Donovan
18 records available
Donovan
With acoustic guitar, harmonica and gentle vocals, the British songwriter shaped the transition from folk to psychedelic pop from the mid-1960s onwards. His recordings were often characterised by jazzy arrangements and influences from beat music. Collaboration with producers such as Mickie Most and the use of studio effects define the sound of his most well-known songs.
Donovan – Sound & Production Style
Donovan’s music moves between folk, pop and psychedelia, with early recordings often arranged minimally and later works featuring more complex sound structures. The production of the late 1960s brought electric guitar, sitar and organ to the fore, which is particularly evident on his albums with producer Mickie Most. Lyrics and instrumentation reflect the influence of the British folk scene and the experiments of London studios at the time.
Donovan on vinyl – the key releases
The early phase is documented by What's bin did and what's bin hid (12'' Vinyl Maxi), an example of his folk roots. With Josie/ Little Tin Soldier (7'' Vinyl) come two tracks that show the transition to more complex arrangements. Sunshine superman (7'' Vinyl) represents the psychedelic phase and the characteristic production of the late 1960s.
For listeners interested in British folk and psychedelic pop, these releases offer a representative overview of Donovan’s work.
- Genre: Folk, Psychedelic Pop
- Origin: United Kingdom
- Active: 1960s to 1970s
- Notable: Collaboration with producer Mickie Most, influence of the British folk scene
