Now Ye're Talking - To Legendary Musician Donovan!

Dav

We are honoured to have music legend Donovan on the site this week to answer your questions. He is playing Dublin Castle on Saturday - tickets are available here.

Templebar Tradfest wrote:

This folk-rock-pop troubadour exploded onto the scene in 1965 and went on to attain legendary status. This is a performer who can truly be regarded as a member of the British rock aristocracy. From folk to psychedelia through pop and back again, Donovan re-shaped the musical landscape with a rare individuality and utterly unique repertoire. His is an enviable back-catalogue that remains as relevant and vibrant today as any contemporary artist’s. Astonishingly, between 1966 and ’69 he racked up a string of eleven top-forty hits in a row. Songs such as ‘Jennifer Juniper’, ‘Mellow Yellow’ and ‘Hurdy Gurdy Man’ have embedded themselves in the popular psyche. It’s actually difficult to imagine them not existing.

We're more than likely going to be getting Donovan to sit down and start on the answers on Friday evening, so please don't worry if you don't see them start to appear as per previous AMA threads here Templebar Tradfest is happening this weekend.

looksee

Donovan, we are the same age and you were part of my teens along with the Beatles and Simon and Garfunkel and Bob Dylan. That was 50 years ago, do you still look back to the golden age with nostalgia, how do you remember the 60s?

Sharktopus

Hi Donovan - your music has been a big presence in my life - I was introduced to your music at an early age, and have great memories of my mother playing the Universal Soldier album (she is still a massive fan!) - can't wait for the concert!

I've read about all the amazing musicians you have worked with over the years. Is there anyone who stands out.

Also - who plays the opening guitar riff on Barabajacal - its a stunning piece of riffage, puts me in a good mood every time I hear it.

Keep making such great music!

mosstin

I watched 'Don't Look Back' for the first time last week - superb documentary. How do you look on your own depiction in that? Also, have you had any contact with Dylan in recent years?

tunguska

Donovan, have you seen Zodiac(David fincher - 2007) and if so what did you think of the way Fincher used The Hurdy Gurdy man?
I cant listen to that song anymore without being freaked out......

Gordon

No question, sorry, just a thanks to you for writing Catch the Wind - I busked with that song one summer and it brought me good vibes. (mellow/extended version for the win)

john the one

Being ignorant to your work, what should i go and check out right now to start kick off an interest in your music?

endacl

When you first arrived in Cork, how hard did you laugh at the accent?

And serious question: What song, if any, do you wish you'd written, and which song of your own would you be prepared to 'swop' for it?

Also. Thanks for all the ones you did write. They've been the soundtrack to laughter, tears, and everything in between.

scudzilla

Donovan, What is your favourite type of cheese?

Morag

Does Transcendental Meditation still play a part in your creative process?

Dozen Wicked Words

What is your opinion of the xfactor, the voice and the like?

porsche959

Hi Donovan,

Are you familiar with the Saint Etienne song 'Finisterre' and what is your reaction to the lyric:

The beard and lipstick scene, so look beyond
Big brother, gossip culture, so bored of stupidity
The myth of common sense, I believe in Donovan over Dylan
In love over cynicism

Read more: Saint Etienne - Finisterre Lyrics | MetroLyrics

Kind regards,
Porsche959

RoadhouseBlues

Might be a silly one, but can you remember the first album you ever bought, or the first concert you ever attended?

ElChe32

Hi Donovan
Question:

Ride one, Kill one, Marry one:

Twink
Panti Bliss
Mary Lou McDonald

faceman

How often to people ask you if you're related to Jason Donovan?

not yet

Hiya Man,

Whats the most difficult chord you ever had to play.

KKkitty

Do you listen to the music of today and if you do what are your thoughts on it?

greedygoblin

Do you find the song-writing process gets more difficult as you get older? Is it harder to come up with a melody that you think "that could work"?

Senna

Coming back from Japan cost you a huge amount of money (millions? ) but if you hadn't, you would not have met Linda?
Something very romantic about that, but maybe that's not how it happened?

Peig Sayers

One of my favourite soundtracks is 'Brother Sun, Sister Moon'. Was this a new departure for you and how did you feel about it?

What did you make of the Neil cover of Hurdy Gurdy man - and his Bside song "Hurdy Gurdy Mushroom man"

R P McMurphy

Did you know timothy leary

sweetie

Mr Donovan, What was it like having Shaun Ryder for a son-in-law?

