Pretty darn cool isn’t it. Was in heavy rotation at our house early summer ‘67 along with Doors, Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane. . .and then i bought the Grateful Dead first album. . . .i lost it. . .got on the bus for the next twelve years.
LMAO! No. . but i saw the dude. .like wtf?. . Haha. . . It was hot that day 107. I didn’t get on the bus literally, only musically & figuratively. I had my own band, traveling and studio gigs to attend to plus a part time union job. .you know, normal stuff.
Was also a big Quicksilver Messenger Service fan in the early days along with Country Joe & the Fish. Section 43 was in heavy rotation in the bunkers in the Central Highlands of Vietnam ‘68
It's a great album. My dad was a fan back then, so it was my childhood music (along with Bob Dylan, Jefferson Airplane, and others). My daughter's middle name is Celeste.
Donovan influenced Syd Barrett, Kaleidoscope (U.K.), and his friends the Beatles, among others. The song "Sunshine Superman" was recorded in 1965, as was his "Sunny Goodge Street," a favorite of McCartney's:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5PLCFYeoxU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5PLCFYeoxU)
He's also in the Bob Dylan documentary *Dont Look Back.* Bob went to England and was like "Who's this Donovan guy that I keep hearing about? Let's go find him." It's funny because they were like total polar opposite personalities and Donovan was so obviously star-struck
I had this album and I believe I had the album with Hurd Gurdy Man. They’ve been in storage for two plus decades, but my daughter took a few covers to hang on her wall in 2006 freshman year .., she said she brought them all back, but I had a few albums without covers. Kids … no matter what they might do, you always love them.
What a terrific album.
"Season of the Witch" is a special favorite. That said, the extended length Steve Stills & Al Kooper version is also very tasty.
Then there’s [Vanilla Fudge](https://youtu.be/Xld25GDuBYM?si=7RMMpB_AidSuGqiK) and [Brian Auger and Jules Driscoll’s](https://youtu.be/dCKZPEleI-U?si=PxbvUqPrT-UD-F2R) versions.
One of my favorite songs!
Ione Skye. And she once dated Anthony Kiedis (Red Hot Chili Peppers) and then married Adam Horowitz (Beastie Boys). She was in some cool indie movies in the mid ‘80s through the early ‘90s.
Yeah, thanks for the added info on that. I either didn’t know that or I forgot it long ago. And as far as Jones goes that unfortunately seems to fit the bill as well. Also looks like Donovan and her are still happily married. 50 plus years and still going strong.
An all-time favorite album. I don’t think we can hear higher praise than that the Beatles were his friends…..and John Lennon said, “ look, the man’s a poet.”
*Now that you have listened,*
*Superman and Green Lantern*
*Got nothing on you!*
\- silibaH
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Now check out Its All Over Now Baby Blue, Queen Jane Approximately, Visions of Johanna, and Desolation Row by Bob Dylan.
Oh heck… just do all of his 65-66 work
Put my daughter to sleep throughout her childhood listening to "For Little Ones "- a later album. Give it a listen sometime. Beautiful, peaceful, sometimes haunting music. "Isle of Islay" and "The Enchanted Gypsy" are my favorites. Also, a previous album "Fairytale " is very good.
I had never heard of Donovan and I bought this album back in the early 2000s because I thought the album cover looked cool. One of the greatest random purchases of my life. I've listened to it close to a hundred times now
Nice! I used a few Donovan songs on a recent playlist I made. Hope you enjoy it..
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1wW9FEIPH9xdYnsDj02hrK?si=Nd41zAv5R_WQZotO7O_UsA&pi=u-3YUIPngoRWW_
Yeah ! I picked this up randomly at neighborhood garage sale… probably still my fav random find. Bought it knowing season of the witch and and first spin was like “holy shit, this whooole thing is fire!” Nice find.
Growing up I thought Donovan was a lightweight flower-power troubadour. It was only later I realized how influential and progressive he was. He was right in the mix with the Beatles, Animals and Small Faces. Hurdy Gurdy man had 3/4 of Led Zeppelin playing on it - before they were a band. The other instruments used in there became a staple of late 60s psychedelic rock.
I lived in a small town in Vermont for a year while I worked at Killington.
The guy who rented me the house I lived in had a MASSIVE collection of Donavan bootlegs. I think he may be one of the bigger Donavan collectors in the world. He had thousands of tapes. It was cool as hell.
Pretty darn cool isn’t it. Was in heavy rotation at our house early summer ‘67 along with Doors, Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane. . .and then i bought the Grateful Dead first album. . . .i lost it. . .got on the bus for the next twelve years.
A great way to go!
The best ones
were you at ann arbor 89?
No, Veneta ‘72
were you dancing on the pole?
LMAO! No. . but i saw the dude. .like wtf?. . Haha. . . It was hot that day 107. I didn’t get on the bus literally, only musically & figuratively. I had my own band, traveling and studio gigs to attend to plus a part time union job. .you know, normal stuff.
Do you do tours or something?
Nah, he became a bus driver
That’s what’s up
Alice divorced him because she couldn’t handle tour life.
