Way under rated. Agree with the post that said the wheel will turn and he will eventually be given his just credit. Actually my younger sister (30 something) recently told me how much she loved Hurdy Gurdy Man a few weeks ago when she came over and saw a Donovan album in my stack. So we fired it up and had a great time listening to it together. Every once and a while something happens that makes you think there is hope for the world !!
His autobiography made himself out to be a big- head when he talks about Liam Gallagher (who) told him he stole Don's furry hooded parka image(photo in book). Still worth a read tbough.
Yes he fell by the way side a couple of years before the punk explosion. Although ironically Donovan calls his 'Open Road'.. his punk album' (controversial lyrics ). His most contemporary sounding album imo.
More influential than he gets credit for. At the ashram in India, he taught John Lennon the fingerpicking technique he used on "Julia." After Cosmic Wheels, he made several good albums (including one for children), but his real landmark albums are from the '60s. As for being "fashionable" or not, folk-based artists are generally not concerned with going in and out of style. They stay true to themselves and create the kind of music they like, and it's appreciated by their fans, however small in number they may be.
Sounds like you haven't read the thread you revived? As someone who basically didn't care for most of his hippy dippy shtick, I'm finding this a very interesting thread. I remember loving Catch the Wind, and had a fondness for Atlantis. For some reason I bought the cd Beat Café, probably because some Donophile raved about it here, and hated it. For one thing it was outrageously loud. The songs except for the covers didn't appeal to me. But based on what I'm reading now, if there was any decent 2 disk comp that contained more that the usual suspects, I'd consider it.
So did Julie Driscoll and Brian Auger, a very cool version at the time I worked with Julie (a style icon) and Robert Powell (future Jesus Christ) on a BBC Play about hippies and personal freedoms, of the same name Season of the Witch by Johnny Byrne aided by Jenny Fabian ,ex 60s groupie
Julie Tippet amazing vocalist. Believe Robert Powell married one of Pans People. Is that the same Byrne that goes by the another non de plume 'Patrick' ( album covers ) ?
Jenny Fabian of Syd Barrett fame - wasn't she the one on the Madcap Laughs cover? Some great outtakes: the first Sunshine Superman version of Superlungs, and the early alternate Epistle to Dippy which I prefer to the single version.
Johnny Byrne wrote Heartbeat and Dr Who Robert Powell married Babs (everyones favourite) from Pans (gulp) People
The one who was involved in the 1971 "Season of the Witch" was not the Byrne who had painted under the nom de plume "Patrick" and who also, coincidentally, is a well known playwright.
Donovan' composer of the 1972 The Piped Piper -Jacques Demy film staring John Hurt ' Don as Piper. Not sure if it's available on DVD.
The "Sunshine Superman" and "Hurdy Gurdy Man" albums were excellent for lazy herbal afternoons. Most of us are too jaded and energized now.
I liked Colours and Catch The Wind form his early days as a folkie protest singer. Universal Soldier was nice, too. But the tide turned for me with Sunshine Superman - an album I loved to death. Season of the Witch rocked. The band I was in at the time (still a high school garage rock outfit) covered Season of the Witch and Catch The Wind (using the Blues Project's version as a template). Later we covered Hurdy Gurdy Man. I bought the singles, too, including Mellow Yellow, which while corny, I liked. I never smoked a banana peel, nor stored cinnamon gum (or was that teaberry?) inside it, either. I was naive, but not gullible. Atlantis was fun too. Barabajagal I gought for the Jeff Beck connection, and it wasn't quite up to snuff for me. But I really liked all the material on Sunshine Superman. Just a great record all around. Celeste and Writer in The Sun were two lesser known faves.
More deep tracks: Three King Fishers The Trip House of Jansch Young Girl Blues (one of his best imo) Entertaining of a shy Girl Poor Cow Hampton Incident
Wow. You have great taste. Also agree re "Young Girl Blues"--my go to when deflating any who feel Don is all kisses and light, a brilliant track.
