Donovan Unofficial

April 24, 2012 updates

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 20:02:10 GMT

April 24, 2012

· MISCELLANEA:

Get Thy Bearings, issue #3: available on Lulu.com

This time around the main topic is 7-Tease - album and tour reviews, outtakes and press clippings about a key record in Donovan's career. Also Ade Macrow talks about Tom's book "Truth Is Molten" and takes a look at Donovan's brushes with the law; Andrew Morris reviews the Cowdray and Glastonbury 2002 concerts; and the usual enjoyable mixture of tablatures, chords, lyrics and Dono-stuff.

Available on paperback: £3.17 for 63 pages of amazing content! Lulu.com charges for handling and shipping, depending on the country. Get your paperback copy here!
Also, available as PDF for only £1, no extra charges! Get your PDF copy here!

Get Thy Bearings, issues #1 & #2 also available as PDF!

In order to make them more accessible, cheap and easy to read, we also publish PDF versions of the previous two fanzines, GTB#1 and GTB#2. Get your copies!

April 12, 2012 updates

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 07:08:12 GMT

April 12, 2012 updates

· NEWS:

Donovan headlining 30th Annual Syracuse Jazz Fest (NY)

Donovan will play at the 30th Annual Byron Bay Bluesfest, Jamesville, NY, on Saturday 23, June 2012. The festival, held at the Jamesville Beach Park, will include performances by Kenny G, headlining on Friday 22nd, Gregory Porter... [read more]

· WATCH:

added playlist: interview and songs at Slacker Radio from SXSW

· TOUR:

Added concert:

· 07/04/2012: 23rd Annual Byron Bay Bluesfest (Byron Bay, Australia)

March 27, 2012 updates

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 06:03:33 GMT

March 27, 2012 updates

· NEWS:

Donovan tribute week at Good Day LA

All through this week (March 26-March 30) the morning TV show Good Day LA is celebrating Donovan's induction to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame with special features and tributes from other musicians... [read more]

· MISCELLANEA:

added article:

· Sunny South Kensington (by Nick Arietano Jr.)

March 01, 2012 updates

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 08:43:09 GMT

March 01, 2012 updates

· NEWS:

Donovan at 23rd Annual Byron Bay Bluesfest (Australia)

Donovan will play at the 23rd Annual Byron Bay Bluesfest, Australia, on Saturday 7, April 2012. The festival, held at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, will have 5 stages and many musicians and bands like John Fogerty, Crosby Stills & Nash, The Pogues... [read more]

· VIDEO:

Playlist of Donovan at the Sundance Film Festival 2012

· TOUR:

Added concert:

· 25/01/2012: BMI Snowball, Sundance Film Festival (Park City, Utah, USA)

· MISCELLANEA:

Updated availability information on books:

· Barabajournal (A Donovan Miscellany), compilation of articles by Ade Macrow, available on Lulu.com as Ebook (£1.00) and paperback (£6.98).
· As I Recall It (The Life & Music Of Donovan), biography of Donovan by Rolf Goodwin, available on Lulu.com as Ebook (FREE) and paperback (£11.99).

Both books available on Lulu.com as Ebook and paperback! Enter coupon code LASSO at checkout and receive 15% off any order (coupon valid only until March 4, for ANY order, also for the Get Thy Bearings fanzines already published: GTB#01 and GTB#02). You have to register on Lulu.com to enter the coupon code).

February 21, 2012 updates

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 07:27:09 GMT

February 21, 2012 updates

· NEWS:

Faerieworlds announces Donovan as 2012 headliner

The annual music and arts Festival Faerieworlds has announced Donovan as this year's headliner. The Festival will take place on July 27–29 at Mount Pisgah Arboretum in the Howard Buford Park Recreation Area southeast of Eugene, Oregon... [read more]

Possible Donovan fashion line

A picture of Donovan and his wife Linda with designer Chris Wicks was included in a recent twit by Donovan's son-in-law Jason P. Rothberg (Astrella's husband)... [read more]

February 20, 2012

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 08:32:54 GMT

February 20, 2012

· MISCELLANEA:

Get Thy Bearings, issue #2: available on Lulu.com

A 'Pied Piper Special', delving into almost everything related to the Jacques Demy's film, the Irish radio play dramatisation, the 'Pied Piper' CD, Donovan's involvement in all these projects and more. Exclusive Donovan's original notes from the radio play, reviews and stories, among many articles and writings on other topics. As always, variety and entertainment that will leave no one indifferent.

This new paperback edition has been created as cheap as possible: only £3.18 for an incredible 64 pages fanzine full of amazing content. Lulu.com charges for handling and shipping, depending on the country.
Get your copy here!

January 31, 2012

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:39:07 GMT

January 18, 2012

· MISCELLANEA:

Get Thy Bearings, issue #1: available on Lulu.com

10 years after the publication of the first issue, the famous Get Thy Bearings fanzine, "a forum for discussing the life & work of Donovan P. Leitch", is available now in a facsimile edition published by Donovan Unofficial, preserving the original A5 format and style. A must-have for any Donovan fan; a true gem for collectors; scholarly but amusing and always interesting. In these pages you will find every thing you always wanted to know about Donovan... and more.

This new paperback edition has been created as cheap as possible: only £2.99 for 52 pages of interviews, press clippings, articles and tablatures, plus the original colour covers. Lulu.com charges for handling and shipping, depending on the country.
Get your copy here!

December 18, 2011

Sun, 18 Dec 2011 09:48:43 GMT

December 18, 2011

· NEWS:

Christmas gift to Donovan's mailing list members: Sixty Four

During the month of December, if you subscribe to Donovan's official mailing list, and already purchased Ritual Groove, you will receive a digital download of Sixty Four, the album of demos... [read more]

December 15, 2011

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 17:05:46 GMT

December 15, 2011

· NEWS:

TV Broadcast of the Royal Albert Hall concert

The Royal Albert Hall concert, which took place on June 3, 2011 in London, UK, will be broadcast on Vintage TV in two parts... [read more]

Donovan inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Donovan has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, as it was announced last week. This was his second nomination and.... [read more]

September 28, 2011

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 04:55:53 GMT

September 28, 2011

· NEWS:

Donovan, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominee (again)

Donovan has just been nominated to join the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2011, for the second consecutive year. The other nominees are Beastie Boys, The Cure, Eric B. & Rakim, Guns 'N Roses, Heart, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Freddie King... [read more]

July 31, 2011

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 14:26:24 GMT

July 31, 2011

· MISCELLANEA:

Added Artwork: Turquoise single

· 1965: Turquoise b/w Hey Gyp (Dig The Slowness) - UK PYE 7N 15984
· 1965: Turquoise (promo version) - UK PYE 7N 15984
· 1965: Turquoise b/w Hey Gyp (Dig The Slowness) - UK PYE 7N 15984*
· 1965: Turquoise b/w Hey Gyp (Dig The Slowness) - UK PYE 7N 15984*
· 1965: Turquoise b/w Universal Soldier - Italy PYE 45NPC 5135*
(*Thanks to Fernand Visset!)

· TOUR:

Added concert information: complete setlist

· 25/07/1970: La Bussola (Viareggio, Italy)

June 30, 2011

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 19:18:55 GMT

June 30, 2011

· NEWS:

BBC4 Songwriters' Circle: Donovan with Buffy Sainte-Marie

Donovan played and recorded yesterday a BBC Four session as part of the BBC Songwriters' Circle. He was performing with his old friend Buffy Sainte-Marie and... [read more]

· MUSIC:

Added cover:

· You Just Gotta Know My Mind by Steampacket II, 1966

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contact@donovan-unofficial.com

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June 18, 2011

Sat, 18 Jun 2011 10:52:28 GMT

June 18, 2011

· MISCELLANEA:

Added Ade Macrow's latest article!

· June 2011: Legend Of A Girl Child Linda - Revisited

· TOUR:

Added concert information: AUDIO of the concert, photos, review and interview

· 09/06/2011: Arrecife de las Músicas Festival (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain)

June 12, 2011

Sat, 11 Jun 2011 19:08:15 GMT

June 12, 2011

· TOUR:

Added concert information: photos, videos and reviews

· 03/06/2011: Royal Albert Hall (London, UK)

Added concert:

· 09/06/2011: Arrecife de las Músicas Festival (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain)

· VIDEO:

Donovan at the Royal Albert Hall

(03/06/2011) - Compilation of videos uploaded on YouTube from the Royal Albert Hall concert.

June 5, 2011

Sun, 05 Jun 2011 18:27:33 GMT

June 05, 2011

· TOUR:

Added concert:

· 03/06/2011: Royal Albert Hall (London, UK)

Added concert setlist:

· 24/09/2010: Reeperbahn Festival (Hamburg, Germany)

· MUSIC:

Added album: Sunshine Superman (Stereo Special Edition)

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contact@donovan-unofficial.com

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May 27, 2011 updates

Fri, 27 May 2011 11:36:57 GMT

May 27, 2011

· MISCELLANEA:

Added press article:

· Clash Music: Swan Song - Donovan. The folk's legend ideal finale

May 26, 2011 updates

Thu, 26 May 2011 08:29:12 GMT

May 26, 2011

· NEWS:

Arrecife de las Músicas Festival: Donovan concert postponed

It has been announced that Donovan's concert at the 9th Arrecife de las Músicas Festival, in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, scheduled for the opening day May 27, has been cancelled due to the ash cloud from the erupting Icelandic Grimsvotn volcano... [read more]

May 15, 2011 updates

Wed, 25 May 2011 14:16:37 GMT

May 25, 2011

· VIDEO:

Donovan on Later... With Jools Holland (17/05/2011)

- Donovan played Sunshine Superman on Later... With Jools Holland to promote his concert at the Royal Albert Hall on June 3rd. You can watch the whole show here (only for UK visitors). (Thanks Ross!)

May 24, 2011 updates

Tue, 24 May 2011 19:04:41 GMT

May 24, 2011

· Fancy for a Donofan picnic?

Dear Donofans:
For those of you who are attending the Royal Albert Hall concert next week we thought we could suggest an afternoon picnic in Hyde Park before the show! If you don't have a VIP ticket for the exclusive pre-show party... [read more]

· MISCELLANEA:

Added Artwork: more reissues of Catch The Wind single

· 1965: Catch The Wind (b/w Donna Donna)Donna Donna) - Japan PYE LL-792-Y*
· 1972: Catch The Wind (b/w Universal Soldier) - Germany PYE 12 454 AT*
· 1973: Catch The Wind (b/w Colours) - Germany PYE 12 749 AT*
(*Thanks to Fernand Visset!)

Added press article:

· The Independent - Donovan: Bob Dylan, the Beatles, Buddha and me

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May 20, 2011

Fri, 20 May 2011 18:01:18 GMT

May 20, 2011

· VIDEO:

Revolution: The Legacy of the 60s

- Full documentary about the Sixties cultural revolution and its impact today, featuring interviews with Donovan, Mick Fleetwood, John Densmore, Willie Nelson and other artists from that decade. Thanks Karen!

An Impromptu Donovan Interview: "What is a Folk Musician?"

- Donovan is "interviewed" at the end of what seems a screening of the movie The Pied Pipe. He explains what is a folk musician for him... thanks Karen!

