I had heard the title track before, but not the whole album. Really liked it. It's amazing what radio use to play until the late 80's when it went down the dumper. I had not heard the title track since then.

I have an import on Raven Records, "Love Is Hot...". Basically an expanded greatest hits album that covers a decade of his career. Unlike the domestic Epic album, it has the proper versions of "Colours" and "Universal Soldier" which originally were on Hickory Records out of Nashville. *EDIT* Here's a scan of the insert which lists the songs.

I have an import on Raven Records. Basically an expanded greatest hits album that covers a decade of his career. Unlike the domestic Epic album, it has the proper versions of "Colours" and "Universal Soldier" which originally were on Hickory Records out of Nashville.


Those Hickory releases were some of my favorites. I loved his versions Candy Man, Catch the wind and Jersey Thursday.

Great song, haven't heard the entire album though. Check out Steve Hillage's cover of it(you can find it on youtube), from his album "L", even better I think.

Donovan did some good tunes. The only album that I have is Catch the Wind and it's by Hallmark Records - a UK release. It has Catch the Wind, Candy Man and Universal Soldier amongst others. Good album.

They still occasionally play the Butthole Surfers' cover of it on the radio. I did recently hear the original in a movie soundtrack, can't remember the title but it had Robin Williams in it.

I did recently hear the original in a movie soundtrack, can't remember the title but it had Robin Williams in it.

Good Morning Vietnam ?

They still occasionally play the Butthole Surfers' cover of it on the radio. I did recently hear the original in a movie soundtrack, can't remember the title but it had Robin Williams in it.

Love the BHS cover of it. I believe it's on the Dumb and Dumber soundtrack.

The Donovan album 'The Hurdy Gurdy Man' was remastered by EMI in 2005 along with the other albums 'Sunshine Superman', 'Mellow Yellow' and 'Barabajagal' and are available as UK import cds.

These remastered cd's all include many bonus tracks and great sound.

The problem with commercial radio is the inflexibilty of playlists which dictate which artists and what songs get aired.

Well one more thing. Someone told me the other day that Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, and john Bonham were the session band on this album. I new Jones, and Page were session players before there Zep days but did not know they played on this. Maybe that's why it is excellent.

Read the posts...Just pulled Hurdy Gurdy Man lp out and it's spinning right now...does sound very fine. Thanks for the reminder.

Well one more thing. Someone told me the other day that Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, and john Bonham were the session band on this album. I new Jones, and Page were session players before there Zep days but did not know they played on this. Maybe that's why it is excellent.

Jeff Beck is on the album as well.

Dumont-First with the finest in television.:yes:

I got Donovan's Greatest Hits on CD on eBay. Brings back the memories. "Atlantis" was one of my favorites.

Hurdy Gurdy Man was recently featured on the Zodiac soundtrack. I believe it was the title track.

Read the posts...Just pulled Hurdy Gurdy Man lp out and it's spinning right now...does sound very fine. Thanks for the reminder.

I did. Where is there a mention of Bonham, Page, and Jones?
I did see a review on Amazon that mentioned their participation on the title track.

Hurdy Gurdy Man was recently featured on the Zodiac soundtrack. I believe it was the title track.

good flick. the song fit perfectly.

page is doing the guitar solo on HG Man

No, Page didn't do the solo. Bonham didn't play in it either. Jones did, and he arranged it.

From wiki:

The recording sessions for The Hurdy Gurdy Man are purported to have included future Led Zeppelin members Jimmy Page, and John Paul Jones. Jimmy Page was in The Yardbirds at the time and was actively looking to rebuild that band. There have been claims that John Bonham was present at the session for "Hurdy Gurdy Man", and that Led Zeppelin grew out of this.

According to songfacts.com, there is a lot of bad information about what musicians played on this. John Paul Jones, who became a member of Led Zeppelin, was the musical director, and many people thought Jimmy Page and John Bonham played on this as well. According to Clem Cattini, who really did play on this, here is the lineup:

Donovan - Acoustic Guitar
John Paul Jones - Arrangement, Musical Director and Bass Guitar
Alan Parker - Lead (electric) Guitar
Clem Cattini - Drums.
The session was produced by Mickie Most and engineered by Eddie Kramer. Says Cattini, "John Paul Jones told me this was recorded two years before he met John Bonham and he only ever used me on his sessions. In fact, we worked together in Lulu's band for two years. Also at the time I did a lot of work for Mickie Most who was the producer.

In interviews with Keith Altham for the NME (and Hit Parader) and Tony Wilson for Melody Maker [1] in 1968 Donovan explained he wrote "Hurdy Gurdy Man" as a gift for his friend and early guitar mentor Mac MacLeod.Donovan wanted Mac's band Hurdy Gurdy to record it. However, Donovan changed his mind of giving the song as gift and recorded the song himself and his version was a hit and the band never recorded the song. Donovan has stated in an interview with Little Steven Van Zandt that he had originally desired Jimi Hendrix to play on "Hurdy Gurdy Man," but as he was unavailable, he got Jimmy Page to play. Jimmy Page has often been credited as playing electric guitar on the track but Alan Parker has been named by Page, Jones and Cattini.


From Clem's Website: (http://www.coda-uk.co.uk/clem_cattini.htm#Hurdy)

Lets put this rumor to bed, and give the real musicians the credit they deserve.
-Derek:music: