I became a Donovan fan sort of on a complete whim several months ago. After falling in love with his second LP "Fairytale" I went to my library in search of more albums by this mysteriously charming, Scottish, flower child. What I found was this CD, which I quickly became as smitten with it as I was with "Fairytale".

Donovan showed his face in the music world at the tender age of eighteen with his debut album "Catch the Wind". His style at first was that of Bob Dylan and other folkies. Though later he did not limit himself to one style of music, his music contains everything from blues to ska.

Donovan's music is tender, innocent, giddy and just magical. In the liner notes Donovan says that music is a high. I whole heartedly agree with him, his music is intoxicatingly wonderful. His music makes me so giddy and puts me into a wonderfully creative state. While listening to this album on my computer I was so inspired by his music that I wrote around thirteen of my best poems in one sitting. He also inspired a novel that I'm writing right now.

The first track on this album is "Mellow Yellow". Yes, they did nick the name for the soda from him.
This is his most well known song, which is unfortunate. He's written so many wonderful songs, yet he is known for "Mellow Yellow", one of his worst songs.

The story behind "Mellow Yellow" is quite amusing and fascinating. Apparently Country Joe McDonald (and the Fish) started a rumor saying that you could get high smoking dried banana peels. Three weeks later Donovan hits number one on the charts for "Mellow Yellow". Although later it was proved that you can’t get high smoking bananas. Overall, it's a cute song that grows on you and if you listen closely you'll notice Paul McCartney's cameo appearance in the song.

"Colours" is a simple acoustic song of appreciation for the simple things in life.

" Blue is the colour of the sky
In the morning when we rise
In the morning when we rise
That's the time, that's the time
I love the best"

It's overflowing with giddiness and joy. It makes you feel happy and thankful for the things we take for granted, like the sun and the stars.

"Hurdy Gurdy Man" is a mystical, mysterious track that captivates my imagination. Few songs create atmosphere but this one creates a layered, delightfully alien atmosphere. In my mind’s eyes I see the hurdy-gurdy man in his Eastern clothes, singing his songs by a river in thick fog. It’s a heady, wonderful ride.

“Catch the Wind” is one of the best love songs, ever. Though I must say after hearing the version on the LP of this album I’m wondering why they decided to use the studio version on the CD. The live version on the vinyl album is much superior to the studio version. It’s more emotional; it sounds more vulnerable and is just overall the better performance. This song is a love song for his princess, his muse, the woman he was destined to be with. What makes it even more interesting is that this song was written before he ever laid eyes on the lady, it’s his prophecy of their love and its impossibility. To catch the wind to do the impossible, it was impossible for his love for her to amount to anything because when he finally meets her, she’s married to a friend of his.

“Lalena” is an ode to this mysterious lovely young lady. The music is marvelous on this track, its pure music magic.

“Epistle to Dippy”, hmmm, the title says it all. In the liner notes Donovan says that “ whatever you think this song is about it probably is. “ I love this song, it’s intoxicating. I love how his accent sounds on this song. Of this song Donovan also says that the most important line in it is “Elevator in the brain, broken down but just as well." Take the stairs Dippy darling.

Other notable tracks are:
“There is a Mountain” is a fun Zen ditty. It’s a delight for your imagination. It’s very pleasing to the ears. The lyrics are very child-like but are still highly enjoyable for reasons I just can’t explain.

“Atlantis”, starts out with a guitar softly strumming and Donovan recites a poem he wrote about Atlantis. It’s a beautiful poem that moves me for so much that I occasionally shed some tears while listening to it. Then the piano comes in and grabs your heart. After the poems he launches into a passionate chorus that finishes out the song.

“Riki Tiki Tavi” is delightful! It’s a ska/reggae little song. Donovan talks in the middle of it. It’s one of those songs you just have to hear for yourself.

The lowest point of the album is “Barabajagal”. Donovan sheds his wide eyed, child-like innocence on this track. While not too offensive, it is very suggestive and not appropriate for younger listeners. Something about it scares me half to death, I’m not sure why though.

Donovan has made such a mark on society, but the sad thing is no one knows that he did. He taught John Lennon how to finger-pick, which gave us many of the Beatles’ greatest works. It was after one of his concerts wherein he was feeling spontaneous and threw flowers into the crowd that a critic reviewing his concert coined the phrase “Flower Power”. He was the first to introduce meditation into music. As I mention earlier the soda “Mello’ Yello’” got its name from one of his songs. Although this isn't something to be applauded or celebrated, it’s merely a historical fact, he was the first pot bust in London, he beat the Stones and The Beatles to it. He also fathered Donovan Leitch Jr., one of Europe’s top male models, and Ione Sky, a child actress.

This album is definitely worth a listen, the new liner notes written by Donovan are precious and three out of four of the bonus are wonderful. Donovan’s crept into his way into my heart, becoming my muse and getting on my list of heroes. Though his style is odd and doesn't appeal to a large group of people and a few fans get sick of his mystical pontifications, I will never tire of it.


© Willow Child 2004

Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Waking up