Name: The Hurdy Gurdy Man by Donovan
Brand: Donovan
SKU: 074642642027
Price: 9.9 USD
Availability: OnlineOnly
Rating: 2.5 (91 reviews)

ALBUM

Having Mickie Most as producer could be a double-edged sword. On The Hurdy Gurdy Man, his over-ambitious nature and scattershot production sense occasionally sabotaged Donovan's songs rather than emphasizing their strengths. (The credits shamelessly list "Produced by Mickie Most" and "A Mickie Most Production," right next to each other.) As with the last few LPs, the program began with the hit title track (one of Donovan's best singles), a dim, dark song balancing psychedelia with the heavier, earthier rock championed during 1968 by Dylan and the Beatles. Though the next two tracks -- an eerie, trance-like "Peregrine" and the endearing acoustic number "The Entertaining of a Shy Girl" -- are excellent performances, any sense of mood is soon shattered by a hopelessly overblown music-hall showtune, "As I Recall It." This terrible problem of pacing and song placement continually afflicts The Hurdy Gurdy Man, rendering ineffective many solid songs. As for the writing, Donovan certainly wasn't expanding his songbase; as usual, the album overflowed with playful songs on girls ("West Indian Lady," "Jennifer Juniper") and pastoral themes ("The River Song," "A Sunny Day," "The Sun Is a Very Magic Fellow"). Most of these featured more inventive, sympathetic accompaniment, combined with Donovan's usual spot-on delivery. Despite the great songs and (usually) solid performances, though, The Hurdy Gurdy Man is a very difficult listen. ~ John Bush

4. As I Recall It (Album Version)

by Donovan

Primary Artist: Donovan; Main Performer
Performer: Donovan; Performer
Composer: D. Leitch; Composer
Lyricist: D. Leitch; Composer
Producer: Mickie Most; Production

1. Hurdy Gurdy Man

by Donovan

Primary Artist: Donovan; Main Performer
Performer: Donovan; Performer
Composer: D. Leitch; Composer
Lyricist: D. Leitch; Composer
Producer: Mickie Most; Production

3. The Entertaining Of A Shy Girl (Album Version)

by Donovan

Primary Artist: Donovan; Main Performer
Performer: Donovan; Performer
Composer: D. Leitch; Composer
Lyricist: D. Leitch; Composer
Producer: Mickie Most; Production

9. The River Song (Album Version)

by Donovan

Primary Artist: Donovan; Main Performer
Performer: Donovan; Performer
Composer: D. Leitch; Composer
Lyricist: D. Leitch; Composer
Producer: Mickie Most; Production

8. Jennifer Juniper

by Donovan

Primary Artist: Donovan; Main Performer
Performer: Donovan; Performer
Composer: D. Leitch; Composer
Lyricist: D. Leitch; Composer
Producer: Mickie Most; Production

10. Tangier (Album Version)

by Donovan

Primary Artist: Donovan; Main Performer
Performer: Donovan; Performer
Composer: D. Leitch; Composer
Lyricist: D. Leitch; Composer
Producer: Mickie Most; Production

6. Hi It's Been A Long Time (Album Version)

by Donovan

Primary Artist: Donovan; Main Performer
Performer: Donovan; Performer
Composer: D. Leitch; Composer
Lyricist: D. Leitch; Composer
Producer: Mickie Most; Production

13. Teas (Album Version)

by Donovan

Primary Artist: Donovan; Main Performer
Performer: Donovan; Performer
Composer: D. Leitch; Composer
Lyricist: D. Leitch; Composer
Producer: Mickie Most; Production

11. A Sunny Day (Album Version)

by Donovan

Primary Artist: Donovan; Main Performer
Performer: Donovan; Performer
Arranger: John Cameron; Composer
Composer: D. Leitch; Composer
Lyricist: D. Leitch; Composer
Producer: Mickie Most; Production

12. The Sun Is A Very Magic Fellow (Album Version)

by Donovan

Primary Artist: Donovan; Main Performer
Performer: Donovan; Performer
Composer: D. Leitch; Composer
Lyricist: D. Leitch; Composer
Producer: Mickie Most; Production

7. West Indian Lady (Album Version)

by Donovan

Primary Artist: Donovan; Main Performer
Performer: Donovan; Performer
Composer: D. Leitch; Composer
Lyricist: D. Leitch; Composer
Producer: Mickie Most; Production

2. Peregrine (Album Version)

by Donovan

Primary Artist: Donovan; Main Performer
Performer: Donovan; Performer
Composer: D. Leitch; Composer
Lyricist: D. Leitch; Composer
Producer: Mickie Most; Production

5. Get Thy Bearings (Album Version)

by Donovan

Primary Artist: Donovan; Main Performer
Performer: Donovan; Performer
Vocals: Donovan; Performer
Composer: D. Leitch; Composer
Lyricist: D. Leitch; Composer
Producer: Mickie Most; Production

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

13 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

34 minutes and 20 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 1419x1419 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

All tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

10/13 tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Pop/Rock, Folk, Americana, Singer & Songwriter, Traditional Folk, Folk-Rock, Psychedelic, British Invasion, Singer-Songwriter, '60s Oldies, British Folk

Label

Epic

Music Distribution Service

Sony

Country

United States

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Sep 30, 1968

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

74642642027

Shopping cart

Notification

The Hurdy Gurdy Man

4. As I Recall It (Album Version)

1. Hurdy Gurdy Man

3. The Entertaining Of A Shy Girl (Album Version)

9. The River Song (Album Version)

8. Jennifer Juniper

10. Tangier (Album Version)

6. Hi It's Been A Long Time (Album Version)

13. Teas (Album Version)

11. A Sunny Day (Album Version)

12. The Sun Is A Very Magic Fellow (Album Version)

7. West Indian Lady (Album Version)

2. Peregrine (Album Version)

5. Get Thy Bearings (Album Version)

Technical Specifications

The Hurdy Gurdy Man

Product information

Release options

4. As I Recall It (Album Version)

1. Hurdy Gurdy Man

3. The Entertaining Of A Shy Girl (Album Version)

9. The River Song (Album Version)

8. Jennifer Juniper

10. Tangier (Album Version)

6. Hi It's Been A Long Time (Album Version)

13. Teas (Album Version)

11. A Sunny Day (Album Version)

12. The Sun Is A Very Magic Fellow (Album Version)

7. West Indian Lady (Album Version)

2. Peregrine (Album Version)

5. Get Thy Bearings (Album Version)

Technical Specifications