I was wondering about that. I watched this on my Firestick on a big screen TV and could see the title on the cover. It sent me to my copy to make sure I wasn't seeing things. BTW, a few years ago, my wife and I saw Donovan in Dallas on a 50th anniversary tour for this album. Great show. Biggest surprise was when he said he wanted to introduce a couple of his good friends and have them do a few songs with him. Out came the Ackermans, a married singer/songwriter couple who are friends of ours. We had no idea they knew Donovan until we saw them walk out on stage with him at the Majestic Theater.
My Donovan story time... Donovan actually bought and moved into a house a few miles from the town where I'm from back in [it must be like] the early 90's, maybe late 80's. He still owns & lives there. I actually meet Donovan and got to see him play a secret intimate gig; as there was the yearly International Folk Festival in the town I'm from (my parents had been on the festival committee). Use to see Donovan around town a bit sometimes, a few times in the Hardware Store. He would regularly(ish) be getting timber / building materials for the house (it was the kinda house that needed some renovationing, doing-up, repairs, etc.). My father [a plumber] kinda knew Donovan from when he use to be on the Festival Committee, so they'd often have short chats. Fast-forward about ten years⏩ Donovan's Daughter was in a relationship with Shaun Ryder (Singer / Songwriter) of the band the Happy Mondays, they actually had a child together. And Shaun and his buddies (sometimes some of the Happy Mondays), would regularly be around town drinking and etc. And actually, on a couple of occasions I ended up out on the town with Shaun, just the two of us, having drinks, and etc... Unfortunately (though not surprisingly) Shaun and Donovan's Daughter split-up, and Shaun, his buddies and sometimes some of the Happy Mondays, no longer frequented the town. But... they where some crazy happy (excuse the pun) days 🙂 .
@@jetnova3788 Another Donovan 'fun fact' [somewhere in my head I recall hearing that]; Donovan sang with Jimmy Page, J.P. Jones & John Bonham (3/4's of Led Zeppelin) before Robert Plant turned up to become a permanent member of Led Zeppelin. .
Hey Abigail: I wanna tell you a story 'bout my introduction to this album. I was a youngster who read an advert in a magazine-send in a cigar ring purchase 'n receive Sunshine Superman on vinyl for free. So I bought a pack o' Swisher Sweets, sent in a cigar ring 'n received the album. I went to a drive in theater, sat in the bleachers in front o' the screen 'n proceeded to smoke my first cigar. Immediately I felt awful, laid down on the bench 'n wished I had died rather than experience this misery. I haven't smoked a cigar since but am forever grateful for my introduction to Donovan. I met him briefly years later by chance in London 'n saw him several times in concert there after. Thank you so much for this extraordinary glimpse into this important time for this incredible artist!
Let’s not forget the amazing Incredible String Band with their contributions of 5000 Layers of the Onion, the Hangman’s Beautiful Daughter, Wee Tam and the Big Huge. I’m sure they were aware of each other but have no evidence to back it up ❤️
This was an unexpected treat. Donovan is an artist who is largely unknown to younger generations. He, very much, helped shape the sixties, and was the music behind the Flower Child movement. For me, the first single I ever bought was Sunshine Superman and it was one of my first albums as well. I have over twenty of his albums and have listened to them so many times and they always bring me back to pleasant memories of a time of peace and love. I have seen Donovan in person twice and got to meet him backstage, but was too over-awed to say much except "thank you for your music". He was as pleasant and welcoming in person as he is in his music.
i've heard so many similarly lovely stories about donovan since posting this video. there are a lot of jerks in rock-and-roll, he's not one of them :')
Part of the reason Donovan got busted for pot was one year earlier he released the song, “Sunny Google Street” which describes him taking the train to Google Street Station to buy hash. This bust led to George Harrison getting busted. Then Mick and Keith, and finally John Lennon. Good video this week!
haha i had no idea "sunny goodge street" kicked off such a domino effect! not only is it the reason for sunshine superman, it's the reason for all those busts!
Hi Abigail, This is one subject that we're in total agreement. I'm an old hippie and have loved Donovan since the early days. I have been able to recite or half sing Epistle to Dippy since the 9th grade.(and yes, I do roll my Rs the right times). My most impressive brag is that I've been introduced to and shook the hand of Ravi Shankar. Keep up the extraordinary work, and I will definitely keep watching.
You mention the singer/songwriter Shawn Phillips a couple of times in your video. The impresario Bill Graham once called him "the best kept secret in the music business". His 1970 album Second Contribution is one of my favorites. The opening song, She Was Waiting For Her Mother At The Station In Torino And You Know I Love You Baby But It's Getting Too Heavy To Laugh", more commonly known as Woman is beautiful. His songwriting, twelve string guitar and four octave range will blow you away. I also think you will love the cover art on the album. He's wearing a cape!!
@@abigaildevoe in the early 70s, an FM channel in san Antonio played a lot of his songs. Yes, he is sadly very overlooked. For starters, listen to She
I was listening to Donovan's Greatest Hits album in the background while watching this video. You help make the Monday blahs a little less... Well blah! 👌🏼
always a treat to hear of the joy Abigail Devoe finds in music, and the only of a young woman fashion expression done in parallel, by a woman who somehow incorporates laughter into her speaking patterns, where for most ordinary people speech is a separate event from laughter . Sometimes a young woman's expressive joy is like skipping through dappled sunshine. I once read in a los angeles newspaper about some guy speculating how he saw the opportunity for Donovan to be the next big thing in music, a standalone singer songwriter star, but he couldn't get past a bunch of business problems to get him released in the US, and Dylan got to that star niche acclaim first, leading to some people saying this unique talent was just a wanna be follower of Dylan, just because of timing , according to the guy in the newspaper. And perhaps , for some critics needing attention at the expense of others, because he was a somewhat lesser light in comparison.
