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: stevi
Date: 13 Feb 05 - 01:00 PM

little tin soldier----------great guitar!
il'e think of more soon!

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,DMcF
Date: 13 Feb 05 - 01:19 PM

Now what's the chances of that then?
I'm noodling around on the guitar earlier on this week, accidentally find myself playing 'Yellow is the colour' and remember how much I liked it from my schooldays. I nab the words for it (and also Catch the wind) from the net, thinking 'Yup, that'll do nicely for the singer's night at me local next week - that'll make a change' (as I usually play trad or my own songs) - And then I turn this on for the first time in ages and find this revitalised thread! Musta been shouting at me through the ether. Spooky! - Duncan

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GLoux
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 08:18 AM

FYI, there's a very nice article on Donovan in the January 2005 issue of Acoustic Guitar magazine including tablature to Catch the Wind. Great photographs, including his green guitar, "Kelly"...

-Greg

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,Donovanzclone
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 06:57 AM

really enjoyed reading this thread and amazed its been running 4 years+

My favourite song is the one playing atthis moment on my headphones, The live version of Celeste on the "Donovan In Concert" album recorded live at the anahiem convention centre (1968) IMHO this is the finest collection of songs and performance Don ever did! i have most of his work but this is his jewel! "my songs are merely dreams, they come a-visting-my mind" beautiful! Also the recording of Young Girl Blues on this album is the best for me. Poor Cow (love) exceptional and the verion of happiness runs he released on Barabajal is a poorer version than "happiness runs" that can be found here! You can order it online at HMV on CD-my Original Vynal has worn out

Sand and foam is amazing too as are all the above mentioned!
Sunny goodge st is where Dono used to score way back when(allegedley)
Hey Gyp (dig the slowness kick ass) did the animals cover that in the sixties! plus season of the witch, sunshine superman!
If u havent got beatcafe yet - shame on you! its his best recording since open road! going to see him in may in wolverhampton! am 24 and been a fan for over 10 years- a dream come true!

Peace, love and bannana skins!
Keep the music alive!

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,Scott
Date: 23 Mar 05 - 05:46 PM

I dearly love the songs from Brother Sun Sister Moon, but can't seem to find the words in print for the. Can anyone help me with this?

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,Taff
Date: 14 Apr 05 - 11:10 PM

I can't believe that in five years no-one's mentioned "The Intergalactic Laxative" which I always thought was ground breaking and a classic of it's time. My apologies if I've missed someone along the way. This thread is amazing - just stumbled on it. Been a Donavan fan since mid-sixties - God it feels good to be old sometimes.

Taff

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: michaelr
Date: 15 Apr 05 - 12:43 AM

Taff -- You Da Man! I love that song.

But I guess folks are reluctant to confess liking a song that mentions "penis".

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Stephen L. Rich
Date: 15 Apr 05 - 12:55 AM

His best song was, far and away, "Season of the Witch".

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,Matthew Barnes
Date: 01 Dec 05 - 06:52 AM

Donovan Leitch - Probably the most overlooked guitarist from the sixties. His fingerpicking style is truly incredible my favorite song is Ballad of Geraldine - His talent will always be hidden as this music is not classed as cool

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: MBSLynne
Date: 01 Dec 05 - 07:08 AM

Donovan is one of my chief folkie influences. I had a poster of him up on my wall when I was 14, and due to love of his music, my path went off into the folkie direction...one of the best things that ever happened to me.

Although there are probably better songs that he did, and I love loads of them, so the decision is tricky, I think I'd have to go for "Catch the Wind" simply because it's one of those songs that whisks me back immediately to my early teens and the whole ethos of the time.

Love Lynne

Subject: Donovan-Writer in the Sun-chords?
From: GUEST,guest-jerry
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 12:54 PM

Does anyone have the chords for writer in the sun, please?

Subject: RE: Lyr/Ch Add: Writer in the Sun
From: michaelr
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 07:34 PM

Boy, this took me back. One of my favorites by Mr Leitch. Here ya go, Jerry:

Writer in the Sun    (Donovan)


       F                        G
The days of wine and roses

       C       Em       Am    Am/G
Are distant days for me

   F                                    G
I dream of the last and the next affair

            Am       Em    Dm (C) G
And of girls I'll never see


                      C         C/B
CH: And here I sit, the retired

C/Bb          Am
Writer in the sun

C   C/B    C/Bb             F       G
The retired writer in the sun



Tonight I trod in the starlight
I excuse myself with a grin
I ponder the moon in a silver spoon
And the little one alive within    (CH)

The magazine girl poses
On my glossy paper aeroplane
Too many years I've spent in the city
Playing with Mr Loss and Mr Gain    (CH)

I bathe in the sun of the morning
Lemon circles swim in the tea
Fishing for time with a wishing line
And throwing it back in the sea    (CH)


Nice work if you can get it...

