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Donovan - Troubadour - The Definitive Collection 1964-1976 (1992 Epic/Legacy E2K 46986)

Track listing:
Volume 1
  1. London Town 4:08
  2. Codine 4:49
  3. Catch The Wind 2:55
  4. Universal Soldier 2:13
  5. Colours 2:44
  6. Sunshine Superman 3:15
  7. Season Of The Witch 4:57
  8. The Trip 4:35
  9. Guinevere 3:41
  10. Breezes Of Patchulie 4:35
  11. Museum 2:52
  12. Super Lungs 3:15
  13. Mellow Yellow 3:42
  14. Winter In The Sun 4:31
  15. Sand And Foam 3:19
  16. Sunny South Kensington 3:49
  17. Epistle To Dippy 3:11
  18. There Is A Mountain 2:35
  19. Wear Your Love Like Heaven 2:25
  20. Oh Gosh 1:47
  21. The Tinker And The Crab 2:54
  22. Poor Cow 2:56
Volume 2
  1. Hurdy Gurdy Man 3:18
  2. Jennifer Juniper 2:41
  3. Teen Angel 2:19
  4. Lalena 2:59
  5. To Susan On The West Coast Waiting 3:14
  6. Atlantis 5:02
  7. Barabajagal 3:20
  8. Happiness Runs 3:27
  9. Celia Of The Seals 3:01
  10. Riki Tiki Tavi 2:55
  11. Claira Clairvoyant 2:50
  12. Roots Of Oak 5:05
  13. Riki Tiki Tavi (2) 4:44
  14. Maria Magenta 2:12
  15. Cosmic Wheels 4:03
  16. I Like You 4:36
  17. Yellow Star 3:06
  18. Rock And Roll Souljer 3:50
  19. The Quest 3:30
  20. Age Of Treason 4:21
  21. What The Soul Desires 2:35
  22. Dark-Eyed Blue Jean Angel 3:46

Notes

01 - London Town.flac:6bd9893c633153fe6d7bf2a5b3e3700c
02 - Codine.flac:a1056516b24a52ff1032de7ff16345c0
03 - Catch The Wind.flac:3d8c3d7f14e1ecf8e5b5eb7558c9848d
04 - Universal Soldier.flac:0117c9050056250184d0ccf0256ce0d6
05 - Colours.flac:19c217d767e494b391fefcf00667fc79
06 - Sunshine Superman.flac:b31b665e6311aba8dce82c1026777dc3
07 - Season Of The Witch.flac:16253eb55f3680126be9e92a04cecf88
08 - The Trip.flac:850d2de6916401ef6e6a2b8164d2a46f
09 - Guinevere.flac:1ff35d97672c987dc3b2e6a10897f6a5
10 - Breezes Of Patchulie.flac:55af91cd3bfca8ab71341edd6d4df721
11 - Museum.flac:19e1b428b888383bf38770f0b9e49356
12 - Super Lungs.flac:bd66e19df6b23e1c6f9db7a44b1701be
13 - Mellow Yellow.flac:b34ca40b94b6cc6ff6dab7777b4f36e0
14 - Winter In The Sun.flac:ca1bb375c3fa320411e1f04b09464695
15 - Sand And Foam.flac:780822d664aeaca5f4f13faccdfb1389
16 - Sunny South Kensington.flac:8bd3c5373e95fb847ef296c5dc5b4970
17 - Epistle To Dippy.flac:1e0c9bd292b379636a3a0e2986891dc5
18 - There Is A Mountain.flac:1570e794c72e37526482a65882b63e7a
19 - Wear Your Love Like Heaven.flac:a4ab6f9f51565ae03970bab93b3ac1b5
20 - Oh Gosh.flac:5d03dab5fa5096d7ce9091ae2c3765a2
21 - The Tinker And The Crab.flac:f2aeb95c427cfbb4439063e4bc3c12fe
22 - Poor Cow.flac:f53dc1523dcd933b4f5e4dd9c792cf76

Epic/Legacy E2K 46986

While by no means a complete retrospective, this two-disc compilation contains a healthy sampling from Donovan's first dozen years as a formidable musical figure. His chameleon-like sensibilities not only adapted to, but likewise defined the '60s folk, pop, acid rock and the scene of swingin' London. As well as hitting some of the more obvious high points, Donovan — who personally oversaw the project — included a couple of unissued demos ("London Town"/"Codine"), alternate versions ("Museum"/"Superlungs"/"Riki Tiki Tavi") and previously unearthed titles ("Breezes Of Patchulie"/"Age Of Treason"/"What The Soul Desires"). The set charts a chronological examination commencing with a handful of the earthy acoustic demos and sides cut for the Pye (U.K.) /Hickory (U.S.A.) label(s) — ultimately yielding Catch The Wind (1965) and Fairytale (1965) as well as over a dozen knock-off titles sporting the exact same material. [Note: Enthusiasts looking for a more thorough overview of the nearly three dozen sides documented during this era are encouraged to investigate the two-CD Summer Day Reflection Songs (2000) collection.]. The remainder of the first volume focuses on the fruitful '66 through '67 era that produced a string of hits ranging from the happy hippy anthems "Sunshine Superman" and "Mellow Yellow" to the decidedly dark and foreboding "Season Of The Witch" and the Mod trendy pop art of "Sunny South Kensington"." Also included are a healthy sampling of album tracks. "The Trip," "Writer In The Sun" and the "Tinker And The Crab" are among the most timeless as his folksier nature resurfaces. The second volume of Troubadour picks up with Donovan at the peak of his popularity with Hurdy Gurdy Man (1968) — which featured the respective talents of Jimmy Page (guitar), John Paul Jones (keyboard/orchestral arrangements) and John Bonham (drums). This was followed by the equally impressive line up that included Jeff Beck (guitar), Ron Wood (bass), Nicky Hopkins (keyboards) as well as Jim Gordon (drums) for Barabajagal (1968). Donovan slowed down as the decade came to a close re-emerging with the understated Open Road (1970) and Cosmic Wheels (1970). Again, he surrounded himself with top-shelf talent such as Cozy Powell (drums) and Chris Spedding (guitar). This produced works such as the quaint and bouncy "Maria Magenta" and the ethereal "I Like You" — which is reminiscent of the Incredible String Band's choral folk leanings. Among the latter standouts are the unreleased tracks "Age Of Treason" and "What The Soul Desires" — both of which were recorded just prior to the Nashville sojourn that resulted in 7-Tease (1974). Until his seminal Epic Recordsdiscs are offered in an expanded and remastered form, Troubadour is as definitive a collection as is available under one title.