Sunshine Superman

I have a very special place in my heart for Donovan. I don't know if I can quite articulate it. I get the sense he was very true to himself somehow... I guess that it comes down to the fact that I don't get the slightest trace of cynicism from him. I feel like he was one of the hippies who actually believed in the flower power and in doing so had a hard time adjusting after the summer of love came to an end. I don't know if he has an entire album that is a masterpiece per se but I love his sound, even as it changes from song to song. Always interesting arrangements and fusion of influences. Dare to be gentle. Favorite tracks: "Season of the Witch" and "Celeste." Sounds like this album could use a good remastering.

As I've found out over this process, my relationship with 1960s psychedelia is very hit and miss. Some of it surprises me, by being more appealing to my tastes than I would have thought. Sadly, this record is not one of those... It's a sort of cheesy pastiche of "ye olde Englishe folke" filtered into mediocre 60s pop. Moreover, it is just quite boring, with vocals and music both being unremarkable. 1.5

Hey Siri, play me what the 60's sounded like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymH-Zv5RLxQ If Bob Dylan doesn't like him, then I like him...

Really loved this album. I loved the sounds of the harpsichord and the sitar in some of the songs. Favorites include "Sunshine Superman", "Three King Fishers", and "Season of the Witch".

I really enjoyed this album. I was only aware of the title song before. This is definitely the first success story of this project for me, I would have never purposely sought out this album myself. When the album finished I immediately restarted it. Highlights include: Sunshine Superman Three Kingfishers Bert's Blues

Not bad, but I wasn't 'grabbed' by a single song and I was a bit bored.

Mixed. Heady mid/late 80's fare - you hear a lot of other influences from and in these songs. Enough with the medieval minstral tones!!!

Hmmm never been a fan and I'm not converted, but I am quite impressed how early he got his psychedelic touchstones in a row. 1966 does seem early for sitar, and the use of gloomy cellos and and the like seem to pre-figure Led Zep and the British Folk Rock Scene. I still find him somewhat patronising in tone and it's all pretty lightweight. Inoffensive and faintly interesting. Very much of it's times.

not for me

Whiny folk drivel saved by some catchy riffs.

A lot of these tracks are pretty monotonous and the medieval lyrical themes are really corny. The rockier tracks are decent enough but every musical idea gets played out like 2 minutes before the track actually ends. High 2 probably

I have always loved this album’s title track, “Sunshine Superman.” One of the apex songs of 60’s psychedelia. And I think I have grown to love “Season of the Witch” even more. But that is the extent of my familiarity with this album. Those two songs are so good that the rest of the album would largely have to be seriously disastrous for me to not give this a great rating. Is this album unmistakably of its time? Definitely - a very good thing. I was surprised at how much of this album was psychedelic folk with rambling storytelling lyrics, sitars, harpsichords and bongo drums. I started longing to be grooving along to this music reclined in some 60’s hashish lounge. The fantasy-filled storytelling of damsels and castles and knights and jesters and kings (with a psychedelic commercial interruption from “Trans Love Airways”) took me away from the worry-filled news. I can’t help but wonder it was the events in another time of stress and upheaval that inspired the creation of this. I loved the dreamy “Ferris Wheel” featuring one of my favorite birds (seagull - which also makes another prominent appearance later). Donovan’s stuttery singing on “The Trip” won me over instantly - it’s practically a crime that I have never heard it before. “Bert’s Blues” has some great orchestra arrangements that made it stand out. The final track, “Celeste,” was a perfect finale. I had a ton of fun listening to this psychedelic masterpiece and look forward to taking more trips with Donovan.

It's a bit dated listening to this Whimsical album in the 21st century but that's part of its charm. The UK edition of the album gets the edge by virtue of having more tracks. Donovan was one of the foremost and influential exponents of the UK hippy music scene. The album has elements of pop, folk, jazz and chamber arrangements. There's lots of sitar n spice moments throughout (Three Kingfishers, Ferris Wheel, Guinevere) but there's also some groovy tracks like the title track, Season of the Witch and The Fat Angel. Most impressive is the baroque arrangements on several tracks and the hazy shimmering vibe of Celeste. Best enjoyed on a glorious summer afternoon with a couple of beers and a smoke!

kinda epic, got distracted towards the end lol

Vibrant and nostalgic. Very groovy.

This album is SO me. It reminds me of Megan Robbin. Lots of trippy 60s instruments. And I kind of like that his voice isn't perfect. I love the sitar as well.

Absolutely loved this album. Favorite tracks were Bert's Blues and Season of the Witch.

