The Hurdy Gurdy Man

Donovan plays with so many different styles of music and people and the sound usually always comes out original. I think he is a talented artist alongside the people he is making music with. I would definately reccomend giving this album a listen. Also zumez yes, Bonzo did play drums on hurdy gurdy man with Page on guitar and Jones on bass too. How do you think he made such an amazing song? With help from THE master, Jimmy Page.

Bonham DID play drums on the title cut. If in doubt, watch the new "Journey of Donovan" DVD. All the Zeps but Plant played on the track. In contrast to the iTunes review, what is best about this album is the mix of music and styles. Few musicians have ever mixed multiple styles into single songs and albums the way Donovan has.

Buffy St.-Marie and Bob Dylan; Joan Baez and Jeff Beck, Donovan traveled in High Circles...trading songs (and wives) with the Rolling Stones and seeing through Maharishi with The Beatles. Not a lite-weight Bob Dylan, Donovan's simplicity is a cloak covering deep spirituality. Calming souls convulsed with War and Pain; with Love-Wounds and with bad acid trips, Donovan also brings simplicity to life overcomplicated by the evil side of man. His lyrics seem simple but they're meaningful: they're about the spiritual side of man, and woman. His love surmounts the sexual division of our humanity. Donovan knows how to love and to give. He is a guru and a master. And he is "light." Happiness runs through his songs and Dono is not naive as many believe him to be. Give this a "listen." It is one of Donovan's first albums. It's all up to you, anyway.

...too bad it's not iTunes Plus though. Would be nice if Sony BMG got thier act togther.

On the iTunes drum essentials description it says the John Bonham played on Hurdy Gurdy Man. He did not play on this.

Donovan is both the best and the worst of the late 60's. At his best he wrote acidic pop tunes that skewer and celebrate 60's counter-culture. Mickie Most then brought eclectic arrangements and a swinging London sound. And when they got the blend just right, these two created classics. Hurdy Gurdy Man. Sunshine Superman. Mellow Yellow. The best thing about Donovan records is finding the lesser known songs that were just as complex and interesting. "Get Thy Bearings" is one such song. He perfectly melds jazz, folk and rock into something that is so utterly unique that it defies comparison. The other side of Donovan is not nearly as interesting. He writes magical tributes to ladybugs or to the sun and then sets them to Vaudevillian oom-pah horns. Or as a flutist twitters in the background, he professes love for the articles of his wardrobe. It's truly horrible to behold. This record is the transition point. Half dizzying, dark commentary on 60's drug culture. You even sense the same paranoia which crept in to the Beatles records of this era as well. The other half is lobotimized happy-speak that seems to have crawled off of some beancurd commune in Oregon. Listen with care.