last updated: 6th December 1999
compiled and maintained by John McIver
this file is (c) John McIver 1995-2000
please send any corrections/additions to
john@sabotage.demon.co.uk
r. - release date of original record
c. - date the record first charted
#xx - highest chart position
b/w X - X is the single's B-side
(M) - mono
(S) - stereo
1:
territory: U.K.
release date: September/October? 1967
label: Marble Arch Records
catalogue number(s):
duration: ???
producer(s): Eden-Stephens and Terry Kennedy
comment: compilation
re-issue: Germany; undated; Pye Records; 200 728-241
Side 1
The front cover is white with a photograph of Donovan dressed in a dirty green-black suit and ruffled shirt, holding a mike. Five of the songs are advertised on the front: Colours, Catch the Wind, Hey Gyp (Dig the Slowness), The Ballad of a Crystal Man and The War Drags on.
The back cover is also quite plain, with some notes - Donovan, undoubtedly the foremost folk singer in the - by an unknown author. If we believe the notes, then Donovan himself picked out the songs to be featured on the compilation.
The picture above shows the German re-issue. The original U.K. issue is the same picture but there is a Marble Arch logo in the top left hand corner, not a Pye Records logo as in the German case.
Errors
Yellow label with black text
Marble Arch logo
Record: MAL 718
Side 1: MAL 718-A
runout groove on my copy: MAL 718A-2 (with the 2 on top of a 1)
and F (with a triangle preceeding the F)
and AV (with the V underscored)
Side 2: MAL 718-B
runout groove on my copy: MAL 718B-2 and F
(with a triangle preceeding the F) and AC (with the C
backwards)
1:
territory: U.K.
release date: January/March? 1969
label: Marble Arch Records
catalogue number(s):
duration: ???
producer(s): Terry Kennedy and Eden-Stephens
comment: budget re-issue of Donovan's 2nd studio album with two less
tracks and new artwork
Side 1
The front cover is white with the `Donovan's head' logo in the centre and an attempt has been made to make the whole thing appear `psychedelic' by painting vaguely pastel bubbles around his head, with Don's hair a tasteful purple. Four of the songs on the album are advertised on the front: Jersey Thursday, Sunny Goodge Street, Candy Man and The Ballad of a Crystal Man.
The back cover is also white, with a track listing and advertising for other classy Marble Arch releases: Sock it to me! The Now Generation, New Year's Chartbusters and the re-issue of What's Bin Did and What's Bin Hid, with a picture of each album.
The actual re-issue is a poor effort indeed. The track listing is the same as the original U.K. issue, but lacking Colours and The Little Tin Soldier.
Pascal Martinet: "Very confusing about dates. The label carries the mention 1965 (?), the back cover 1969 and the album is usually given as a 1968 release. Missing from the original UK release Colours and The Little Tin Soldier. Splendid psychedelic artwork of the sleeve unfortunately unsigned."
Errors
Yellow label with black text
Marble Arch Records logo
Record: MAL 867
Side 1: MAL 867-A
runout groove on my copy: MAL 867A-2 *T and
P and 1 (with the previous two diametrically opposite
each other) and KT and 1 (with the
previous two almost diametrically opposite each other)
Side 2: MAL 867-B
runout groove on my copy: MAL 867B-2 *T and
S and 1 (with the previous two diametrically opposite
each other) and KT
Discrepancies
1:
1:
1:
territory: U.K. (and Canada?)
release date: November/December? 1971
label: Golden Hour
catalogue number(s):
duration: ???
producer(s): Terry Kennedy and Eden-Stephens ???
comment: compilation
Side 1
Commentary
The front cover is a nice art jigsaw picture of Donovan's head emerging from the countryside with a bizarre textured layer and smooth strips arranged in a circular manner like the rays of a central sun.
The back cover has some liner notes - Piece together the Donovan story and you have something unique - and little pictures of other releases in the series. Donovan seems a bit out of place amongst the mostly classical works.
Errors
Yellow/black halved label with black text
Golden Hour logo
Record: GH 506
Side 1: GH 506-A
matrix number on my copy: GH 506 A-3(diamond)6
Side 2: GH 506-B
matrix number on my copy: GH 506 - B-6(triangle superscript)X
Discrepancies
territory: U.K.
release date: June/December? 1972
label: Hallmark Records
catalogue number(s):
duration: ???
producer(s): Terry Kennedy and Eden-Stephens ???
comment: compilation
Side 1
The front cover is large photograph of Donovan's head. The back has some cheesy liner notes - He began as a minstrel whose lyrical magic captured quickly the imagination of the young.
Errors
Blue grey label
Hallmark logo
Record: HMA 241
Side 1: HMA 241-Side 1
matrix number on my copy: HMA 241 A-1 (triangle)6 (with the 241
under what looks like 241 crossed out)
Side 2: HMA 241-Side 2
matrix number on my copy: HMA 241 B-1 (triangle)6
Discrepancies
Record One
1:
1:
Notably missing are Mellow Yellow, Jennifer Juniper, There Is A Mountain, Epistle To Dippy and Season of The Witch. A Gift From A Flower To A Garden is heavily represented, with five songs, and there are four from Sunshine Superman.