May 18, 2011

Thu, 19 May 2011 17:12:36 GMT

May 18, 2011

· NEWS:

Taratata May 2011

Here are the videos of Donovan's performance at French TV show Taratata (broadcast on May 17)... [read more]

Donovan lectures on creative ideas at the ADC Festival 2011

The ADC Festival 2011 is the second edition of this large meeting of creative work in advertising, design, digital media and communication. The festival took place from 4-8 May and included the ADC Exhibition, the ADC Junior Awards and the ADC Congress, where Donovan was invited, on May 6th, to talk about... [read more]

· VIDEO:

WATCH! The One Show, BBC1, 21/03/2011

(thanks to Joe DiMuro)

WATCH! Carnaby St Undressed, Documentary, 2011

(thanks to Amy Corzine!)

· MISCELLANEA:

Added book cover to Memorabilia (from the Paul-Juju-Friend collection):

Added The Donovan Scrapbook to Fanzines (thanks to Ade Macrow!):

Added Artwork: Universal Soldier single

· 1965: Universal Soldier (b/w Do You Hear Me Now) - USA Hickory 45-1338
· 1965: Universal Soldier (promo version) - USA Hickory 45-1338
· 1966: Universal Soldier (b/w Oh Deed I Do) - Germany Vogue DV 14486 P*
· 1966: Universal Soldier (b/w Ballad Of A Crystal Man) - Japan PYE LL-846-Y*
· 1991: Universal Soldier (b/w Catch The Wind) - UK GPT 001*
· 1999: Universal Soldier (b/w The War Drags On) - Italy no catalogue*
(*Thanks to Fernand Visset!)

Added picture album:

· ADC Festival 2011

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contact@donovan-unofficial.com

If you cannot see this e-mail correctly, please let us know!

May 18, 2011

Thu, 19 May 2011 14:25:10 GMT

Donovan Unofficial

May 18, 2011

· NEWS:

Taratata May 2011

Here are the videos of Donovan's performance at French TV show Taratata (broadcast on May 17)... [read more]

Donovan lectures on creative ideas at the ADC Festival 2011

· VIDEO:

WATCH! The One Show, BBC1, 21/03/2011

(thanks to Joe DiMuro)

WATCH! Carnaby St Undressed, Documentary, 2011

(thanks to Amy Corzine!)

· MISCELLANEA:

Added book cover to Memorabilia (from the Paul-Juju-Friend collection):

Added The Donovan Scrapbook to Fanzines (thanks to Ade Macrow!):

Added Artwork: Universal Soldier single

· 1965: Universal Soldier (b/w Do You Hear Me Now) - USA Hickory 45-1338
· 1965: Universal Soldier (promo version) - USA Hickory 45-1338
· 1966: Universal Soldier (b/w Oh Deed I Do) - Germany Vogue DV 14486 P*
· 1966: Universal Soldier (b/w Ballad Of A Crystal Man) - Japan PYE LL-846-Y*
· 1991: Universal Soldier (b/w Catch The Wind) - UK GPT 001*
· 1999: Universal Soldier (b/w The War Drags On) - Italy no catalogue*
(*Thanks to Fernand Visset!)

Added picture album:

· ADC Festival 2011

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contact@donovan-unofficial.com

If you cannot see this e-mail correctly, please let us know!

April 19, 2011

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 18:19:24 GMT

NEWS:

Donovan to appear on Taratata (France TV)
It's just been announced that Donovan will appear on Taratata, France's most famous music TV, on May 17h (France TV 4) and again on May 20th (France TV 2, rerun). This show will feature other celtic-style musicians: Nolwenn Leroy, Andrea Corr (of The Corrs), Merzhin and Alan Stivell. List of performances:

Nolwenn Leroy: Tri Martolod

Nolwenn Leroy & Andrea Corr: Woman Of Ireland

Andrea Corr: Tinseltown In The Rain

Donovan: Medley

Merzhin: L'étincelle

Merzhin: The Partisan

Alan Stivell: Brittany's

Nolwenn Leroy & Donovan: Blackbird

The show will be broadcast online on Taratata's website. Here's the teaser of the show, which has been already recorded:

Rehearsals (image published on Taratata's Facebook on March 28th). Click on the image for more info:

May 17: France 4, 10:15pm CEST (Central European Summer Time) +0200 UTC.
May 20: France 2, 00:40am CEST, +0200 UTC.

MUSIC:

added covers:
· Sand And Foam by Judy Polan
· Ballad Of A Crystal Man by Julie Felix
· Be Not Too Hard by Frankie Randall
· Lalena by Frankie Randall
· Como La Luna (Electric Moon) by Claudine Longet

MISCELLANEA:

added songbook (thanks to Ade Macrow!):
· Barabajagal Album No. 6a

April 16, 2011

Sat, 16 Apr 2011 11:30:25 GMT

NEWS:

Winners of the Ritual Groove VideoFest
The three winners of the Ritual Groove VideoFest were announced yesterday in Donovan's website and Facebook:
1: Ja Healer (by Etty Vonne)
2: Love Seed (by ShamanDhia)
3: The Olive Tree (by BeforeAndAfterTV)
There were 22 contestants in the VideoFest. The prize is a trip to Hollywood with Donovan the week of his 65th birthday, on May 10.
Donovan also said that he hopes to hold another VideoFest with his next album.

Donovan to play at 9th Arrecife de las Músicas Festival
Donovan is confirmed to play at the 9th Arrecife de las Músicas music festival, in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
Donovan will open this series of concerts on May 27 at the Symphonic Hall of the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium. The festival will also include performances by guitarist Jose Ortega (Manzanita's son, June 3), Patti Smith (June 11) and pianist Ben Sidran (June 20, closing night).

Shawn Phillips to join Donovan at Royal Albert Hall concert
Shawn Phillips has announced in his official website that he will accompany Donovan in his Sunshine Superman album 45th anniversary concert at the Royal Albert Hall, London, on June 3.
Shawn Phillips collaborated in many Donovan albums as a session musician: he appeared in Fairytale (1965) playing 12-string guitar on Summer Day Reflection Song and Jersey Thursday. This album also included a version of his song The Little Tin Soldier. In late 1965 Shawn Phillips joined Donovan in his first USA tour, and again in February 1966 (when they appeared on Pete Seeger's TV show, Rainbow Quest). During that USA tour they wrote together most of the material soon to be included in Sunshine Superman, where Phillips played sitar in several songs. Later on, in January 1967, Shawn Phillips was part of the backing group for Donovan's first concert at the Royal Albert Hall. He also appeared in the Mellow Yellow album, March 1967, playing sitar in Sunny South Kensington.
Shawn Phillips was the first musician to introduce sitar to pop music world, even teaching George Harrison to play it. He also was a major influence in Donovan's work, specially in Sunshine Superman, so it's good news to know he's reuniting with Donovan to celebrate the 45th anniversary of this fascinating album.

TOUR:

added new concert date:
· 27/05/2011: Arrecife de las Músicas (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain)

March 21, 2011

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 16:15:22 GMT

NEWS:

Donovan to play at Beatles Days 2011 in Bellinzona
Donovan is confirmed to play at the 11th edition of Beatles Days festival in Bellinzona, Switzerland, 16-18 June. This edition of the festival is dedicated to the memory of George Harrison in the 10th anniversary of his death. During the latest stages of his illness, Harrison stayed a period of time in Bellinzona, in the Institute of Oncology, just a few weeks after the first edition of the Beatles Days took place in the same city.
Donovan will play on Saturday 18th of June in the Piazza del Sole and the ticket will cost 15 francs. There are still no more artists confirmed for the festival but according to the organization, Donovan won't be the only star. Thanks to Irene fo the information!

TOUR:

added new concert dates:
· 18/06/2011: Beatles Days 2011 (Bellinzona, Switzerland)

March 10, 2011

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 12:31:50 GMT

NEWS:

Ritual Groove VideoFest deadline re-extended
Donovan's team has extended yet again the deadline for the Ritual Groove VideoFest until March 31, 2011. They have detailed other information: it is open only for non-professional contestants and there will be 3 winners, chosen by a panel of which only one member is known (Rick Nathanson, producer). The original deadline was January 31 and it has been already extended once, to February 28, probably due to lack of participation. Now, with another extension, there are 18 contestants in the race for the triple prize: a trip to Hollywood with Donovan during his birthday week in May 2011.
If you wish to participate just produce a video for one of the songs of Ritual Groove (except I Am The Shaman) and submit it as a video reply to this video. The winners will be announced on April 15.

MISCELLANEA:

added new Ade Macrow's Collector Guides:
· What's Bin Did And What's Bin Hid (Epic Albums Guide)
· Kaleidoscope Hallways (Songbooks Guide)

added press clippings (thanks to Andrew Morris!):
· 05/1965: Donovan's big influence? It's not Dylan! (Beat Instrumental)
· 03/1967: Donovan's more down to Earth (NME)
· 07/1968: Don wants to spin a film legend (Melody Maker)

DONOFAN:

Listen to Jimmy Stanley's tribute song: Donovan Dreams

February 23, 2011 updates

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 20:26:13 GMT

MISCELLANEA:

Added ARTWORK: Colours single. 10 reissues with picture sleeve (high quality, complete artwork, from Fernand Visset's collection and from our collection) plus 3 more that we have found over the Internet (not so good quality, not all of them complete).
Just click on each image to see a full-screen size (and to optionally download the original size), and click left/right or scroll with your mouse wheel to navigate through each set of images.
· 1965: Colours (b/w To Sing For You) - UK PYE 7N 15866
· 1965: Colours (promo version) - UK PYE 7N 15866
· 1965: Colours (promo version) - US Hickory 45-1324
· 1965: Colours (b/w To Sing For You) - Holland PYE 7N 15866 (*)
· 1965: Colours (b/w To Sing For You) - France PYE 7N 15866 (*)
· 1965: Colours (b/w To Sing For You) - Denmark PYE 7N 15866 (*)
· 1965: Colours (b/w To Sing For You) - Sweden PYE 7N 15866 (*)
· 1965: Colours (b/w Ballad Of A Crystal Man) - Italy PYE 45NP 5100 (*)
· 1965: Colours (b/w To Sing For You) - Japan PYE LL-831-Y (*)
· 1972: Colours (b/w Donna Donna) - Spain PYE 11-505-A (*)
· 1975: Colours (b/w Hey Gyp...) - France PYE 45 PY.12083 (*)
· 1978: Colours (b/w Universal Soldier) - UK (export) PYE 7N 46105
· 1981: Colours (b/w Universal Soldier) - France VG 108 101478 (*)
· 1984: Colours (b/w Donna Donna) - Spain Zafiro 00X-723

(*) Thanks to Fernand Visset!

February 15, 2011 updates

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 15:52:22 GMT

MISCELLANEA:

Great news! We just added a new subsection in Miscellanea: the ARTWORK subsection will contain sleeves, covers, booklets, CD's and vinyl labels from Donovan albums, singles and EP's. We'll try to publish regularly all the images we find and all the things that the fans send to us.
And to properly inaugurate this subsection we're starting with Fernand Visset's amazing collection of singles and EP's with picture sleeve! A fantastic and high quality set of more than 200 items carefully collected for years and years and now shared with the community of Donofans. The first group is from the Catch The Wind single: 4 reissues with picture sleeve (high quality, complete artwork, from Fernand Visset's collection) plus 7 more that we have found over the Internet (not so good quality, not all of them complete).
Just click on each image to see a full-screen size (and to optionally download the original size), and click left/right or scroll with your mouse wheel to navigate through each set of images. More to come!
· 1965: Catch The Wind (b/w Why Do You Treat Me...) - UK PYE 7N 15801
· 1965: Catch The Wind (promo version) - UK PYE 7N 15801
· 1965: Catch The Wind (b/w Why Do You Treat Me...) - USA PYE 7N 15801
· 1965: Catch The Wind (promo version) - USA PYE 7N 15801
· 1965: Catch The Wind (b/w Why Do You...) - UK (export) PYE 7N 15801 (*)
· 1965: Catch The Wind (b/w Why Do You...) - Holland PYE 7N 15801 (*)
· 1965: Catch The Wind (b/w Why Do You...) - Italy PYE 45NP 5066 (*)
· 1965: Catch The Wind (b/w Colours) - Italy PYE P-67.004 (*)
· 1965: Catch The Wind (b/w Why Do You...) - Norway PYE 7N 15801
· 1965: Catch The Wind (b/w Why Do You...) - Australia ASTOR AP-1114
· 1969: Catch The Wind (b/w Universal Soldier) - USA Eric Records 193

(*) Thanks to Fernand Visset!

