McCartney & Donavan

bassman · Post by **bassman** » Sat Jul 12, 2003 10:04 am

Over the years I've heard it said that McCartney played on one or two of Donovan's hit songs.
In particular that he played the lead in Sunshine Superman.
Has anyone else heard this? And are there any other 60's hit tunes (non Beatles) that he sneaked onto without being highly touted?
Cheers,

webhead · Post by **webhead** » Sat Jul 12, 2003 10:48 am

Yes, I heard of it too. I also read in some Beatles books that Donovan played on an unreleased White Album nugget McCartney wrote called "Heather." It is not the same tune as the one on Driving Rain... You can hear it on that Black Album 2 cd bootleg that has been circulating around lately...

bassman · Post by **bassman** » Sat Jul 12, 2003 12:02 pm

I found a website that claims McCartney appeared on Donavan's hit song Mellow Yellow. The site doesn't say what he played. But just that he appeared in a cameo role on the tune.
So there's one.
Any others?

admin · Post by **admin** » Sat Jul 12, 2003 1:00 pm

McCartney sang the part "Quite Right Slick." It was Donovan who taught Lennon, while in India, the picking style that he would later use on songs such as "Julia."

rick12dr · Post by **rick12dr** » Sat Jul 12, 2003 2:51 pm

McCartney sang the part "Quite Right Slick

..So...what is being referred to in this little part??
I always thought it said, "Quite Rightly"

jeff · Post by **jeff** » Mon Jul 14, 2003 12:49 am

Peter and Don, Macca did contribute backing vocals to "Mellow Yellow" with the 'quite rightly' bit and also added tambourine to "Atlantis". Actually I will be attending Beatlefest (or as it is now called 'The Fest For Beatles Fans') Chicago the weekend of August 15, 16 & 17, and Donovan is the special guest this year. He was a big hit back in March at the NY/NJ Fest. He will be performing and sharing his Beatles stories especially his stay with them while studying with the Maharishi in Rishikesh. I will be taking in all three days, so if any of you folks out there have any questions for the man (without going too overboard), I'll try to get some answered.

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Jul 14, 2003 2:19 am

Jeff: Please ask him about his playing a Rickenbacker Model 1997, albeit briefly. Also, I would love to hear some behind the scenes information about his relationship with The Beatles and Paul's contribution to Mellow Yellow. Thanks.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Mon Jul 14, 2003 6:39 am

I always thought it was "Quite Right slick" too.

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Mon Jul 14, 2003 12:40 pm

I saw him in a small club sometime in the early '80's, and he played Hurdy Gurdy Man, and included a verse not used on the released version that he said was written for the song by George Harrison. The verse was really depressing. That's all I remember of it.

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Mon Jul 14, 2003 12:42 pm

And isn't Donovan doing some of the background nonsense in Yellow Submarine?

dougp · Post by **dougp** » Tue Jul 15, 2003 8:29 am

The studio I was recording in last week had a Donovan songbook lying around, which included a rehearsal photo from the basement of the Apple building, with Donovan on acoustic guitar and Paul on drums.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Tue Jul 15, 2003 8:41 am

Hurdy Gurdy Man was a great song, who played the lead guitar on that song? I know The Jeff Beck group played on "Whats my Name Now" I have no idea what the first part of that title is. "Coo coo, coo coo ca Rabble Shabble, What's my Name Now"? Or something like that.

bear · Post by **bear** » Tue Jul 15, 2003 8:49 am

Hey Bob,

The actual title that has escaped recollection was "Barabajagal (Love Is Hot)" recorded in a 1968 session and released in 1969 with the Jeff Beck Group (plus vocalists Lesley Duncan and Madeline Bell).
Reached No. 12 in Britain and No. 36 in the States.

bear · Post by **bear** » Tue Jul 15, 2003 8:58 am

In addition to being one of the revellers on "Mellow Yellow" Dr. Sir Paul was also a vocalist and musician on "Atlantis".
The "Donovan's Greatest Hits and more" release on EMI from 1989 also acknowledges the extra verse written by George Harrison and left out by Donovan from "Hurdy Gurdy Man". FWIW

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Tue Jul 15, 2003 1:13 pm

I've always heard Jeff Beck is playing lead on HGM