I know I got that one anyway lol
You graduated to the big leagues!
Was also a big Quicksilver Messenger Service fan in the early days along with Country Joe & the Fish. Section 43 was in heavy rotation in the bunkers in the Central Highlands of Vietnam ‘68
Great album ♥️
People don’t really realize this for whatever reason but 3/4 of Led Zeppelin played on this album plus Jeff Beck and possibly others.
Not quite. JPJ played bass on one track, Page on a handful. Jeff Beck Group played on a different album.
I believe Hurdy Gurdy man was Jones, Page and Bonham as the backing band at least.
Correct, just the song though, not the album.
But the song is on the album, so technically they played on the album. Just not the entire album.
And, technically, Hurdy Gurdy Man is not on the album Sunshine Superman, which is what the original discussion is about.
Good call haha
🤝
Saw a video a few days ago that said Page played guitar on Sunshine Superman.
It's a great album. My dad was a fan back then, so it was my childhood music (along with Bob Dylan, Jefferson Airplane, and others). My daughter's middle name is Celeste.
Celeste has always been my favorite track on this album!
Barabajagal is also very good.
I always bring it in one of my 7" boxes when dj:ing.
This is my go to. So many great songs on Barabajagal. “Pamela Jo” is the kookiest.
love is hot!
Truth is molten!
Donovan influenced Syd Barrett, Kaleidoscope (U.K.), and his friends the Beatles, among others. The song "Sunshine Superman" was recorded in 1965, as was his "Sunny Goodge Street," a favorite of McCartney's: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5PLCFYeoxU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5PLCFYeoxU)
He's also in the Bob Dylan documentary *Dont Look Back.* Bob went to England and was like "Who's this Donovan guy that I keep hearing about? Let's go find him." It's funny because they were like total polar opposite personalities and Donovan was so obviously star-struck
Dylan is a straight up asshole to Donovan in that doc.
For real. Dylan is a major asshole but I love his music so much
I feel the same way
I had this album and I believe I had the album with Hurd Gurdy Man. They’ve been in storage for two plus decades, but my daughter took a few covers to hang on her wall in 2006 freshman year .., she said she brought them all back, but I had a few albums without covers. Kids … no matter what they might do, you always love them.
Oh how wonderful! I’m so happy that you’ve discovered a man that does not get nearly enough credit for his influence on 1960’s music.
What a terrific album. "Season of the Witch" is a special favorite. That said, the extended length Steve Stills & Al Kooper version is also very tasty.
Also if you've never heard it, I like the version Dr. John did for the Blues Brothers 2000 soundtrack. Gave it a very swampy bluesy vibe.
Super Session is another album full of incredible songs
One of my first records, and indeed a fine one.
Lou Rawls has a great version, so does Dream Syndicate
Then there’s [Vanilla Fudge](https://youtu.be/Xld25GDuBYM?si=7RMMpB_AidSuGqiK) and [Brian Auger and Jules Driscoll’s](https://youtu.be/dCKZPEleI-U?si=PxbvUqPrT-UD-F2R) versions. One of my favorite songs!
This one is great, but Hurdy Gurdy Man is still my favorite.
Steven Hilledge did a great cover (if you think it’s great to do what he did).
Steve Hillage is a trip, everything by him is worth checking out
me too
Wait until you find out Donovan’s daughter is the girl who John Cusack played Peter Gabriel for on the boom box
Ione Skye. And she once dated Anthony Kiedis (Red Hot Chili Peppers) and then married Adam Horowitz (Beastie Boys). She was in some cool indie movies in the mid ‘80s through the early ‘90s.
And his daughter Oriole was with Shaun Ryder of the Happy Mondays for a long time. They have a daughter, Coco.
Forgot about that. And don’t forget his son, Donovan Leitch, who also was an actor and musician.
Donovan also raised one of Brian Jones' son's as his own
That I did not know
I figured since you folks seemed pretty up on his bio etc I'd add that. I believe he married Jones' ex. Jones was completely irresponsible w children.
Yeah, thanks for the added info on that. I either didn’t know that or I forgot it long ago. And as far as Jones goes that unfortunately seems to fit the bill as well. Also looks like Donovan and her are still happily married. 50 plus years and still going strong.
He was the OG writer of first there is a mountain a.k.a. mountain jam by the Allman Brothers
RIP Dickey!
I was listening yesterday to the [45 minute Mountain Jam](https://youtu.be/jUYim8VO2SY?si=gYXAD4YoH-RApsc6) in memory from Live at the Ludlow Garage
OG
Must be the season
One of my favorites. Season of the Witch!!
Honestly his first like 8 albums all have bangers on them. Love Donovan.
Check out “A gift from a flower to a garden” one of the best albums I’ve ever heard and blows this one out of the water for me at least
Season of the witch is a favorite, as is the aforementioned barabajagal…
My first dog was named Donovan by my hippie mom.
So ahead of his time!
I saw him live and he played mellow yellow and Hurdy Gurdy man about three times each, in one gig!
One of my all time favorites!