February 08, 2011 updates

Tue, 08 Feb 2011 19:37:57 GMT

RESULTS OF LAST POLL:

Results of January Poll of the Month: Your Donovan highlight of 2010?

NEWS:

Ritual Groove VideoFest deadline extended
The deadline for Donovan's Ritual Groove VideoFest competition has been extended to February 28, 2011, probably due to poor participation. The original deadline was January 31 but, with only 3 contestants, the organization decided to extend the final submission date. There are at this moment 9 contestants in the race for the prize: a trip to Hollywood with Donovan during his birthday week in May 2011.
If you wish to participate just produce a video for one of the songs of Ritual Groove (except I Am The Shaman) and submit it as a video reply to this video. A list of the top videos will be published on Donovan's official website on March 14, and the winners will be announced on March 28.

BBC2 Radio Lifetime Achievement Award
Yesterday, February 7 2011, Donovan received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the BBC2 Radio Folk Awards. After a speech where he talked about his Glaswegian and Irish roots, the 'lament' and the heroic celtic ballads, Donovan played a short version of Summer Day Reflection Song followed by Catch The Wind, accompanied on double bass by Danny Thompson (2007 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award).
Earlier in the day Donovan appeared on the morning TV program BBC Breakfast where they showed a few seconds of some rare footage from the mid-70's. A few hours later Donovan was interviewed on the Simon Mayo radio show, and he talked about the award and his current activities (with no mention whatsoever about his new album Ritual Groove except for the collaboration with David Lynch almost a year ago). He also played Colours.
The 2011 Folk Awards was broadcast online but for those who couldn't watch, in Donovan Unofficial we present:
1. A bit of Donovan's interview on BBC Breakfast (video)
2. His performance at the Awards (video)
3. Donovan's speech and performance at the Awards (audio)
4. The interview on the Simon Mayo radio show (audio)

Go to Donovan Unofficial to find the media content.

January 19, 2011 updates

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 10:59:22 GMT

NEWS:

Lifetime Achievement Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards
Donovan will be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. The ceremony, which will take place next Monday, February 7th, at The Brewery, London, will be broadcast live on Radio 2 and online for the first time, from 19:45 to 22:00 (UK time).

January 5, 2011 updates

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 17:29:13 GMT

NEW POLL:

Your Donovan highlight of 2010? Vote here!
Results of December Poll of the Month: When did you see Donovan live for the first time?

MISCELLANEA:

added tour book:
· Japan Tour Book 1973 (from the Paul-Juju-Friend Collection)

DONOFAN:

added 6 new Donovan covers by The Baltic Moonshine Band:

December 13, 2010 updates

Mon, 13 Dec 2010 21:24:18 GMT

NEWS:

Two new singles released
· On December 3rd, Donovan Discs released the single Christmas Time Is Here Again, a duet that Donovan wrote with his mother-in-law Violetta (Violet Lawrence). Only available as a digital download through iTunes, all proceeds will go to Barnardo's, a children's charity from Ireland. The song, with lyrics by Violetta and music by Donovan was recorded in Fiona Studios, Fermoy (Ireland) and was produced by Brian O'Reilly, featuring Lili Inch and the Ballyhass School Choir. The song also features Donovan doing an impression of Santa Claus. Apparently, this is the last of seven songs recorded by Donovan with Violetta.

· On December 8th the second single from Ritual Groove was released: Save The World. Written more than 11 years ago (there's a 1999 video of Donovan performing Save The World in front of some Japanese fans) the single is available only on iTunes. Released on the 30th anniversary of Lennon's death and presented as a tribute to him, this song has a very "Lennonish" or "Beatlesque" style. Donovan stated: «it is as if John wrote this song through me. I wondered what would John write about now. I picked up the guitar and this very 'John Lennon style' song came to me. It feels like John wrote it». All proceeds from the single will go to the David Lynch Foundation.

MUSIC:

added singles:
· Save The World
· Christmas Time Is Here Again
added songs:
· Univerz
· E-motion
· Waves
· Diggin' The Future Now
· I'm An American
· Mistaken Eternity
· Cherchez L'Erreur
· Shaman
· The Mountain
· Devil Weed
· The Olive Tree
· Linda
· Local Boy Chops Wood
· The Breath
· The Illusion
· Flame
· Refugee Of Love
· Still Waters
· Big Pop Star
· Love Seed
· Ja Healer
· Gentle Heart
· Dreams Of Love
· A Woman's Work
· Save The World
· The Breath (Reprise)
· I Am The Shaman

VIDEO:

WATCH! Great British Folk Festival

Part of Donovan's performance at the Great British Folk Festival.

MISCELLANEA:

added press clipping (thanks to Barry Monks):
· 02/1967: Magazine Cover (Beat Instrumental)

· 03/1967: Most on Donovan (Beat Instrumental)

· 05/1967: Profile (Beat Instrumental)

TOUR:

added past concert dates:
· 05/12/2010: Great British Folk Festival (Lincolnshire, England)
· 12/12/2010: Festivalul National de Folk (Bucharest, Romania)

December 01, 2010 updates

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 15:26:43 GMT

NEW POLL:

When did you see Donovan live for the first time? Vote here!
Results of November Poll of the Month: What's your gender and age?

MISCELLANEA:

added press clipping:
· 12/1967: Trends will not affect Donovan, says Mickie Most (Beat Instrumental) (Thanks to Barry Monks!)

added sheet music (thanks to Tom Nellemann and special thanks to Ade Macrow!):
· Atlantis/To Susan On The West Coast Waiting
· Barabajagal (added 2 different versions)
· Catch The Wind (2 different versions)
· Colours
· Epistle To Dippy
· Hurdy Gurdy Man (5 different versions)
· I Like You
· Jennifer Juniper (added 1 different version)
· Laleña
· Mellow Yellow (3 different versions)
· Poor Cow
· Riki Tiki Tavi/Roots Of Oak
· Sailing Homeward/There Is An Ocean
· Song For John
· Sunshine Superman (6 different versions)
· There Is A Mountain (2 different versions)
· Turquoise
· Universal Soldier
· Wear Your Love Like Heaven

November 19, 2010 updates

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 20:25:47 GMT

MISCELLANEA:

added press clipping:
· 12/1965: Next stage for Don (Beat Instrumental) (Thanks to Barry Monks!)

added songbooks:
· Joan Baez and Donovan (thanks to Tom Nellemann!)
· The Music Of Donovan (thanks to Tom Nellemann!)
· What's Bin Did And What's Bin Hid (thanks to Ade Macrow!)

added Hurdy Gurdy Man promo book (from the Paul-Juju-Friend Collection)

November 12, 2010 updates

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 21:07:10 GMT

DONOVAN UNOFFICIAL 1^st ANNIVERSARY!
- SPECIAL GIFT -

It's been a year already since we started Donovan Unofficial! To celebrate this day we would like to please you with three incredible gems found by our friend Karen Schwartz: three of Donovan's first performances on Ready Steady Go! in 1965!

LISTEN TO THEM HERE!

VIDEO:

Watch! Donovan on the Cilla Black show (1968)

For the episode number 4 of the BBC series Singer-Songwriters at the BBC, this performance of Donovan singing Jennifer Juniper was rescued from the BBC vaults after more than 40 years.

MISCELLANEA:

added press clipping:
· 02/10/2010: Donovan, in the mood for a muse 40 years on (Irish Daily Mail)

added sheet music:
· Riki Tiki Tavi (from the Paul-Juju-Friend Collection)

Sun, 07 Nov 2010 18:20:34 GMT

NEW POLL:

Now one about you fans: what's your gender and age? Vote here!
Results of October poll of the month: How many Donovan albums do you have?

MISCELLANEA:

added Donovan's Isle to Fanzines
added Ade Macrow article: Donovan's Isle Newsletter

added more Ade Macrow's Collector Guides:
· Donovan Acetates File
· Smiling In The Sun: Collecting Donovan on Bell Records
· The Wind That Is So Free: Collecting Donovan on Hickory Records
· Sunshine Came Softly: Epic Records USA Guide 1: Singles

added 4 cards to Memorabilia:
· Donovan... the magazine membership card ((from the Paul-Juju-Friend Collection)
· Lord Neilson's Star Card n.5 (thanks to Paul!)
· French card
· Matchbox Label card

VIDEO:

Watch! Donovan in Antwerp (09/09/2010)

Interview with Donovan around the time he was in Antwerp to give a concert at De Roma.

Watch! WATCH! The Eternal Hippie (09/09/2010)

Another interview with Donovan around the time he was in Antwerp to give a concert at De Roma. This interview shows interesting footage of Donovan from the 1960's.

November 04, 2010 updates

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 15:48:59 GMT

NEWS:

03/06/2011: Donovan at the Royal Albert Hall
Great news for donofans in London: Donovan will play at the Royal Albert Hall on June 3rd 2011. As announced earlier this year, Donovan will perform the complete Sunshine Superman album as a 45th anniversay present to his wife Linda: «this year of 2010 Linda and I celebrate our ruby anniversary. When I asked my muse what she wanted to do, she said: 'perform the complete Sunshine Superman album at the Royal Albert Hall'. Her wish is my command! I wrote the album for Linda, and Queen Victoria built the Albert Hall for you know who, so come and celebrate two love stories, June 3, and dress for the occasion!».
For this concert, the centerpiece of a of a full week of Donovan-related events in London, Donovan will be joined by the London Contemporary Orchestra and some very special guests. Tickets go on sale from 9 AM (GMT) tomorrow (November 5).

TOUR:

added new concert dates:
· 12/12/2010: Festivalul National de Folk, Bucharest, Romania
· 03/06/2011: Royal Albert Hall, London, England

October 24, 2010 updates

Sun, 24 Oct 2010 20:58:49 GMT

NEWS:

Donovan's lost guitar: can you help?
Donovan bought his distinctive red Gibson J-45 guitar in July 1965, during his visit to the Newport Folk Festival. With this guitar he recorded all his 60's unforgettable albums and played his songs around the world for years. But it was stolen at a concert hall in the early 70s and now, almost 40 years later, Donovan is still looking for his old guitar.
If you have any information regarding its whereabouts, rumour has it that Donovan himself has offered a special reward! He doesn't mind who stole it: we've heard he will forgive the person who took it. Donovan just would like to recover his guitar and keep creating music with it.
If you can help, please contact us.

MISCELLANEA:

added Ade Macrow guides:
· A Butterfly Within: Collecting Donovan on Epic Memory Lane Records
· Morning Sun-Glow: Collecting Donovan on Marble Arch Records
· Seduto Immobile: Collecting Donovan on Italian Promo & Jukebox Singles

added press clipiping:
· 10/1965: Donovan rates Jansch (Beat Instrumental) (Thanks to Barry Monk!)
added 1971 Tour Book (from the Paul-Juju-Friend Collection)

DONOFAN:

New covers by Jimmy Stanley!

