Donovan - Troubadour: The Definitive Collection 1964-1976

More than adequate anthology

Donovan is another of the performers from the 1960s whose career might not have occurred were it not for those who came before and the emergence of the hippie movement. The American market had been softened up by the first waves of the British Invasion such that any type of Brit accent, dress and attitude could get you a listen. Without that, why else would there be retrospectives on Herman's Hermits and Freddie and The Dreamers to name but two bands.

I mwntion these two because - in addition to being the cynosure of musical inconsequence - they also contributed to the subversion of rock 'n' roll in favor of softer and more mellow sounds that had more linkage to the music hall and folk genres than the rock genre. In the US, folk/folk-rock/country rock was always influenced by a blues flavor - often enhanced/accelerated by drugs - a more true folkie sound tending to eminate from the UK and waft across the pond. This sound came in part out of a distinctly non-American cultural bias towards mysticism. This is the center-mass for Donovan's, perhaps there is no better way to describe this than in his own words; namely, "where your love like heaven."

But, I am not hear to deride Donovan, but to praise him (sorry Mr. Shakespere) somewhat. Amidst what might be considered a mind-numbing collectionj of material are some truly wonderful pieces that - for some strange inexplicable reason - remain as fresh as when recorded. Others, to be sure, are, at best, better comsigned to the 'precious' category. But, let me name a few that make this two-CD set worth the price of admission. "To Susan on the West Coast Waiting," "Catch the Wind," 'Colors," "Season of the Witch," "Jennifer Juniper," and "Atlantis."

Perhaps it would have been better as a single CD, but you can say the same about the Dave Clark Five's anthology, too.




October 14, 2008

a bit of Sunshine catches the wind

Donovan has a bad rep. He was considered poor cow to Bob Dylan bull.

Donovan was an English folk singer that had the same tenor and earnestness, but a sweeter lick on the ear. Donovan had a huge mid 60's hit capturing Dylan's sweeping lyrical with "Catch the Wind". Donovan recorded a couple of LPs, released on Hickory (a C/W label !) as the new Dylan. He signed with Mickey Most, the premier producer of English bands, Animals, Herman's Hermits, Lulu, etc...

Things changed...Donovan went from folk angst to hippie prophet to gentle smile to selling lipstick wear your love like heaven!

This 2CD set has the start of his folk promise and his excursion into the new wonder of the mid/late 60's. "Mellow Yellow", a 1966 song that still revererates, "Season of the Witch", and "Sunshine Superman" + more.

Essential and goo goo barajagal
September 17, 2008

All The Donovan You Need

TROUBADOUR: THE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION 1964-1976 contains the absolute cream of Donovan's crop of folk-turned-psychedelic folk-rock style, quickly moving from his early days as the British Dylan to a more psychedelic sound that was perfect for the flower-power era. The folk years are only represented by four or five songs, as Donovan quickly moves into more hippie-oriented turf. Even though I've never even tried any drugs not ordered by a physician, I must say that these songs are great whether your stoned or clear-headed. The fact that Donovan, like so many other post-1964 rock artists, opposes Indonesia's trumped-up 2005 drug-smuggling conviction of a young Australian tourist makes TROUBADOUR: THE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION 1964-1976 an essential purchase for both your ears AND your conscience. June 24, 2008

Nearly Perfect

There are a few songs I have on vinyl that are worth using to make this a three CD set, but this'll do. April 18, 2008

A good collection but not all reproduced in stereo

No doubt about it, this is a good set.Fantastic for the price but for one downfall. The majority of the songs are reproduced in mono not stereo.
I personally feel that this is a definite problem. Donavon's music is deserving of better treatment than this.
The most off putting thing about it, is that this information is not made known, I was unable to find any mention of it in the product description.
Needless to say I was very disappointed when I received my copy and played it.
Perhaps for those of us that want a better version there will be one available in the future. In the meantime I will keep the CD (I did consider returning it)and make the best of it. February 4, 2008

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