solid but unfocused effort.......2006-01-30

"The Hurdy Gurdy Man" was probably Donovan's last truly solid effort, although a few missteps mark this as a slightly lesser work than the three previous masterpieces that came before it. Although nearly all of the tracks on it are strong, the overall sound and style is perhaps a little *too* diverse, creating an unfocused atmosphere that is in contrast to the singular mood which "Sunshine Superman", "Mellow Yellow" and "A Gift From A Flower To A Garden" were able to create.

The album opens with the title track, one of his best-ever compositions that starts out as a whisper and ends as a raging rocker featuring the singer backed by three future members of Led Zeppelin; however, the rest of the record is radically different from this, ranging from psychedelic drones to acoustic ballads and a few featuring the West Indian influence found on the previous single "There Is A Mountain". "Peregrin", "The River Song" and "Tangiers" belong to the psychedelic drone genre, and all three are mesmerising in style, with the "The River Song" being particularly beautiful. "Get They Bearings" is a catchy piece of jazz-rock with saxaphone, while "The Entertaining Of A Shy Girl" and "The Sun Is A Very Magic Fellow" are slightly twee but still charming ballads in the flower-power mold Donovan is perhaps most associated with (if a bit unfairly, especially given the power of rockers like "Season Of The Witch", "Hurdy Gurdy Man" and "Barabajagal").

The album begins to drag towards its finish, however, and "Teas" is perhaps the weakest closing track on any of his albums, leaving one with a more mixed impression of the work overall than was necessary. When one considers the high quality of the singles and outtakes included as bonus tracks on this remaster--especially "Poor Cow", "Lalena" and the truly bizarre "What A Beautiful Creature You Are"--one wonders why these weren't included on the final release. In any case, while not a first choice for new Donovan fans (that would *have* to be "Sunshine Superman", in either its US or UK incarnations), it is still an essential purchase in rounding out his classic period, and certainly a superior effort to succeeding efforts like "Barabajagal" (get that one anyway, especially the remaster with its superior bonus cuts).

Another Fine Donovan Re-Issue!.......2005-10-07

"Hurdy Gurdy Man" was Donovan's 1968 album, built up around the strong singles "Hurdy Gurdy Man" and "Jennifer Juniper". Like Donovan's other Micky Most produced albums this one touches upon a great varity of musical styles and instrumentations, with tasteful and original arrangements by John Cameron. Some of the more rocking tunes were arranged by John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin - e.g. the stunningly build-up title track, starting with Donovan's silent humming joined by his acoustic guitar and building up towords its climax with electric guitars and drums. The overall sound-quality of this re-mastered version is great!

"Jennifer Juniper" is a beautifully arranged pop-ballad featuring both oboe and harp.

The album features a handful catchy free and easy tunes among which "The Entertaining of a Shy Girl"and "The Sun is a very Magic Fellow" stand out!

A couple of the droning tunes, combing traditional Eastern sounds with Celtic sounds, may sound a little dated.

"West Indian Lady" revives memories of the Caribbean feel of Donovan's earlier single "There is a Mountain".

A few tracks like "As I Recall it" and "Get Thy Bearings" are quite jazzy, and "Hi, It's Been a Long Time" is a great pop-tune, beautifully instrumentated.

Among the 7 bonus-tracks several stand out. The B-side "Teen Angel" is an early Donovan composition; a fine melody and a great addition.

The album out-take "What a Beautiful Creature You Are" is a fun track with a very catchy melody. The song features singer Lulu. The song ought have been included on the original album.

The two re-recordings of "Catch the Wind" and Colours" done for a for a best of album, are both fine, though they lack the charm of the original versions.

All in all another fine Donovan reissue!

Faces [COLLECTOR'S EDITION] [SPECIAL EDITION] [LIMITED EDITION]

Average customer rating:

A Classic!
POSITIVELY WITHOUT PEER!!!!!
after all these years, still a masterpiece

Faces [COLLECTOR'S EDITION] [SPECIAL EDITION] [LIMITED EDITION]
Shawn Phillips (Author)
Manufacturer: universal music special markets
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Second Contribution
Contribution/Second Contribution
Bright White
Contribution
Transcendence

ASIN: B000HHGSJ8
Release Date: 2006-05-01

Tracks:

Landscape
'L' Ballade
Hey Miss Lonely
Chorale
Parisien Plight II
We
Anello (Where Are You)
I Took A Walk
A Christmas Song

Product Description

Hard to find classic Shawn Phillips Faces album on CD. Includes the original 9 tracks as well as the previousley unavailable track "A Christmas Song" Tracks; 1. Landscape 2. `L" Ballade 3. Hey Miss Lonely 4. Chorale 5. We 6. Parisian Plight II 7. Anello Where are You 8. I Took a Walk 9. A Christmas Song

Customer Reviews:

A Classic!.......2007-05-12

This album (CD)is a classic product of the period between 1969-70 and this
man has a voice to knock your socks off. But he doesn't sing of typical
song subjects- he inspires you to think about the core meaning of life and love. He has a three-and-half octave range and the ability to use his
breath to sing in a way no one else in rock can. And this album rocks, too! I've been waiting years for it to be released on cd and now I'm enjoying it like never before. You have to hear it and all of his others, especially the earlier albums.

POSITIVELY WITHOUT PEER!!!!!.......2007-03-09

I have waited a very long time for this - my very favorite Shawn Philips album - to see the light of day in digital format. I was not disappointed. The mastering is without equal, the sound actually as "warm" as it was on vinyl. The acid test of this is the incredible instrumental track, entitled CHORALE. In a word: WOW!

I won't bore you with minutiae about how every song on this album is spectacular, but they are!

Suffice to say that - put to the old "what 10 CDs would you bring with you if you were deserted on a desert island?" test - Shawn Phillips FACES album is at or very near the top of the list.

But here's the corker: every dime from the sale of FACES goes to the SAVE THE CHILDREN fund! So, you win TWO WAYS when you buy this Cd. You'll get some of the most beautiful music you've ever heard, and you'll be helping children the world over.

Go! Do it! Buy FACES now!

after all these years, still a masterpiece.......2007-01-28

having recently started replacing LP's dating back to 1968 (300 give or take dozen or so)taken in a home invasion, i just received "faces". what a treat !! the musicianship is superb, shawn's soaring vocals are a delight. it awes me that this is over 30 years old and still so enjoyable.
shawn is a musical genius, when i bought this decades ago i knew i liked it but at that time was not truly appreciating the layers of instruments, it's like a truly fine wine. also appreciated is shawn's willingness to not limit his music to one form. before purchasing this, i acquired his greatets hits and found myself enjoying all of the tunes and the variety of music types it represents. i would heartily recommend any of his works to anyone who can appreciate layers and layers of instruments and an astounding vocal range. i saw shawn in concert in the early 70's and plan to repeat the experience as soon as he starts touring north amemrica again.

Music Review:

Music Review

Music Review

1. Local Boy Chops Wood
2. Astral Angel
3. Light
4. Dare to Be Different!
5. Brave New World
6. Lady of the Stars
7. International Man
8. Sing My Song
9. Maya's Dance
10. Kalifornia Kiddies