Mello Yellow ruled the airwaves in SoCal. I'm not kidding, we dried and smoked banana skins. Nobody got high on banana skins. Ga-BOR ZHA-bo.Hungarian? We smoked banana skins because of a song on the radio.
I absolutely love this record, I’ll admit that I was one of those ppl that fell in love with Donovan’s music cause of Lana del Rey’s cover of ‘Season of the Witch’ and I’m so glad I did. Also, we need to bring capes back, I bought one on Depop and I love it!
Very Good with your presentation. Big Jim Sullivan has been also thought to play guitar on " Sunshine Superman". Like your book collection too. Donny would get Beatle Paul to help sing on " Mellow Yellow" and THE JEFF BECK GROUP ( also produced by Mickie Mouse - as Beck would call Most) to play on 3 of his songs. Of course Pagey would play on at least 3 Donny LPs- confirmed in his autobiography/ interviews at the time/ past liner notes.
I bought it new in '66. Unfortunately, it's mono. Still have it.The cover has the Epic logo on the bottom of the cover and that upper tan space is also at the bottom instead of at the top. I was 16 when this came out and it seemed to fit the times perfectly. It was great and, well, just another great album. Also, you can't mention "Mid-Century Medieval" without discussing Steeleye Span, Maddy Prior, Fairport Convention, The Pentangle, Sandy Denny and Richard Thompson. It's such a trip hearing about the music of my teens and twenties from the prospective of someone so young.
I consider Donovan a romantic-influenced writer. I was buying "Sunshine Superman" and "Mellow Yellow" singles in grade school, and then his Greatest Hits album in 1969. In the 1970s, it was only Cosmic Wheels that made it's way into my collection via a friend of my sister who turned me on to it. But I didn't really get into his other albums until the 1980s and 1990s. Just recently I decided he was my second favorite artist of all time, displacing The Beatles which seems inconceivable. (Yes is #1.) I compiled all the video about him I could find into a youtube folder: Donovan: rare artifacts from an artistic quest: ua-cam.com/play/PL9CL8hZyysWkE7lbgI75sshwQBW6a8sD_.html
I agree about the romantic influence. Progressive minded people in the 60s were rejecting the contemporary modern culture and values, but one needs new perspectives and values to turn to. And through a liberal arts education many were probably familiarized with the romantic writers and movement, whose perspective and relation to the older generations around them were similar to youth of the 60s. And I think at least some of the rising of interest in medieval and Renaissance culture came through the romantics’ interest in and influence by the same. I’m reading a biography of Percy Bysshe Shelley right now by James Bieri and it is great. Written recently at the turn of the 21st century by a retired psychology professor, it gives a much deeper and more nuanced look at how Shelley became who he was.
One of the few albums I originally bought back in 1966 that I still listen to today on a regular basis including his first album "What's Bin Did and What's Bin Hid" retitled "Catch The Wind" for the US release. Celeste from Sunshine Superman and Catch the Wind are my two favorite all time Donovan songs. Side note got to see him perform live in concert in Oct 1969.
At this point I only have "Greatest Hits" but I will look out for his other albums. Also, I have always loved Bloomfield, Kooper, and Stills interpretation of Season of the Witch.
I wasn't old enough to catch this music growing up, my first exposure to Donovan was hearing 'Atlantis' on the radio. Donovan was magical back in the '60s and he's still making music. I have all the expanded CD editions of his albums, give a listen to the 1st version of 'Super Lungs' and you'll know why it didn't get released in the moment. Other bonus tracks for this album: Breezes of Patchulie, Museum (1st version), The Land of Doesn't Have to Be, Sunshine Superman (stereo version), Good Trip (demo), House of Jansch (demo).
Joyous video. Singer songwriter is one of my favourite categories in music: it feels like melody, lyric writing, singing and often acoustic guitar playing existing in a an intimate balance. I love the staccato like delivery in Celeste which is an inspired melody:he likes a groove as well. That's a very nice medieval velvet cape but y'know I spread that compliment around some.
I’m so glad you chose a Donovan album. I got a copy of sunshine superman recently (I’m from the UK so it’s one of those copies) and I’ve been playing it pretty regularly
I've been away but came back in time for the album that I suggested last year. I cape and crown this episode of Vinyl Monday as my favorite. Excellent history lesson m'lady.
For almost 57 years Donovan has been my ultimate hero singer - The Sunshine Superman album is ingrained in my DNA. I saw Donovan in (about) '67 in Columbus OH. It was a huge loving crowd and a beautiful concert. His long hippie wizard gown was a surprise.
«Celeste» is a heavy duty moving song. Maybe Dylan could have write it, but he would have slaughtered it with his voice. And Sunshine and Witch were and are instant classics.
