Sunshine Superman – Donovan – What’s On The Table
Our First Episode of “What’s On The Table” is here!
Today we combine 3 things we love – Music (making it, listening to it, thinking about it, studying it), making videos and catching up with you all.
We’ll try to make this a bi-monthly or quarterly thing … to sit down with you in a nice, relaxed setting, have a cup of something or another (cinnamon coffee in today’s instance), turn on the camera, put on some music and talk about it!
Our favourite albums, records we have a special connection to, or just curious finds …
Today we picked Donovan’s Sunshine Superman!
We want to also turn this into a conversation with you guys and are interested in your feelings, thoughts, stories, opinions and memories connected to the albums we choose! So, chime in in the comment section and let’s get chatting there 🙂
Stay groovy,
Mona & Lisa
I always felt the music in Donovan’s “Season of the Witch” reminds me a lot of The Doors music. The Doors have such a unique sound… and “Season of the Witch” may be the only song from that early period (recorded in the summer of 1966 – and released in August 1966) that gives me a “Doors” vibe. I’ve always wondered if The Doors were inspired by this track. They started recording their first album right around the time this song came out.
Btw… both Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones (who would later be in Led Zeppelin) played on “Sunshine Superman” which was recorded in December of 1965.
Like Tim said below, when this music came out, I was young and had 2 older sisters who loved music and through whom I found a lot of stuff. But I’m not sure I ever saw that album before, or held it in my hands, or listened to it. Sure I know Donovan and remember his hits, like the title cut, but…
I’m gonna have to YouTube my way out of this, I can see that. Mona mentioned finding it in a used record store; haven’t been in one of those in a while. Time to go back.
And it’s worse than that. I was always interested in music, but I wasn’t a singer, so I don’t remember lyrics, or sometimes not even titles. lol. I had gotten away from songs. I listened to and played music, but not nearly as many songs as I did in my youth.
“Season of the witch” did not register with me – until you started to play it. Yeah I know that song. But didn’t connect it with the title. That’s a great song.
I love WOTT. One of my favorite features, for a number of reasons. It is more like having a chance to talk to you than almost anything else, or at least just listen to you. And I always learn something about the music. I enjoy talking about music. And I enjoy songs.
It seems you 2 know more about these records than I do even though I was alive in the 60s.Lol I was age 1-10. Two of my sisters who were teens in those years played a lot of 45 rpm pop records. They liked Donovan too. I remember Mellow Yellow and Wear Your Love Like Heaven being played a lot. I always like Hurdy Gurdy Man the best I think although I do like Sunshine Superman. I really like your version from the Cavern Club. That slide guitar is really cool and was one of the things that made me take a deeper look at The MonaLisa Twins. I love these WOTT videos.
Mona and Lisa,
Maybe some time in the future you can pick a solo album from each of the Beatles and review the songs they wrote.
Hi Mona and Lisa. After watching the Sunshine Superman Video you did. Mona your singing was really great on this take. Very Rockin… Lisa it was interesting you decided to play slide guitar on this cut. In all honesty it made the song. Well done Lisa. Your drummer Charlie ( I think ? ) played great on this. I went to look up the chords for Hurdy Gurdy Man and found a video where Donovan said he would be doing Hurdy Gurdy with the verse that George Harrison wrote. I never knew George had done this. It’s only a four liner but fit the song perfectly. My opinion, Here are those lines.
When truth gets buried deep
Beneath a thousand years of sleep
Time demands a turn-around
And once again the truth is found.”
I’m looking forward to future episodes. Keep up the great work. And stay groovy!
Bert Jantsch!, now that brings back memories 🙂 I used to love buying 2nd hand vinyl and had Pentangle’s Basket of Light and Solomon’s Seal. Such an interesting mixture of blues, rock, and trad folk. Jacqui McShee had the sweetest voice.
Would the colour of that vinyl pass as Mellow Yellow? I love Donovan, not just a great musician, but a generous person, as your experience bears out. I read he even gave Dylan lessons in finger picking 😀
You two radiate joy and fun! I loved seeing you remember your childhood memories of singing ‘I’m just mad about sock!’ The Sixto Rodriguez and Jimmy Page references were really cool too – you have done your homework! Peace and Love to you and your whole crew! Looking forward to seeing you continue your beautiful career ?
