Track listing
- A1 Epistle to Dippy 3:10
- A2 Sunshine Superman 4:30
- A3 There Is a Mountain 2:38
- A4 Jennifer Juniper 2:40
- A5 Wear Your Love Like Heaven 2:24
- A6 Season of the Witch 4:46
- B1 Mellow Yellow 3:42
- B2 Colours 4:20
- B3 Hurdy Gurdy Man 3:18
- B4 Catch the Wind 5:04
- B5 Lalena 2:52
- Total length: 39:24
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22 Issues
- Release view [combined information for all issues]
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Donovan's Greatest Hits [p] 33 rpm, Gatefold
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Donovan's Greatest Hits 33 rpm, Gatefold
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Donovan's Greatest Hits 33 rpm
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Donovan's Greatest Hits 3¾ IPS
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Donovan's Greatest Hits 33 rpm
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Golden Highlights Vol. 10 33 rpm
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Donovan's Greatest Hits Bonus Tracks
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Donovan's Greatest Hits Bonus Tracks, Remastered
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Donovan's Greatest Hits Bonus Tracks, Digipak
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Donovan's Greatest Hits 180 gram, 33 rpm, Remastered
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Donovan's Greatest Hits 33 rpm, Gatefold
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37 Reviews
Donovan is a sometimes forgotten figure in today’s music world, but during the 1960s many ranked him second only to Bob Dylan in the pantheon of folk poets. His series of hit singles and successful albums made him a superstar during the second half of the decade
His mystical prose, for want of a better definition, and quiet music explored the gentle side of the violent sixties. His place in the upper echelon of folk artists and troubadours made him a 60s icon.
He released his Greatest Hits album during 1969 at the height of his popularity. It was the most successful album release of his career in the United States, reaching number four on the Billboard’s Pop Album Chart.
The original album gathered together 11 of his best known tracks including the number one hit “Sunshine Superman” and the number two “Mellow Yellow.” The CD reissue included such extra hits as “Atlantis,” “Barabajagal,” and “Riki Tiki Tavi.” The problem with some of the CDs was “Colours” and “Catch The Wind” were re-recorde; “Sunshine Superman” was a different length; and the sound was spotty in places, so beware. Despite these problems, the album remains the best short overview of his music and career.
His early, pre-superstar days are represented by “Colours,” “Josie,” and “Catch The Wind,” but for some unknown reason there was no “Universal Soldier.” These simple folk songs were part of his early career and have held up well down through the years.
The meat of the album was his psychedelic folk hits. “Sunshine Superman” was the perfect song for a summer day back in 1966, and Jimmy Page’s guitar work is often overlooked. Many have guessed at the meaning of “Mellow Yellow’s” lyrics, including the use of vibrators and smoking bananas, which added to the song’s charm. It had an addictive percussion, Paul McCartney’s backing vocal, and Donovan’s whispers, which made it memorable. “Epistle To Dippy” was actually a peace song if you sift through the psychedelic imagery. There really was a “Dippy” to whom the song was dedicated, and he survived his time in the service. “Jennifer Juniper” made use of such instruments as a flute, oboe, and bassoon. It was written for Jenny Boyd, sister of Patti, who married and divorced Eric Clapton and George Harrison.
One of the treats was the inclusion of “Season Of The Witch.” It was an album track on an album of singles and was one of the few true rock songs of his career. Al Kooper and Stephen Stills released a definitive 11-minute version on their Super Session album. Donovan’s original was simpler but it contains one of the best vocal performances of his career.
Some of the material may have aged a bit, but that’s OK. At its worst Greatest Hits was whimsical fun. At its best, it was well-produced, and contained creative music from a bygone era that is still worth a listen now and then.
His mystical prose, for want of a better definition, and quiet music explored the gentle side of the violent sixties. His place in the upper echelon of folk artists and troubadours made him a 60s icon.
He released his Greatest Hits album during 1969 at the height of his popularity. It was the most successful album release of his career in the United States, reaching number four on the Billboard’s Pop Album Chart.