A side note: I was saddened by the passing of David Crosby. I wonder if at some point you could review "If I Can Only Remember My Name. I have played it a few times since his death, and find it both comforting and haunting at the same time.
it is both a comforting and haunting record, crosby made that one in the wake of terrible tragedy. perhaps as a way to cope. i’d like to cover it alongside the other CSNY solo records at some time
Dear Abby Your writing prowess is becoming more evident in your monologues-that-feel-like-dialogues. I think your fan base is growing because we have so rarely seen anyone as in love with music as you are. It’s so infectious it deserves to be a pandemic. Anyhow, I’d never heard this album either. Wow, you sure did school me on psych rock mid-century medieval, making some fantastic connections to the Beatles and psych artists in both LA and San Francisco. Jeezus, did groups like The Airplane and San Francisco record producers have acetates of this album before they got all the credit for creating the “trademark” SF psych sound? You really got me thinking about the prescience of Donovan and his producer. Donovan, Donovan, Donovan… You certainly are a one-off, bro. Here’s the skinny on this one for me: I love three songs - title track, the season of the witch and Celeste. Practically all the rest, I kept yelling in my head “Where’s that confounded bridge?!” I have to admit that I like my conventional pop song structure- with deviations into songs like “the end” and “heroin.”. of course. Of the three songs I like, I’ve got a couple of observations. I first heard “The Season of the Witch” during the bloody brilliant end-credit sequence of “To Die For.” What an amazing fucking song. Here’s a half-baked theory: what if Donovan created the perfect song to combine the chiaroscuro of LA/SF psych? Or was that “2,000 light years from home?” Brilliant, Abby. Thanks for another wonderful listening experience! P.S. the melodic changes in Celeste sound a lot like the melodies the shaman sang at an ayahuasca ceremony I was once at. The song structure in “Legend of a Girl Child Linda” is very similar to Joy Division’s “Candidate.”
Omg. Wear Your Love Like Heaven also ruled the airwaves. Donovan is much beloved in 60s SoCal. Lawd, kiss me once more, fill me with song, Allah, kiss me once more, that I may, that I may, wear your love...listen to what the Psychedelic Furs used as inspiration.
I enjoy this channel and your wonderful insight is refreshing. Don is one of my ALL Time Faves! I have been enamored with a Scottish band called Belle And Sebastian who continue to impress me with their Sunshine Superman like sound. I am not asking for a review just putting em on you radar. Thanks for another great VM Abby.
I really enjoy how you dress in appropriate attire for each review and to match the album art and motifs. Excellent point that Donovan was really in the vanguard of incorporating the whole classical baroque, folk, jazz, psychedelic, eastern Raga elements into his music. Leading the way for the Byrds, Yardbirds, Traffic, the Incredible String Band, and even the Rolling Stones and the Beatles. You're right, Donovan was a pioneer psychedelic minstrel.
What an awesome video! 1966 is my birth year. I went through my older sister’s records long ago and saw this album in the stacks. I love your vibe Abby!
The material for Sunshine Superman was originally mixed in mono 'n Epic records decided to release the album in fake stereo (electronically re-processed for stereo) for the American version. They did the same thing with some o' the early Yardbirds albums.
@@abigaildevoe / I inherited my Donovan collection from my mom, from back in the day. SFBA English teacher parents, summer road trip camp outings in the 1970s.
I love this album! Just watched my first Abigail video and now I am hooked! I found out that my favorite track, "Ferris Wheel" is not even included on the UK version of this album which came out a year later. Definitely will check out the Gabor Szabo cover of this. Keep up the fantastic work and you have a new fan!
the song Sunshine Superman is the last song James Paul McCartney sang before his untimely death also this song Billy Shears sang on so both James Paul and his replacement William sang on it, you can clearly here Billy in the party part of the song. James Paulis doing the whispering. Fact Billy is Sir Paul , James Paul is dead
P.S. You forgot to mention "The Trip." Which was about Donovan taking acid and going out to Sunset Blvd at night and describing what he remembers about that night. Great Storytelling!!!
Love that album i'm glad he's in the Rock n roll hall of fame i've got lots of his albums Sunshine Superman was the first song I heard from him since then i've loved his music.
I do think Colours and Catch the Wind are the best Dylan songs not written by Dylan, but what no one mentions when comparing the 2 is that Donovan is 1,000 times the guitarist that Dylan is.
A great choice Abi. I had the pleasure to provide artwork for Donovan's Try For The Sun cd/dvd box set. Then in 2006 got to meet him briefly in Liverpool, U.K. For me, his best release was the 1994 cd only, Sutra. It was produced by Rick Rubin. Dono at his best, but it needs a vinyl release. I won't hold my breath on that. Donovan on Ed Sullivan show would have been in NYC. But he was on The Smother's Brother's Comedy Hour which was most likely a California shot program. Lastly, the first time I saw Dono was in 1977. He was the opening act for Yes. Perfect double billing! Do check out Brian Auger & Julie Driscoll's version of Season Of The Witch from their album, Open. Julie was one of the GREATEST 60's female vocalists. Their version is as good as Donovan or dare I say it...even better!
Thanks, Abigale, for the deep review. Do you have the box set album “a Gift From a Flower to a Garden”? It has a similar style cover, and some nice paper extras inside, plus a photo, pasted on the back, of him with that Beatles guru guy. Are you familiar with a later double album, from 1971, entitled “HMS Donovan”? Lots of trippy cover art, and a large fold out poster of Mr. Leitch. Btw, the “Garden” box interior has Jack Bruce, listed in the credits, for electric bass on “Someone Singing”.
i have both wear your love like heaven and for little ones - so both halves of a gift from a flower to a garden, just not in the set. i really like HMS donovan, open road is great too
@@abigaildevoe, will have to check out “Open Road”- I see that the “Wear” album also has the Jack Bruce credit.- btw, one the the King Fishers retired, so it’s now just two.
