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Anyone who came of age in the late nineteen sixties would remember and love this album. Great tunes and lyrics. Donovan is a poet.
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This album is one of the rarest gems I own. Donovan's discography is considerable and covers ground from American Hillbilly ala Dylan to Jazz; all transversely covered with a combination of classic minstrel and psychedelia. This album was originally released in it's present form, as a two disk set - one disk of electric 1968 psychedelic music and one European, Scottish minstrel folk music. It was then released as a single disc - containing only the acoustic songs. I am very happy to see it returned in it's intended original majestic form. The electric songs on this album have never grabbed me. Donovan is pure psychedelia; he's the authentic thing. He's what hippies and beatniks should of evolved into if they had had the potential - classic renaissance men who embody myths. But the production of this album can't hold up to psychedelia. It's too reel to reel and sounds like it was recorded during a vacation on the Isle of White. But the acoustic is pure magic. It is educational in the sense that it exposes the true roots of US folk - European poets with voices like larks who actually could read and write. I highly recommend this CD to anyone. However, turn up the volume while listening. The sound production would be considered bootleg in our present era. Still, it's worth whatever tweaking you have to go through. You won't find a true minstrel again for a long, long time.
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1968 was the year, when the double-album concept really was beginning to break though. The Beatles released their "White Album", Jimi Hendrix released "Electric Ladyland" and Donovan this album, which with a playing time of about sixty minutes today plays easily on a single CD.
The original album was divided into two records which thematically were meant be to different in their approach. First record, which was released in some countries as a single album titled "Wear Your Love Like Heaven", was a continuation of Donovan's "new" electric style with Mickey Most as his producer. When Donovan in like Dylan turned electric in 1966 with "Sunshine Superman" Most was his producer and their partnership continued throughout the sixties.
Though record one is mostly with drums and electric backing it's really not a rock-record. And apart from "Wear Your Love Like Heaven", "Mad John's Escape" and a few other tracks most songs would not stick out on record two which was more or less a return to the pure acoustic folk-style which Donovan had left in 1965. Record two "For Little Ones" could thematically seem like a childrens' album, and while some songs would work fine as childrens' songs others lyrically probably would not really work. Most, of course, is also credited as the producer of this record.
As a whole the double album is a very pleasant and mostly quiet album featuring simply arranged melodic tunes among which only few stand out.
On record one the before-mentioned "Wear Your Love Like Heaven" and "Mad John's Escape" are obvious favourites along with the quieter "Land of Doesn't Have to Be".
On record two it may be harder to bring forward particular songs, but "The Tinker and the Crab" and the beautiful closing track "Epistle to Derroll" are among my favourites.
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Reviewing a musical recording so many years after its initial release is a trip in itself. You have the benefit of some acquired wisdom, perhaps clearer insight into things in general, and you aslo have had time to see if you STILL like the recording. With regard to Donovan's GIFT....cd I can say I like it more today than I did years ago and I liked it a lot back then as well. But I have been a Donovan fan since SUNNY GOODGE STREET and COLOURS and CATCH THE WIND....
This CD is so much a concept album as is SGT. PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND and BEGGAR'S BANQUET. We all know the album was meant to be a homage to the Maharesh Yogi of Beatles fame. Be that as it may, I am not here to argue for or against Transcendental Meditation. However, I am here to say this album leaves me with a feeling of tranquility that is so much more satisfying than valium can ever be.
The songs all seem to celebrate the little things of life. The everyday things we do as part of our ritual of life: drinking tea with a friend; holding an infant in our arms; watching a child play in the sand at the beach. There are songs about the value of love in our life (WEAR YOUR LOVE LIKE HEAVEN, the one true hit from the release.) or (THERE WAS A TIME).
Another thing I like about this record is that Donovan chose 4 or 5 musicians (bass, drums, organ and some laid back electric guitar) to back up his voice and his acoustic. The level of the musicianship is tasteful and elegant. I especially like the melodic, though understated, organ work. And what's more, Donovan uses these players on almost every song giving the feeling of a true band ambience.
So, the next time you kick back at home on a cool Autumn day with the wind blowing blustery and quick and the silver lined clouds begin to dance in a azure-gold and lavender sky...put Donovan's GIFT cd into the disc player and celebrate the little things...and I would hope that not only Baby Boomers do so....we all could use a little "GIFT FROM A FLOWER......"
peace
Vince Lucie
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This album was introduced to me at 14 years old (I am 27). I feel like its melodies and lyrics actually helped to shape who I am. The songs on this album range from meaningful and delicate to quirky and hopping. Each song deserves equal credit for making this one of my all time favorite albums. A smile on your face, a tear in your eye, Donovan can bring out the feeling. A MUST HAVE!
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