DONOVAN
Golden Tracks (Purple Pyramid)
Reviewed by John Sekerka

---

The thing about folkies (hippies putting poems to music) is that there ain't no rock'n'roll burn out to speak of. So it shouldn't be much of a surprise that sixties icons come outta the woodwork to continue plying their trade. After a serious string of chart action some three decades past, Donovan took the eighties off (not a bad idea) then reappeared on the scene in '96 with a new record. And now comes a compilation reminding everyone just who Donovan is, and where he may be going. Amidst some forgettable psychedelic fluff ("Lady of the Stars") and sappy romance material ("I Love You Baby"), you'll find reworkings of his choice material ("Local Boy Chops Wood", "Season of the Witch"). It really is the good/bad side of Donovan - an honest representation of his work. In the bizarre world of European record companies and licensing, this has actually appeared previously under various titles: "Golden Hits" [Holland: Masters Music], "Till I See You Again" [Success], "Sunshine Superman" [Charly] and "Lady of the Stars" [Allegiance]. This seems to be the first North American version, and just to keep up with the times there's a groovy remix of "Sunshine Superman" that still flexes some muscle, and isn't available elsewhere.

© 2000 - John Sekerka