October 14, 2010 updates

Sun, 24 Oct 2010 20:48:08 GMT

NEWS:

Slow Down World available on iTunes
Donovan's 1977 album Donovan is now available to download from the iTunes store. This is the seventh release of Donovan's 70's archive.
The last album that Donovan made under the label of Epic Records was Slow Down World, in 1976. It achieved poor success and the contract was not renewed. For his new album, Donovan contacted his old producer, Mickie Most, who had created Rak Records in the UK, and took Mickie's Mobile Studio to a hotel in Northern France, Châteaux Du Regard. The album was distributed in the US by Arista Records.
It features a contemporary sound, without the beautiful ballads that appeared in previous albums (except for Maya's Dance). Despite these changes the album did not chart neither in the US nor in the UK and Donovan didn't release another album in the US until 1984.

The album Donovan can be downloaded here.
This was the last of Donovan's studio albums in the 70's.

MISCELLANEA:

added press clipiping:
· 08/1965: Donovan survives D-Day (Beat Instrumental) (Thanks to Barry Monk!)
added promotional poster (from the Paul-Juju-Friend Collection)

TOUR:

Read Amy Corzine's review of Donovan's concert in Dublin last week!

October 8, 2010 updates

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 15:58:35 GMT

NEWS:

Slow Down World available on iTunes
Donovan's 1976 album Slow Down World is now available to download from the iTunes store. This is the sixth release of Donovan's 70's archive.
For this album, Donovan decided to produce all the songs with a sound deliberately contrary to the popular music of that time. He remained, however, close to his fan base and to his music taste, and created a group of delicate songs with bits of the meditation from Essence To Essence and the nostalgia from 7-Tease.
The album Slow Down World can be downloaded here.
We will be posting dates and information of next releases as we know them.

MUSIC:

added album:
· Ritual Groove
added cover:
· Catch The Wind by Liam Clancy (thanks to David Richardson!)

MISCELLANEA:

added press clipiping:
· 07/1965: Recording Thoughts (Beat Instrumental) (Thanks to Barry Monk!)
· 12/06/1976: Slow Down World ad (Melody Maker)

TOUR:

added concert:
· 06/10/2010: Olympia Theatre, Dublin, Ireland

October 5, 2010 updates

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 19:33:20 GMT

NEWS:

RITUAL GROOVE pre-order
You can now pre-order Donovan's new album Ritual Groove on his website.

The deluxe limited edition of the double album, with a 36-page book is available to pre-order for 30€ (+10€ shipping). This special edition will be available at the Ritual Groove Tour concerts, starting at the Olympia Theatre concert in Dublin, next October 6th. Later this year Ritual Groove will be released as a standard digipack version and as a digital download via iTunes.

This album is announced as "a soundtrack to a movie not yet made". Donovan invites his fans and film-makers to create movies for his new music. The tracklist, still unknown, will be posted tomorrow on Donovan's website.

October 2, 2010 updates

Sat, 02 Oct 2010 20:01:28 GMT

NEW POLL:

How many Donovan albums do you have? Vote here!
Results of September Poll of the Month: How do you prefer to see Donovan performing?

MUSIC:

added cover:
· Sand And Foam by Jennifer Warnes (thanks to Roger Mock!)

MISCELLANEA:

added web article:
· 02/10/2010: Donovan says wife Linda inspired his songs Irish Independent)

October 1, 2010 updates

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 23:40:12 GMT

NEWS:

RITUAL GROOVE released!
Donovan's new album, the eagerly awaited Ritual Groove, is finally here! According to Calma Estudis blog , the album will be available through the official website and on exclusive sale at the Olympia Theatre concert in Dublin, next October 6th. This concert will be the first of the homonym tour.
Ritual Groove is a double album with 27 songs, a good part of them recorded and mixed at Calma Estudis and co-produced by Donovan and Josep Umbria. There will be a 5000 copies deluxe limited edition with book format and after that it'll be availabe as digipack.

We'll post more details about the album as soon as we get a copy!

September 30, 2010 updates

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 23:28:36 GMT

NEWS:

7-Tease available on iTunes
Donovan's 1974 album 7-Tease is now available to download from the iTunes store. This is the fifth release of Donovan's 70's archive.
Conceived as the musical part of a stage performance, 7-Tease was more successful than his previous album, Essence To Essence but still remained not very well known for the main public. Nowadays 7-Tease is considered a classic rock gem, with lot of 60's nostalgia and highly autobiographical songs.
The album 7-Tease can be downloaded here .

We will be posting dates and information of next releases as we know them.

VIDEO:

WATCH! Chicago Soundstage (30/12/1974)

Donovan's complete performance at Chicago Soundstage.

MISCELLANEA:

added new Ade Macrow article: The Dame And The Don
added press clipiping:
· The Return of Don the Optimist, 01/02/1975

September 28, 2010 updates

Wed, 29 Sep 2010 16:53:14 GMT

NEWS:

Donovan Nominee for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Donovan has just been nominated to join the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2011. The other nominees are Alice Cooper, Beastie Boys, Bon Jovi, Chic, Neil Diamond, Dr. John, J. Geils Band, LL Cool J, Darlene Love, Laura Nyro, Donna Summer, Joe Tex, Tom Waits and Chuck Willis

Congratulations to Donovan! And let's hope he finally gets into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

September 25, 2010 updates

Wed, 29 Sep 2010 16:50:19 GMT

MISCELLANEA:

added posters to Memorabilia (from the Paul-Juju-Friend collection)

TOUR:

added concert:
· 24/09/2010: Reeperbahn Festival, Hamburg, Germany

September 19, 2010 updates

Sun, 19 Sep 2010 20:15:19 GMT

NEWS:

Interview on independent.ie (by Richie Taylor)
Read Donovan's last interview, published on independent.ie. Specially interesting is Donovan's plan to perform the whole of his classic Sunshine Superman album at London's Royal Albert Hall as a 40th wedding anniversary present for his wife and muse Linda. We still don't know any more details about this but we'll keep you all informed. Stay tuned!

Me, The Beatles and The Maharishi (...not to mention the Stones and Bob Dylan)

Richie Taylor talks to a very mellow Donovan, the 1960s pop legend who is leaving his Cork home behind and going back on the road.

He was compared to Bob Dylan in the '60s -- and Dylan was scathing about it when they met. He helped Paul McCartney with the lyrics of 'Yellow Submarine' and in 1968 studied Transcendental Meditation with The Beatles, actress Mia Farrow and Mike Love of The Beach Boys at the Maharishi's school in India.

He taught John Lennon old-fashioned guitar finger-picking, which John subsequently used on songs such as 'Dear Prudence' and 'Julia'.

Linda, his wife of 40 years, had a son named Julian by Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones before they met.

Oh -- and he had a string of pop hits himself. You still hear them on the radio -- 'Jennifer Juniper', 'Hurdy Gurdy Man', 'Catch The Wind', 'Mellow Yellow' and 'Sunshine Superman'.

You could fairly say that Donovan is a genuine pop legend. Now he's coming out of retirement from his hideaway in Mallow and is set to go on the road again.

He explained: "I was at a Paul McCartney concert in New York's Radio City Music Hall earlier this year and Ringo Starr got up to play with him as it was his 70th birthday.

"I spoke to Ringo afterwards and he told me he still gigs with his own All Starr Band. I asked why and he told me that he's a musician, that's what he does.

"That kind of sparked something in me. So I'm coming out again. And I'll have a new album and show called Ritual Groove as well as the old hits."

Donovan and Linda, appeared on the Late Late Show when they moved here 20 years ago.

He recalled: "I remember Gay Byrne telling us not to be strangers and not to disappear down the country where we wouldn't be seen or heard from again. But that's what we did.

"We settled there and raised our kids. We live in an old rectory house and put it on the market at one stage, but we eventually decided to stay put.

"I also recently bought a local 18th Century church and we're doing it up to use it for different things like dance classes and alternative healing sessions, all sorts of things really.

"Oh yes, we settled in very well in Mallow. We have a huge extended family now that stretches right to America. I have five grandchildren now.

"My daughter Astrella is quite a skilled singer and is living in Los Angeles. She's a bit like Enya or Kate Bush and goes by the name of Astrella Celeste.

"I've been keeping busy myself with my artwork, which I call Saphographs. They're all in black and white and I'll be opening an exhibition of them in a gallery on Dawson Street in October.

"My dad was also a photographer and I recently discovered his old primitive camera. But it no longer worked. So I bought a mint condition 1964 Rolleiflex to work with."

When he first emerged in the mid-60s, Donovan was compared to Bob Dylan. His song 'Catch The Wind' was closely compared to Dylan's releases and Bob was suitably withering to him when he first came to London.

Donovan now laughs about it all.

"I think they got confused. Bob was something to watch and he certainly blew everything open. But we were really chalk and cheese. I think I sounded like him for about five minutes! I actually haven't met him or seen him perform in years.

"Back then I did need to meet him, so I got Joan Baez to introduce us. She also introduced me to Arlo Guthrie, and to this day we're still like brothers."

And Donovan also revealed how he helped his then rivals The Beatles to write two of their best known songs.

The Sunshine Superman, who had moved from his native Glasgow down south to London to follow his dreams, became pals with all the pop stars of the era, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and more.

The singer, who will perform in Dublin's Olympia Theatre on October 6 with a new band composed entirely of Irish musicians, recalled giving Paul McCartney some small help with the writing of 'Yellow Submarine'.

"One Sunday morning in London while I was writing a song there was a knock on the door and when I opened it. Paul was standing outside.

"I lived in Maida Vale and he was in St John's Wood. Outside I could see the sun beating down on the Edgware Road, and no cars on it. People didn't drive that much in those days.

"Anyhow, Paul asked me what I was doing and I told him I was writing some songs. He said he was too and asked to come in. He was writing Yellow Submarine, but was having some trouble finishing the lyrics. So I gave him the line 'Sky of blue/Sea of green/In our Yellow Submarine'. He told me that was perfect and finished the song.

"While it was ostensibly a children's song that Ringo sang, I knew exactly what it was about. The Beatles were so popular at the time it was like they were living in a bubble.

"They couldn't go anywhere without being mobbed or followed by fans. They were sort of living in a submarine, occasionally coming up for air.

"Then there was another knock on the door. I opened it and a young policeman was standing there. Paul come out to look over my shoulder and the guy jumped, saying 'Oh, it's you, sir.' He actually saluted Paul!

"He asked him if that was his Aston Martin down the road, parked with one wheel on the pavement and three on the road, with the windows open and the radio blaring.

"Paul said it was his all right. The bobby then asked him to give him his keys and he would park it properly for him and bring them back. Which he did!"

Donovan remembered: "I actually helped John with some of the structure of 'Julia', which was a very sad song. It was about the tragic death of his mother, who was knocked down and killed by a drunken, off-duty policeman while she was crossing the road. John was a young boy who was only getting to know her properly as he had been raised by his Aunt Mimi up until then.

"I also helped George (Harrison) with 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps'. It's based on a descending pattern based on a Bach piece. I just passed it on. I simply had some forms at the time that they didn't."

Forty-two years after his Indian adventure, Donovan still practises Transcendental Meditation and tries (in vain) to explain the four levels of consciousness to me. He works in America with the David Lynch Foundation which has introduced so-called 'Quiet Times' into US schools. "It helps to relax the central nervous system," he claims.

George and John left suddenly after falling out the Maharishi. Ringo had left earlier as he didn't like the spicy food and his supply of baked beans had run out. John later penned a song called 'Sexy Sadie', which slammed the be-robed holy man.