There’s a really good book on Allen Klein written by Fred Goodman, well worth reading. His estate still owns the Stones publishing up to 1971, they sued him 17 times to try and get it back to no avail.
I'm wondering how the "mid-century medieval" concept applies to the likes of Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span, and others in the English folk-rock genre, who were actually performing real medieval material. Then there's Shirley and Dolly Collins and their records using actual medieval instruments, as well.
The U.K. version always seemed like a "willy nilly" and "chopped up" mix. The U.S. version always sounds like a well put together consistent mix. Even some U.K. fans agree!
i feel like woody would've been dylan's cool older cousin: not around much, but preserved in word-of-mouth myth from the other family until young dylan full-on worshipped him
@@abigaildevoe It's a well-researched book and a fascinating read. It traces the "pastoral" sentiment in British music from the late 19th century up to the late 20th, with a heavy emphasis on 60s-70s folk, psych, prog rock... There is also a 2-disc compilation of some of the artists mentioned in the book.
You're great, but this would be so much better with a bit of Donovans music. Similar channels I've watched lately seem to be allowed playing 7 seconds snippets. Anyway thanks for giving Donovan well deserved attention.
Sunshine Superman was a huge hit in L.A. radio and it made life on Earth better, as did the Stones and Beatles and the rest. Hurdy Gurdy Man just blew us all away (1967?) - maybe Jimmy Page on guitar. Mickie Most did Jeff Beck's Truth.
Everything you say is true, my big brother had this album in 66, I was 9 @,I love your, well what can I do for you or say to you that hasn't been done yet and you
oh dear, then video-making would totally consume me! but i have considered a singles saturday every once in a while to spotlight just one song. (once i have the resources to do it)
saw a blog call allen klein a "steaming turd of humanity" - there are few things i've ever laughed harder at. sunshine superman is a great place to start! check out open road (the album) that donovan did with open road (the band) and barabajagal with jeff beck if you haven't already. both are examples of the really cool direction donny went in after the psych thing had burned off
I WAS RIGHT THE FIRST TIME IT IS THREE KING FISHERS
Three King Fishers may be my favorite on that LP. Great episode!
I was wondering about that. I watched this on my Firestick on a big screen TV and could see the title on the cover. It sent me to my copy to make sure I wasn't seeing things. BTW, a few years ago, my wife and I saw Donovan in Dallas on a 50th anniversary tour for this album. Great show. Biggest surprise was when he said he wanted to introduce a couple of his good friends and have them do a few songs with him. Out came the Ackermans, a married singer/songwriter couple who are friends of ours. We had no idea they knew Donovan until we saw them walk out on stage with him at the Majestic Theater.
I believe the other 9 King Fishers were dropped from the US release and later used to make the Donovan VI album.
My Donovan story time...
Donovan actually bought and moved into a house a few miles from the town where I'm from back in [it must be like] the early 90's, maybe late 80's. He still owns & lives there.
I actually meet Donovan and got to see him play a secret intimate gig; as there was the yearly International Folk Festival in the town I'm from (my parents had been on the festival committee).
Use to see Donovan around town a bit sometimes, a few times in the Hardware Store. He would regularly(ish) be getting timber / building materials for the house (it was the kinda house that needed some renovationing, doing-up, repairs, etc.). My father [a plumber] kinda knew Donovan from when he use to be on the Festival Committee, so they'd often have short chats.
Fast-forward about ten years⏩ Donovan's Daughter was in a relationship with Shaun Ryder (Singer / Songwriter) of the band the Happy Mondays, they actually had a child together. And Shaun and his buddies (sometimes some of the Happy Mondays), would regularly be around town drinking and etc. And actually, on a couple of occasions I ended up out on the town with Shaun, just the two of us, having drinks, and etc...
Unfortunately (though not surprisingly) Shaun and Donovan's Daughter split-up, and Shaun, his buddies and sometimes some of the Happy Mondays, no longer frequented the town.
But... they where some crazy happy (excuse the pun) days 🙂
.
@@jetnova3788
Another Donovan 'fun fact' [somewhere in my head I recall hearing that]; Donovan sang with Jimmy Page, J.P. Jones & John Bonham (3/4's of Led Zeppelin) before Robert Plant turned up to become a permanent member of Led Zeppelin.
.
Hey Abigail: I wanna tell you a story 'bout my introduction to this album. I was a youngster who read an advert in a magazine-send in a cigar ring purchase 'n receive Sunshine Superman on vinyl for free. So I bought a pack o' Swisher Sweets, sent in a cigar ring 'n received the album. I went to a drive in theater, sat in the bleachers in front o' the screen 'n proceeded to smoke my first cigar. Immediately I felt awful, laid down on the bench 'n wished I had died rather than experience this misery. I haven't smoked a cigar since but am forever grateful for my introduction to Donovan. I met him briefly years later by chance in London 'n saw him several times in concert there after. Thank you so much for this extraordinary glimpse into this important time for this incredible artist!
thanks! sounds like discovering donovan back then more than made up for the bad cigar experience
Let’s not forget the amazing Incredible String Band with their contributions of 5000 Layers of the Onion, the Hangman’s Beautiful Daughter, Wee Tam and the Big Huge.
