Donovan - Donovan Greatest Hits Acoustic Live (14 tracks) +Album Reviews

Often better than the original versions

S. Sroczynski | Boston, MA United States | 04/22/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For this release, Donovan returns to the songs that made him famous. His voice sounds absolutely great here; even better than on some of the original releases in my opinion. All of the studio effects and fills are gone here, and on many songs that works to their advantage. Like Bob Dylan, I think Donovan often gets bogged down in schmaltzy over-production, and so a chance to hear the man by himself, with only an acoustic guitar and a harmonica, is a real treat. (Okay, there is a sax(!) solo at the end of Lalena). Highlights:Hurdy Gurdy Man - Extended here; Donovan tells a masterful story of him, 4 Beatles, 1 Beach Boy, and Mia Farrow in India. Also, he sings a new verse...written by George Harrison!Wear Your Love Like Heaven - Absolutely beautiful. Much better and more delightful than the studio version.Universal Soldier
To Susan On the West Coast Waiting - Donovan performs some very nice renditions of his anti-war material."

A really good live acoustic performance from Donovan

S. Sroczynski | 04/16/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Found in a second-hand CD store, this is an extremely well made album that contains some nice folk songs. Especially, "Jennifer Juniper", "Atlantis", "Catch the wind" and Buffy Sainte-Marie's "Universal Soldier" are great. We can really consider Donovan the British invasion's answer to the uncatchable Bob Dylan."

The Classics Live repackaged..

Ray Riddle | Winter Haven, FL | 03/15/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a collection of live songs, that was previously released as "The Classics Live". It has less songs than the original. The performances are really good, however, so unless you've already got the previous version, I highly recommend it."

This is a GEM... even if you have the songs on another CD!

J. Rilling Johnston | Cumberland, MD USA | 02/10/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was younger, and listening to Donovan in a different way back in the early seventies - so last month I pulled out a few old vinyls and enjoyed re-discovering Donovan. (I forgot how much I liked him.) I wanted to get some kind of "Greatest Hits" CD to re-discover his music without my albums' hisses and pops - and that's when I stumbled upon Donovan's "Acoustic Live" CD. I must tell you - IT IS A GEM of a recording. What a find!! If I liked Donovan before, I really like him now. Most of this CD is Donovan and a guitar - just as the title implies. The listener will appreciate not only the familiar music, but also the quality of his voice in this CD. Wow - I was pleasantly surprised. I thought he was good back in the 60s and 70s - but his acoustic renditions of these 14 classics (recorded live, I believe, in 1997) will have you not wanting to go back to the earlier versions. The psychedelic frills are gone, and we are left with a strong, melodic voice that enchants the listener. This CD has to be the best "accidental find" I've made in years - and you wouldn't have to be from the Woodstock-era to realize the same thing. "Acoustic Live" is easily worth its price. I could have paid double, and still felt I got my money's worth."

Just buy it!!! It's so cheap and so good!!

J. Rilling Johnston | 06/06/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"MTV has released numerous "unplugged" albums from artists which show their more accoustic/personal side. In many cases (ie, Neil Young, Nirvana, 10000 Maniacs, etc..) I prefer the MTV unplugged editions more than the studio releases by the same bands. This Donovan live album runs 47 minutes (I guess it's the same as "Classics Live" minus 4 tracks) and came out well before those MTV unplugged series. Oh but this is of the same quality. No bells and whistles here. Just Donovan sitting down in front of a small crowd (sounds like about 100 people) with his accoustic guitar reliving some old memories (I think this was a live performance in the mid 1980's???) of songs he did 20 years earlier. Alot of Donovan classics here sung with heart and soul and his accoustic guitar. On the beautiful "Lalena" you will hear an etheral flute and on "Young Girl Blues" you will hear a nice soft saxophone accompanying him. On the remaining tracks, just accoustic guitar and vocals!!! This cd is fabulous from start to finish and a must for any accoustic guitar fan and a must for any Donovan fans. You will hear his personal side here and it's as if he is singing in the same room to you and a few of your friends. This is great stuff. Cost is VERY cheap. Truth be known, this is much better than many $20 albums out there. This one is a no-brainer. Just go and buy it!!!"

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	Donovan Donovan - Greatest Hits: Acoustic Live Genres: Folk, International Music, Pop, Rock, Classic Rock Track Listings (14) - Disc #1 Jennifer Juniper Catch The Wind Hurdy Gurdy Man Sunshine Superman Sadness Universal Soldiers Cosmic Wheels Atlantis Wear Your Love Like Heaven To Susan On The West Coast Waiting Colours Young Girl Blues Stealing Lalena
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