Search - Donovan :: Donovan In Concert

AMAZING Live Album!

K. Brown | Walnut, Ca USA | 02/01/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've heard plenty of "Live! In Concert!" albums throughout the years, and from this fanboy's amateur viewpoint, many of them are mediocre, some are good, and a scant few are excellent!This particular live recording of a Donovan concert in Anaheim, California, is one that I hope never disappears into obscurity; it's already "just barely in view" on the Internet and in the CD stores, which is a shame, because this album is solid from the beginning silly introduction (I believe by a local DJ with Station KRLA) addressing the "Donovan Phenomenon" to the final "Mellow Yellow."There are actually several songs on this CD which I would go so far to say are superior to his better known studio versions. The first is "Young Girl Blues" which comes off with much more emotion than the studio take, and "Guinevere."Like many good younger brothers, I inherited the great collection of LPs in the early 70s that my big bro left behind when he went off to college. This was one of his albums that I got hooked on, and when I finally found it here on CD after an absence of nearly 20 years, I was--- sounds corny--- overwhelmed with joy! Hmmm, even after years of listening to The Ramones, Iron Maiden, Tex & The Horseheads, and The Pugz, guess that "Happy Donovan Vibe" has rubbed off on me. What can I say?If you're a fan of live albums in general, my other personal picks include Tom Waits' "Nighthawks At the Diner," Sylvester's "Living Proof," "10,000 Maniacs "MTV Unplugged," and Nirvana "MTV Unplugged.""

Donovan live and at his best

Wj Skillcorn | Washington, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom | 03/22/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"At the time I first bought this LP as a vinyl record, I had never heard or seen Donovan performing live, so I considered it the next best thing. I was also learning to play guitar and it gave me some clues as to what he was doing. The quality of the recording is first rate and has the ambience of being 'live' in every respect. Perhaps some will call me a 'dyed in the wool oldie' and I can live with that. But I know what I like, and I like the 'old' Donovan, and today I wish he would produce more of what he plays on this wonderful record. I thoroughly recommend it. If you're after sometimes gentle, sometimes lively music you will not be disappointed."

Oh, it takes me back

Scott Davis | Stoneham, MA USA | 02/16/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Possibly, possibly, can you reach back to a time when you were a flower child, or could at least see one without snickering? Idealism, the act of putting a flower stem down the barrel of a national guardsman's rifle at a peace rally?



So out of this zeitgeist, it is painful to remember. This music is more gentle, slower at times, and more uplifting than anything today could be. Even when Jewel sings that we are God's hands, God's eyes, it sounds like she is crying.



So go there, if you dare, and bring back something to remember when the news reports that war is peace, slavery is freedom, and free enterprise is the panacea.



Donovan in a nehru shirt, with love beads. McNair so very skilled, foreshadowing Ian Anderson. Celtic ballads that would be so niche market today, hits then. Meditative lyrics. I hadn't listened in 30 years, the LP scratched beyond listenability, but with the CD could sing along by heart:



Happiness flows in a circular motion

Thought is like a little boat upon the sea

All our souls are bigger than you can see

You can have everything if you let yourself be."