Just been watching this interview with Guy Pratt.
Jump to 13:00 to see the actual Baritone guitar used on the Sunshine Superman recording 🙂
Pretty cool.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fo2hNbJYLpQ
I really enjoyed the “table” session. It felt very inclusive and personal which as an inaugural MLT fan club member keeps me wanting to be involved. Also like the suggestion about being part of table conversation through our own vinyl records. I’ve just now got some of my 60s records out and would like to see some early Searchers with the original bass player, Tony Jackson singing Saturday Night Out. They even did some songs in German, for example Liebe from the Pye Anthology.
I am now 72 years old and only just discovered you girls and to listen to you reminiscing is great I love what you are doing and I love your enthusiasm for my type of music,I am slowly collecting your albums so keep safe during this lockdown.☘️????xx
I loved watching you having fun to an album I used to have fun listening to. Love the songs you featured. Also, love Atlantis. ?❤
Very cool and Groovy! ?
You ladies are so uplifting, always make me smile! You have great taste in music, as well. I’ve been a Donovan fan since 1964, and have seen and met him many times. A very nice guy. Cheers!
Kinda cool. Stay groovy!
A great show girls that just brought back so many memories and now you’ve got my mind just wandering on. Thank you. Now that you’ve got me in the mood I’ve got to go search down some Donovan!
How did I miss this until now!??? Such a great feel and a nice take on a classic album. I have a suggestion for a future feature – in keeping with my taste for slightly obscure – how about Buffalo Springfield’s debut album? Steven Stills, Neil Young, Richie Furay – you can’t go wrong with that!
For an album listen suggestion, not for review, but for interest, have a listen to Beach Boys “The Beach Boys Today” album from 1965. I think next to their Pet Sounds album, this one was their best with some tracks with haunting melodies and harmonies that are hard to forget. Good To My Baby, Don’t Hurt My Little Sister, Please Let Me Wonder, Kiss Me Baby, and She Knows Me Too Well are some great ones. And there is Help Me Rhonda which was the biggest hit on the album. While the Beatles were doing “For Sale”. “Help”, and “Rubber Soul”, and the Kinks put out Kinda Kinks with their big hit song “Tired of Waiting”, this was the Beach Boys sound in 1965, just for an interesting comparison. 🙂
Well memorizing all these bands and their particular songs, was much on the side of my older brother who loved keeping track of all the main points of info on it. So often he is my go to, for getting the facts on bands and their songs, and the stories that went along with how their music evolved. Nice to have a walking library to go to, when I’m wanting to know something of this kind.
So, I like many of the bands you all mention, and sometimes only found out about these bands later when I was in my teen years. These many melodies were cool to listen to, and they sometimes upheld a theme about a part of how life is. Our MonaLisa Twins have produced originals that are fun, funny, even meaningful. It is so fresh for good talent to still be present, when we live in a time of gross stupification for the crafting of songs. We all are giving our enthusiasm for any music groups that have and will do it well.
Kenneth, I can relate to that too. My older brother is about 8 years older than me, and in the 70s being just a kid, I had the benefit of listening to all my brothers extensive records, Pink Floyd, Supertramp, Chicago, Doobie Brothers, Little River Band, Boston, Hendriks, Ted Nugent, Rolling Stones, BTO, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath (that might of been my other brothers), Al Stewart, and even the first Beach Boys In Concert (1970s) album in the house and so many, many more. Thanks to my older brothers I got a good exposure to a lot of music I never would have experienced otherwise. And of course there were the Beatles Blue and Red Albums which were the best.
thanks for sharing , always love fun facts
OK, this just came to me:
“What’s On The Table Do Say?!”
This is what Team MLT did ask
Now a newly added MLT Club feature put to task
First episode went fab fine
Groovy to watch and listen
Tune or you ‘ll be missing
Catchy Title of which this new segment is called
MLTBuzzGroovyWorthy Enthusiasm Enthralled
Vinyl spinning
Gals grinning
Beverages steaming
Beat Keeping
Feel the Jive
Energy Alive
Laughter and Smiles Along The Way
What’ s On The Table Do Say?!
©JackiHopper2020 ~
You’ve got a nice lively poem to say whats right-on in our endeavor here.