"The Maharishi was just a human being, but John nearly ruined his reputation.

Donovan and Linda still live in their beautiful old rectory house in Mallow.

He describes it now as "an empty nest," as all their children have long since left. But they do come back to visit with the grandchildren.

And the extended family includes children from previous relationships in the grand old hippy tradition.

"Linda had a son named Julian by Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones before I met her. They split up and Brian eventually died, as you know. I adopted Julian when I married her and he's got his own son now, who is great on the guitar.

"He's only 10 or something and the other day I showed him the riff to my old song 'Hurdy Gurdy Man' and he picked it out immediately. I was astonished. But I suppose I shouldn't have been, given his musical pedigree and background."

Donovan and Linda have two children together, Astrella and Oriole Nebula. The singer also has two children by his American lover Enid Karl, who he left to take up with Linda. He had loved Linda from afar when she was with Brian Jones. His son by Enid is named Donovan Leitch, while his daughter Ione Skye went on to become an actress.

In the 1990s Shaun Ryder, the then wildman singer with druggy band the Happy Mondays, took up with Donovan's daughter Oriole. So what was it like having Shaun Ryder as a son-in-law? Did he ever have to sit him down and give him a good talking to?

"Ha, no I didn't. They were a wild bunch all right, but I never gave him a talking to. Himself and Oriole had a child, but they're not together any more. And my daughter Astrella was with Shaun's brother Paul for six years.

"I remember going to Manchester and they [the Happy Mondays] called to my hotel room to see me. They took out screwdrivers and started unscrewing my door as they were leaving. They thought it was a lark and what rock stars did. I had to tell them that it wasn't on.

"But I enjoyed the Manchester 'scene' and can recall Liam Gallagher of Oasis telling Shaun he was going to be 'just like him' when we were in a pub one day. At the time Liam was a complete unknown and Sean just ignored him.

"Thankfully drink and drugs were never a problem for me. The problem with drugs is not wanting to come down from them. I never liked it. And I never once took heroin.

"I found hash good for the nervous system and would occasionally still have a smoke. I went for a check-up recently and the doctor told me I was in perfect health. I was quite surprised. I think that's because of the healthy vegetarian life we lead in Cork. I think I have an idyllic lifestyle down there."

Donovan's dad Donald, who had Irish connections in his past, took him to the registry office in Glasgow and told the clerk he wanted to call him simply Donovan, an Irish surname.

"The guy said he couldn't do that, that I had to have two names. So my dad, who worked at a distillery at the docks, simply slipped him a half bottle of whiskey and he agreed to it. Now I'm still one of the very small group of people who are known by just one name -- Madonna, Prince, Pink..."

The singer also believes that he was helpful in turning our own Christy Moore into a major star. "This photographer friend of mine called Tom Collins, who I would dearly love to meet up with again, introduced me to Christy and Planxty. I took them on the road with me in the early '70s and they went down really well. I still think of them as The Beatles of Irish folk music!"

Besides doing some European dates with his new band over the coming weeks, Donovan has also been asked to speak at a music fair in China and will soon perform the whole of his classic 'Sunshine Superman' album in London's Royal Albert Hall.

"I asked Linda, who has always been my muse, what she would like for our 40th wedding anniversary present and that was what she picked. It was inspired by her. So that's what I'm going to do."

September 18, 2010 updates

Sat, 18 Sep 2010 12:31:32 GMT

VIDEO:

WATCH! Donovan at the St. Ives September Festival (16/09/2010)

Short playlist with part of Donovan's performance, including: Jennifer Juniper, Atlantis, Catch The Wind, Season Of The Witch, Barabajagal, Sunshine Superman and more. More info here.

MISCELLANEA:

added picture album (Thanks to Ross Mayhew!):
· St. Ives September Festival 2010

TOUR:

added concert:
· 16/09/2010: St. Ives September Festival. Read Ross Mayhew review!.

September 12, 2010 updates

Sat, 11 Sep 2010 12:08:55 GMT

VIDEO:

WATCH! Donovan at the De Roma Folk Club (09/09/2010)

Short playlist with part of Donovan's performance, including: There Is A Mountain, Hurdy Gurdy Man, Donna Donna and Atlantis. More info here.

MISCELLANEA:

added picture album:
· Live at the De Roma Folk Club, Antwerp, Belgium (© Lander Vanhoof)

TOUR:

added concert:
· 09/09/2010: De Roma Folk Club, Antwerp, Belgium

September 8, 2010 updates

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 11:21:53 GMT

MISCELLANEA:

added new Ade Macrow article: Donovan's 'Lost' Albums

added Get Thy Bearings fanzines #9-#13 (thanks to Ade Macrow and Karen Schwartz!):
· Get Thy Bearings issue #9
· Get Thy Bearings issue #10
· Get Thy Bearings issue #11
· Get Thy Bearings issue #12
· Get Thy Bearings issue #13

added memorabilia item:
· Trading card (from the Paul-Juju-Friend collection)

September 6, 2010 updates

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 12:31:42 GMT

VIDEO:

WATCH! Donovan at Moseley Folk Festival (04/09/2010)

Short playlist with part of Donovan's performance at 5th Moseley Folk Festival, Birmingham. Songs included: Josie, Sand And Foam and Catch The Wind.

MISCELLANEA:

added Get Thy Bearings fanzines #5-#8 (thanks to Ade Macrow and Karen Schwartz!):
· Get Thy Bearings issue #5
· Get Thy Bearings issue #6
· Get Thy Bearings issue #7
· Get Thy Bearings issue #8
More will be added soon!

TOUR:

added concert:
· 04/09/2010: Moseley Folk Festival, Birmingham, England, UK

September 3, 2010 updates

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:21:47 GMT

NEWS:

Essence To Essence available on iTunes
Donovan's 1973 album Essence To Essence has just been published today in digital format, available to download from the iTunes store. This is the fourth release of Donovan's 70's archive.
The album was criticized as a failure, but many of the songs became a very important part of Donovan's live shows in the 70's and the 80's.
The artwork was designed by John Kosh and Donovan, and Tony Evans took the photographs. The front cover shows Donovan kneeling, in a white background, dressed with white clothes, like meditating. In the inside, there are two more images, with Donovan almost in the same position, but bowing his head each time a bit more until he appears in a total bow on the back cover. The whole process is like he was doing a gentle bow.
The album Essence To Essence can be downloaded here.
We will be posting dates and information of next releases as we know them.

Image © 2010 Lightbox Designs

September 1, 2010 updates

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:12:05 GMT

NEWS:

Ritual Groove will be on sale at Dublin concert
Donovan's eagerly awaited new album Ritual Groove will be available for sale at the Dublin concert on October 6th, according to MCD.ie website.
As announced on the news section of MCD.ie, Ritual Groove «will be available for sale for the first time at the Dublin Concert and also on his website www.donovan.ie and I-Tunes».
Donovan will play at the Olympia Theatre in Dublin on October 6th, with his new ensemble, probably the same band that will accompany him on the De Roma folk club (Antwerp, Belgium) on September 9th: Trevor Knight (keyboards), Noel Bridgman (drums and percussion), Paul Moore (bass) and Ed Dean (guitar).

NEW POLL:

How do you prefer to see Donovan performing? Vote here!
Results of August poll of the month: What are your top 5 favourite Donovan songs?

August 29, 2010 updates

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:43:21 GMT

MISCELLANEA:

added Get Thy Bearings fanzines (thanks to Ade Macrow and Karen Schwartz!):
· Get Thy Bearings issue #1
· Get Thy Bearings issue #2
· Get Thy Bearings issue #3
· Get Thy Bearings issue #4
More will be added soon!

August 22, 2010 updates

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 11:51:04 GMT

MISCELLANEA:

added press clipping:
· 03/07/1965: Donovan's first trip abroad (Fabulous Magazine)

added songbook (thanks to Pete Rimmer!):
· Donovan: Greatest/Easy Guitar

added picture album:
· First trip abroad: Spain & Gibraltar

TOUR:

added 1998 tour calendar
added upcoming concert:
· 24/09/2010: Reeperbahn Festival, Hamburg, Germany
added concert:
· 21/08/2010: Rhythm Festival, Bedford, England

August 19, 2010 updates

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 07:51:51 GMT

NEWS:

Cosmic Wheels available on iTunes
Donovan's 1973 album Cosmic Wheels has just been published today in digital format, available to download from the iTunes store. This is the third release of Donovan's 70's archive.
At the beginning of the 1970's glam rock ruled the musical scene in the UK, with T. Rex, Alice Cooper and David Bowie at the top of the charts. Some of them said Donovan was a major influence in their music. These circumstances probably marked the direction Cosmic Wheels would have. Donovan's wife, Linda, was very interested in astrology at that time and was a big influence on this album.
The cover design was credited to John Kosh and Donovan, and Tony Evans took the front photo. Inside there's a copy of The Flammarion woodcut (an anonymous wood engraving) with the note "Get your cosmic crayons, kids and colour in" and a round poster of Donovan with spots of star-shaped lights over his naked torso.
The album Cosmic Wheels can be downloaded here.

Image © 2010 Lightbox Designs

MISCELLANEA:

added 5 memorabilia cards

August 12, 2010 updates

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 17:39:08 GMT

NEWS:

Sapphographs exhibition in Dublin
From October 1st, Donovan's Saphographs will be exhibited in Dublin at Sol Art Gallery on Dawson Street. As usual, the exhibition is organized in conjunction with Govinda Gallery. It will be a great oportunity to submerge on Donovan's art, as he will be playing a few days later, on October 6th, at the Olympia Theater in Dublin.

MUSIC:

added single reissue:
· Love Is Only Feeling (Italy) (thanks to Matteo Schiavi!

MISCELLANEA:

added new Ade Macrow article: His Melancholic Ship
added sheet music (thanks to Ade Macrow!):
· Jennifer Juniper
· Barabajagal
· Atlantis

TOUR:

added 1998 tour calendar
added concert:
· 15/03/1998: Palacisalfa, Rome, Italy
added concert set list::
· 01/08/1990: Euritmia Club, Rome, Italy
(thanks to Andrea Mecacci for the concerts info!)

August 5, 2010 updates

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 11:24:44 GMT

NEWS:

HMS Donovan available on iTunes
Donovan's 1971 album HMS Donovan has just been published today in digital format, available to download from the iTunes store. This is the second release of Donovan's 70's archive.
The first ideas for this album can be heard on January 1969's Post Card sessions, when Donovan was with Mary Hopkins and Paul McCartney at Abbey Road studios in London. There we can already find The Unicorn, Mr. Wind and parts of The Walrus And The Carpenter. In fact, HMS Donovan was recorded before Open Road in the same studio (Morgan Studios) but was rejected by CBS and released by Dawn after Open Road.
The artwork of the album was created by John Byrne, aka Patrick, who also animated a cartoon movie called Old Fashioned Picture Book, inspired by HMS Donovan and including songs from this album. Only a short length pilot was made and the full film never was finished. More info about this project here.

The album HMS Donovan can be downloaded here.
We will be posting dates and information of next releases as we know them.

Image © 2010 Lightbox Designs

MISCELLANEA:

added tour book to memorabilia
· Barabajagal Tour Book (1969)

August 1, 2010 updates

Sun, 01 Aug 2010 09:46:48 GMT

NEW POLL:

What are your top 5 favourite Donovan songs? Vote here!
Results of July's poll of the month: Have you ever met Donovan?

