In the mid-1960s, Scottish-born Donovan Leitch was viewed as both the epitome of hippiedom and the UK's answer to Bob Dylan. Such perceptions (further enhanced by album titles such as Breezes of Patchouli ) have followed him, often unkindly, ever since. On the basis of this four-disc, five-album collection, however, there was far more to Donovan than met the eye. The hits are here, of course, and Sunshine Superman, Mellow Yellow, Hurdy Gurdy Man and Jennifer Juniper represent high points in 1960s pop/psychedelia. As well, obscure album tracks such as Writer in the Sun, Sunny South Kensington and Mad John's Escape (to name but three) highlight Donovan's classicist approach. Occasionally fey and whimsical? Absolutely, but there's plenty of era-defining material here that also stands the test of time.
donovan.ie
Download: Hurdy Gurdy Man, Writer in the Sun, Mellow Yellow