Let’s also encourage the ‘Twins’ to make a few more originals for us, which would begin here, working it out for putting more songs on the table.
I like Donovan’s songs, but I don’t have any album of him (shame on me). I also know Mellow Yellow since I was a child, a long time ago. There’s a version in Portuguese of this song, from 60s. It calls “Caramelo”(?), Caramel in English. The bridge is “Eu quero caramelo…” (I want caramel…). It’s almost the same, isn’t it.
You two are such a ray of sunshine! Loved the yellow sock story! Donovan was referred to in the States as the British Dylan (even though he was his own artist). I was amazed by how you immediately harmonized when you sang with the record! Stay mellow (yellow)!
Thoroughly love listening to my favorites talk about music they enjoy! And I could listen to your Austrian accents all day! This format alone makes the Club incredible and shows how genuine you both are. Fabulous!
My first vinyl I remember was “Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine” by the Fifth Dimension – loved the harmonies and arrangement
Great story about the yellow socks!!!!!!!!
All the best!!!!!!
Funny how Supertramp cropped up. I was watching their Paris 79 BluRay just the other day. Saw them in their prime at the Coventry Theatre where the show had to be delayed for an hour while someone sent for a keyboard part. Worth the wait though !
Years ago I had a double album called ‘HMS Donovan’ which was a collection of nursery rhymes and stories. It was beautiful and timeless and to my eternal regret I sold it with lots of other good vinyl to get a car fixed! I have not been able to find it since on CD or vinyl but there are tracks on YouTube where I found it recently. Worth checking out for some really soulful songs, plus some fun such as his treatment of ‘The Walrus and the Carpenter’.
I really enjoy being able to just hang-out with you two and talk! This WOTT feature adds a very casual and personal dimension that is quite refreshing and welcome. I enjoyed many of Donovan’s hits while growing up in the early 60’s. I think my favorites and your favorites are pretty much the same. I remember thinking that Donovan was very cool but at the same time “kind of weird”(probably cause I didn’t “get” some of the lyrics he wrote). I do recall that, although liking “Mellow Yellow” at first, it was so widely and often played and everyone around me was parroting the song constantly that it eventually became annoying. However his version of “Catch the Wind” remains to this day a beloved song to me and I still find myself singing it to myself often.
Glad you’re enjoying the format! We too thought it was a nice way to add a more personal element to the Club and to chat music with you all 🙂 I LOVE “Catch the Wind” and think it’s one of the most beautiful folk songs ever written ♥
That was lots of fun Mona and Lisa. I remember listening to my favourite Donovan songs often during the seventies, especially on tape in the car while travelling on holidays. I am looking forward to your cover of “Sunshine Superman” live at the Cavern. This is a pleasant surprise as I wasn’t aware you had covered this song. I just wonder how many more surprises there are waiting for us from the depths of the Cavern Club. As far as albums go, there are just so many, but as you’d expect my picks would have to include Stones albums, such as “Aftermath”, “Flowers” and “Between The Buttons”. Another consideration would be Van Morrison’s “Astral Weeks”. If it was to be a seventies album, Ry Cooder’s “Chicken Skin Music” would be a nice choice. I’m looking forward to the next Mona and Lisa album review, whatever it might be. ?❤️
The Donovan cover should be up in May. We’re sticking with the set-list order so there are a few more uploads before “Sunshine Superman” 🙂 Thanks for the suggestions, we’ll see what we can get a hold of!
Gotta dig “Mellow-Yellow”, “Sunshine Superman”… Sing Along Worthiness… I was?????️?
Donovan had a big crush on Patty Boyd’s sister Jenny and wrote “Jennifer Juniper” about her. I always got the impression she wasn’t quite as enamored with him though whenever she was asked about it was very polite. I don’t think this was on that album though. He ended up hanging out with the Beatles in India in ’68 too.
Oh, we didn’t know Patty Boyd had sisters. Well, Jenny inspired a beautiful song 🙂
Interestingly enough, Jenny Boyd was also married to Mick Fleetwood for almost ten years!
Great new addition. Always great seeing you two in front of the camera sharing your wisdom & humor with us.
Thanks Ron, glad you enjoyed it!
Enjoyed the first episode. It was fun and a bit educational. Look forward to future episodes. I feel “yellow-mellow”.
Love this Little Corner of the Internet! Always serving up something good On the Table. Excellent choice for the first episode. Thank you Ladies .
I remember mentioning to Lisa that I really appreciated the cover of Sunshine Superman at the next-to-last Cavern show. I’ve been really itching to see video for those shows. The lighting was really good. It’s nice when everything isn’t all red from the colour of the brick. Cheers! By the way… I’ve stayed at the “Donovan Suite” at The Joshua Tree Motel!
…sez Neill.
It always was a fun one to do live! Did I have my slide with me that time or did I have to impromptu use Mona’s blues harp as a “bottleneck”? We still think it’s awesome that you came to that show! We’re planning to upload one Cavern live clip to the Club every month ♥
BTW, I can’t wait to hear your live version of “Sunshine Superman”, on the Live at the Cavern Club set.
This was absolutely delightful to hear your take on an album and the music! Awesome idea, and I’m so looking forward to future episodes! I enjoyed it so much, the 10 minutes went by like a flash!
I am embarrassed to say I love that song “Sunshine Superman”, and “Mellow Yellow”, but like many 60’s songs outside of the Beatles, Beach Boys and a few big groups, I often don’t know the reference back to a specific artist, although I know the song so well. Perhaps because I heard and got to know all the great 60’s tunes later in the 70s from the radio, as I would have been 4 years old when this album came out. I always loved Sunshine Superman (what a spectacular gem), but never knew it was Donovan! I remember hearing so many of the 60s songs for hours on end lying on my bed in my little bedroom when I was a teenager. Sunshine Superman, Mellow Yellow, Hurdy Gurdy, were just a few of the many songs I remember that blasted through that little transistor AM radio of mine (we didn’t have Walkman’s nor iTunes back then in the 70s) that introduced me to all those classic 60s songs. That little device was my gateway to all those legendary songs I first heard.
Again, what a great idea! I, and as I am sure all your fans, immensely value your opinion and professional insight on music, albums, artists, particular songs etc, so yes please keep these episodes coming as often as you can! Love it! 🙂 Thank you for this.
Would love to hear your personal opinion and thoughts on your fave Beatles albums, Rubber Soul and Revolver, and why they are your favorites. Also, would love to hear the same on Sargent Peppers (fave song on that album), as well of course on Pet Sounds.
For an album recommendation, have you heard Supertramp “Even in The Quietest Moments”? My fave track on that album is “Fools Overture”. I highly recommend it if you haven’t. It’s along the epic lines I think of Pink Floyd “Wish You Were Here”. In the 70’s I use to listen to Even in The Quietest Moments and Wish You Were Here a lot on my dad’s super stereo with massive speakers. The benefits of having a much older brother who had a lot of records you could discover when he wasn’t home! 🙂
That happens to us a lot, too! I’m sure there’s still hundreds of songs in my head that have yet to match up with the correct artist 😉 Glad you liked the video and found it interesting ♥
Lots of great suggestions too … THANKS, they are all noted! We already have “Revolver” on vinyl so we’ll most probably film a video listening to that with you all!
When I feel like Supertramp I normally put on “Breakfast In America” but I like “Even In the Quietest Moments” too! “Give A Little Bit” is one of those songs that have been on around the house a lot when we were little kids. I’m immediately transported back to that time, even though I can’t pinpoint any specific memories connected to it. Funny how that works with music, isn’t it! Every song can be a little time machine.
I’m listening to “Fool’s Overture” as I’m typing this as I’ve never paid much attention to the track. I love the epic build up! These long intros we’re very Pink Floydian (is that a word? ?) you’re absolutely right!
?❤?!
Supertramp, Aren’t they Canadian or am I getting them mixed up with Triumph?!… If it is Supertramp, Roger H is coming to Ottawa to perform. I won’t be going. The mentioning of Supertramp by both you Jung and Mona, made me think of Roger’s upcoming Ottawa gig… Lol
Jacki, LOL, I was about to say well nothing could surprise me, given I just learned not too long ago Neil Young and Joni Mitchell are both Canadian, but Supertramp is an English band from London. 🙂
Really Jung….?!?!… You did not know both Joni and Neill are Canadian… Until in recent times… Wow !!!! I have you over on that knowledge, LOL but now you know… I’m sure they are alot of other Canadian music gems that neither of us are aware of that’s hidden, waiting to be discovered… I knew since I was a kid, Thanks in part to my 2nd oldest bro and his music tastes, as we share similar music tastes… You should see the “Tears Are Not Enough” video, it features both Joni and Neill… It was the Canadian version to UK’s Band Aid “Do They Know Its Christmas, and USA’s” We Are The World” song….
