Donovan - Open Road
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Music CD Cover
Artist: DonovanEdition: Music CD
Format: Import, Original recording remastered
CD Release Date: 2000-08-22
Music Label: Repertoire
Soundtracks:
- Changes
- Song for John
- Curry Land
- Joe Bean's Theme
- People Used To
- Celtic Rock
- Riki Tiki Tavi
- Clara Clairvoyant
- Roots of Oak
- Season of Farewell
- Poke at the Pope
- New Year's Resolution
Free Music Notes for Open Road
Free Music Review: Donovan: From Scotland Or Mars?
Hit: 5 Stars
I've always thought of Donovan as the ultimate example of a hippie guy, with Melanie as the number one hippie girl. Both artists are frozen in public consciousness wearing love beads, burning candles, etc. Sure, there were plenty of others presenting this image - but I've always felt that these two somehow "personified" the era.
Donovan was a true chronicler of the times, and reflected them even more overtly than the Beatles. Where the Beatles coyly hinted (drug use, for example), Donovan would flat-out write about it. Did the Beatles like Indian mysticism or not? Hard to tell. There's no such confusion with Donovan.
Before I go any further, I want to say this: there is no one else like him. Donovan belongs on a very short list of artists so original that no one even attempts to sing or write like them. They can't. Van Morrison is also in this category. Their songs aren't even covered very often because everyone knows their recordings are definitive and their style too distinct. Think about it. There's been many successful imitators of such stars as the Beatles, Stones, Dylan, Bowie - to name just four. But how many artists are like Donovan or Van Morrison? I'd say none. It's like they came here from Mars or something.
If you don't own Donovan's "Greatest Hits", you should. When he released this collection in 1969, I was thrilled. At the time I was a cash-strapped young man who could only afford to buy singles. Albums were a big investment, and I chose them carefully. So-called greatest hits albums were usually not so great. Generally you'd have a few hits with a lot of filler. Record companies didn't want to give away too much - they wanted you to buy back-catalogue. Acts like the Animals and Herman's Hermits would have 3 different albums purporting to be their hits, and each would have only a few.
Donovan's was different. It actually contained all his hits up till that point. Very generous. Peter, Paul and Mary did the same. I always think of these records as the first real "greatest hits" albums. In recent years Donovan's has been remastered with four later hits added, and it stands as his definitive statement. These songs defined an era, from folk to psychedelia.
All his hits had been produced by Mickie Most, who also produced the aforementioned Animals and Hermits. Wishing to cut loose from him, Donovan entered the new decade with "Open Road" (1970). Featuring a harder rocking sound, he seemed poised to capitalize on the success of Jethro Tull. Sadly, it didn't happen for him. Despite this, "Open Road" and "Cosmic Wheels" (1973) remain his best post-sixties releases. If you want something more than the hits, "Open Road" is the one to get. Every song is great.
I've always been sorry he didn't pursue glam-rock. He had an interest in it, but his "flower child" image haunted him. It's easy to see his influence on folk/rock duo Tyrannosaurus Rex (not yet mega-stars T.Rex), and his fey delivery was emulated by early Bowie. When Bowie issued his "Diamond Dogs" album, Donovan recorded a version of the track "When You Rock and Roll With Me". I've heard it a couple times, but could never track down the source. Most famously, he sang verses of the song "Billion Dollar Babies" with Alice Cooper.
Sometime around 1975, I saw Donovan and his band give a concert in an elementary school auditorium. The band came on stage dressed in the tight-fitting glam outfits of the day, with modern hair styles. Donovan emerged with his usual shaggy mullet, and was dressed as a flower. He wore a bright orange jumpsuit with large orange "petals" hanging off it from his neck to his knees. The petals were stiff but drooped a little, and looked like they may have been made of rubber. Hard to believe, I know - but it's true. In between songs he'd say things like "make love to one another - whether it's another man or another woman, it doesn't matter". I was left wondering what he thought he was doing - was he trying to fit in with glam-rock? Bowie had worn costumes and made ambiguous statements about bisexuality three or four years earlier. Whatever it was, he looked like a hopelessly out-of-touch fool. On the plus side, he performed every song I wanted to hear and sounded great.
Years of oblivion would follow. He'd put out an occasional record, but none would gain notice until 1996's "Sutras". It was a pleasant album, but lacked the "fun factor" that always made Donovan so entertaining. These days he's more of a spokesperson for transcendental meditation than anything else.
Which brings me to my final point - Donovan is fun. His old hits and "Open Road" contain it in every groove. If you buy them you'll have a good time.
Open Road Poster
Digitally remastered reissue of the singer/songwriter's 1970 album. Includes the hit, 'Riki Tiki Tavi'. 2000 release. Digipak.Digitally remastered digipak version of the 1970 release. Includes the track 'Riki Tiki Tavi'.
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