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: SINSULL
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 08:09 PM

Any interest in "The Autobiography of Donovan, the Hurdy Gurdy Man"? I have been slogging through it since December. Just can't asccept that he was as much an influence on folk music, the Beatles, the Stones, Dylan, Baez - you name it as he claims to be. After his third "reminder" that he went electric four months before Dylan, I dozed off.

Anyway, if there is interest I will put it in the auction. There is a lot of information on his songs and music. Lots on St. Ives. An interesting look at the 60s.

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: SINSULL
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 08:14 PM

By the way, "Hey Gyp" was written for his long time friend and fellow musician Gypsy Dave.

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: michaelr
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 08:16 PM

Who was St Ives, and why is he relevant to Donovan?

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Snuffy
Date: 01 Mar 06 - 08:57 AM

Maybe for a different reason than Newport was relevant to Dylan

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Dave Wynn
Date: 01 Mar 06 - 09:15 AM

His recent performance on Brit Folk at the Barbican was stilted and extremely uninspiring.

Spot the Dog

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: SINSULL
Date: 01 Mar 06 - 12:33 PM

St. Ives - a beach community where Donovan and others crashed one year, lived off their wits, and made/learned music.

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,jojofolkagogo
Date: 01 Mar 06 - 01:21 PM

Josie, I wont fail yer, I wont fail You
have not fear ....


Now THAT's MY favourit - its got my name in it !!!!!

I JUST LEEEERRRVVVEEE DONAVAN (the First Van-the-Man) !

from Jo-Jo
([e-mail])

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: jojofolkagogo
Date: 01 Mar 06 - 01:35 PM

and OF COURSE

"TO SING FOR YOU"

Who else could write SUCH a simple song, which means EVERYTHING

Jo-Jo
([e-mail])

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Harmony Angel
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 03:45 AM

Whenever Donovan gets a mention, there's always one tune that immediately starts rattlin' around my head... From memory, it was on and album called 'What's Been Did and What's Been Hid' [or something like that :-) ] and I think it was called The Fairytale of the Tangerine Puppet.
Does anyone else remember it?

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 03:54 AM

There is info on it at this website, Harmony.

kat

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: sil
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 05:16 PM

Definitely Catch the wind, that's our wedding song.
Missed Donovan in concert
DONOVAN IN CONCERT
Sunday 12 February 12.10am-1am (Saturday night) In this 1972
performance, the folk-pop troubadour performs hits including Catch the
Wind and Mellow Yellow

Anybody watched it? Gutted.

Sil

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Purple Foxx
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 09:17 AM

She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed-But-Seldom-Is has just returned from a shopping trip with one of those "Cheap 'n' Cheerful" compilation CD's.
This one is called "Love in the 60's" with sleeve credits to New Sound.
This CD contains an absolutely superb live rendition,by Donovan, of "Catch The Wind" but frustratingly contains no sleeve information whatsoever as to where & when recorded.
I now consider this version to be my favourite interpretation of my particular favourite Donovan song.
Would this thread be the last place on Earth I should acknowledge retaining a residual affection for The Barron Knights' version of the same song?

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 09:46 AM

I insist that you all go out this weekend and buy 'Cosmic Wheels' on LP, with the gatefold sleeve.

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,JP
Date: 11 Jan 08 - 09:27 PM

My first album was Catch the Wind. Some of the simplest (aren't they all?) are my favorites.

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: The Sandman
Date: 12 Jan 08 - 12:30 PM

Goldwatch, Catch the wind.

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 12 Jan 08 - 12:39 PM

Sunny Goodge Street.
G

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: oldhippie
Date: 12 Jan 08 - 07:00 PM

My favorites are:

The War Drags On
To Susan on the West Coast Waiting
Universal Soldier

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 12 Jan 08 - 07:04 PM

Donovan sang Universal Soldier but Buffy St Marie wrote it.