Jacki, yes I feel guilty about that. 🙂 Well most of the time all that mattered was was whether the music was good or not, and never really payed much attention to what country it was from. Well at least I knew that The Guess Who and BTO, and Brian oops Bryan Adams are Canadian. 🙂
I love Supertramp… but my go-to is Crime of the Century, and my fave song is School! I could listen to that piano for a week straight!
Just sharing a brief Supertramp bio for Jacki. “Supertramp (known as Daddy in 1969–1970) were an English rock band formed in London in 1969. Though their music was initially categorised as progressive rock, they later incorporated a combination of traditional rock, pop and art rock into their music.
The band’s work is marked by the individual songwriting of founders Roger Hodgson and Rick Davies and the prominent use of Wurlitzer electric piano and saxophone.
The band reached their commercial peak with 1979’s Breakfast in America, which sold more than 20 million copies.
Supertramp attained significant popularity in North America, Europe, South Africa and Australasia. Their highest sales levels were in Canada, where they had two diamond-certified (ten-times platinum) albums (Crime of the Century and Breakfast in America). Since co-founder Hodgson’s departure in 1983, Davies has led the band by himself.“
Some of my mates and I enjoyed many pleasant hours listening to Supertramp albums in the seventies. They were an awesome group.
Thanks Howard… Probably when I was younger, a kid in the 70s, Supertramp was constantly on the radio, thus probably why I had assumed that they were Canadian… Lol…. Roger Hu is coming to Ottawa, but I’m not going. Triumph band is Canadian one then…
In my 50s and already my mind and memory are wreaking havoc with me… Thanks Howard for education update on band bio?
Well… I didn’t strike but got a Spare during the 2 Bowling Games, it was Rock n Roll Bowl night at alley (music cranked while alley in darkness and everyone wearing white or bright colours actually glows.. Lol… I can envision MLT tunes full crank, these songs you played here, helped my night out bowling with friends be a Fab obe??Thankyou
I think this may already be my favorite feature ever in the MLT Club. It has stirred up so many memories that I’ll have to re-read my Elements of Style so that when I post I don’t go on and on, etc.
Great album to start with, but what struck me most was the two of you having such a good time with the music, just as I did when I was 12 or so, except I wasn’t able to buy a lot of records so I went to a friend’s house, (actually a shirt tail relative; we have a common ancestor a few generations back). But what was missing was one of you saying “Shut up, shut up, I wanna hear this part!” We did that a lot.
Two things: there was a British band call IF whose first album was released in 1970. Sort of a jazz-progressive thing. Check out a track called “What Can A Friend Say?” There are horns & woodwinds, but the bass and drums I think will fall right into the kind stuff you admire, and there are also some nice guitar licks as well.
Second thing: it seems like the analog mastering has a sort of presence that sometimes gets lost in digital music. Or is it just me?
Thanks, cannot wait for the next episode!
Haha great! We’re already looking forward to doing more of these. We’re not familiar with IF but we’ll check them out. “What Can A Friend Say” is playing right now … already loving the sound of that but we’ll have to give it a proper listen to really appreciate everything that’s going on.
Regarding analog mastering we can say that we tried a lot of vintage stuff just to find out that most of the time it is not what you think that makes a certain sound. There are digitally mastered songs out there that sound very analog. Not so much the other way around because analog is kind of a filter that prevents you from going wild on extreme high or low frequencies. In other words it is very easy to mess up a mix digitally but not quite as easy if you have to work within the restrictions of analog equipment.
Well… I LOVED it!!! So groovy to hear you discuss the record, and the fun little facts! I never knew that about the record appearing in the Day In The Life video. I’d like to see/hear you do a What’s On The Table on The Hollies (Look Through Any Window is a fave song of mine), or maybe The Beach Boys! Oh… and I just adore those VW Micro-Bus mugs! Where can I get one of those? <3
Paul, I dug those cute VW Bus mugs too. Here are some real MLT VW Buses!
