Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Pauline L
Date: 13 Feb 05 - 04:35 AM

I just looked at Donovan's website and I recommend it highly. In addition to being a musician, Donovan is a poet, philosopher, photographer, and lecturer. His website plays some of his songs, mainly Catch the Wind, his first big hit.

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 12 Feb 05 - 11:11 PM

thought about it some more ..

3 kingfishers..


maybe template for my folk universe

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 12 Feb 05 - 11:10 PM

i've been a donovan fan since i was 12..
but now too drunk to read all this thread..

his best stuff was the mickie most sunshine superman/hurdygurdy man to late 60's psycho-delic stuff.

but before that and afterwards..

mostly shite..

some very good moments on 'Open roads' though

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: hilda fish
Date: 12 Feb 05 - 11:05 PM

Am a Donovan fan from so so many years back it's scarey. Like most here my favourites vary according to many things, mood, weather, state of relationship, etc. etc. Here's a good Donovan site:

Open Road - The Donovan home page
www.sabotage.demon.co.uk/donovan/frames.htm

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: number 6
Date: 12 Feb 05 - 10:47 PM

This has got me diggin way back into the past since I was not a real fan of his (except in the very beginning) .... my most memorable songs of his were:

Epistle to Dippy
Wear your luv like Heaven
Hey Gyp
Joisie

He also did a good version of Universal Soldier

sIx

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,ashlee
Date: 12 Feb 05 - 11:02 AM

Donovan is great. I had the pleasure of seeing him at Tom's Pub in NYC last year and WOW it was great. I am looking for the chords for Gold Watch Blues. Anyone got them?

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: michaelr
Date: 29 Dec 04 - 08:21 PM

Lady Jean -- your first quote is from "Widow with Shawl: A Portrait". Don't know the second one.

Our local prog radio station has been playing a cut or two from Beat Cafe. Sure sounds like Donovan, in his South Kensington jazz-lite mood.

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: MojoBanjo
Date: 29 Dec 04 - 03:39 PM

For me? Cosmic Wheels.

My 18 year old son plays drums with me in a small trio (after I've been playin 30+ years solo and with a group) and it's a blast -- his favorite, without a doubt, is Hurdy Gurdy Man because of the drums and he'd play it four times a night if we could.

MojoBanjo

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: RobbieWilson
Date: 29 Dec 04 - 09:31 AM

Like with most people my favourites change with the wind: Catch the wind, sunshine superman, mellow yellow, Jennifer Juniper,Hurdy Gurdy Man, but these are just the ones you ever hear these days. I remember an album from the very early 70's which had a song which started
"Shadow of cloud falls and with it a chill.
High over heather hawk hovers the hill.
Just begun is my journey and Danu's my name.
I am the juggler of frortune and fame.
Let me not hear of fact figures and logic, feign would I lore legend and magic......."

I have not heard this for 30 years but still it sticks in my head. He had disappeared for a couple of years and been gipsy caravanning round Ireland.
love Robbie

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 29 Dec 04 - 12:29 AM

I realy loved the first record a lot .. That plantif simple ( not so simple to do ) rythmic guitar was very inspiring .. I loved the whole record but have to say I hear "Catch the Wind" in my head as I think back to that year... Im with you Spaw ..

            Horace Williums talked about recording with him in Connecticut in the early 70's and he thought Donival a very nice guy . All the best to all here. Guy

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,Sheila
Date: 28 Dec 04 - 07:52 PM

I thought Donovan wrote "Wear Your Love Like Heaven" but was it Sara Mclachlan?

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: LadyJean
Date: 28 Dec 04 - 07:33 PM

I had forgotten Guenevere! It was always a favorite, ditto, "I Love My Shirt", "We Were Only Having a Laugh", "The Tinker and the Crab". and two with titles I don't remember, "Dear Wind that shakes the barley free, blow home my truelove's ship to me, fill his sails. I aweary wait upon the shore."
and "Ye sons of England who once were free, now are slaves of the factory. Those who live in the land of Mole, only wish to own your soul."

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 28 Dec 04 - 02:52 PM

My all time Favourite by Donovan was and is "Goldwatch Blues".....closely followed by "Catch the Wind" and "Universal Soldier"...have sung them all over the years. Also one I have taken an interest in lately, until recently undiscovered by me is "Jersey Thursday".....The first line is great "A tiny piece of coloured glass, my love was born"
Best wishes.