VIDEO:

WATCH! Aliens from Spaceship Earth (1978) [Trailer]

This is a video made of extracts from Aliens from Spaceship Earth, narrated by Donovan. This clip includes Donovan's performances throughout the movie. More info about this documentary here.

added documentary
· Aliens from Spaceship Earth

July 30, 2010 updates

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:58:42 GMT

NEWS:

Donovan to headline Great British Folk Festival
It just has been announced that Donovan will be headlining The Great British Folk Festival, to be held at the Butlins Resort, Skegness, Lincolnshire, 3rd-6th December. Other artists appearing at the Festival are folk supergroup The Gathering (with current and/or former member of Lindisfarne, Steeleye Span, Jethro Tull, Fairport Convention and Magna Carta), Jiggery Pipery, Acoustic Strawbs, Oyster Band, Sandi Thom, Kate Rusby and more.
Tickets for the entire weekend can be purchased here at £64, including accommodation, access to most of the Resort facilities and live entertainment.

VIDEO:

WATCH! Donovan's intimate performance at the Crypt Gallery (26/06/2010)

Watch Donovan's intimate performance at The Crypt Gallery in London's St. Pancras Church, at the opening of an art exhibition called "Under the Moon", last June.

MISCELLANEA:

added press clipping
· 1965: Fairytale review (Norwegian magazine)

TOUR:

new concert date announced:
· 03-06/12/2010: Great British Folk Festival

July 27, 2010 updates

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:03:28 GMT

MISCELLANEA:

added new Ade Macrow article: My First Donovan Gig(s)
added sheet music:
· Lovely Day
· There's A Shape In The Sky

added 5 memorabilia cards

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:49:26 GMT

NEWS:

Open Road available on iTunes
Donovan's 1970 cult album Open Road has just been published in digital format, available to download from the iTunes store. As announced before, today starts the releasing of Donovan's 70's archive, with all his official albums and more. Each album from this decade will be published every two weeks until Winter 2010.
The album Open Road can be downloaded here.
We will be posting dates and information of next releases as we know them.

Image © 2010 Lightbox Designs

MUSIC:

added VHS cover for The Pied Piper (thanks to Ade Macrow!)

added songs:
· Watching The Sun Go Down
· Moon Over Clare
· Glasgow Town
· The Ferryman's Daughter (Celtia version)
· Ghost Of Pagan Song
· Where Are You Now
· Living On Love
· Madrigalinda (Celtia version)
· Lake Isle Of Innisfree
· I Love You
· Wahine
· Down By The Harbour
· Against Your Will
· Rock Me
· Lover O Lover (Celtia version)
· Awakening Year
· Everlasting Sea (Celtia version)

TOUR:

added concert:
· 30/05/2008: Carroponte, Milan, Italy

July 17, 2010 updates

Sat, 17 Jul 2010 09:33:38 GMT

NEWS:

The Donovan Archive: 70's albums released
Donovan has just announced the release of his 70's albums as part of his "digital strategy": The Donovan Archive (which started in 2004 with the release of the album of demos Sixty Four by Donovan Discs) will continue as digital download with all his albums from the 1970 decade, Open Road being the first of them. A less-known era in Donovan's career but with magnificent recordings will be published by Donovan Discs and available to download from July 22, with a new album every two weeks, until Winter 2010. Bearing in mind that Donovan released 8 official albums in this era, the 70's Archive will probably include rare and previously unpublished recordings.
We will be posting dates and information of each release soon.

TOUR:

new concert date announced:
· 06/10/2010: Olympia Theatre, Dublin, Ireland (tickets here)

July 14, 2010 updates

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:41:57 GMT

MUSIC:

added bootleg:
· Celtia

VIDEO:

added 1990's TV shows:
· Scoop (with Sam and Dorothy)
· Session (French TV)
· Pamela Wallin Live
· Star Secret
added 2000's TV shows:
· Interview in Glasgow
· Almanac
· French TV (2005)

MISCELLANEA:

added new section "Memorabilia":
· Postcards (5 new items from the Paul-Juju-Friend Collection)

July 7, 2010 updates

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 18:12:37 GMT

NEWS:

Donovan & John Illsley on stage
Last Friday the 2nd of July, Donovan joined John Illsley (Dire Straits) on stage at a charity concert for David Wynne's statues of the Beatles, in Stowe, England. Under the name of "The Summer of Love", this concert was only announced through Stowe's website. We're very sorry we didn't learn about it before, since many fans around the area would have loved to attend. More information about the concert here.

MISCELLANEA:

added book about Donovan:
· Life Goes On: Collecting Donovan on Epic Records (by Ade Macrow)
added book mentioning Donovan:
· Beatles Undercover (by Kristofer Engelhardt)
added press clipping:
· 17/07/1965: Question: True or False (Fabulous magazine)

TOUR:

added concert:
· 02/07/2010: The Summer of Love, Stowe, England, UK

July 2, 2010 updates

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 20:22:27 GMT

VIDEO:

WATCH! Donovan's Master Class at SapphoFest 2010 (06/06/2010)

Watch Donovan's interesting (and unscheduled) Master Class at SapphoFest 2010, in Nafplio. See Chris Murray's article here and pictures here. Video from Govinda Gallery blog.

MISCELLANEA:

added articles by Chris Murray:
· Final highlights from SapphoFest 2010: Donovan's Master Class
· SapphoFest 2010 Moves to Nafplio with Donovan & Scholars

added pictures in SapphoFest 2010 album.

July 1, 2010 updates

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 15:07:57 GMT

New Poll:

Have you ever met Donovan? Vote here!
Results of June's poll of the month: Which Donovan album has the best cover?

MISCELLANEA:

added paintings & drawings made by Donovan:
· Donovan in Concert drum (from the Paul-Juju-Friend Collection)
added press clipping:
· 1965: Folk is just another name for People (Rave magazine)

June 29, 2010 updates

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 21:19:38 GMT

NEWS:

BBC Radio 4: Donovan talks about eden ahbez
BBC Radio 4 aired today a 30 minutes documentary about eden ahbez, an eccentric, pioneering hippy known for just one song, Nature Boy. Donovan talks around minute 21:45 about his meeting with this incredible character and how this song influenced his musical career. You can listen to the documentary, "A Strange, Enchanted Boy" on BBC Radio 4 website.

Donovan at The Crypt Gallery, London
Last Saturday the 26th, The Crypt Gallery in London's St. Pancras Church was proud to present Donovan at the opening of an art exhibition called "Under the Moon". One of the artists presenting their work there was Carol Lawrence, Donovan's sister-in-law. Donovan played three songs for the opening, Mellow Yellow amongst them. Here's a little video about the exhibition. The opening was very exclusive so if anyone was able to attend to this event, we would really appreciate any information.

VIDEO:

WATCH! There Is A Mountain with Sergio Mendes (09/11/1968)
Watch Donovan's awesome performance of There Is A Mountain with Sergio Mendes at The Hollywood Palace TV Show. More info about this show here.

TOUR:

added concert:
· 26/06/2010: The Crypt Gallery, London, England, UK

June 28, 2010 updates

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 18:02:56 GMT

MISCELLANEA:

added paintings & drawings made by Donovan to the graphic art section:
· Iguana Dancing (from the Paul-Juju-Friend Collection)
· Mellow Blue (from the Paul-Juju-Friend Collection)

June 24, 2010 updates

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 18:43:56 GMT

MISCELLANEA:

added article:
· Donovan's Sapphographs at SapphoFest 2010 (by Chris Murray)
added press clipping:
· 1965/04/03: The honest truth (Disc Weekly)

added picture album:
· SapphoFest 2010, Athens

DONOFAN:

listen to Pete Rimmer Donovan covers (thanks for sharing, Pete!)

June 19, 2010 updates

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 20:39:06 GMT

MUSIC:

Greatest Hits Live in Vancouver 1986 relocated in Bootlegs (thanks to Ade Macrow!)
added VHS cover for The Pied Piper (thanks to Pete Rimmer!)

MISCELLANEA:

added press clipping (thanks to Pete Rimmer!:
· 1966/01: Donovan In 3D (TV Times)

DONOFAN:

listen to Jimmy Stanley Donovan covers (thanks for sharing Jimmy!)

June 14, 2010 updates

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 12:39:06 GMT

MISCELLANEA:

added new Ade Macrow article: The Sonnets Of Donovan
added fanzines:
· Donovan ...the magazine (3 issues)

added press clipping:
· 1965/06/12: Blind Date: Donovan

June 10, 2010 updates

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 16:51:29 GMT

VIDEO:

WATCH! I Was Born In Portland Town (Derroll Adams documentary)
Patrick Ferryn's documentary about the life of banjoman Derroll Adams. Donovan talks about the origins of Epistle To Derroll and his relation with Derroll. More info about this documentary here.

added documentary:
· 2005: I Was Born In Portland Town

MISCELLANEA:

added press clipping:
· 1967/02/18: Donovan digs the beautiful things (by Julie Felix)

added sheet music:
· 1973: Brother Sun Sister Moon
· 1973: The Pied Piper

June 6, 2010 updates

Sat, 05 Jun 2010 20:00:37 GMT

VIDEO:

WATCH! Andy's Love Concert
Donovan performance at Andy's Love Concert, aired on March 19, 1969. This is a must-see!

WATCH! Donovan sings Be Mine at SapphoFest opening
Donovan presented his Sapphographs exhibition at the SapphoFest in Athens with a brief talk and a performance of his song Be Mine.

added 90's TV shows:
· 16/01/1993: The Trouble With The 60's
· 11/05/1995: Anderson On The Box
· 1997: Kelly

MISCELLANEA:

added songbooks:
· Donovan Greatest (1975)
· Donovan Song & Photograph Book (Japan, date uncertain)

June 1, 2010 updates

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 12:14:10 GMT

New Poll:

Which Donovan album has the best cover? Vote here!

VIDEO:

WATCH! Donovan at Calma Estudis recording Mother Nature's Son
Donovan was this week (24-29 May) at Calma Estudis (Mallorca, Spain) working with producer Josep Umbria and recording a song for a forthcoming Paul McCartney tribute album.

MISCELLANEA:

added new Ade Macrow article: I Like You
added more books related to Donovan:
· The Wine's Just Fine: Donovan on Janus Records by Ade Macrow
· Moving Mountains by Lucy D'Mot

TOUR:

added concert:
· 31/05/2010: Evolution Festival, Newcastle, England, UK

May 29, 2010 updates

Sat, 29 May 2010 10:06:02 GMT

NEWS:

New Festival date: St. Ives September Festival

MISCELLANEA:

added books:
· Knights Of The Road: the adventures of Gypsy Dave and Donovan by Gypsy Dave
· Brave New World: collecting Donovan on RAK Records by Ade Macrow
· Pye Do You Treat Me Like You Do: collecting Donovan on Pye Records (1: Singles & EPs) by Ade Macrow
· Fain Would I Hear Lore, Legends and Magic: collecting Donovan on Dawn Records by Ade Macrow

TOUR:

added new upcoming concerts:
· 16/09/2010: St. Ives September Festival

May 27, 2010 updates

Thu, 27 May 2010 11:05:52 GMT

NEWS:

Donovan's activities at Calma Estudis
Govinda Gallery Sapphographs online catalog
Two more concert dates announced

TOUR:

added new upcoming concerts:
· 21/08/2010: Rhythm Festival, Bedford, England
· 09/09/2010: De Roma folk club, Antwerp, Belgium

May 26, 2010 updates (expanded)

Wed, 26 May 2010 19:08:09 GMT

VIDEO:

WATCH! The Tenth Muse (Donovan's Sapphographs)
3D multi-media installation based on Donovan's Sapphographs, created by Revolver (an art installation team) to celebrate Donovan's exhibition of Sapphographs at the Hellenic American Union in Athens.

