Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

While Donovan was probably best known for Sunshine Superman he had a number of really great songs on what I think was his first album. One of my favourites was Wear Your Love Like Heaven. I really enjoyed his instrumentation and unique lyrics. What was your favourite?

Atlantis

Impossible to answer this question. Although I was aware of Donovan through his various hit singles, I didn't start seriously collecting his music until about ten years ago. I do clearly recall hearing 'Sunshine Superman' on the radio when I was 8 or 9 (1968 or 1969) and thinking it was really cool. He made dozens of little 3-minute masterpieces that are scattered across his many albums. He was able to pull off everything from Dylan-style folk to psychedelia, to 1920's jazz and everything in between. Even his highly underrated 'Hurdy Gurdy Man' album, there are at least six tunes that absolutely knock me out. His 'Gift From A Flower To A Garden' was a favorite of both Paul McCartney and John Lennon. Paul later played on 'Atlantis'. The latest reissues of his sixties albums on CD are highly recommended. They are newly remastered and contain lots of previously unreleased bonus tracks. Too much great stuff to get into here.

Hurdy Gurdy Man. I learned how to sing it with the tremelo effect and used to annoy my choir director with it. It is a good tool for getting a seat on a crowded bus, too.

Sunshine Superman was one of the first singles I bought. He put out a lot of good singles, "Wear Your Love Like Heaven" was also one of my favorites along with "Atlantis", that was a great one. Donovan's Greatest Hit's is a great album. I also liked his later stuff like "Hurdy Gurdy Man", and $^%^%^ What's my name now? Paul, I know you know the gibbersih that precedes that, Coo coo coo coo ka raba jabble what's my name now? It means I just ate a pound and a half of pot in Hindi right? Namaste.

Bob: The title you're looking for is 'Barabajagal'. Goo Goo. That track features the Jeff Beck Group.

Yeah I knew it was the Jeff Beck Group backing him, is my translation close? haha!, I think Jimmy Page also played guitar on Hurdy Gurdy Man.

Bob: Actually, I'm certain Jimmy Page played on 'Sunshine Superman', but someone else played on 'Hurdy Gurdy Man'. I just can't recall who it was, but it was a big name. I think it was recently discussed in this Forum, and I was surprised because I had thought it was Page too.

RE: Hurdy Gurdy Man:

So th at wa s Ji m my Pa g e ?

I th ou gh t s o !

here is a lot of bad information about what musicians played on this. John Paul Jones, who became a member of Led Zeppelin, was the musical director, and many people thought Jimmy Page and John Bonham played on this as well. According to Clem Cattini, who really did play on this, here is the lineup:
Donovan - Acoustic Guitar
John Paul Jones - Arrangement, Musical Director and Bass Guitar
Alan Parker - Lead (electric) Guitar
Clem Cattini - Drums.
The session was produced by Mickie Most and engineered by Eddie Kramer. Says Cattini, "John Paul Jones told me this was recorded 2 years before he met John Bonham and he only ever used me on his sessions. In fact, we worked together in Lulu's band for 2 years. Also at the time I did a lot of work for Mickie Most who was the producer.


This song was used in the film L.I.E., which gives this psychedelic song a very, very sinister new meaning. The film deals with child molestation, and this song plays when the guy is out 'looking' in his car. (thanks, steph - Ottawa, Canada)

On some of his recordings he had the three musicians from Led Zep backing him.

Guys: I just checked a website that features a Donovan sessionography. It credits the lead guitar on 'Hurdy Gurdy Man' to both Jimmy Page and Allan Holdsworth. Everything else matches Roy's info. I'm certain I read something the other day that credited someone else all together for the lead guitar break. Unfortunately, I can't think who it was.

Well whoever played it, that guitar track was magic and made the song for me.
And no one has answered my sincere inquiry concerning the accuracy of my interpretation of the foreign lyrics in Goo Goo Barabajagal what's my name now?

A number of pop historians seem to credit Page with playing on just about everything putting on my cynical hat.

Jeez. Bob, as much as we try to seem to be, we do not Know It All.

Your name is heretofore: He Who Has Asked The Impossible.