Yes, I adored those Groovy MLT 60s Volkswagen Van mugs too?❤️?♀️??
Hollies, Beach Boys … yes, yes, yes! We’ll keep it in mind! Glad you enjoyed the first episode. Aren’t those mugs adorable 🙂 They were a present from a Club member actually, Jerry Chamness! You’d have to ask him where he got them from. We love them!
That was fun. Thanks
Oh Yeah… 60s Vibes… Fresh and Funky Cool… Yuppers, Bowling Good Vibes… Thankyiu???
I’m off to bowling again this week with friends, already bowled on Wednesday in my 5 pin league I’m in, I’m not the best bowler but there to enjoy and have fun, I luv this new feature, Please continue, whichever works for you, a Groovy concept, here’s to hoping I score you some Groovy Strikes, ththe song choices helps the motivation to do so… Also luv your Friday Fashion Funky Spunky ???❤️?????☀️????️???
You girls are just so super sweet and amazing. You always make my day better!
Cool. That was a nice way to start off the morning down here 🙂
I’m still half asleep so won’t comment too much just yet, although watching at the end I’m glad you are using a DJ stylus!
That was fun! Just watching you girls talk music back and forth is a blast! I’d say “Sunshine Superman” is my favorite Donovan song. For some reason I never really cared for Mellow Yellow. It kind of just plods along.
Thanks for starting this new segment with one of our favorites artists from the 60’s. Sunshine Superman is one of the great songs…for all the reasons you mentioned. We were fortunate to hear Donovan live during International Beatles Week in 2015 when he performed the “Sham Rock” concert and did all his hits and then some. Later, we met him personally during an “meet and greet” session at the Adelphi Hotel. He truly is one of the most spiritual artists of all time and such a gentle soul. His “Universal Solider” was among the first anti-war songs of the 60’s and his “Catch the Wind”, “I’ll Try for the Sun” and “Colours” are often overlooked classics, as well. If any club members have the chance to see him live, don’t pass it up. Thanks again, Mona and Lisa.
Hi Tomm!
We met him at the conference that same year 🙂 We didn’t make it to his show during Beatleweek but listened to his talk and chatted afterwards. Such a cool guy!
“Universal Soldier” (though not written by him) is one of my absolute favourites! “Catch The Wind” gotta be one of the best folk songs ever written and “I’ll Try For The Sun” and “Colours” are simply gorgeous. Another cute little underrated gem is “Circus Of Sour” 🙂 Hope you and Linda are doing great ♥ Hugs to you all!
Cool. Groovy cool. Better than melon water, I mean watermelon. Loved Donavan. Favorite song was Atlantis.
Love you more. Way down or way up, up or below the ocean! Where I want to be… she may be…
Peace, love, and harmony… stay Groovy!?❤
Ooooh, Atlantis is a special one!! It takes you on a journey. He was such a great story teller not just through his words but the arrangement and overall feel of the songs. ♥
Also … your mugs fit the setting perfectly, wouldn’t you say? 😉
Love that you like them and used them in the video. But, my memory is awful. Seems like I sent you mugs from Amazon once. But, I don’t know. Sorry. Cute though.
Love y’all. Stay sweet & groovy.
I had somehow never heard “Atlantis”. I just gave it a listen: truly majestic! (Perhaps it even inspired “Carry That Weight”?) I can easily picture an audience of thousands swaying their arms back and forth to it at a live performance. Plus, I finally understand the reference here, starting at 1:46 .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeYihjMo0Bk
I enjoyed this a lot. Love hearing stories about when you discovered certain artists. I went through my Donovan stage in the late 1960s. I remember and liked Hurdy Gurdy Man when it was first released. One memory was during the summer of 1969 a good friend of mine got his driver’s license and I was too young to drive. So, he and I drove around the town I grew up in with Donovan’s greatest hits in his 8 track player doing teenage boys’ favorite activity with a car in the 1960s. So, I’ll always link Donovan to the new found freedom of being in that car and talking to girls. Mike.
What a great soundtrack to a special time in your life and it fits perfectly! The time and place when/where you first hear certain music can have such a huge impact on your connection to it!
