Search - Donovan :: Live Troubadour

Sailing Homeward

Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 05/27/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Donovan's music works well in this live performance. Great American Music, an ironic label for this British musician, put out this disc with generic comments about Donovan's live performances. Without knowing exactly where or when these were recorded, the quality of the recording is strong. The softer earlier songs that open the disc with "Catch the Wind," "Colours" & "Universal Soldier" are lovely acoustic renderings. Donovan is in good voice for his hits "Mellow Yellow" & "Sunshine Superman." On "Wear Your Love Like Heaven," one of my favorite songs in his catalog, Donovan gives an offhand performance, dashing the song off. "Jennifer Juniper," "Lalena" & "Atlantis" shine as Donovan seems to enjoy each song in performance. "Cosmic Wheels" has a stripped down unplugged arrangement. "Trucking Your Blues Away" is a sweet acoustic boogie while "Love Will Find a Way" is a lovely track with flute. "Sailing Homeward" from Donovan's exquisite Essence to Essence set floats like a meditation. "Live Troubadour" is a good strong volume showing off Donovan's skills as a live musician. Enjoy!"

Still Amazing!

John Harwell | Grove City, OH USA | 06/15/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Anyone who was, well I started to say alive, (but I think conscious is a better choice) in the Sixties would remember Donovan fondly. Some people would've been too young to remember. What did you think I meant?



The influence Donovan had on music was incredible. He had even more influence on lifestyles. His music guided a whole generation to the "flower power" movement. How did he do that?



He had songs like "Jennifer Juniper", "Mellow Yellow", "Sunshine Superman", "Atlantis", etc. Recently, I have seen a clean energy television commercial featuring "Catch the Wind". The list goes on.



So, on to THIS CD. Almost all of his "hits" are on the playlist. He threw in a couple of songs that were not Top 40 for him but well chosen and extremely enjoyable. In the style that I have heard on a previous live album, Donovan sounds like he is sitting there making the audience part of the experience. It's a very comfortable feeling to hear.



The music and vocals are very good. He still plays and sings very well. This CD is a fantastic journey through the Sixties that everyone of any age should take.



The reason I only gave it four stars is the fact that I thought the production could have been a little better but don't think that it was bad. It wasn't. Just not perfect as the rest of the concert seemed to be.

"