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It doesn't matter if you're bored with the whole atmosphere and really prefer to listen to Nine Inch Nails, if you're even just moderately aware of the qualities required to put music together that might pass universally for "good music," you will acknowledge the presence of such qualities here, whether you continue listening or chuck the CD in the trash later. Never has an acoustic guitar sounded quite like this, seldom has Donovan sung with such modesty, without falsetto pyrotechnics overstating the fact that he had one of the better voices of the era. Melodic inventiveness at its peak, simplicity of chord progressions hiding small harmonic complexities, done with restraint and elegance, and great attention to the sound. With this album, Donovan cemented his independence, his enormous and original creativity, and his place in the Pantheon of superlative composers. No need to address the specific content or the hippie-days nostalgia, this has been done well and amply by previous reviewers. I'd merely like to say that, beyond those considerations, musically this is an album that is timeless. He had already made it clear earlier that the comparisons with Dylan were ridiculous, although the media, always starved for a jingoistic concept, would cling to this notion against all evidence pretty much for the rest of his career (including today, when the distinction between the two is as obvious as it could ever be).
Truly inspired, warm, happy and joyfilled, songs of love and innocence, the sand and sea, shells and lullabys.timeless and beautiful. However, the music and poetry transcends time; bridging the space between the pureland of infancy and the worldly wisdom of the 'grown-ups'. I bought these wonderful records originally, back in,I think,1971 as two separate vinyl LP's, titled 'Wear Your Love Like Heaven' and 'For Little Ones', and was overjoyed when I saw them available on one CD, the way they were first presented, boxed, just like a Gift. I've cherished them and tried to preserve them , but, as we all know, vinyl tends to be impermanent. I'm yet to hear "HMS.Dono.", but I know I'll love that one as well.
I guess it was the times. I used to have the boxed record set. I remembered this album differently. I still find it relaxing to listen to, which is why I bought it.
In content and structure this was a great album as the original record set, and the CD has brought it back. I'll make this short and sweet. Right up there with Dylan, The Beatles, PP&M, Simon and Garfunkel, Stone Poneys, and The Doors in defining "The Sixties."
I highly recommend the Hurdy Gurdy Man cd - my favorite Donovan song is the last - "Teas". Since my record player is long gone (but not the best albums), I decided to get this cd. Many of them stuck with me for all these years. I agree with other reviewers that these are exceptional, bringing the listener to a long forgotton sea shore on the British Isles. I got the single album of the first 10 songs around 1967-68. The songs are simple and pure and relaxing. I had never heard the last 10 songs, save for those that made it to greatest hits compilations.
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