Record Reviews
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  | DONOVAN ~ 7-TEASE
REPERTOIRE 2315 (Barcode: 4009910231524) ~ UK ~ Classic Pop
Recorded: 1974 Released: 2004
This is a reissue / remaster of the twelfth studio album by the legendary British bard / singer / songwriter DonovanFind albums by this artist, recorded in 1974 with studio musicians, including brass and string sections. The original album presents twelve original songs by Donovan. This reissue adds four bonus tracks: two single versions of songs on the album and two session outtakes.
This album was one of the last albums (only two would follow) recorded in the 1970s, which would be followed by gradual seclusion and absence from the scene, until the early 2000s, when new material was recorded and released.
The album’s subject matter is reflective / retrospective and summarizes the incredible decade that preceded the time this album was released. Although the Psychedelic 1960s were still almost in the air, Donovan, like many other Artists, was disillusioned by the failure of the hope to “change the world”, which his (and my) generation had felt during that short-lived era.
Musically, the album is full of the absolutely beautiful tunes, no one but Donovan could weave, and his mellow / yellow voice is still absolutely unique, something to long for. Strangely enough, several of these songs have a strong Jazzy (well, traditional Jazz) arrangements.
Overall, this is a classic Pop / Rock album, which lost absolutely nothing of its charm and beauty over time. The heartbreaking naiveté, which kept us floating in the air even without getting “stoned”, is still alive and kicking, with bittersweet memories pushing the ticker to beat faster while the music plays. A superb trip down the memory lane!
| | Updated: 14/04/2023Posted: 14/04/2023 | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | DONOVAN ~ BREEZES OF PATCHOULI – HIS STUDIO RECORDINGS: 1966-1969
PARLOPHONE 5099992860520 (Barcode: 5099992860520) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1966 - 1969 Released: 2013
This marvelous Box Set collects all the studio recordings by the great British troubadour DonovanFind albums by this artist, recorded during his explosive years, which changed the shape of Pop and Rock music as we know it. It includes the five extraordinary studio albums: "Sunshine SupermanFind albums with this title", "Mellow YellowFind albums with this title", "The Hurdy Gurdy ManFind albums with this title", "BarabajagalFind albums with this title" and finally "A Gift From A Flower To A GardenFind albums with this title" which was originally a double LP. All these albums were released by EpicFind albums on this label in the USA and PyeFind albums on this label in UK, often out of sync and with different track lists, as a result of the usual music business BS that prevailed at the time.
These albums feature all original songs written by Donovan and were produced by the British producer Mickie MostFind albums by this artist. Some of the arrangements were written by the great John CameronFind albums by this artist and the list of supporting musicians reads like a who´s who of the British Jazz and Rock scene at the time: pianist John Cameron, flautist Harold McNairFind albums by this artist, guitarists Jeff BeckFind albums by this artist and Jimmy PageFind albums by this artist, bassist Danny ThompsonFind albums by this artist, John Paul JonesFind albums by this artist and Jack BruceFind albums by this artist, drummers Phil SeamenFind albums by this artist and Tony CarrFind albums by this artist and many others.
In addition to the five original albums on three CDs, this set includes a fourth CD full of bonus material, which wonderfully fills in and expands the picture of Donovan´s creativity. A well researched booklet with overview of Donovan´s career during those years is also included.
Donovan´s brilliant mixture of Celtic roots, Psychedelia, Jazz and Rock, spiced with his incredibly poetic lyrics, was an absolutely unique phenomenon in the Pop / Rock history and no other artist managed to create such a massive body of brilliant songs within such short period of time. His music is as much relevant today as it was at the time it was created and lost nothing of its beauty, vitality or artistic power over time. They certainly don´t make music like that any more!
The only regret, as far as this Box Set is concerned, is the fact that it does not include the brilliant live album "In Concert (The Complete 1967 Anaheim Show)Find albums with this title", which would have made this set even more perfect.
This is an absolutely essential piece of music history, which deserves an honorable place in any serious music collection!
| | Updated: 26/01/2019Posted: 08/11/2016 | CD 4 Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | DONOVAN ~ IN CONCERT
BGO 0090 ~ UK ~ Classic Rock
Live album from 1968 presents DonovanFind albums by this artist - the Prince of British Psychedelia - in an unusual setting singing his favorite songs and accompanied by an acoustic ensemble with a strong jazzy flavor, made unique by the presence of the outstanding flute player Harold McNairFind albums by this artist, who unfortunately died soon after this recording was made.
| | Updated: 28/07/2023Posted: | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | DONOVAN ~ OPEN ROAD
REPERTOIRE 4880 (Barcode: 4009910488027) ~ UK ~ Classic Pop
Recorded: 1970 Released: 2000
This is a reissue of the eighth studio album by the legendary British bard / singer / songwriter DonovanFind albums by this artist, recorded in 1970 with the short-lived band Open RoadFind albums by this artist, which included also bassist / vocalist Mike ThomsonFind albums by this artist and drummer / vocalist John CarrFind albums by this artist. Pianist Mike O`NeillFind albums by this artist plays on some of the songs. The album presents twelve songs, all by Donovan.
This was the first album Donovan recorded after parting ways with the producer Mickie MostFind albums by this artist, who had a strong influence on Donovan’s albums up to the seventh album “BarabajagalFind albums with this title”. The song’s subject matter returns to protest themes against industrialization and other social / political issues. Musically, in addition to the Psychedelic influences, the album also has some World Music and Jazz influences.
