Search - Donovan :: Rising Again (Bonus CD)

Relaxing Memorable Acoustics to "Reflect" By.......

! Metamorpho ;) | Castle in Scotland | 01/10/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"
Oh....poor poor Donavan. The 60's were so good to him..and then? A gentle soul and genuinely talented with that remarkable celtic voice, he got too deep into the "flower power" sort of thing back then. And when that went out of vogue his minstrel music suffered a setback. I know, I know people - it's unfair. But it's life and we just have to deal with it somehow. Don't blame Metamorpho! He didn't write the script of the world.

Anyway.... I am here to report that this 2 disc set really is a nice diversion away from the hammering, uncaring world. It is an acoustic only evening with Donavan and he brings his bag of goodies along to remind us all why he was such a megastar. Wonderful renditions of all his hits - 'Sunshine Superman', 'Mellow Yellow' 'Catch the Wind','Season of the Witch','Wear Your Love Like Heaven','Lalena','Universal Soldier' and the list goes on and on. An added treat is when he does 'The Hurdy Gurdy Man' and relates his story about being in the prescence of the Maharishi with the Beatles and Mia Farrow. He then sings a verse given to him by George Harrison which was never recorded. Magic. The memories are magic and Donavan does an exquisite job all around. This c.d. set is wonderful - especially if you light a bunch of candles and place them strategically about. Then, make some tea, sit back, relax and listen to remnants from a calmer, more peaceful era (except for Vietnam - but remember, that was out of Metamorpho's control!). I believe the C.D. was recorded live in the 90's. You will find an older Donavan here, but none of the vocals or the talent has faded. In this day an age of technical overproduction, it is a relief to hear the excellence of what a guitar and voice can do. Less IS more in this case. Thank-you Donavan for all the great tunes and memories. Metamorpho uses your music to "reflect", and, as my public will testify to, I, too, have lost none of my luster! Til next time...........M."

All Donovan Fans Should Own Donovan "Rising Again"

Danielle Lane | Horseshoe, North Carolina | 07/21/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This two disc set was originally released as "Donovan Rising" and was a single disc. It was recorded live from several concerts from 1982 to 1986, but it was put together so beautifully that you'd never know. These series of songs have been released under several different names and on several different labels. But no matter what label, no matter what cover, no matter what they call it, this is still one fine recording. Listening to these CDs you can almost imagine Donovan as that eighteen-year-old teenager who burst upon the scene with "Catch the Wind" back in 1965. He sounds as young on these songs as he did then.



And you can tell that whoever put this together really cared, really understood Don's music, really went for quality of not only sound, but performance as well. Boy, what I wouldn't have given to be able to spend the hundreds of hours pouring through all the songs and performances, being there through all of that must have been glorious.



Donovan's recording of "Catch the Wind" here sends chills up your spine. His rendition of "Hurdy Gurdy Man" with George Harrison's missing verse is equally chilling. The acoustic versions of "Sunshine Superman" and "Cosmic Wheels" are stunning. The version of "Young Girl Blues" takes me right back to the "Mellow Yellow" period. It has always been one of my favorite songs. I could go on, keep gushing about this fine live record, but I'll stop now. Oh wait! I forget to tell you that this is a must own Donovan disc for anybody who is even remotely interested in his music. You gotta get this one, you really do! And here, with this set you get that extra disc, that so many of the version out there don't have. This really is a must own Donovan Concert!"