The Definitive Collection [Sony]

by Donovan

Overview

Donovan was always an affected performer and songwriter, relying too often at times on stances and mannerisms he probably really didn't need, and he never really let go of the cosmic flower-power phase that washed over the 1960s. But underneath the silliness, Donovan had a flair for melody and arrangement, and no one could accuse him of creatively selling out since whatever hits he had back in the day were odd, left-field maverick things like "Sunshine Superman," "Mellow Yellow, "Atlantis," and "Hurdy Gurdy Man." Unfortunately, Donovan's particularly ornate genius didn't quite shine outside of the '60s, and while he kept recording, his output past 1969 isn't particularly interesting and borders on bad parody. This set is hardly definitive, although it does have the quirky gems "Sunshine Superman," "Hurdy Gurdy Man," "Barabajagal," and the irresistible "Riki Tiki Tavi," but it also has a lot of tracks, particularly later in the chronology, that would be forgettable if they weren't so ridiculously silly. Call Donovan a guilty pleasure. At his best, he was more than that, but at his worst, well, that's where the word guilty comes in. ~ Steve Leggett

Product Details

Release Date:	02/26/1996
Label:	Epic / Sony Music Entertainment
UPC:	5099748055224
Rank:	39778

Tracks

1. Sunshine Superman
2. Season of the Witch
3. Mellow Yellow
4. Epistle to Dippy
5. There Is a Mountain
6. Wear Your Love Like Heaven
7. Jennifer Juniper
8. Hurdy Gurdy Man
9. Lalena
10. Atlantis
11. To Susan on the West Coast Waiting
12. Barabajagal
13. Riki Tiki Tavi
14. Celia of the Seals
15. Sailing Homeward
16. Earth Sign Man
17. Maria Magenta
18. Salvation Stomp
19. Colours ['69 Version]
20. Catch the Wind ['69 Version]
21. Universal Soldier

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Donovan   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Donovan Leitch   Composer