In 1973, Donovan toured extensively in connection with the release of the Cosmic Wheels album. He was especially popular in Japan, which was the source of one authorized live album, issued that year exclusively in that market. Cut at Budokan, comes from the tour accompanying the release of Cosmic Wheels. Apart from this Japanese live LP, and the earlier Epic live album from 1968, most concert recordings of Donovan date from the 1980s and 1990s. This set is the surest document of Donovan's appeal and shortcomings as a performer during his heyday, when he was selling millions of records. It is also of amazingly high quality -- the noises between songs lead one to suspect that the source is an audience tape.
As to the repertory, it's a fascinating amalgam of old and new, "Hurdy Gurdy Man" mixing with "Only the Blues," and other newer songs. Due to the fact that this is a solo acoustic show, one does get to hear these numbers stripped down to a solo guitar and voice, which essentially reinvents them for most listeners.
by Bruce Eder
1965 Donovan - Fairytale (2001 expanded deluxe edition)
Tracks
1. Hurdy Gurdy Man - 3:18
2. Only The Blues - 3:22
3. Sadness - 3:00
4. A Working Man - 3:08
5. Your Broken Heart - 3:41
6. Universal Soldier - 2:47
7. The Dignity Of Man - 4:46
8. Hey Gyp - 2:29
9. Tinker Tune - 2:49
10.Living From The Love Light - 2:54
11.Josie - 3:20
12.Sailing Homeward - 3:25
13.The Ferrymans Daughter - 2:37
14.Live Is Merry Go Round - 3:51
Music and Words by Donovan Leitch except Track #6 by Buffy Sainte-Marie
*Donovan Leitch - Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica
