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I remembered this album differently. I guess it was the times. I still find it relaxing to listen to, which is why I bought it. I used to have the boxed record set.
I'll make this short and sweet. In content and structure this was a great album as the original record set, and the CD has brought it back. Right up there with Dylan, The Beatles, PP&M, Simon and Garfunkel, Stone Poneys, and The Doors in defining "The Sixties."
Since my record player is long gone (but not the best albums), I decided to get this cd. I got the single album of the first 10 songs around 1967-68. I had never heard the last 10 songs, save for those that made it to greatest hits compilations. The songs are simple and pure and relaxing. Many of them stuck with me for all these years. I agree with other reviewers that these are exceptional, bringing the listener to a long forgotton sea shore on the British Isles. I highly recommend the Hurdy Gurdy Man cd - my favorite Donovan song is the last - "Teas".
Anyone who came of age in the late nineteen sixties would remember and love this album. Great tunes and lyrics. Donovan is a poet.
But the production of this album can't hold up to psychedelia. I am very happy to see it returned in it's intended original majestic form. Donovan's discography is considerable and covers ground from American Hillbilly ala Dylan to Jazz; all transversely covered with a combination of classic minstrel and psychedelia. It is educational in the sense that it exposes the true roots of US folk - European poets with voices like larks who actually could read and write.
It was then released as a single disc - containing only the acoustic songs. This album is one of the rarest gems I own. It's too reel to reel and sounds like it was recorded during a vacation on the Isle of White. The sound production would be considered bootleg in our present era. The electric songs on this album have never grabbed me.
But the acoustic is pure magic. Still, it's worth whatever tweaking you have to go through. This album was originally released in it's present form, as a two disk set - one disk of electric 1968 psychedelic music and one European, Scottish minstrel folk music. I highly recommend this CD to anyone. Donovan is pure psychedelia; he's the authentic thing.
He's what hippies and beatniks should of evolved into if they had had the potential - classic renaissance men who embody myths. However, turn up the volume while listening. You won't find a true minstrel again for a long, long time.
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