Hurdy Gurdy Man |  | Artist: Donovan
Label: EMI Europe Generic
Category: Music
List Price: $12.98
Buy New: $4.26
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Seller: -importcds
Rating:  16 reviews
Sales Rank: 18,645
Format: Original recording remastered, Import, Extra tracks
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
UPC: 724387356825
EAN: 0724387356825
ASIN: B00081MUYK
Release Date: May 16, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | Hurdy Gurdy Man | | • | Peregrine | | • | The Entertaining Of A Shy Girl | | • | As I Recall It | | • | Get Thy Bearings | | • | Hi It's Been A Long Time | | • | West Indian Lady | | • | Jennifer Juniper | | • | The River Song | | • | Tangier | | • | A Sunny Day | | • | The Sun Is A Very Magic Fellow | | • | Teas | | • | Teen Angel | | • | Poor Cow | | • | Lalena | | • | Aye My Love (Mono) | | • | What A Beautiful Creature You Are | | • | Colours | | • | Catch The Wind |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Album Description
2005 Digitally remastered re-issue features six bonus tracks 'Poor Cow', 'Lalena', 'Aye My Love', 'What A Beautiful Creature You Are' 'Colours' and 'Catch The Wind'. The album forshadows the coming discontent which eventually drove Donovan out of the music business. The title song, 'Hurdy Gurdy Man,' combines what are upbeat lyrics with a very dark performance. This ambivalence continues in a set of songs with a very bitter edge like 'Teas', 'Tangier', and 'Hi It's Been a Long Time', 'Yet 'Jennifer Juniper' & 'Peregrine', among others, stand in stark contrast. EMI. 2005.
Album Details
Digitally Remastered and Expanded Edition of Donovan P. Leitch's Landmark Album that Featured the Hit Singles "Hurdy Gurdy Man" and "Jenifer Juniper". Once Again, the Production Duties were Handled My Mickie Most who Continued to Help Leitch Evolve his Out of the Ordinary Sound. Donovan Delivered Remarkable Performances in the Studio and Further Cemented his Stature Among the Late 1960's Counterculture. The Title Track and Hit Single features Guitar Work by None Other Than the Yardbirds/Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page. This Reissue Adds Seven Bonus Tracks, Among Them, the Singles "Lalena" and the FM Favorite "Catch the Wind".
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 16
 album: five stars; remaster: four March 23, 2010
Bertrand Stclair (new york, new york United States)
While I can't imagine that you wouldn't want this crisp, more evenly balanced remaster, it isn't quite the unmitigated success that the remaster of "Mellow Yellow" is, and if you'd rather save your money and hold on to the earlier CD edition, you'll be fine. The remastering here leaves several things as they were, although they could have used some finessing: for instance, the guitar solo on the title track still kicks in in a sharply broken manner between left and right channels (starting on the left and suddenly continuing on the right side), and there is neither the continuity that would make it sound like one guitar flowing across channels nor a distinction that would make it sound like two different guitars.
The extra tracks aren't as breathtaking as the extra tracks on "Mellow" are, either. While the demos on "Mellow" are a good look into the artist's creative process, and several alternative versions are different enough from the originals to justify buying the album, the extras on "Hurdy Gurdy Man" are not revelatory. They are very charming but light; some are throwaways, brief documents of fun and games in the studio, but nothing you absolutely must have or haven't heard elsewhere, except for "Colours" and "Catch the Wind." These songs stand out: they are dramatically rethought versions and present a mature Donovan with his many stylistic quirks, such as adding tremolo to his voice and sort of wind-whispering close into the mike. Personally, I find this version of "Colours" more appealing and interesting than the original, but "Catch the Wind" lacks urgency. Both songs were released on the first edition of "Greatest Hits," which is NOT the same as the "Greatest Hits" currently available.