MISCELLANEA:

added new section ARTICLES:
· The 'Magic Fox' Cosmic Wheels Film (by Ade Macrow)

May 26, 2010 updates

Wed, 26 May 2010 10:06:31 GMT

VIDEO:

WATCH! NME Poll Winners Concert (London, April 11, 1965)

MISCELLANEA:

added picture album:
· Barabajagal PR launch party (September 1969)

May 21, 2010 updates

Fri, 21 May 2010 17:01:26 GMT

VIDEO:

WATCH! Live at L'Olympia (Paris, November 16, 1970)

MISCELLANEA:

added Donovan's Friends fanzines

TOUR:

added concerts:
· 04/02/1967: Saturday Club, London, England, UK
· 24/04/1967: The Saville Theatre, London, England, UK
· 25/04/1967: The Saville Theatre, London, England, UK
· 26/04/1967: The Saville Theatre, London, England, UK
· 27/04/1967: The Saville Theatre, London, England, UK
· 28/04/1967: The Saville Theatre, London, England, UK
· 29/04/1967: The Saville Theatre (2 shows), London, England, UK
· 13/08/1967: 7th National Jazz and Blues Festival, Windsor, England, UK
· 22/09/1967: The Cow Palace, San Francisco, CA, USA
· 23/11/1967: The Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, CA, USA
· 24/11/1967: Winterland Auditorium, San Francisco, CA, USA
· 25/11/1967: Winterland Auditorium, San Francisco, CA, USA

May 18, 2010 updates

Tue, 18 May 2010 18:42:53 GMT

MUSIC:

added cover:
· Season Of The Witch by Pandamonium

VIDEO:

WATCH! Donovan talking about summer of '66 in Greece

MISCELLANEA:

added books about Donovan:
· Truth Is Molten by Tom Grierson
· Barabajournal: A Donovan Miscellany by Ade Macrow
· Open Tome: A Donovan Anthology by Rolf Goodwin
· As I Recall It: The Life & Music Of Donovan by Tom Grierson

TOUR:

added concerts:
· 30/01/1966: The Marquee Club, London, England, UK
· 24/03/1966: The Trip, Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA, USA
· 25/03/1966: The Trip, Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA, USA
· 26/03/1966: The Trip, Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA, USA
· 27/03/1966: The Trip, Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA, USA
· 28/03/1966: The Trip, Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA, USA
· 29/03/1966: The Trip, Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA, USA
· 30/03/1966: The Trip, Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA, USA
· 31/03/1966: The Trip, Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA, USA
· 01/04/1966: The Trip, Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA, USA
· 02/04/1966: Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA, USA
· 02/04/1966: The Trip, Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA, USA
· 15/01/1967: Royal Albert Hall, London, England, UK

May 13, 2010 updates

Thu, 13 May 2010 19:51:10 GMT

MUSIC:

added soundtracks:
· Poor Cow
· If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium
added songs:
· Be Not Too Hard
· If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium
· Lord Of The Reedy River (film version)
· Poor Cow (film version)
added cover:
· Catch The Wind by Crowded House

VIDEO:

WATCH! The Magic Fox Film

MISCELLANEA:

added picture albums:
· Brother Sun Sister Moon (1972)
· The Pied Piper (1972)

May 9, 2010 updates

Sun, 09 May 2010 20:01:10 GMT

NEWS:

Donovan's birthday features on UIC Radio

MUSIC:

updated album:
· Musicians in Barabajagal

VIDEO:

WATCH! BBC Concert 1972

MISCELLANEA:

added picture album:
· Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), London 1965

TOUR:

added 1973 tour calendar
added 1975 tour calendar
added 2005 tour calendar
added concerts:
· 15/06/1973: Berkeley Community Theatre, Berkeley, California, USA
· 29/04/1975: Rosengarten Mannheim, Mozartsaal, Germany
· 09/06/2005: Oxford Town Hall, Oxford, UK

DONOFAN:

added concert tickets:
· NME Poll Winners All-Star Concert, London, UK (1965)
· Berkeley Community Theatre, Berkeley, California, USA (1973)
· Rosengarten Mannheim, Mozartsaal, Germany (1975)
· Oxford Town Hall, Oxford, UK (2005)

May 5, 2010 updates

Wed, 05 May 2010 20:52:32 GMT

NEWS

· Ken Loach uploads Poor Cow on YouTube
British filmmaker Ken Loach (Warwickshire, 1936), master of social realism, is uploading his filmography for free on YouTube. At the moment are available movies like Ae Fond Kiss, Hidden Agenda, Cathy Come Home, The Navigators, Riff-Raff, Kes and Poor Cow.
Donovan composed part of the soundtrack for Loach's movie Poor Cow, including Be Not Too Hard and a different version of his song Poor Cow. Actor Terence Stamp sings a version of Donovan's song Colours in the movie.
Watch the movie here.

MISCELLANEA:

added picture album:
· Newport Folk Festival (1965)

May 3, 2010 updates

Mon, 03 May 2010 08:45:15 GMT

NEW!

Poll of the Month: What's your favorite Donovan studio album? VOTE HERE!
Take a look at the FLICKR SLIDESHOW we added!

MISCELLANEA:

added picture album (thanks to Trevor Tapscott):
· Donovan with Julie Felix at Oxford Town Hall (2005)

April 30, 2010 updates

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 11:44:40 GMT

MISCELLANEA:

added press clipping (thanks to Massimo Cavezzali):
· Molto successo per una breve tournée (1970)

MUSIC:

updated soundtrack information and images:
· Brother Sun Sister Moon
· The Pied Piper
updated albums (thanks to Steve):
· Musicians in One Night In Time
· Musicians in Mellow Yellow
added covers (thanks to Steve):
· Colours by George Washington Brown (Van Dyke Parks)
· Museum by Herman's Hermits
· Skip-A-Long Sam by The Sugar Shoppe
· Sunshine Superman by Willie Bobo
· Sunshine Superman by Big Jim Sullivan
· The Fat Angel (as Translove Airways) by Big Jim Sullivan
· Hampstead Incident by Ayatollah
· Mad John's Escape by Julie Felix
· Widow With Shawl (A Portrait) (as Widow On The Shore) by Julie Felix
· The Most Of What Is Least by Marianne Faithfull
· Walkin' by C.S.S.
· You Just Gotta Know My Mind by The Hummingbirds
· Happiness Runs (as The Pebble And The Man) by Bridget St. John
also added in covers:
· The Most Of What Is Least by Chas McDevitt
· You Just Gotta Know My Mind by Dana Gillespie
· You Just Gotta Know My Mind by Karen Verros
· Get Thy Bearings (sample) by Lily Allen (thanks to Ute)
added songs in Mentioning Donovan (thanks to Sara):
· Dental Hygiene Dilemma by Frank Zappa
· The Blue Light by Frank Zappa
· We're Turning Again by Frank Zappa

April 25, 2010 updates

Sun, 25 Apr 2010 21:29:35 GMT

VIDEO:

WATCH A Boy Called Donovan!
We found A Boy Called Donovan documentary, a wonderful 1966 film which many people have been looking for, in the Russian YouTube. You can find more information about it in our Video section. Watch the three parts here!.

April 22, 2010 updates

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 20:17:21 GMT

DONOFAN:

New covers from The Kvester Melkk Quintet
We added more Donovan covers recorded by The Kvester Melkk Quintet, including two new covers that appeared in their recent album 11! Listen to all of them here.

April 20, 2010 updates

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 08:41:58 GMT

VIDEO:

WATCH! Donovan in Hyde Park 1969
added TV shows:
· The Marti Caine Show
· Gastank
· Good Morning Britain
· The Late Late Show
· Wogan
· Interview Dutch TV (unkown title)
· Ready Steady Go! 60's Special
· CBS This Morning
· German TV (unkown title)
· German TV (unkown title)
· German TV (unkown title)
· The Late Late Show

April 14, 2010 updates

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 21:41:58 GMT

NEWS:

· New single: I Am The Shaman
Today Donovan released a new single called I Am The Shaman, from his next and eagerly awaited album Ritual Groove. The song comes out on Donovan's label Donovan Discs, available only on the iTunes Store, and was produced by his friend David Lynch in his Hollywood music studio (as Donovan claimed in a previous interview on March 19th with Mike Ragogna for The Huffington Post).
The lyrics talk about Lorelei, a mythical goddess that appeared in the Clemens Brentano poem Zu Bacharach am Rheine in 1801. Lorelei is a 120 meters rock on the eastern bank of the Rhine in Germany. Strong currents and dangerous rocks by Lorelei have caused lots of boat accidents over the years. Those currents also create a murmuring sound that Lorelei echoes, as an amplifier (the name Lorelei literally mean "murmur rock" or "murmuring rock"). These sounds inspired tales and poems about an enchanted female who draws the attention of the sailors causing their ruin.
I Am The Shaman represents this myth submerging the listener into an enveloping atmosphere of echoes, distant sounds, background murmurs... all mixed with evocative melodies, semi-autobiographical lyrics, rhithmics guitars, and strong orchestation, leading to a very Lynchian chorus.
If this is a small piece of the Ritual Groove then we can't wait to hear the rest!
You can download the from iTunes.

MUSIC:

added single:
· I Am The Shaman
added song:
· I Am The Shaman

April 13, 2010 updates

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 21:22:55 GMT

NEWS:

· What's going to happen tomorrow?
Tomorrow Wednesday 14th, 2010 Donovan will announce something new. It's something to whet our appetite before the main course... stay alert!

· Check out Donovan's website links section...
We are now a little bit less "unofficial"!

· Donovan Unofficial on Facebook and Twitter
To make it easier to know everything around Donovan we are now publishing our news and updates through Facebook and Twitter. It was about time Donovan Unofficial joined the "new sixties"! Follow us!

April 9, 2010 updates

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 21:08:19 GMT

NEWS:

Exhibition of Donovan Sapphographs in Athens
A major exhibition of Donovan's Sapphographs will open on June 1st at the Hellenic American Union in Athens. The exhibition will show only twelve of the Sapphographs and is organized in collaboration with Harvard University's Center for Hellenic Studies and Govinda Gallery in Washington DC. The exhibition's curator is Christopher Murray who also was the curator of the Cavan County Museum exhibition, in Ireland. The art team Revolver will display a multimedia installation which will allow spectators to experience the Sapphographs in 3D. This exhibition is the centerpiece of the SapphoFest program going on June 1st and 2nd in Athens at the Hellenic American Union and June 4th, 5th and 6th in Nafplion at the Center for Hellenic Studies, which will include a series of lectures, poetry readings, dance and theatre performances.

April 5, 2010 updates

Mon, 05 Apr 2010 21:01:16 GMT

MUSIC:

updated album:
· Hurdy Gurdy Man (thanks to Steve Douglas!)
added covers (thanks to Steve Douglas and to Jimmy Stanley!):
· Celeste by Scott McKenzie.
· Colours by Joan Baez.
· Laleña by Trini Lopez.
· Mellow Yellow by Georgie Fame.
· Wear Your Love Like Heaven by Richie Havens.
· Young Girl Blues by Marianne Faithfull.
· Young Girl Blues by Julie Felix.
· Sand And Foam by Julie Felix.
· To Try For The Sun by Julie Felix.
· Museum by Noel Harrison.
· Poor Cow by Noel Harrison.
added song in Mentioning Donovan:
· Santa Monica Pier by Noel Harrison. (thanks to Steve Douglas!)