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Pauline L
Date: 28 Dec 04 - 02:16 PM

I love lots of Donovan's songs, but to single one just two, I'd pick Lullaby in Spring and Little Pebble upon the Sand. I learned them from a book. I've never heard a recording of him singing either one.

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Baron md
Date: 28 Dec 04 - 06:06 AM

Would any body know the Introduction to Little Tin Soldier, by Donovan which is my one of my favourite songs. He has a new release called Beat Cafe, available from HMV I have played it a few times but can't make my mind up about it, any body have any comments on this latest release.

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Cool Beans
Date: 15 Oct 04 - 03:44 PM

Donovan certainly wrote or sang a lot of good songs.
Whenevr I complete a pile of work, before beginning the next pile, I think, "First there is a mountain. Then there is no mountain. Then there is."
Works for me, anyway.

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Oct 04 - 12:03 PM

If Mr Zimmerman catches sight of this site he'll have it closed down. 4 years-worth of Donovan postings for Gawd's sake!

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,friend of...
Date: 15 Oct 04 - 11:49 AM

... Pete Rimmer, The Bothy Folk Club, Southport. He's just recorded a cd of Donavan songs. Launch This coming Sunday I believe.

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,Joe
Date: 15 Oct 04 - 11:44 AM

I understand he's released a new album - any details and brief reviews please?

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: LesB
Date: 10 Oct 04 - 01:03 PM

For those who like Donovan's song. The first C.D. made to feature only Donovan's songs (other than Donovans) has just been released. It's by Pete Rimmer and called 'Donovan Songs'. See this thread Link.
Pete enlistes the help of a number of friends to provide some excellent backing. Try the website Donovan Songs for further details.
Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,littledragonlady
Date: 09 Oct 04 - 06:55 PM

My favourite song is one I cannot find but heard him sing in the early 60's on English radio - have tried and tried to find it but never have and it is still in my head "Tangerine Eyes"

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Ethereal Purple
Date: 29 Jul 04 - 06:07 AM

I think my favourites are Catch the Wind, Colours... and Dona Dona.

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,Padraig
Date: 28 Jul 04 - 12:53 PM

Epistle to Dippy. Where else can I smile at a line like... "Elevator in the Brain Hotel . . ."

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,guest mamadawa
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 02:08 PM

I like Lalena, and i think i'll name my first kid after it(if its a girl), and can you peoples believe this, I'm 16, but I love Donovan and he the most beautiful voice (except maybe besides Charles Trenet, I absolutely love him too!)! Can anyone help me find guitar chords for Celia of the Seals, Tinker and the Crab, and Breezes of Patchulie? I love those songs too. Oh, and maybe Roots of Oak and What the Soul Desires. Every time I try to get chords for those songs, i only find sites that are trying to sell songbooks or sites that only have lyrics even though they claim to have the guitar chords!! Grr, it really steams my broccoli! Can anyone help me!!!? Please e-mail me at [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: michaelr
Date: 16 Jul 04 - 08:33 PM

David Friedman -- I used to sing "To Sing For You" in the 60s but can't remember which album it's on. It was written by Himself.

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: michaelr
Date: 16 Jul 04 - 08:17 PM

Kernow John -- I'm sure you're mistaken. I've always known the line as given, and your version makes no sense, IMHO.

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,frogprince
Date: 16 Jul 04 - 06:20 PM

I walked down the Sunset Strip with a navy buddy, and all
the supermarket signs had specials on bananas; I've always
wondered which was the primary point of the hoax: was it a., to see how many moronic hippies would really try it, or B., to see how many
clueless reactionaries would take it seriously and panic? Or both?

Subject: Lyr Add: BALLAD OF A CRYSTAL MAN (Donovan)
From: PennyBlack
Date: 16 Jul 04 - 05:52 AM

Sang this a lot in the 60's

BALLAD OF A CRYSTAL MAN Lyrics

Walk along and talk along and live your lives quite freely
But leave our children with their toys of peppermint and candy.

For seagull I don't want your wings,
I don't want your freedom in a lie.