So much for the caveats. The basic album itself has always been one of my favorites. By the time of the "Hurdy Gurdy Man," Donovan's management had found the perfect pattern to send his albums up the charts (I suppose Mickey Most had a large part in these decisions): the single that was clearly the stuff that hits are made of would give its name to the ensuing album, which would make the uninitiated think that the whole album was similar to the single: The Trip, Mellow Yellow, Hurdy Gurdy Man, Barabajagal. Nothing was further from the truth, and I suppose those who expected an LP-worth of Donovan gone Led Zep must have felt betrayed. As can be heard on this album, immediately after the roaring rocker at the beginning, everything goes down several thousand decibels and settles into a pattern of brilliant, minimal melodies, often as short as they are simple. This is Donovan at his most beguiling, a melodist without peer. Songs such as "The Entertaining of a Shy Girl," "The River Song," "A Sunny Day" and "Teas" are vignettes of a moment, told with the clarity and imagery of poetry. Interestingly, the lyrics are not as transparent as Donovan's audiences had come to expect. There is a certain opacity throughout that lends itself to different interpretations: Is "The Entertaining of a Shy Girl" a bit of a paternal emotion awakening in an older man speaking to a very young girl or is it the older man's bitterness as he realizes that he can no longer court such a young girl (her boyfriend makes an appearance and the narrator quickly sates that he, too, has someone waiting for him)? In "Hi, it's been a Long Time," Donovan, the maven of psychedelia, seems to announce the end of the hippy era and its ideals, as seen in the wasted life of an acquaintance. "Tangier" is downright depressing in its depiction of North-African poverty, and "Get Thy Bearings" is poossibly the coolest jazzy number Donovan has ever recorded. According to the booklet, the song became a performance staple of King Crimson, which is both amazing and logical.
So perhaps, much as the song "Hurdy Gurdy Man" is timelessly great, one could say, go beyond it and listen to the album "Hurdy Gurdy Man." It's an altogether different affair, and very rewarding.
Donovan IS the Hurdy Gurdy Man March 3, 2010
Catherine Goltz (Washington DC)
Whether or not all three former Led Zeppelin members played on the title track, it's still a good album with songs like "Jennifer Juniper", the playful "The Sun is a Very Magic Fellow" and even a bonus duet with Lulu. Three of the songs were actually co-written by Donovan's long time friend Gypsy Dave Mills and he is left out of the liner notes for some reason. The liner notes talk about two instrumental albums of Donovan songs that should be released on CD (both arranged by John Cameron who did most of the arrangements here)
My favorite Donovan February 11, 2010
Rachel peterson (Bellingham, wa)
I had this on Vinyl when I was thirteen. My copy, which was given to me by one of my older sister's boyfriends, has remained my favorite Donovan L.P. and now C.D. Some of the songs are very hauntingly beautiful, unusual, and innovative. The copy of my L.P. was so trashed I'd given it away long ago. To hear it again is magic. I also recommend " Sunshine Superman" which is a Donovan Masterpiece.
Donovan's Last Great Studio Effort December 24, 2009
Shell-Zee (Long Island, NY)
What an underrated little gem from Donovan circa 1968. Yes I remember this comming on the heels of the brilliant three record collection of "A Gift From A Flower To A Garden". Yes there was a third Lp which was entitled "For Little Ones". Donovan the "Folkie", "The Minstrel", "The Beatnick", "The Hippie", "The Guru". Yea he was all that and more. In fact he was there when The Beatles came to the Maharishi for a little bit of spiritual cleansing. Yes he and George were clearly hip to TM. After all that media hype and a few bonified top forty hits Donovan was certainly at the top of his game, artisticly and commercially.
Hurdy Gurdy Man was yet another in a string of hit singles for The Scotish rogue. And there were several other great songs from this lovely album. How about "Entertaining Of A Shy Girl", "West Indian Lady", "Jenifer Juniper", "The Sun Is A Very Happy Fellow" and "Peregrine". Wonderful stuff indeed and Donovan at his very best. In fact I'd have to say Hurdy Gurdy Man is his last great studio recoding before he seem to fade from stardom. Give it a listen again. After all these years a song like "Get Thy Bearings" or "A Sunny Day" might bring back some very pleasant memories. It sure did for me.
A trip back through time. September 16, 2009
Denise L. Dvorak (Cicero,IL)
Oh does this album bring back memories of a much simpler,laid back time. I remember laying by my bedroom window listening to it. Though it's been many years, it all comes back to me and I still feel that gentle, happy feeling. This is the power of music. Thanks for bringing it all back.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 16
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