VIDEO:

WATCH! Donovan and Jack Maness
added TV shows:
· French TV (unkown title)
· Pop Rock
· A Plus
· Pebble Mill At One
· BBC Breakfast Time
· Good Morning Britain
· La Belle Vie (uncertain title)

April 3, 2010 updates

Sat, 03 Apr 2010 12:16:40 GMT

MUSIC:

updated song in Mentioning Donovan:
· Leitch On The Beach by Noel Harrison.
updated album:
· Musicians in A Gift From A Flower To A Garden.
updated singles:
· Musicians in Hurdy Gurdy Man.
· Musicians in Sunshine Superman.

VIDEO:

added NEW SECTION: WATCH!
added and updated TV shows:
· Colours on USA TV (NEW!)
· Shivaree (October 1965) (updated)
· Popside (updated)
· Rainbow Quest (updated)
· Tetes de Bois Tendres Annees (NEW!)
· The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (November 1968) (updated)
· Senza Rete (updated)
· Andy's Love Concert (NEW!)
· The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (updated)
· John Denver Show (updated)
· Echoes of the 60's (updated)

MISCELLANEA:

added picture album:
· Rishikesh, India (1968)

March 29, 2010 updates

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 18:48:27 GMT

NEWS:

· Donovan official supporter of London 60s Week
· Donovan & Alice Cooper's Billion Dollar Babies

MUSIC:

added covers:
· Catch The Wind (as Merry Gentle Pops) by The Barron Knights.
· Bert's Blues (as Good Guy) by Marianne Faithfull.
· Hampstead Incident (as In The Night Time) by Marianne Faithfull.
added song in Mentioning Donovan:
· Merry Gentle Pops by The Barron Knights.
Updated:
· Drummer in Laleña single.
· Musicians in Sunshine Superman album.
· Musicians in Pied Piper album.

MISCELLANEA:

added picture album:
· Donovan and Alice Cooper 1972

March 28, 2010 updates

Sun, 28 Mar 2010 21:41:21 GMT

MUSIC:

· Added musicians in Neutronica (thanks to Steve Douglas).
· Added Leitch On The Beach song in Mentioning Donovan (thanks to Jimmy Stanley).
· Updated trivia about The Lord Of The Rings in Jennifer Juniper single (thanks to Sara).
· Updated Soundtracks section.

MISCELLANEA:

added picture album:
· Donovan at The Marquee Club, 1964

DONOFAN:

added story:
· Craig Poletti's day with Donovan, March 26th, 2010
added pictures:
· Donovan and Craig Poletti
· Craig Poletti, Donovan and Robert Blakeley

March 26, 2010 updates

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 18:45:21 GMT

NEWS:

Donovan at El Rey, concert reviews
Check out these reviews of the David Lynch Foundation benefit concert in LA:
· soundpress.net
· The International Review of Music

[read more]

MUSIC:

· Added album: Beat Café
· Added lyrics to Beat Café songs.

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 22:39:40 GMT

NEWS:

Donovan's My Turn, The Sound LA
Yesterday Donovan was guest DJ on My Turn radio show, KSWD 100.3 The Sound LA. One hour of a mix of some of his songs plus other songs which were part of his life. The playlist was as follows... [read more]

March 20, 2010 updates (expanded)

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 20:50:07 GMT

NEWS:

Watch Donovan & Friends at El Rey online
You can watch yesterday's concert here!

March 20, 2010 updates

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 13:12:39 GMT

NEWS:

Donovan & Friends at El Rey Theatre (review)
Thanks to the live online streaming, provided by the DLF website, we could enjoy last night's concert in Los Angeles, the second that Donovan offers free on the Internet. The set list was rather unusual, with the well-known hits but also... [read our review here].

March 19, 2010 updates

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:08:07 GMT

NEWS:

Donovan to be guest DJ at The Sound LA radio
Donovan will be the guest DJ on My Turn show, next Sunday the 21st, on The Sound LA radio, KSWD 100.3. My Turn is a one-hour show where artists and personalities are the DJ's, picking their own music every Sunday evening. Recent guests include Beck, BB King, The Pretenders, Pau Gasol and many more. Listen to DJ Donovan next Sunday here.

March 19, 2010 updates

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:45:56 GMT

NEWS:

Interview at The Huffington Post
Mike Ragogna interviews Donovan today at The Huffington Post. Donovan announces two new recordings produced by David Lynch, one of them to be released this week on iTunes. He also talks about his old analog unknown material being transferred by FX, a London-based company. From Atlantis to Los Angeles' El Rey: A Conversation with Donovan is another interview about tonight's concert to benefit the Trascendental Meditation in Schools program and the David Lynch Foundation. Read the interview here.

Follow tonight's concert on DLF.TV's twitter
David Lynch Foundation Television will be tweeting from the concert here. Also, remember they are going to broadcast the concert through the DLF.TV website, streaming live at 9.30 PM PST (Pacific Standard Time, so if you are in West Europe, that's around 4:30-5:30 AM).

March 18, 2010 updates

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 01:28:14 GMT

NEWS:

· Donovan interview at K-Earth 101FM radio
Donovan was today on K-Earth 101FM radio, playing some tunes, talking about meditation and promoting the DLF concert he will be performing tomorrow in LA. Listen to the interview here:

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:59:59 GMT

NEWS:

· Gypsy Dave: The Interview (by A. Morris) Part 2
Gypsy talks about some very interesting subjects, like Donovan's film project of The Lord Of The Rings or Gypsy's relation with sculpture, his work, his years in Greece and his current school and artists retreat in Thailand. Is a must read! Read the second part of the interview here.

March 16, 2010 updates (expanded)

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:38:43 GMT

TOUR:

· Donovan at The Maverick Saloon: review by Teresa McNeil MacLean

"March 10th, 2010, 7:30 PM: for a couple of hours, Donovan mesmerized us in a small packed venue (The Maverick Saloon) in Santa Ynez, CA, filled mostly with Tales From the Tavern series ticket holders (I'd claimed my usual front row seat). Tickets sold out almost immediately, though I know some heard early on from friends who'd gotten the initial email, and drove in from LA, Ventura, and SLO Counties for the show (perhaps farther). The Tales audience is a very respectful listening audience. We listened and sang along when we couldn't help it, and when Donovan invited us to. Most of us knew most of the words to all the songs that weren't new, though there were a few sons & daughters there for whom all was new. A fun, wonderful evening, with autographs & conversations after. (Thank you Ron and Carole Ann Colone for setting this up, and Donovan for coming to our little valley!)."

March 16, 2010 updates

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:25:15 GMT

NEWS:

· Videos of Donovan at La Piscine Museum
These are two videos of Donovan's last concert, at La Piscine Museum, in France. Enjoy them!

· Win VIP passes for the DLF benefit concert
If you live in greater LA area and are 21 years of age or more you can win VIP passes for the DLF benefit concert: you will be transported by limousine to the concert and will have a meet and greet with Donovan after the event. Just enter Donovan official site and enter your e-mail to win the tickets. The concert will be presented by David Lynch himself.
Donovan's american son Donovan Leitch Jr. will be one of the special guests in this show. This will be the first time that Donovan and his children Astrella Celeste and Donovan Leitch Jr. appear in public together.

· Donovan and Astrella on Good Day LA
Today Donovan and his daughter Astrella visited Fox studios to appear on Good Day LA. Watch the video of the interview here.

· Donovan guests on Breakfast With The Beatles
Donovan was yesterday a special guest on Breakfast With The Beatles, a KLOS radio show hosted by Chris Carter, promoting the DLF benefit concert next friday. View the complete album of Donovan at this radio show here.

· Donovan in the studio with Matt Sorum
On Saturday 13th Donovan was in the studio with Matt Sorum (ex-drummer of The Cult and Guns N' Roses and drummer of Velvet Revolver) and his longtime partner Lanny Cordola. Donovan recorded some vocals for the song Hands Together, a benefit single for the people of Haiti. Slash plays guitar on this single. Sorum and Cordola, together as The Global Sound Lodge, will join Donovan on stage at the DLF benefit concert to play Atlantis. You can view the album of Donovan with Matt Sorum here.

MISCELLANEA:

added picture albums:
· Donovan & The Global Sound Lodge
· 'Breakfast With The Beatles' radio show

March 14, 2010 updates

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 10:49:30 GMT

NEWS:

· Special concert in Santa Ynez (CA)

TOUR:

added past concert:
· 10/03/2010: The Maverick Saloon, Santa Ynez, California

March 11, 2010 updates

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:35:34 GMT

NEWS:

· Gypsy Dave: The Interview (by Andrew Morris)

March 09, 2010 updates

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:13:17 GMT

NEWS:

· Off-ramp Special Podcast: Donovan In Concert

TOUR:

added upcoming concert:
· 2010/05/31: Evolution Festival, Newcastle, England

March 07, 2010 updates

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 18:08:09 GMT

NEWS:

· Kweevak Radio Interview

March 05, 2010 updates

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:05:40 GMT

NEWS:

· Donovan concert for DLF to be broadcasted

March 04, 2010 updates

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:17:15 GMT

MUSIC:

added album:
· Brother Sun Sister Moon
· added lyrics to Brother Sun Sister Moon songs

February 28, 2010 updates

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 21:09:36 GMT

DONOFAN:

added NEW SECTION:
· The Kvester Melkk Quintet covers!

February 27, 2010 updates

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 17:41:24 GMT

NEWS:

· Donovan at La Piscine Museum

MUSIC:

added album:
· Pied Piper
· added lyrics to Pied Piper songs

February 20, 2010 updates

Sat, 20 Feb 2010 21:23:16 GMT

NEWS:

· Donovan to headline benefit concert for DLF

TOUR:

added upcoming concert:
· 2010/03/19: DLF Benefit Concert, El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles

February 14, 2010 updates

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 19:55:36 GMT

MUSIC:

added album:
· Sutras

added lyrics to Sutras songs, plus:
· Newest Bath Guide
· Moira McCavendish
· Brother Sun, Sister Moon
· The Banks O' Doon

February 9, 2010 updates

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:36:50 GMT

NEWS:

New sections on Donovan official website

MUSIC:

added song to Mentioning Donovan:
· Fakin' It by Simon & Garfunkel (thanks to Toshiro)

TOUR:

added upcoming shows:
· 2010/02/26: La Cave Aux Poètes, Roubaix, France
· 2010/08/07: 11th Festival Du Bout Du Monde, France Bretagne
· 2010/09/05: 5th Moseley Folk Festival, Birmingham, England

February 4, 2010 updates

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:17:57 GMT

MUSIC:

added album:
· One Night In Time

added singles:
· Jennifer Juniper (1991)
· Universal Soldier (1991)
· Newest Bath Guide
· Please Don't Bend
· The Banks O' Doon

VIDEO:

added TV show:
· Chartshow, RTL TV

added concert:
· Rome Pop Festival

added other video:
· DLD10

MISCELLANEA:

added album transcription:
· What's Bin Did And What's Bin Hid

added press clippings:
· Nei sessanta e ritorno
· Donovan, quello scozzese d'Irlanda

added pictures album:
· Rome, Italy, 1980

TOUR:

added 1981 tour calendar
added 1982 tour calendar
added 1990 tour calendar
added concerts: (thanks to Massimo Cavezzali!)
· 1990/08/01: Euritmia Club, Rome
· 1982/01/29: Festival della Canzone Italiana, Sanremo
· 1981: Festival dell'Unità, Terni
· 1980/04: Live In Rome
· 1971/07/04: Cantagiro Festival, Lago Maggiore
· 1968/05/06: Rome Pop Festival