I’m sure they were aware of each other but have no evidence to back it up ❤️
did i not mention ISB here? oh man i totally meant to! i mention them in the sgt. pepper’s video maybe?
This was an unexpected treat. Donovan is an artist who is largely unknown to younger generations. He, very much, helped shape the sixties, and was the music behind the Flower Child movement. For me, the first single I ever bought was Sunshine Superman and it was one of my first albums as well. I have over twenty of his albums and have listened to them so many times and they always bring me back to pleasant memories of a time of peace and love. I have seen Donovan in person twice and got to meet him backstage, but was too over-awed to say much except "thank you for your music". He was as pleasant and welcoming in person as he is in his music.
i've heard so many similarly lovely stories about donovan since posting this video. there are a lot of jerks in rock-and-roll, he's not one of them :')
I have always loved the trippy guitar solo on "Sunshine Superman", particularly on the longer 4+ minutes version of the song.
Part of the reason Donovan got busted for pot was one year earlier he released the song, “Sunny Google Street” which describes him taking the train to Google Street Station to buy hash.
This bust led to George Harrison getting busted. Then Mick and Keith, and finally John Lennon.
Good video this week!
haha i had no idea "sunny goodge street" kicked off such a domino effect! not only is it the reason for sunshine superman, it's the reason for all those busts!
Yes! You are right this is the truth ! Thank you so much…
i think i love your show
Hi Abigail,
This is one subject that we're in total agreement. I'm an old hippie and have loved Donovan since the early days. I have been able to recite or half sing Epistle to Dippy since the 9th grade.(and yes, I do roll my Rs the right times). My most impressive brag is that I've been introduced to and shook the hand of Ravi Shankar. Keep up the extraordinary work, and I will definitely keep watching.
You mention the singer/songwriter Shawn Phillips a couple of times in your video. The impresario Bill Graham once called him "the best kept secret in the music business". His 1970 album Second Contribution is one of my favorites. The opening song, She Was Waiting For Her Mother At The Station In Torino And You Know I Love You Baby But It's Getting Too Heavy To Laugh", more commonly known as Woman is beautiful. His songwriting, twelve string guitar and four octave range will blow you away. I also think you will love the cover art on the album. He's wearing a cape!!
thanks for tipping me off to shawn's solo material. best-kept secret indeed: if it weren't for sunshine superman i'd have no idea who he was!
@@abigaildevoe in the early 70s, an FM channel in san Antonio played a lot of his songs. Yes, he is sadly very overlooked. For starters, listen to She
Your cape is fiddlesticking awesome my dear.
thanks!
My fav song in this álbum is celeste ...what a beautiful song !!!!!
A few years ago the album was released for the first time in STEREO! About time!
Holy shit, a Gabor Szabo reference, on top of Donovan stuff! This channel rocks!
Never heard of Donovan before, and I'm like super old, lol!
I was listening to Donovan's Greatest Hits album in the background while watching this video. You help make the Monday blahs a little less... Well blah! 👌🏼
thanks so much!
I remember my downstairs neighbors drunkenly singing along with "Mellow Yellow" in South St. Paul in the early 1990'S...EFFING hysterical
ok i love that. sounds like a fantastic night, plenty entertaining!
I am so hooked on your channel. You are very entertaining.
thank you so much, i'm glad you enjoy the videos!
always a treat to hear of the joy Abigail Devoe finds in music, and the only of a young woman fashion expression done in parallel, by a woman who somehow incorporates laughter into her speaking patterns, where for most ordinary people speech is a separate event from laughter . Sometimes a young woman's expressive joy is like skipping through dappled sunshine.
I once read in a los angeles newspaper about some guy speculating how he saw the opportunity for Donovan to be the next big thing in music, a standalone singer songwriter star, but he couldn't get past a bunch of business problems to get him released in the US, and Dylan got to that star niche acclaim first, leading to some people saying this unique talent was just a wanna be follower of Dylan, just because of timing , according to the guy in the newspaper. And perhaps , for some critics needing attention at the expense of others, because he was a somewhat lesser light in comparison.
One of my favorite albums. Love Donovan.
Mello Yellow ruled the airwaves in SoCal. I'm not kidding, we dried and smoked banana skins. Nobody got high on banana skins. Ga-BOR ZHA-bo.Hungarian? We smoked banana skins because of a song on the radio.
According to Donovan the electric banana was a s*x toy.
@@troubadour723 - T.m.i. Goodness!
My mom had this record! I didn’t care much for it back in the day, but it has grown on me throughout the years! Totally dig the blue eye color!
I absolutely love this record, I’ll admit that I was one of those ppl that fell in love with Donovan’s music cause of Lana del Rey’s cover of ‘Season of the Witch’ and I’m so glad I did. Also, we need to bring capes back, I bought one on Depop and I love it!
there is also a very long extended cover in the memorable Al Cooper super session album, which was very popular in the Long play FM radio days.
@@richardelliott8352 Man, that Super Session is SO GOOD. I have that album.
Very Good with your presentation. Big Jim Sullivan has been also thought to play guitar on " Sunshine Superman". Like your book collection too. Donny would get Beatle Paul to help sing on " Mellow Yellow" and THE JEFF BECK GROUP ( also produced by Mickie Mouse - as Beck would call Most) to play on 3 of his songs. Of course Pagey would play on at least 3 Donny LPs- confirmed in his autobiography/ interviews at the time/ past liner notes.