Darkglasses

When you were young did you ever have another career in mind? Did you always set out to be a singer, or did it just "happen"?

iusedtoknow

Do you remember much of the Devendra Banhart show in Cork? One of the best I've ever been to

Kiwi_knock

How did the cameo in Futurama come about? And do you think it gained you any new fans?

strobe

Hey Donovan, love your work.

To what degree do you think LSD and cannabis influenced you in terms of your music? Do you think you'd have written the same songs the same way if you'd never had those experiences? What are your views on drug use, firstly in terms of how they influence musical creativity, and secondly in general terms?

If you could collaborate with one other song writer/artist/band, from past or present, to put out a jointly written album, who would that be, and why?

Which music genre that has come to the fore in recent times do you find the most interesting?

What's your opinion on music piracy?

What's your favourite song released in the last 5 years?

What changes in the music industry since the 60's do you feel are the best and worst?

If you could piece together a fantasy band, drummer, rhythm guitarist, bassist and singer past or present, who would make up the band?

What do you think of the recent Scottish independence vote? Which way were you hoping it would go and why?

Is there any one artist you know of right now putting out great stuff but that isn't getting the recognition they deserve? Who are they?

bigtomm

Mr. Donovan .Pleasure...
Q. IN your songwriting and life, do you carry much weight Horoscopically?

Etc

Hi Donovan,

I remember you mentioned that you taught John Lennon how to play claw guitar, what was he like as a guitar player ?, was he as proficient as George and Paul ?

4zn76tysfajdxp

What's your favourite food?

strobe wrote: »

Hey Donovan, love your work.

Dude, come on. Do you really need to ask 10 questions?

Faing

Is the intergalactic laxative available at any chemist in our area? (Wesht Limerick)

SterlingArcher

Is it true you played the devil at a hand of poker, caught him cheating and demanded a duel to the death. In which you quick scoped him.

Walking up to his rancid corpse you pulled from his pocket the song "Season Of The Witch".

deandean

Hi Donovan, I was at your gig in Limerick in (about) 1989. It was a really memorable gig, Mellow Yellow was the audience's favourite. Thank you.for that great night.
I remember that you had the biggest acoustic guitar I have ever seen, great sound too. what was it? And are you still playing it?
Many thanks, and enjoy your Irish Gigs.
Dean.

sh1tstirrer

Donovan, cast your mind back to the 90's in the car park in Mallow I said to my wife that's your man Donovan over there. She looked over at you and you made funny faces at her, she still didn't have a bulls notion who you were though. Sorry to burst your bubble Donovan she wasn't star struck

evolving_doors

Is there any piano music/piano player you like?

What do you think of the bazouki as an instrument?

What type of car do you drive?


Anyway, love the music, every song you sing tells a story. Thanks.

Dirty Steve

What are your thoughts on the use of your song Atlantis in Goodfellas (Billy Batts beating/murder scene in the bar)?

Were you consulted prior regarding the use of the song in the film?

Always thought it was a great choice of song for the scene.

Gits_bone

Hi Donovan. What do you ask for in the barbers?

strobe

Luella Dead Sweat wrote: »

What's your favourite food?



Dude, come on. Do you really need to ask 10 questions?

Is it poor AMA etiquette or something?

Dav

I've got some answers from Donovan to share with you all. With the Tradfest gig coming and the various other bits and pieces of press he's doing around it, he's given us a quick set of answers to some of the earlier questions and will hopefully be answering the rest later today. So for now, here are the questions and answers we've got so far...

Donovan wrote:

> Donovan, we are the same age and you were part of my teens along with the Beatles and Simon and Garfunkel and Bob Dylan. That was 50 years ago, do you still look back to the golden age with nostalgia, how do you remember the 60s?

A Rennaisance. Similar to the one around 1500, where ancient art knolwedge and wisdom returned. The Bohemeian Manifesto entered our present Popular Culture due to the opening of the Doors of Perception.

> I've read about all the amazing musicians you have worked with over the years. Is there anyone who stands out.

Danny Thompson the most profound Upright Bass Player on Earth.

> Also - who plays the opening guitar riff on Barabajacal - its a stunning piece of riffage, puts me in a good mood every time I hear it.

Jeff Beck.

> Keep making such great music!

The Muse she has not deserted me. I have a song song coming.

> No question, sorry, just a thanks to you for writing Catch the Wind - I busked with that song one summer and it brought me good vibes. (mellow/extended version for the win)

Have you see my song in the Wind Energy AD on my website? www.donovan.ie

> Being ignorant to your work, what should i go and check out right now to start kick off an interest in your music?

