Open Road

Many people didn't know it, but Donovan did not get stuck in the psychedelic late 60's. The entertainment media- record companies and radio programmers- chose to stick him there. Always moving on, looking for the next thing, so ready to forget. As Stackridge sang: "Here I lie, dashed to the ground. Thrown by the hands that applauded my sound." So Donovan was dismissed as hippy-triipy and yesterday's news- while all the while he was exploring new avenues. Open Roads, in fact. Open Road was also the name of the band he assembled for this record. After it was released, and Donovan moved on to other things, the remaining members brought in new players, and recorded a second Open Road album that was even more overlooked. But this one is still with us. By the way, this release gets the title of the last track wrong. It's 'New Year's ResoVOlution.' Someone missed the wordplay Donovan intended. But it's not about a violent revolution; rather, about peaceful, and intelligent change. And it's a great tune on a great album.

This album is one of Donovan's best. Most people who I've played it to are pleasantly surprised to hear this version of Donovan. Even fans of his sixties radio hits are generally unfamiliar with this material. It's too bad; this surely contains some of his best compositions. If you like good folk, celtic, or rock, you'll love this album.