I seem to remember it was in the Purple Pussycat in Toronto she wrote t too, but I'm not sure

G

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,Ravin' Raven
Date: 28 Jun 09 - 07:25 PM

Since I've seen mention of the banana smoking so much and have yet to see anyone mention what I think Donovan may have been talking about - I'll interject here....Since I was born in 1950, I lived through the 60's and have performed dozens of Donovan songs myself (so I'm happy to see so many others who appreciate him) - anyway, my take on the "Mellow Yellow" is: if you listen to the words, he says "Electrical banana is going to be a sudden craze, electrical banana is bound to be the very next phase"
Well, shortly after this song (a couple of years in the 'pop' chart world) an incredible band came upon the scene - "The Youngbloods" with the LP Elephant Mountain and guess who played the "electric" piano? His name was "Banana" -- I think Donovan had already heard them (maybe even knew them) and knew that they would be "the very next craze" Anyway, that's my take on it (although, I too scraped the insides of the bananas, baked them, etc.)
I admit it was only later when I saw the Youngbloods performing (at a small venue, where I helped work the light show) did I learn about "Banana's" name and it all made sense to me (but maybe it made sense cause I smoked too much banana!)

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 29 Jun 09 - 11:51 AM

Josie I won't fail you.

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: bluesboy101
Date: 29 Jun 09 - 12:57 PM

fav donovan song catch the wind .does anybody know if cosmic wheels was ever released on c.d .thanks

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 29 Jun 09 - 01:31 PM

He has so many great songs and luckily am allowed to listen to any of them LOL

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,Graham O'Callaghan
Date: 29 Jun 09 - 03:16 PM

Have always been a Donovan fan, especially living in Cornwall where Donavan spent so much time during the 60's / 70's. I had a coffee with him in St Ives during the early 90's and he hasn't chnaged at all to look at. Still 'boy'ish looking' and a great guy.

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Allen in Oz
Date: 30 Jun 09 - 07:54 AM

" Sunshine Superman "

AD in Australia

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Acorn4
Date: 30 Jun 09 - 11:55 AM

I always thought he never progressed from his initial songs- listened to a live gig he did not so long ago and he was still with his starfish on the seabed.

His early songs will always remain classics though!

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Rifleman (inactive)
Date: 30 Jun 09 - 11:57 AM

My favourite Donovan recording is my much treasured and much played copy of his EP, Universal Soldier.

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,Chris Murray
Date: 30 Jun 09 - 12:07 PM

One of the things that I love about Donovan is his deluded idea that Bob Dylan imitated him.

I got that from an interview with him on the telly.

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: The Sandman
Date: 30 Jun 09 - 01:27 PM

and one of the things I like about Bob Dylan,is that he wasnt afraid to
borrow other peoples songs, like Dont think Twice its alright,and claim that he wrote them,a man of strong moral principles ,Bob Dylan.
and then he borrowed the name Dylan,from Dylan Thomas.
of course, Bob Dylan was never influenced by Woody Guthrie.

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: michaelr
Date: 30 Jun 09 - 07:15 PM

uh oh...

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 30 Jun 09 - 08:16 PM

Or Dominic behan!


back to thread, I should, of course, bagged the whole LP.. What's been hid and what's been did. Every song a classic, and most of them written by a certain D.Leitch.

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Jason Xion Wang
Date: 01 Jul 09 - 06:01 AM

3 Songs: Gold Watch Blues, Young Girl Blues, Only The Blues!

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 02 Jul 09 - 05:19 AM

Donovan teaches songwriting courses at Arvon Foundation now and then.

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Abdul The Bul Bul
Date: 03 Jul 09 - 04:01 AM

I remember seeing him on Ready Steady Go. Wasn't that where he was 'discovered'. 5-4-3-2-1. HWhich was first Catch the wind or Colours? Anyway there was a lot of talk about his follow up. I remember him doing San Francisco Bay Blues on RSG too. I wanted to be him, bought a guitar and that's when I became a folkie.
Some of the songs are a bit on the 'twee' side but the rest are bloody brilliant. I also recall him appearing with Melanie on some US programme that was screened over here. He did Owl and The Pussycat and I hadn't heard that till then.
Ah well that's todays rambling over.

Al

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Geoff Wallis
Date: 03 Jul 09 - 12:16 PM

The combination of Cavan County Museum (in Ballyjamesduff) and Cavan County Council's Arts Office has a organised a whole series of Donovan-related events running from the 9th to the 12th July, listed here:

http://events.artscouncil.ie/index_list.php?mo=7&yr=2009&epcCat0=&epcCat5=104&event_title=

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,hugh gass
Date: 18 Jul 14 - 03:31 PM

good evening panel, i partically like rainbow islands and my dogs loves chappie thanks guys.

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,achmelvich
Date: 18 Jul 14 - 04:15 PM

he's alright. i like 'the walrus and the carpenter' off his hms donovan album. the cover is by scots artist john byrne and apparently worth a few quid. he (jb) has a show at the scottish national portrait gallery if you like his stuff. or if you don't.

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 18 Jul 14 - 04:50 PM

Got into this song recently:- Belated Forgiveness Plea.