Donovan - Essence To Essence (1973)

×

Donovan - Essence To Essence (1973)

Close

Donovan had the best of L.A. session help here, but his writing remained cosmic ("Operating Manual for Spaceship Earth" was the title of the lead-off track), and he seemed to have lost the knack for appealing whimsy that had floated his career thus far.

by William Ruhlmann, AMG

"Essence to Essence" is my favorite Donovan album. It was not his commercial blockbuster. However, it is the set that communicates great inner peace and a world vision of a loving planet; therefore, it is Donovan's most idealistic moment, his highest achievement. Only "Sailing Homeward" is usually represented in retrospective collections, yet there are three of his best songs here. The most exquisite is "There Is An Ocean," one of the deepest most meditative, exquisitely beautiful songs ever written. Donovan's acoustic guitar strums softly as Danny Thompson's bass fiddle communicates tones of darkness interplaying with the light, "Innocence in childhood false men misconstrue to be years of darkess spent in shade, denying childhood's vision of the God of Love so that Truth be turned about and untruth made." This is incredibly deep. With the turn of a phrase and the inflection of his guitar, Donovan communicates musically what theologians write volumes to replicate. The track is followed by the joyful and light "The Dignity of Man" with Donovan's vocals full of conviction and love, "Sing of proud black brother, sing of pale faced son, sing the joy of a mother; She's the Mother of Everyone." This is Donovan's great celebration of humanity as children of the Divine. The album closer "Sailing Homeward" is another gorgeous melody, deep & contemplative, making me think of the final voyage as we leave our Earth existence into the uncharted waters of the spirit horizon. The other tracks on the CD bop and bend like "Operating Manual for Spaceship Earth" with its cosmic advocacy for environmental friendliness. "Lazy Daze" is a carefree romp with that jovial lyric, "She's looking for a tan with a real sensitive man, burn her bra, simply rest her jeans." "Life Goes On," another of my favorites, has pulsing rhythm and a joyful chorus. "Yellow Star" is a cosmic spaceship track with Henry McCullough's electric guitar snaking through the melody. "Boy for Every Girl" and "Saint Valentine's Angel" are joyful tunes celebrating romantic love. "Life Is A Merry-Go-Round" is another wonderful classic Donovan melody with its simple but riveting message, "Make up your mind to be happy." With Donovan's new "Beat Cafe" recently released, this Master musician is still making essential music. "Essence to Essence" stands out for me as Donovan's most important album, his greatest message. Bravo!

By Lee Armstrong, amazon

×

Donovan - Essence To Essence (1973)

Close

×

Donovan - Essence To Essence (1973)

Close

×

Donovan - Essence To Essence (1973)

Close