I bought it new in '66. Unfortunately, it's mono. Still have it.The cover has the Epic logo on the bottom of the cover and that upper tan space is also at the bottom instead of at the top. I was 16 when this came out and it seemed to fit the times perfectly. It was great and, well, just another great album. Also, you can't mention "Mid-Century Medieval" without discussing Steeleye Span, Maddy Prior, Fairport Convention, The Pentangle, Sandy Denny and Richard Thompson. It's such a trip hearing about the music of my teens and twenties from the prospective of someone so young.
I consider Donovan a romantic-influenced writer. I was buying "Sunshine Superman" and "Mellow Yellow" singles in grade school, and then his Greatest Hits album in 1969. In the 1970s, it was only Cosmic Wheels that made it's way into my collection via a friend of my sister who turned me on to it. But I didn't really get into his other albums until the 1980s and 1990s. Just recently I decided he was my second favorite artist of all time, displacing The Beatles which seems inconceivable. (Yes is #1.) I compiled all the video about him I could find into a youtube folder: Donovan: rare artifacts from an artistic quest:
ua-cam.com/play/PL9CL8hZyysWkE7lbgI75sshwQBW6a8sD_.html
I agree about the romantic influence. Progressive minded people in the 60s were rejecting the contemporary modern culture and values, but one needs new perspectives and values to turn to. And through a liberal arts education many were probably familiarized with the romantic writers and movement, whose perspective and relation to the older generations around them were similar to youth of the 60s. And I think at least some of the rising of interest in medieval and Renaissance culture came through the romantics’ interest in and influence by the same. I’m reading a biography of Percy Bysshe Shelley right now by James Bieri and it is great. Written recently at the turn of the 21st century by a retired psychology professor, it gives a much deeper and more nuanced look at how Shelley became who he was.
One of the few albums I originally bought back in 1966 that I still listen to today on a regular basis including his first album "What's Bin Did and What's Bin Hid" retitled "Catch The Wind" for the US release. Celeste from Sunshine Superman and Catch the Wind are my two favorite all time Donovan songs. Side note got to see him perform live in concert in Oct 1969.
Keep up the great work you are doing!! Great musical taste!!
At this point I only have "Greatest Hits" but I will look out for his other albums. Also, I have always loved Bloomfield, Kooper, and Stills interpretation of Season of the Witch.
Yes, its my first time here! Your look is fabulous. It reminds me of people I used to see around when I was five years old.
Thanks again for bringing back those great memories of the 60’s.
Awesome cooy of Sunshine Superman! That's a hard one to find! I've just got a greatest hits comp on vinyl.
I wasn't old enough to catch this music growing up, my first exposure to Donovan was hearing 'Atlantis' on the radio. Donovan was magical back in the '60s and he's still making music.
I have all the expanded CD editions of his albums, give a listen to the 1st version of 'Super Lungs' and you'll know why it didn't get released in the moment. Other bonus tracks for this album: Breezes of Patchulie, Museum (1st version), The Land of Doesn't Have to Be, Sunshine Superman (stereo version), Good Trip (demo), House of Jansch (demo).
I fell in love with Atlantis from the radio as a kid and then I listened to more of Donovan
Joyous video. Singer songwriter is one of my favourite categories in music: it feels like melody, lyric writing, singing and often acoustic guitar playing existing in a an intimate balance. I love the staccato like delivery in Celeste which is an inspired melody:he likes a groove as well.
That's a very nice medieval velvet cape but y'know I spread that compliment around some.
I’m so glad you chose a Donovan album. I got a copy of sunshine superman recently (I’m from the UK so it’s one of those copies) and I’ve been playing it pretty regularly
I've been away but came back in time for the album that I suggested last year. I cape and crown this episode of Vinyl Monday as my favorite. Excellent history lesson m'lady.
For almost 57 years Donovan has been my ultimate hero singer - The Sunshine Superman album is ingrained in my DNA. I saw Donovan in (about) '67 in Columbus OH. It was a huge loving crowd and a beautiful concert. His long hippie wizard gown was a surprise.
«Celeste» is a heavy duty moving song. Maybe Dylan could have write it, but he would have slaughtered it with his voice. And Sunshine and Witch were and are instant classics.
A side note: I was saddened by the passing of David Crosby. I wonder if at some point you could review "If I Can Only Remember My Name. I have played it a few times since his death, and find it both comforting and haunting at the same time.
it is both a comforting and haunting record, crosby made that one in the wake of terrible tragedy. perhaps as a way to cope. i’d like to cover it alongside the other CSNY solo records at some time
Dear Abby
Your writing prowess is becoming more evident in your monologues-that-feel-like-dialogues. I think your fan base is growing because we have so rarely seen anyone as in love with music as you are. It’s so infectious it deserves to be a pandemic.
Anyhow, I’d never heard this album either. Wow, you sure did school me on psych rock mid-century medieval, making some fantastic connections to the Beatles and psych artists in both LA and San Francisco. Jeezus, did groups like The Airplane and San Francisco record producers have acetates of this album before they got all the credit for creating the “trademark” SF psych sound? You really got me thinking about the prescience of Donovan and his producer.
Donovan, Donovan, Donovan…
You certainly are a one-off, bro.