Your thoughts they are of harlequin, your speeches of quicksilver,
I read your faces like a poem, kaleidoscope of hate words.

Chorus

On the quilted battlefields of soldiers dazzling made of toy tin
The big bomb like a child's hand could sweep them dead just so
to win.

Chorus

As you fill your glasses with the wine of murdered negroes
Thinking not of beauty that spreads like morning sun-glow.

Chorus

I pray your dreams of vivid screams of children dying slowly
And as you polish up your guns your real self be reflecting.

Chorus

Vietnam, your latest game, you're playing with your blackest Queen
Damn your souls and curse your grins, I stand here with a fading dream.

Chorus

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: open mike
Date: 16 Jul 04 - 02:27 AM

i see that donovan has a new album out...Beat Cafe'
and is appearing in san francisco july 13, 14 and 15...
oh jsut finished this performances..
i htink he will be in new york too. see www.donovan.ie

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,Lalena
Date: 16 Jul 04 - 01:36 AM

Lalena. My parents named me after it in 1975 :)

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Jul 04 - 01:31 AM

Probably Lalena as my parents gave me the name in 1975 :)

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Dagmar
Date: 06 Jun 04 - 07:43 AM

Hi, i think it is time to mention "Shawn Phillips" www.shawnphillips.com here, someone who I feel deserves much more recognition! and people who like Donovans music might like his music too..

- he worked closeley with Donovan and co-wrote many songs . Most importantly he co-wrote " little tin soldier" .. but also...:
For example "sunshine superman" ans "Season of the witch", he appears on "Fairytale" (1965) and "Troubadour" (1992) and Fairytale (Castle 2002)

I am qouting the "all music guide" by Bruce Eder : "Phillips went to England, where he performed and wrote songs with Donovan, in a professional relationship somewhat clouded in controversy. Phillips claimed in interviews during the 1970s that he co-wrote "Season of the Witch," as well as a major portion of the songs that finally surfaced on the album Sunshine Superman, but only ever received one co-author credit for "Little Tin Soldier" on the Fairy Tale album."

Another interesting bit :Shawn co-wrote some of the music and played sitar on Donovan's albums during his career debut. They also did a U.S. tour together, and shared an apartment for a while in England. At one point, a young guy came by saying he needed a place to stay while he was in London, so he moved in too. His name was Paul Simon. He had bad management at the time, so Shawn introduced him to his then manager, a man named Ashley Kozack. Ashley took over his career, and it began to flourish.

for those who do not know Shawns music yet - check it out! he will be for example on a fan-organised-tour in germany this november .. please contact me for more information if you are interested!
Dagmar

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Kernow John
Date: 05 Jun 04 - 05:11 PM

In the chorus of Try For The Sun, I think the line should read "The safe was no good what we done" rather than "To say it was no good what we done". I know most people sing the latter though.

I heard a song By Isla St. Claire "Edingburgh" and was told it was written by Donavan anyone know if this is true?

John

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,David Friedman
Date: 05 Jun 04 - 10:17 AM

I am new to Donovan fanship. My introduction and unfortunately only contact was being stunned literally by the sweetness and appropriateness of Donavan's "To Sing for you" as recorded in real time on the classic "Don't look back". I have looked hard but it seems that Donavan recorded that song only on that video.

Can any of you fill me in more on the song - and tell me if a donovan recording of it other than on the video exists. who wrote it?

David Friedman   [e-mail]

Subject: Lyr Add: I'LL TRY FOR THE SUN (Donovan)
From: matai
Date: 28 May 04 - 10:57 PM

I'LL TRY FOR THE SUN.

We stood in the windy city
The Gypsy boy and I
We hung on the breeze in the midnight
With raindrops and tears in our eyes

Chorus:
And who's going to be the one
To say it was no good what we done
I dare a man to say I'm to young
For I'm going to try for the sun

We huddled in a derelect building
And when he thought I was asleep
He laid his poor coat around my shoulders
And shivered there beside me in a heap

We sang and cracked the sky with laughter
Our breath turned to mist in the cold
Our years put together counted thirty
But our eyes told the dawn that we were old

Mirror, mirror hanging in the sky
Won't you look down on what's happening below
I stand here just singing to the flowers
So very few people really know

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 28 May 04 - 02:40 PM

does anybody remember the long wait for sunshine superman to be released after it had been number one in America,
he made a TV special which was broadcast on my 17th birthday 1966 - on it he played Bert Jansch's running from home

John Gil's Please yourself skiffle band always used to open with to sing for you

favourite track maybe to sing for you - but also knocked out at the time by retired writer in the sun

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,Morgana
Date: 28 May 04 - 02:20 PM

I really liked "Mellow Yellow". Donovan was playing at Seattle during Bumpershoot last summer.