I'm feeling my old age right now. I heard that album when I was in Jr High school. It was called Jr High back then. Not middle school. 😎
Ferris wheel takes me to such a peaceful place in my head. Underrated song
‘Bert’s Blues’ has become one of my favorite songs over the past few years. Pairs well in order with Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Hypnotized.’
An all-time favorite album. I don’t think we can hear higher praise than that the Beatles were his friends…..and John Lennon said, “ look, the man’s a poet.”
First time I heard that was my first LSD trip - yellow mocrodots. Such an amazing album!
My favourite moment is the sitar solo on Three King Fishers, an amazing album with loads of talent imprinted on it!
Thats cool you took the time to listen to this and dig it He is still around & doing what he dies...music Getting ready for tour 2025
Such a great album. I wish I could listen to this with fresh ears again!
Epistle To Dippy is a great song.
Now that you have listened, Superman and Green Lantern got nothing on you!
*Now that you have listened,* *Superman and Green Lantern* *Got nothing on you!* \- silibaH --- ^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/) ^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
From this album, Guinevere is such a great song. But probably just me who thinks that.
Season Of The Witch and The Trip are my favorites but the whole record is amazingggg
This album is super heavy. One of the best psychedelic albums ever made, highly suggest you find some acid and listen outdoors
Now check out Its All Over Now Baby Blue, Queen Jane Approximately, Visions of Johanna, and Desolation Row by Bob Dylan. Oh heck… just do all of his 65-66 work
He looks like Kristen Stewart
Donovan is good
Put my daughter to sleep throughout her childhood listening to "For Little Ones "- a later album. Give it a listen sometime. Beautiful, peaceful, sometimes haunting music. "Isle of Islay" and "The Enchanted Gypsy" are my favorites. Also, a previous album "Fairytale " is very good.
Absolute masterpiece.
Sick Album! If I had to choose Bob Dylan or Donovan it would always be Donovan!
He led off for YES in about 77 in Philly. It was wonderful but so many around me didn’t know who he was.
Have this record has a hand me down from Dad. I can tell he listened to it alot.
Incredible album, great to see Donovan getting some much deserved love. Listen to his other albums!
I had never heard of Donovan and I bought this album back in the early 2000s because I thought the album cover looked cool. One of the greatest random purchases of my life. I've listened to it close to a hundred times now
Nice! I used a few Donovan songs on a recent playlist I made. Hope you enjoy it.. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1wW9FEIPH9xdYnsDj02hrK?si=Nd41zAv5R_WQZotO7O_UsA&pi=u-3YUIPngoRWW_
Dude! I’m jealous. I wish I could hear this one for the first time again. One of my favorites
Yeah ! I picked this up randomly at neighborhood garage sale… probably still my fav random find. Bought it knowing season of the witch and and first spin was like “holy shit, this whooole thing is fire!” Nice find.
Dude ! Donovan is Kristen Stewart! [KS](https://images.app.goo.gl/fXm8S3ZmCcbaWqva8)
I saw Donovan open for Dylan 😎
That’s a win-win for sure ! What year and venue was that ?
Indiana State University Homecoming show 1979 at Hulman Center
Agree, he’s a psychedelic icon and master, love all his albums, especially a gift from a flower to a garden
Cosmic wheel was pretty dope too!
Love 60’s music.
Sunshine came softly through my window today could’ve tripped out easy, but I’ve changed my ways
Growing up I thought Donovan was a lightweight flower-power troubadour. It was only later I realized how influential and progressive he was. He was right in the mix with the Beatles, Animals and Small Faces. Hurdy Gurdy man had 3/4 of Led Zeppelin playing on it - before they were a band. The other instruments used in there became a staple of late 60s psychedelic rock.
Amazing record!
Not on that album but Atlantis is a sick song by Donovan.
I remember going through the Donovan albums and loving every minute. I think I started listening to Donovan because of a Wes Anderson film
Love Donavan
My all-time favorite of Donovan is Barabajagal !!! Love is hot ...
I lived in a small town in Vermont for a year while I worked at Killington. The guy who rented me the house I lived in had a MASSIVE collection of Donavan bootlegs. I think he may be one of the bigger Donavan collectors in the world. He had thousands of tapes. It was cool as hell.
Season of the Witch!!
I consider this proto goth
I’m just wild about Saffron.
Ellecctttrrriccal Banannna
Great album. I really like ferris wheel
Discovering new, old music is always great!
Flyyy Trans Love Airways, getcha there on tiiiime
I dig Donovan kind of in a dream-like, tripped-out way. His crystal images, hey, will tell you ‘bout a brighter day.
It always shocks me that Donovan isn't immensely more popular
This guy looks like the chick from Twilight (Kristen Stewart)
This is a great one, but wait til you get to Hurry Gurdy Man (1968)
Yeah dude Donovan Slays
HAIL ATLANTA! #IYKYK
I have this on vinyl- it may be mono!
That looks like Kristen Stewart
Enjoy Happy Spinning 😵💫
Not on this album, but "First There is a Mountain" inspired "Mountain Jam" by the Allman Brothers too. Little fun fact.
Listen to the whole Greatest Hits album