A:
The cover with the big writing is from the re-issue.
A re-issue of H.M.S. Donovan, Greatest Hits and Open Road in a 4-LP box set.
1:
territory: Holland ???
release date: 1974 ???
label: Epic Records
catalogue number(s):
duration: ???
producer(s): Mickie Most
comment: also reported as [German - 1971 - Epic BN 26 277]
Side 1
Commentary
The front cover has a picture of Donovan sitting down on an orange seat with his guitar, sporting some shades and a `eh?' look on his face. In front of him is a weird drawing.
The photograph has been colour treated to make Don an attractive purple. The top of the LP has the title, `This is Donovan' in raised blue with yellow text.
Opening the gatefold, on the left is a black and white picture of Donovan in his earlier days, singing into a microphone. Opposite this are eight LP covers, also in black and white: Sunshine Superman, Mellow Yellow, Open Road, Wear Your Love Like Heaven, For Little Ones, Donovan in Concert, The Hurdy Gurdy Man and Barabajagal. There's a list of catalogue numbers to accompany the pictures.
The back cover is a colour shot of Donovan standing with his hat over his chest, his keys dangling down from his trousers. In the background is a stoney white village and loads of flowers. The track listing appears at the bottom left hand corner.
Errors
Gatefold sleeve
Yellow label with black text
Epic Records logo
First record: EPC 66251
Side 1: EPC 66251-1
runout groove on my copy: P 1967 = 1969 (with the `P' in a
circle) and F70 and V (with a
square diamond preceeding the `V') and 27
and 0654 214 S1 and 26 276 S1
and 66251-A (scrawled)
Side 2: EPC 66251-2
runout groove on my copy: P 1967 = 1969 (with the `P' in a
circle) and F70 and V (with a
square diamond preceeding the `V') and 27
and 0654 214 S2 and 26 276 S2
and 66251-B (scrawled)
Second record: EPC 66251
Side 3: EPC 66251-3
runout groove on my copy: P 1967 = 1969 (with the `P' in a
circle) and F70 and V (with a
square diamond preceeding the `V') and 27
and 0654 215 S1 and 26277 S1
and 66251-C (scrawled)
Side 4: EPC 66251-4
runout groove on my copy: P 1967 = 1969 (with the `P' in a
circle) and F70 and V (with a
square diamond preceeding the `V') and 27
and 0654 215 S2 and 26277 S2
and 66251-D (scrawled)
A double record set of both the original U.S. albums The Hurdy Gurdy Man and Barabajagal.
A double record set of both the original U.S. albums Sunshine Superman
and Donovan In Concert.
1:
A:
1:
Record One
1:
1:
territory: U.K.
release date: February/December? 1983
label: Spot Records
catalogue number(s):
duration:
producer(s): Terry Kennedy and Eden-Stephens ???
comment: compilation
Side 1
The front cover is a picture of Donovan circa 1965 holding his guitar upright with the text `This machine kills' clearly showing. The writing is a tasteful orange.
The back cover has the track listing and some feeble notes - DONOVAN rose to fame in - by an unknown author.
Errors
Light and dark red label with black text
Spot Records logo
Record: SPR 8514
Side 1:
runout groove on my copy: A-7722 A-2 and O2O
(scrawled) and Made in Germany
Side 2:
runout groove on my copy: A-7722 B-1 and O2O
(scrawled) and Made in Germany
territory: U.K.
release date: April 1986
label: Showcase
catalogue number(s):
duration: ???
producer(s): Terry Kennedy and Eden-Stephens ???
comment: compilation
Side 1
Not a particularly exciting release. The front cover has a little photograph of Donovan and he looks well out of it. The same tasteful purple and dirty pink pattern adorns both front and back.
Errors
Grey label with black text
Showcase logo
Record: SHLP 133
Side 1: SHLP 133 A*
matrix number on my copy: SHLP-133-A
Side 2: SHLP 133 B*
matrix number on my copy: SHLP-133-B1
Discrepancies
Disc 1 {41:00}
Compiled, digitally remixed and remastered by Steve Hoffman
Remixing studio: PRT Studios, 40 Bryanston Street, London
Remastering studio: Future Disc Systems, Hollywood.
Barabajagal curiously omits the first guitar chord. Note: the last four songs are available on the CD only, and are not on the tape or LP release.
This has two (CD) releases. The first has a grey tray. The second has a clear tray and the words `THE EP COLLECTION' show through.
territory: U.K.
release date: December 1990/February 1991 ???
label: Castle Communications
catalogue number(s):
duration: 73:59 ???
producer(s):
comment: compilation
Track Listing
Disc 1 (71:33)
The live version of Universal Soldier is from Donovan Rising. The extra disc just contains selections from the 1968 album Donovan In Concert.
Disc 1 ()
The sound quality is very good - presumably due to the Super Bit Mapping whizz thing mastering job.
Basically - don't rush out to buy it but you don't need it need it. But it would make a good starter CD.
Disc 1