Here’s the skinny on this one for me: I love three songs - title track, the season of the witch and Celeste. Practically all the rest, I kept yelling in my head “Where’s that confounded bridge?!” I have to admit that I like my conventional pop song structure- with deviations into songs like “the end” and “heroin.”. of course. Of the three songs I like, I’ve got a couple of observations. I first heard “The Season of the Witch” during the bloody brilliant end-credit sequence of “To Die For.” What an amazing fucking song. Here’s a half-baked theory: what if Donovan created the perfect song to combine the chiaroscuro of LA/SF psych? Or was that “2,000 light years from home?”
Brilliant, Abby. Thanks for another wonderful listening experience!
P.S. the melodic changes in Celeste sound a lot like the melodies the shaman sang at an ayahuasca ceremony I was once at.
The song structure in “Legend of a Girl Child Linda” is very similar to Joy Division’s “Candidate.”
Omg. Wear Your Love Like Heaven also ruled the airwaves. Donovan is much beloved in 60s SoCal. Lawd, kiss me once more, fill me with song, Allah, kiss me once more, that I may, that I may, wear your love...listen to what the Psychedelic Furs used as inspiration.
I enjoy this channel and your wonderful insight is refreshing. Don is one of my ALL Time Faves! I have been enamored with a Scottish band called Belle And Sebastian who continue to impress me with their Sunshine Superman like sound. I am not asking for a review just putting em on you radar. Thanks for another great VM Abby.
Holy heck! I knew you did this album somewhere in your oeuvre... Thanks, Abi, I'm a Donavan fan!!
Hi Abby, I've got that Bob Dylan book behind you! Anyway, I love Donovan music, great artist, a bit underrated. I've got all his early albums
I really enjoy how you dress in appropriate attire for each review and to match the album art and motifs. Excellent point that Donovan was really in the vanguard of incorporating the whole classical baroque, folk, jazz, psychedelic, eastern Raga elements into his music. Leading the way for the Byrds, Yardbirds, Traffic, the Incredible String Band, and even the Rolling Stones and the Beatles. You're right, Donovan was a pioneer psychedelic minstrel.
Thank you
Beautiful summary
"The Trip" is one of my favorite Donovan tunes. Its on the flipside of the Epic label 45rpm "Sunshine Superman".
A classic album. One of my favorites. One of the albums I can listen to without skipping any tunes.
What an awesome video! 1966 is my birth year. I went through my older sister’s records long ago and saw this album in the stacks. I love your vibe Abby!
Your outfit is SO cool!
My little mind is blown!
I like the brief mention about the fool. My dads friend is the son of two members of the fool. That album is lovely
that's so cool! graham nash produced the fool's record after they did art for the hollies, i always thought that was a cool little exchange
Great video, very well researched. I love your enthusiasm about music. Liked and subscribed.
The material for Sunshine Superman was originally mixed in mono 'n Epic records decided to release the album in fake stereo (electronically re-processed for stereo) for the American version. They did the same thing with some o' the early Yardbirds albums.
I also love Open Road (Donovan album). 👏
i found my copy of open road pretty soon after making this video!
@@abigaildevoe / I inherited my Donovan collection from my mom, from back in the day. SFBA English teacher parents, summer road trip camp outings in the 1970s.
Effin Monday? Triple espresso now!!!
In 1966 I was 14 years old sitting on a set of monkey bars talking to a girl about this album. Boy the memories. Lol. Great episode as usual.
I was really really high when I saw Donavon
I love this album! Just watched my first Abigail video and now I am hooked! I found out that my favorite track, "Ferris Wheel" is not even included on the UK version of this album which came out a year later. Definitely will check out the Gabor Szabo cover of this. Keep up the fantastic work and you have a new fan!
the song Sunshine Superman is the last song James Paul McCartney sang before his untimely death also this song Billy Shears sang on so both James Paul and his replacement William sang on it, you can clearly here Billy in the party part of the song. James Paulis doing the whispering. Fact Billy is Sir Paul , James Paul is dead
Even though it is not on this album, due to Abby I've had "Hurdy Gurdy Man" playing on repeat in my head since 11 a.m.
P.S. You forgot to mention "The Trip." Which was about Donovan taking acid and going out to Sunset Blvd at night and describing what he remembers about that night. Great Storytelling!!!
Love that album i'm glad he's in the Rock n roll hall of fame i've got lots of his albums Sunshine Superman was the first song I heard from him since then i've loved his music.
Love the video! Always liked Donovan. I own the greatest hits as well as several 45's.🙂
I loved the Monkees "Circle Sky" as your role transition music
I do think Colours and Catch the Wind are the best Dylan songs not written by Dylan, but what no one mentions when comparing the 2 is that Donovan is 1,000 times the guitarist that Dylan is.
♥
A great choice Abi. I had the pleasure to provide artwork for Donovan's Try For The Sun cd/dvd box set. Then in 2006 got to meet him briefly in Liverpool, U.K. For me, his best release was the 1994 cd only, Sutra. It was produced by Rick Rubin. Dono at his best, but it needs a vinyl release. I won't hold my breath on that. Donovan on Ed Sullivan show would have been in NYC. But he was on The Smother's Brother's Comedy Hour which was most likely a California shot program. Lastly, the first time I saw Dono was in 1977. He was the opening act for Yes. Perfect double billing! Do check out Brian Auger & Julie Driscoll's version of Season Of The Witch from their album, Open. Julie was one of the GREATEST 60's female vocalists. Their version is as good as Donovan or dare I say it...even better!
That is such a great Album😀
You look FANTASTIC
Thanks, Abigale, for the deep review.