Check out my album Fairytale.

> Donovan, What is your favourite type of cheese?

Goat

> Does Transcendental Meditation still play a part in your creative process?

Absolutely yes. You know why? All the songs rise from deep within.

> What is your opinion of the xfactor, the voice and the like?

I have never watched them.

> Might be a silly one, but can you remember the first album you ever bought, or the first concert you ever attended?

Didnt buy albums singles and EP's in 1960. Buddy Holly. First Live bands I saw were in The Harfield Youth Club, Johnny Kid & The Pirates.

> Do you listen to the music of today and if you do what are your thoughts on it?

Mostly no melody.

> Do you find the song-writing process gets more difficult as you get older? Is it harder to come up with a melody that you think "that could work"?

The muse she has not deserted me.

> Coming back from Japan cost you a huge amount of money (millions? ) but if you hadn't, you would not have met Linda?
> Something very romantic about that, but maybe that's not how it happened?

It is definitely how it happened.

> One of my favourite soundtracks is 'Brother Sun, Sister Moon'. Was this a new departure for you and how did you feel about it?

Easy as the period of Francis was troubadour days.

> What did you make of the Neil cover of Hurdy Gurdy man - and his Bside song "Hurdy Gurdy Mushroom man"

Parody is the sincerest form of flattery.

> Did you know timothy leary

No.

> Mr Donovan, What was it like having Shaun Ryder for a son-in-law?

I have a beautiful grand-daughter by my daughter Oriole and Shaun.

> When you were young did you ever have another career in mind? Did you always set out to be a singer, or did it just "happen"?

An artist.

tony glenn

I remember watching you on Ready Steady Go in the UK around '63? Your guitar had a badge on it that said 'This Machine Kills' if I recall.
Man, I thought that was so cool (I didn't get the Woody Guthrie reference then) so I went out to find an equally cool sign. All I could get was a bakelite sign in local train carriage....it said 'Not Drinking Water' LOL. That was cool enough for me, so on to the guitar it went.
My dad wouldn't let me wear my peaked Donovan-type cap, so I'd put it on the window-sill and collect it outside the front door. On with the cap, guitar under arm and harmonica bridle around neck, up to the local recreation ground to sit in the sun and play. 13 years old and full of hopes and dreams. Thank God for the sixties!!!!

Aongus Von Bismarck

Hi Donovan.

You seem like a pretty relaxed and spiritual soul from reading your lyrics.

Do you practice mindfulness or meditation, and if so, do you have any advice for a relative beginner? Also, is there anything inherently wrong about using mindfulness techniques to increase my proficiency as a day trader?

Aongus.

Gits_bone

Aongus Von Bismarck wrote: »

Hi Donovan.

You seem like a pretty relaxed and spiritual soul from reading your lyrics.

Do you practice mindfulness or meditation, and if so, do you have any advice for a relative beginner? Also, is there anything inherently wrong about using mindfulness techniques to increase my proficiency as a day trader?

Aongus.

I think you might be waiting a while for an answer...

RoadhouseBlues

tony glenn wrote: »

I remember watching you on Ready Steady Go in the UK around '63? Your guitar had a badge on it that said 'This Machine Kills' if I recall.
Man, I thought that was so cool (I didn't get the Woody Guthrie reference then) so I went out to find an equally cool sign. All I could get was a bakelite sign in local train carriage....it said 'Not Drinking Water' LOL. That was cool enough for me, so on to the guitar it went.
My dad wouldn't let me wear my peaked Donovan-type cap, so I'd put it on the window-sill and collect it outside the front door. On with the cap, guitar under arm and harmonica bridle around neck, up to the local recreation ground to sit in the sun and play. 13 years old and full of hopes and dreams. Thank God for the sixties!!!!

I've read this post several times because I enjoyed it so much. It sounds like a wonderful and magical time. I didn't come along until the 70's though:) All hail the music and the memories.

YFlyer

Aongus Von Bismarck wrote: »

Hi Donovan.

You seem like a pretty relaxed and spiritual soul from reading your lyrics.

Do you practice mindfulness or meditation, and if so, do you have any advice for a relative beginner? Also, is there anything inherently wrong about using mindfulness techniques to increase my proficiency as a day trader?

Aongus.

Transcendental meditation I think. He went to India with the Beetles and others to meditate at the Maharishi ashram.

He is a supporter of the David Lynch Foundation.

Dav

I'm gonna wrap this up here, I was expecting another email with responses, but that doesn't seem to have arrived yet. I'll post it on here when it (hopefully) does.