The original album gathered together 11 of his best known tracks including the number one hit “Sunshine Superman” and the number two “Mellow Yellow.” The CD reissue included such extra hits as “Atlantis,” “Barabajagal,” and “Riki Tiki Tavi.” The problem with some of the CDs was “Colours” and “Catch The Wind” were re-recorde; “Sunshine Superman” was a different length; and the sound was spotty in places, so beware. Despite these problems, the album remains the best short overview of his music and career.
His early, pre-superstar days are represented by “Colours,” “Josie,” and “Catch The Wind,” but for some unknown reason there was no “Universal Soldier.” These simple folk songs were part of his early career and have held up well down through the years.
The meat of the album was his psychedelic folk hits. “Sunshine Superman” was the perfect song for a summer day back in 1966, and Jimmy Page’s guitar work is often overlooked. Many have guessed at the meaning of “Mellow Yellow’s” lyrics, including the use of vibrators and smoking bananas, which added to the song’s charm. It had an addictive percussion, Paul McCartney’s backing vocal, and Donovan’s whispers, which made it memorable. “Epistle To Dippy” was actually a peace song if you sift through the psychedelic imagery. There really was a “Dippy” to whom the song was dedicated, and he survived his time in the service. “Jennifer Juniper” made use of such instruments as a flute, oboe, and bassoon. It was written for Jenny Boyd, sister of Patti, who married and divorced Eric Clapton and George Harrison.
One of the treats was the inclusion of “Season Of The Witch.” It was an album track on an album of singles and was one of the few true rock songs of his career. Al Kooper and Stephen Stills released a definitive 11-minute version on their Super Session album. Donovan’s original was simpler but it contains one of the best vocal performances of his career.
Some of the material may have aged a bit, but that’s OK. At its worst Greatest Hits was whimsical fun. At its best, it was well-produced, and contained creative music from a bygone era that is still worth a listen now and then.
Published
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Donovan's Greatest Hits is the Psychadelic equivalent of a nuclear weapon, so much awesomeness in one album should be illegal. Donovan took his excellent songwriting compositions and covered them in burning, lambent, psychedelic washes of fantastic sound and made some really amazing songs. And this is the most complete chronicle of them. This album is a must own if for no other reason than pairing Season Of The Witch with Hurdy Gurdy man.
Published
EK 65730 CD (1999)
I have this album on old crusty garage sale vinyl so no extra tracks for me. In a way that’s not a bad thing, Donovan is one of those artists that you bust out once in a great while, listen to thirty-some minutes of his songs and say "Ahhh, this is so nice" before returning to the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Side one of this record couldn't be any better. It starts with two of Donovan's more swinging tunes, “Epistle to Dippy" and "Sunshine Superman", and moves into the psychedelic silliness of "There Is a Mountain" which I still can't figure out (is the mountain there or not?). "Jennifer Juniper" and "Wear Your Love Like Heaven" pour the sugary sweet pop melodies right out of the cane and make you think mushy thoughts like running through grassy fields at sunset with the one you love "Ahhhhhh". Side One wraps up with the folk rocking "Season of the Witch" which once again has nonsensical lyrics you can't help but sing along with. "Mellow Yellow" ,Mr.Leitch's weakest single in my opinion, opens side two and although it my be goofy and over played I still can't help but chuckle during the "E-lec-trical Banana" part. The classic pysch-pop gem "Hurdy Gurdy Man" is sandwich between two rather uneventful tracks ,"Colours" and "Catch the Wind", but the oh so pretty "Lalena" makes for a more than adequate album closer.
For those of you like myself who aren’t by any means Donovan fans but still respect and enjoy his music(the man could write a pop song like nobody's business) _Greatest Hits_ should be fairly efficient for your needs. As noted earlier the CD has extra tracks, but no crackle and pop that just sound so right on records such as this.