Because of that silly story about “Mellow Yellow” and dad’s socks, that song will always hold a special place in our hearts. And those first CDs played on car trips with friends have that same effect! 🙂 We envy everyone who got to experience all those albums coming out “first hand”! ♥
I like this. Please continue.
Thanks Darrell! Will do 🙂
Very fun session. I have Donovan’s Greatest Hits vinyl album and remember those songs when they first came out on the radio in the mid-late 60s. Those intros to Sunshine Superman and Season of the Witch are so cool, really setting up each song, grabbing the listener from the first notes. How can you not listen? Thanks for sharing the music and your comments with us.
So much is about these great intros. From the get go these songs are unique and intriguing. ♥
Ladies I thoroughly enjoyed this Pilot Episode. You both brought up very interesting points about Donovan.
Mona, in with you, I love Season of the Witch. Also like Sunshine Superman, and Mellow Yellow.
I had thought that was the reference in Once Upon A Time, but I was so afraid of being wrong, that I never said anything.
I was a DJ in College and Ran across Sunshine Superman on a 45. I played it one Friday night, and got mixed reviews, but the next time I played it a few weeks later Every one loved it. Maybe because it was Toga Night?????
Thanks again Ladies for the First installment of what’s sure to be a hit in the Club.?❤
Haha … Toga Night and Donovan go hand in hand! We are sure he would have loved that :’-D
Lisa,
I also used to start our Halloween Party with Season Of The Witch or Time Of The Season.
Always put Everyone in the right mood.
One year I slipped in Funeral For A Friend and The Whole Place Went Nuts.
Good first choice. When I first heard ‘Sunshine Superman’ I wasn’t sure I liked it at all. But it was really different from the usual fare you heard on top-40 radio. It stuck in your head. The same could be said of his other hits like ‘The Hurdy Gurdy Man’ and ‘Mellow Yellow’. I remember one of the DJ’s on my favorite station proclaiming Donovan as a genius. I didn’t share that opinion then. But all these years later his music is unique and unforgettable. It just took awhile for my ears to catch up. That DJ obviously knew more than I did.
I can imagine not liking some of his music on first listen. We grew up with it so we never really had that, but some of the arrangements are definitely a little bit “out there” 🙂 We love how unique yet catchy some of this arrangements and songwriting was.
I like this idea ! Donovan used to be regarded ( unfairly ) as the poor man’s Bob Dylan. I used to wear a Donovan cap and even bought an acoustic guitar but sadly never learnt to play. I agree with your choice of “Season of the Witch” for best track. It was also covered really well by Julie Driscoll and also Mike Bloomfield. Looking forward to future instalments.
That Bob Dylan comment … that’s the typical ranking and comparison craze of artists (we hate that). Probably coined by some journalist for the past equivalent of “click bait” 😉
Two very different artists – love them both! We’ll have to check out the “Season Of The Witch” covers. Thanks!
I like your very first show very much. It’s kinda like I are right there with you sharing some quality time and having fun. Donovan was a good choice. He had several songs I liked back when they came out. I guess I’m telling my age now but it’s OK. ? I’ll be looking forward to the next show. ? ❤️
That was fun! Just what I needed after a grueling week! Your personalities coming through when you’re just being yourselves is fabulous!
Loved it ???❤️
Thanks Tomás! I think we’ll make some more of them 🙂 Glad you enjoyed the first episode!! ♥
Loved it. You mentioned some of the origins of popular music. Do you recognize any notes from this?
https://youtu.be/bEwUwREGQQE
That is a beautiful recording Bob. Thanks for sharing.
Could a 350-year-old composition bring an end to the “Stairway to Heaven” plagiarism trial?
My pleasure Howard.
Oh wow, hello there, Stairway To Heaven 😉 Interesting in the light of the ongoing copyright infringement case …
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/22/business/media/stairway-to-heaven-copyright-appeal.html
Nice baroque music Bob! In Donovan’s “Bert’s Blue” hear a lot of classic strings, and an awesome harpsichord/clavichord keboard riff too. Similar to Beatles “In My Life”. Heck even Beach Boys “I Get Around” has Bach in it! Amazing how much classical and pop share in common. I think if these 60s legends went back 200 years in a time machine, they would be our classical composers.