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,Bill Kennedy
Date: 28 May 04 - 12:54 PM

a new cd of his music for Brother Sun, Sister Moon is coming out in July, can be pre-ordered from his website. I love the Gift from FLower to Garden lp, as well as HMS DOnovan, and many of the other songs already mentioned

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Kingston
Date: 28 May 04 - 10:25 AM

Does anyone have the words for "Try for the Sun"?

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Apr 04 - 03:27 PM

Epistle to Derrol, in my opinion. Gorgeous song, lovely images. Enchanted Gypsy's a good one too.

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,latestrend
Date: 09 Apr 04 - 02:48 PM

"To Sing for You" not one of his most popular but my favorite.
I like to watch him play it on the dylan "don't look back"   documentary

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Roughyed
Date: 14 Mar 04 - 05:49 PM

I'm glad someone finally mentioned Turquoise. How about Spring Song from 'A Gift form a Flower to a Garden' album. Still goes down well. He also did an excellent setting of the Owl and the Pussycat. He could sometimes veer way over into the twee and there were lines of pure bathos which let him down, but when he hit it, he was a unique and beautiful talent in writing and performance.

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: alanabit
Date: 14 Mar 04 - 03:34 PM

To Try for the Sun is one of my favourites. It's allegedly about his mate Gypsy Dave. Some follks allege that this is the same Gypsy Dave who plays the German IP scene. It's probably nonsense, as the Dave I know comes from Margate and Donovan Leitch came from Glasgow. Either way, it's a classic travelling song about comradeship and adventure.

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Matt_R
Date: 14 Mar 04 - 12:28 PM

Well, here it is nearly 4 years after my first post on this thread. Since then I've collected over half of Donovan's musical catalogue, mostly thanks to my Donovan-obsessed best friend Jon. New favorites would have to be:

Sailing Homeward
Curryland
Celtic Rock
Sing My Song
Epistle to Derrol
The Voyage of The Moon
Cosmic Wheels
To Sing For You
Celeste
There Is A Mountain
There Is An Ocean

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: matai
Date: 14 Mar 04 - 07:14 AM

'Turquoise' is one of the greatest lovesongs ever I think but when I think of Donovan I hum/sing "When you're feeling kinda lonesome in your mind/and a heartache's following you so close behind/ call out to me with your weary eyes/ I'll sing a song for you. That's what I'm here to do. To sing for you..."

matai

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 13 Mar 04 - 05:45 PM

The guy was talented. I was in awe of "Catch the Wind" at the time. He was only 18, when he wrote that! And he did prove to have more than one string to his musical bow. I rather liked " Sunny Goodge St" and the one that starts " Be not afraid ... " ( was that his?)

Subject: Lyr Add: MAD JOHN'S ESCAPE (Donovan)
From: My guru always said
Date: 13 Mar 04 - 04:37 PM

Mad John's Escape
Donovan

mad john came down from Birmingham
very hastily
and from Borstal he had ran
he made it down to Torquay
good boy mad john

mad john holed up
in an allotment shed by a railway siding
in came the man for the watering can
he didn't see john hiding
good boy mad john

chorus:
mad mad mad john, etc.

mad john met jill in a transport cafe
by the juke box loud
and over double eggs chips and beans
they made a solemn vow
and jill paid the bill

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,Margret RoadKnight
Date: 17 Feb 04 - 07:00 PM

Previous post from me .... seem to have lost my membership....ummm...
Margret RoadKnight

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Feb 04 - 06:58 PM

"Widow With Shawl : A Portrait"
and "Young Girl Blues" (liked this one enough to record it)

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,Harmony Angel
Date: 17 Feb 04 - 10:11 AM

Sorry to drag this one out of the dusty ol' cupboard but does anyone know where I can get the lyrics for "Mad John".

Thanks