Musically, the album is full of the absolutely beautiful tunes, that no one but Donovan could weave, and his mellow / yellow voice is still absolutely unique, something to long for. Sadly, Donovan and Open Road parted ways and the band continued as a separate musical entity for some years, but Carr and Thomson did take part in recording of the next Donovan album called “HMS DonovanFind albums with this title”.
Overall, this is a classic Pop / Rock album, which lost absolutely nothing of its charm and beauty over time. The heartbreaking naiveté, which kept us floating in the air even without getting “stoned”, is still alive and kicking, with bittersweet memories pushing the ticker to beat faster while the music plays. A superb trip down the memory lane!
| | Updated: 13/06/2023Posted: 13/06/2023 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | DONOVAN ~ ORIGINAL ALBUM CLASSICS
EPIC 773847 (Barcode: 886977384721) ~ UK ~ Folk-Rock
Recorded: 1967 - 1968 Released: 2010
This excellent Box Set includes three studio albums, recorded between 1967 and 1968 and released on the Epic label, by the great British pioneer of Folk-Rock and later Psychedelia DonovanFind albums by this artist: "Mellow YellowFind albums with this title", "Hurdy Gurdy ManFind albums with this title", and "BarabajagalFind albums by this artist". Donovan´s unique talent fro writing superb melodies, his brilliant vocal delivery and his openness to new musical ideas made his one of the most important British musicians in the late 1960s. Supported by some of Britain´s best musicians at the time, like flautist Harold McNairFind albums by this artist, bassist Danny ThompsonFind albums by this artist, guitarist Jeff BeckFind albums by this artist and many others, these albums are all absolute classics of the era. The albums are remastered and packaged in album replicas (mini-sleeves), housed in a cardboard box, and with the attractive price tag this is a tremendous bargain as well. Highly recommended!
| | Updated: 26/01/2019Posted: | CD 3 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Recommend To A Friend |
  | DONOVAN ~ PIED PIPER
RHINO 081227829025 (Barcode: 081227829025) ~ UK ~ Pop & Rock
Recorded: 2001 - 2002 Released: 2002
This is the twentieth studio album by British singer / songwriter DonovanFind albums by this artist and his third album with children’s music. It presents thirteen songs, all by Donovan, mostly originating from his older albums, with three new songs for this release. The songs were re-arranged for this album and performed by Donovan, several additional vocalists, bassist Noel BarrettFind albums by this artist, drummer Danny ByrtFind albums by this artist and several guest musicians.
The music is absolutely delightful, like everything Donovan ever recorded, and his love for children is obvious, which makes this little gem a true pleasure to listen to. There are very few other songwriters able to write such beautiful melodies, which although simple, have beautiful harmony and depth, which this album shows in full light.
By the early 2000s, when this album was released, Donovan re-organized his life and career, starting a new path, which was more focused and relaxed than that the hectic preceding decades, and he started to record regularly, producing several excellent new albums since.
Overall, although released as a collection of Children’s songs, this is a delightful album for children of all ages, and Donovan fans should find this a wonderful trip down memory lane. His voice in perfect form, and his charm still in place, this is an absolutely delightful piece of music!
| | Updated: 26/05/2023Posted: 26/05/2023 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | DONOVAN ~ SUNSHINE SUPERMAN
BGO 0068 ~ UK ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1967
This album is one of the greatest treasurs of UK rock and marks the entry to thy Psychedelic era. DonovanFind albums by this artist changes like a cameleon from a folk / protest singer (a la Bob Dylan) to master craftsman of beautiful pop songs, heavily spiced with Psychedelia, which is emphasized by the brilliant work of the musicians playing on the session. A treasure!
Visitors' Comments
Dr. Rafael Augusto Lara Palmeros
A brilliant, beautiful work from English trovadour. Only a word: ¡¡ESSENTIAL!!!. Five stars.
| | Updated: 28/07/2023Posted: | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | PARTY SAHNE ~ PARTY SAHNE
NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 2021 Released: 2022
This is the debut album by Polish / Silesian trio called Party SahneFind albums by this artist, which comprises of guitarist Tomasz BienekFind albums by this artist, bassist Andrzej RusekFind albums by this artist and drummer Grzegorz ImielskiFind albums by this artist. French horn player Michal ZdrzalekFind albums by this artist plays on four tracks and vocalists Jola LiterskaFind albums by this artist and Marek McCarron MotykaFind albums by this artist also participate, each on one track, as does the rapper DonoFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original tracks, six of which were composed by Bienek and three are from different sources. The album is dedicated to Rusek, who tragically fell victim to the Covid-19 pandemic during the recording of the album.
The music is an idiosyncratic amalgam of Rock, Fusion, Blues and Ambient elements, which characterize Bienek’s earlier recording projects. His excellent guitar playing, which eschews flashy displays of vanity and stays focused and pretty minimalist, is captivating and heartfelt. The solid rhythm section drives the music forward, adding a Funky Groove and solid ground for the guitar solo parts. The French horn melodic layer is a wonderful idea and fits the rest of the music like a glove.
Overall, this is a splendid and highly entertaining album, which offers a diverse mixture of highly melodic, well-constructed music, which is superbly executed by all the musicians involved. There is nothing pretentious or hyper-cerebral in this music, just pure solid musical contents and an honest statement. It’s a great pleasure to follow my Silesian musical friends, who never disappoint. Highly recommended!
| | Updated: 23/07/2022Posted: 23/07/2022 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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