Out of print in the U.S.! Import pressing of Donovan's critically successful 1996 album produced by Rick Rubin. Like Johnny Cash before him and Neil Diamond afterwards, Rubin strips away the gloss and presents Donovan at his acoustic best. 14 tracks that recall Donovan's folky beginnings including 'Please Don't Bend', 'Everlasting Sea' and 'Lady Of The Lamp'. Warner. Album Description
What a nice surprise! Sublime, stripped down acoustic magic as the King of the Flower Children struts his sutras. Now if only he continues to produce more beautiful stuff like this.
May 20, 2008 |  | Gently Moving Spiritual Offering |  |
Donovan has definitely not fared so well with the critics & his gentle music seems out of synch with the increasingly loud sexuality of today's entertainment climate. He was--and is--a true Flower Child in the very best connotation of that term. The singer Melanie could be described as Donovan's female counterpart. She too projected a "Beautiful People" type personna. The only problem was that she had a tendency to affect a rather silly, childish manner--sort of like a Bjork before her time. Nonetheless, Melanie produced some really great work too, and it's unfortunate that her original albums have not survived intact--or at least transitioned into CD format.
Donovan's songs are often childlike, but never childish. SUTRAS was released some time ago & the single PLEASE DON'T BEND got some air time, but not much. It's only recently that this CD has been available for purchase in the US. Obviously it's accoustic simplicity can't compete with the American Wall of Sound. It's a pity too, because SUTRAS creates an atmosphere of spiritual simplicity sadly absent in today's pop scene.
[To be fair, lately I have heard songs from SUTRAS on the air since this release.]
PLEASE DON'T BEND is a wonderful song, matched by ELDORADO, NIRVANA and LADY OF THE LAMP. My personal favorites (in addition to PLEASE DON'T BEND) are EVERLASTING SEA & HIGH YOUR LOVE. There is also a lovely English rendition of the Gaelic hymn DEEP PEACE.
This CD is pure Donovan, spiritual & real. Beautiful People: The Greatest Hits Of Melanie
Sunshine Superman
Donovan's Greatest Hits
Troubadour: The Definitive Collection 1964-1976
Catch the Wind
Beautiful People: The Greatest Hits Of Melanie
December 12, 2007| | | An Underappreciated Masterpiece; Donovan's Best album EVER!!! | |
This magnificent album--long out of print in the U.S., but still available as an import--is easily the finest work ever done by the unjustly-maligned Donovan Leitch. Superstar producer Rick Rubin, best known for his work with Johnny Cash, strips Donovan's songs down to the bare essentials, achieving results that hearken back to the singer's folkie beginnings. The resulting disc is understated, yet passionate, displaying a focus, and a sense of purpose, that was sometimes absent from the hippie troubador's late-60s drug-induced flights of fancy. Donovan's work, some of which has aged poorly, has always presented a critical conundrum, having been as passionately defended by fans as it was derided by detractors. If you are not yet a Donovan fan, this is the disc that may change your mind. It easily ranks among my top five all-time favorites. There is a timeless beauty and wisdom here that transcends the "hippy dippy" image. This is truly one for the ages, and will be a pleasant surprise for those who have not yet discovered it.
April 4, 2007| | | An Underappreciated Masterpiece; Donovan's best album EVER! | |
This magnificent album--long out of print in the U.S., but still available as an import--is easily the finest work ever done by the unjustly-maligned Donovan Leitch. Superstar producer Rick Rubin, best known for his work with Johnny Cash, strips Donovan's songs down to the bare essentials, achieving results that hearken back to the singer's folkie beginnings. The resulting disc is understated, yet passionate, displaying a focus, and a sense of purpose, that was sometimes absent from the hippie troubador's late-60s drug-induced flights of fancy. Donovan's work, some of which has aged poorly, has always presented a critical conundrum, having been as passionately defended by fans as it was derided by detractors. If you are not yet a Donovan fan, this is the disc that may change your mind. It easily ranks among my top five all-time favorites. There is a timeless beauty and wisdom here that transcends the "hippy dippy" image. This is truly one for the ages, and will be a pleasant surprise for those who have not yet discovered it.
April 4, 2007This C.D feels like my favorite meadow where I go to lay in the tall grass & listen to the wind, the misic & the words together create sanctuary. I can listen to this one endlessly.....
June 15, 2006More reviews at Amazon.com ...
(30 reviews)