Side one of this record couldn't be any better. It starts with two of Donovan's more swinging tunes, “Epistle to Dippy" and "Sunshine Superman", and moves into the psychedelic silliness of "There Is a Mountain" which I still can't figure out (is the mountain there or not?). "Jennifer Juniper" and "Wear Your Love Like Heaven" pour the sugary sweet pop melodies right out of the cane and make you think mushy thoughts like running through grassy fields at sunset with the one you love "Ahhhhhh". Side One wraps up with the folk rocking "Season of the Witch" which once again has nonsensical lyrics you can't help but sing along with. "Mellow Yellow" ,Mr.Leitch's weakest single in my opinion, opens side two and although it my be goofy and over played I still can't help but chuckle during the "E-lec-trical Banana" part. The classic pysch-pop gem "Hurdy Gurdy Man" is sandwich between two rather uneventful tracks ,"Colours" and "Catch the Wind", but the oh so pretty "Lalena" makes for a more than adequate album closer.
For those of you like myself who aren’t by any means Donovan fans but still respect and enjoy his music(the man could write a pop song like nobody's business) _Greatest Hits_ should be fairly efficient for your needs. As noted earlier the CD has extra tracks, but no crackle and pop that just sound so right on records such as this.
Published
music that comes across just like donovan’s face on the album cover - painfully awkward not because of timid artistic genius, but because of general inability to function. i’m sorry but this man’s music is so unbelievably irritating and stupid to me. he’s like the anti nick drake
Published
So many classics on this Donovan best of, just look at the track listing. I already have the expanded version on CD which includes 'Barabajagal', great song, but I am happy to have the original 1969 on vinyl as well, the sound is fantastic. So many of the tracks are 5 out of 5, all together on one album, can't beat that.
Published
better version
Yea, gave this cd bonus version an extra star for a great booklet and "Barabajagal", Atlantis, (after that intro it gets real snappy). Heck, this album Is real good !Ya get 3/4 of Led Zeppelin on a song or two, And Beck on a song.
Published
EK 65730 CD (1999)
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Aw lookit Donovan's cute lil derpface on the cover. If there was ever an artist made for a greatest hits collection, it's him. Except I actually kinda like a couple of his albums, even though this is probably all that anybody needs of his.
Published
Donovan has been dismissed by many as derivative, a musician who more or less rode on Bob Dylan's coattails, forging a kind of second-rate success. There's a fair amount of truth to this accusation, though it also strikes me as a tad harsh; the same could be said about many great acts from this era (like The Byrds), and this argument—while basically true—doesn’t take into account just how good some of Donovan's music is. Sure, tracks like "Colours" and "Riki Tiki Tavi" are kind of dated and lame, but there's no denying the greatness of songs like "Hurdy Gurdy Man," "Season of the Witch," "Atlantis," "Wear Your Love Like Heaven," and "There Is a Mountain." Donovan may not have reinvented the wheel, but he made fun music that's always good for a spin, making him a flawed but likable performer and making this greatest hits collection highly enjoyable, if not essential.
Published
EK 65730 CD (1999)
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Catalog
20 May 2024
7 May 2024
18 Mar 2024
4 Mar 2024
28 Feb 2024
21 Feb 2024
31 Jan 2024
30 Jan 2024
30 Jan 2024
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A1
Epistle to Dippy
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A2
Sunshine Superman
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A3
There Is a Mountain
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A4
Jennifer Juniper
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A5
Wear Your Love Like Heaven
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A6
Season of the Witch
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B1
Mellow Yellow
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B2
Colours
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B3
Hurdy Gurdy Man
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B4
Catch the Wind
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B5
Lalena
25 Jan 2024
5 Jan 2024
1 Jan 2024
22 Dec 2023
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A1
Epistle to Dippy
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A2
Sunshine Superman
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A3
There Is a Mountain
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A4
Jennifer Juniper
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A5
Wear Your Love Like Heaven
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A6
Season of the Witch
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B1
Mellow Yellow
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B2
Colours
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B3
Hurdy Gurdy Man
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B4
Catch the Wind
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B5
Lalena
19 Dec 2023
15 Dec 2023