The Essential Donovan [2012]

by Donovan

Overview

Bearing the same name as the 2004 compilation The Essential Donovan and containing every one of that disc's 14 songs, the 2012 double-disc set The Essential Donovan -- its release timed to coincide with the singer/songwriter's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame -- is perhaps better compared to the 1992 box Troubadour: The Definitive Collection, another two-CD set that delved deeply into Donovan's career. Troubadour contained 44 songs and The Essential Donovan tops out at 32, yet those 12 songs aren't necessarily missed. All the hits are here, along with a handful of rarities -- cuts that have never shown up on CD in the U.S., including an early mono version of "The Land of Doesn't Have to Be" and two songs, "Sunny Goodge Street" and "Sand and Foam," taken from a 1967 concert at the Anaheim Convention Center, plus "Hey Gyp (Dig the Slowness)" -- but what distinguishes this Essential from Troubadour is that it emphasizes Donovan's psychedelic mod hipster side over his wannabe Dylan folkie (the title of Troubadour was no accident on the 1992 set) and for audiences that prefer "Mellow Yellow," "Sunshine Superman," "Hurdy Gurdy Man," "Wear Your Love Like Heaven," "Jennifer Juniper," and "Barabajagal (Love Is Hot)" to "Catch the Wind," "Colours," and "Universal Soldier," this is the preferable collection. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	04/17/2012
Label:	Epic / Legacy / Sony Legacy
UPC:	0886919586824
Rank:	5885

Tracks

Disc 1

1. Catch the Wind [Single Version]
2. Colours
3. Summer Day Reflection Song
4. Universal Soldier
5. You're Gonna Need Somebody on Your Bond
6. Turquoise
7. Sunshine Superman [Extended Version]
8. The Trip [Single Version]
9. Legend of a Girl Child Linda
10. Season of the Witch
11. Ferris Wheel
12. Mellow Yellow
13. Young Girl Blues
14. Museum
15. Hampstead Incident
16. Sunny South Kensington
17. The Land of Doesn't Have To Be [Early Version]
18. Epistle to Dippy

Disc 2

19. There is a Mountain
20. Wear Your Love Like Heaven
21. Sun
22. Isle of Islay
23. Sunny Godge Street
24. Sand and Foam
25. Jennifer Juniper
26. Hurdy Gurdy Man
27. Get Thy Bearings
28. Lalena
29. To Susan on the West Coast Waiting
30. Atlantis
31. Barabajagal (Love Is Hot)
32. Happiness Runs
33. Riki Tiki Tavi
34. Celia of the Seals
35. I Like You
36. Hey Gyp (Dig the Slowness)

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Donovan   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Mike Cimicata   Project Director
Kenney Jones   Liner Notes
Anthony DeCurtis   Liner Notes
Geezer Butler   Liner Notes
Geoff Stephens   Producer
Rob Santos   A&R
Peter Eden   Producer
Rickie Lee Jones   Liner Notes
Mickie Most   Producer
Buffy Sainte-Marie   Composer
Donovan   Producer,Liner Notes,Compilation Producer
Vic Anesini   Mastering
Arlo Guthrie   Liner Notes
Mark Larson   Art Direction
Elizabeth McShea   Photo Research
Barry Feinstein   Cover Photo
Donovan Leitch   Arranger,Composer
Terry Kennedy   Producer
Bob Irwin   Compilation Producer