Do you have the box set album “a Gift From a Flower to a Garden”?
It has a similar style cover, and some nice paper extras inside, plus a photo, pasted on the back, of him with that Beatles guru guy.
Are you familiar with a later double album, from 1971, entitled “HMS Donovan”?
Lots of trippy cover art, and a large fold out poster of Mr. Leitch.
Btw, the “Garden” box interior has Jack Bruce, listed in the credits, for electric bass on “Someone Singing”.
i have both wear your love like heaven and for little ones - so both halves of a gift from a flower to a garden, just not in the set. i really like HMS donovan, open road is great too
@@abigaildevoe, will have to check out “Open Road”- I see that the “Wear” album also has the Jack Bruce credit.- btw, one the the King Fishers retired, so it’s now just two.
Three King Fishers and Guinevere are my favs from this album :)
There’s a really good book on Allen Klein written by Fred Goodman, well worth reading. His estate still owns the Stones publishing up to 1971, they sued him 17 times to try and get it back to no avail.
Sublime analysis, as ever. I believed there was a Superman of Greenland (vs Green Lantern) until I was 15.
hey i thought it was stuck inside A mobile with the memphis blues again until a few months ago!
One of his best albums. Also have you listened to Shawn Phillips.
Fuc*#ng amazing
I'm wondering how the "mid-century medieval" concept applies to the likes of Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span, and others in the English folk-rock genre, who were actually performing real medieval material. Then there's Shirley and Dolly Collins and their records using actual medieval instruments, as well.
The U.K. version always seemed like a "willy nilly" and "chopped up" mix. The U.S. version always sounds like a well put together consistent mix. Even some U.K. fans agree!
Mid-century Medieval - Have you heard the Incredible String Band?
yes i have! i thought i mentioned them here but i guess not. they've come up in other episodes for sure
no mention of the medieval court jester par excellence then > Jethro Tull? He came a bit later I suppose.
We were getting high to Donovan before we were getting high.
If Dylan is Donovan's older brother, then Woody Guthrie must be Dylan's much older brother...
.
i feel like woody would've been dylan's cool older cousin: not around much, but preserved in word-of-mouth myth from the other family until young dylan full-on worshipped him
You wanna talk psychedelic jazz? Try and find Tomorrow Never Knows by Steve Marcus. Has a version of Mellow Yellow that will melt your brain
Have you read the book Electric Eden: Unearthing Britain's Visionary Music, by Rob Young? It is relevant to your "midcentury medieval" discussion.
i haven’t!
@@abigaildevoe It's a well-researched book and a fascinating read. It traces the "pastoral" sentiment in British music from the late 19th century up to the late 20th, with a heavy emphasis on 60s-70s folk, psych, prog rock...
There is also a 2-disc compilation of some of the artists mentioned in the book.
You're great, but this would be so much better with a bit of Donovans music. Similar channels I've watched lately seem to be allowed playing 7 seconds snippets. Anyway thanks for giving Donovan well deserved attention.
Sunshine Superman was a huge hit in L.A. radio and it made life on Earth better, as did the Stones and Beatles and the rest. Hurdy Gurdy Man just blew us all away (1967?) - maybe Jimmy Page on guitar. Mickie Most did Jeff Beck's Truth.
Hurry Gurdy Man the song features both John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page.
@@troubadour723 - I love your poetry and hell yes we are better for John and Jimmy on the airwaves.
@@dennismason3740 Can't claim ownership of the poetry but thanks. 🙂
He only sounded like Dylan in his early acoustic years
Medeival,,, have you checked out the original Fairport Convention Unhalfbricking, etc.
Everything you say is true, my big brother had this album in 66, I was 9 @,I love your, well what can I do for you or say to you that hasn't been done yet and you
Should there be a CD Sunday? Just checking.
oh dear, then video-making would totally consume me! but i have considered a singles saturday every once in a while to spotlight just one song. (once i have the resources to do it)
Amazing video Im slowly getting into Donovan and the Alan Kline part made me laugh I also hate Kline he screwed over the Beatles etc
saw a blog call allen klein a "steaming turd of humanity" - there are few things i've ever laughed harder at.
sunshine superman is a great place to start! check out open road (the album) that donovan did with open road (the band) and barabajagal with jeff beck if you haven't already. both are examples of the really cool direction donny went in after the psych thing had burned off
@@abigaildevoe I will I'm also going to get the greatest hits
Do you make all you costumes?
They're all gorgeous ❤️
this might be the first time i've worn something i made on this channel? i think?? there's quite a bit more of it on instagram
@@abigaildevoe
Ah, right.
Sweet work on the Donovan cape...
Regardless if you didn't make all the other costumes yourself... They are all gorgeous ❤️
Medieval? She needs to check out Clear Light!
....featuring a young session guitar player named Jimmy Page.
if I am correctly recollecting......."Dylan Digs Donovan"...
I really need to get a new turntable. What brand are you using? Does it come with a set of speakers and a receiver?
If you've heard Neil Young's American Stars N Bars I would be interested to know your opinion on it
Playing along with not Donovan.
Review suggestions...
Rory Gallagher
Rock goes to College 1979
Or the Irish Tour 1974
Is it me or is the version of the title cut shorter than usual on this album? Greatest Hits version seems longer, especially towards end.
yes greatest hits version is longer!
Love him on Alice Cooper’s Billion Dollar Babies