Donovan - Donovan's Greatest Hits

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 Amazon.com

All Great Folk-Rock experiments

Some Amazon Reviewers say that the original hit versions are found elsewhere. Single versions, album versions, what do I know? I see that Donovan wrote every single song on this collection, and although he may have been looking back to "Atlantis", he was looking forward to "Zeppelin". Also to Bon Jovi? (Could "Blaze Of Glory" be a tribute to Mr. DL?). To Mark Bolan and T-Rex? That one goes without saying.
Actually, names like Paul McCartney, Jeff Beck, and John Bonham do figure in the proceedings.
Beautiful poetry set to tasteful arrangements. Bubble-gum Dylan? Why not? "Catch The Wind" is as good as "Blowin' In The Wind"!
[I wonder if the Stan Laurel estate is aware of the album cover photo?]. November 21, 2008

Memories

What great memories from days gone by. It is said that he is going back on tour. He may have been forgotten but no longer. I should have gotten this years ago. GREAT November 16, 2008

All his hits

A fine collection especially with the inclusion of 4 bonus tracks. With these this one CD captures all of Donovan's charted hits with the exception of Universal Soldier (1965/53) and his two songs from 1971 and 1973. All his top ten hits are included here when Atlantis is included as a bonus. Sound quality is superb. A great value buy. October 30, 2008

Very good CD

Enjoying this CD very much. Nice collection of songs, most of which I remembered from back in the day. Sounded great. October 29, 2008

QUITE RIGHT, SLICK.....

In the early to mid sixties, Donovan was considered by many to be the UK's answer to Bob Dylan. While I think Bob Dylan has always been lightyears beyond Donovan in every aspect, I do enjoy alot of this guys stuff... although I don't even see him so much as a folk rocker, as alot of his stuff is very pop oriented. But always catchy, lighthearted fun. This album is one I've owned for a long time on record and have always enjoyed throughout. The CD version is expanded, and includes a handful of tracks that weren't on the vinyl, like the trippy BARANJAGAL (is that how its spelled?) and the rocking ATLANTIS.
Gotta dig the tunes WEAR YOUR LOVE LIKE HEAVEN, the ultra trippy tune HURDY GURDY MAN, or the eccentric MELLOW YELLOW; and of course one of my all time favorites SEASON OF THE WITCH.

One thing that should be noted though is the different version of COLOURS. This song was recorded originally as a more folk sounding song in the early sixties, but the version on the vinyl Greatest Hits was a re-recorded version from around 65-66, which I think was better than the original, because of some cool voice effects, and was always one of my favorites. For some reason the CD has the original folk version instead of the one thats on the Greatest Hits record (?)... which makes no sense, but the version here is still good, and a little more Dylan-esque, so I won't complain too much. Every song here is still a nice slice of sixties Donovan. It's his most accesible stuff also (did I spell THAT right?) where theres a slew of albums from him in the sixties and his stuff ranges anywhere from great, to strange, to stomach churningly sappy, this collection has a dozen plus tracks that are all pleasing and were all welcome on my stereo--- so go ahead Slick and give it a whirly whirl!

-For the record I don't usually say things like "Give it a Whirly whirl", but it seemed appropriate for this review, so, there you have it! I'll see ya. October 9, 2008

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