Wow, what an unexpected treat. I know Donovan only for the hit "Season of the Witch," which is on here, so we're off to a great start. The title track sounds familiar, but I can't be sure when or where I may have heard it. Regardless, there's an impressive degree of variety to this album, lots of great psychedelic departures and eclectic instruments. This released in the same month as Revolver! Obviously not as highly regarded but damn, it's pretty dope. Definitely comes out ahead of a lot of the '60s albums we've had that get repetetive, this one was excellent and refreshing. Favorite tracks: Season of the Witch, Sunshine Superman, Three King Fishers, Ferris Wheel, Bert's Blues, Guinevere, The Fat Angel. Album art: Absolutely love this design, the text and framing is really cool, great use of color too. This picture of I assume Donovan....looks EXACTLY like Kristen Stewart. Does anyone else see that? 4.5/5

I enjoyed that. Again, would have been a great hippie me.

I liked it. Would listen again. Didn't sound as 60's as I thought it would

Somber pyschedelia is the shit. Standout Tracks: Legend of a Girl Child Linda, Ferris Wheel, Guinevere, The Fat Angel, Celeste

Cool to see that Bobby Orr played the drums on Sunshine Superman. Who knew ole #4 knew how to hammer the tubs. Another proud moment for Parry Sound. I guess he had to give up drumming when he started with the Bruins later in 1966. When Sunshine Superman started I was wondering if I mistakenly started to play an Austin Powers movie. If I were 20 years old when this was released and a cutie with a peace symbol embroidered on her shirt said she liked the song, I would probably agree, but it doesn't sound so special anymore. The second song is lame and had me worried the rest of the album would be torture. I'm glad to say I was wrong. Some of the later songs pleasantly surprised me. There is some cool percussion and sitar on Three King Fishers and Ferris Wheel as Donovan picked up the musical trends of the day. Also, Season of the Witch is a good guitar driven tune. Donovan was picked on back in the day for copying rather than setting the trends. The sitar on this album exemplifies that since it's a year after Norwegian Wood. Many say the early bird gets the worm. While that may be true, it's also true that the second mouse gets the cheese and Donovan got a belly full of Anster.

it was different world. very 60's. Quite rubbish really but a couple of tunes. 2.

Hated a lot of it, liked a couple songs

Really did not enjoy this one. 1.5 bc jimmy page is on track one, but I’m not a fan of anything mickie most produced. Almost every song is about King Arthur or something and they all sound like medieval folk songs. Too much harpsichord for my taste

false

hippy shit

I love Donovan’s psychedelic records. Just good vibes and fun here.

1966 folk

Pretty great

Incredible 4.8

This is the second time I am going to make a comparison to Pink Floyd; and I have yet to get anything from Pink Floyd on the generator. It's heartbreaking, really. I say this because if you have any exposure to Pink Floyd's early Syd Barrett days and were in any way a fan, Donovan's 'Sunshine Superman' will be right up your street. The opening title track 'Sunshine Superman' feels like an outlier, almost like it doesn't belong on the album; as if this was the single to get people interested. Because the rest of the tracklist couldn't be any more different. One of my favourite tracks directly follows it: 'Legend Of A Girl Called Linda', a 6+ minute folk song with relaxing, almost deliberately slow, singing featuring easy floating acoustic guitar work accompanied by a very light orchestral backdrop and tasteful use of wind instruments; as Donovan lets out mystical, fantasy-esque, and wonderfully whimsical lyrics. It took me right back to the many D&D sessions I used to have more time for. And I loved every second of it. This continues into other tracks such as 'Guinevere'. 'Three Kingfishers' and 'The Fat Angel', as well - but they expand the overall sound with more Indian flavours. But it's not all medieval inspired tales; there is the excellent, self referential, finisher 'Celeste'. Donovan also litters many songs with the kind of out-of-left-field observations a lot of 60's psychedelic rock was famous for. 'Ferris Wheel', the bluesy 'Bert's Blues', the more traditional rock based 'Season Of The Witch', and the almost country-esque 'The Trip' in which he references a particularly strange experience with LCD It's a fascinating album that you can find yourself getting totally lost in. Similar to Syd Barrett, there's just something about Donovan's voice, lyricism, and musical influences that all combine to make the music so damn engaging that it will speak to you in many different ways regardless of what your state of mind is at the time. And at 10 tracks, it feels like such a perfect length to leave you satisfied and wanting so much more. I am literally sitting here wanting to dive into the dude's discography after listening to this album three times this morning. 'Sunshine Superman', I feel, will make any fan of psychedelic music wish they were around to watch it all happen in real time during the late 60's. Between this, Pink Floyd's 'Piper At The Gates Of Dawn', The Beatles 'Revolver', Hendrix's trilogy of albums, and more. It really seems like a time of prominent artists creating whatever the hell came to their heads - and having record labels around that were willing to finance it to let it flourish. And it's a shame that the music industry today doesn't operate that way any more. Artists back then were allowed the freedom to work their way up to a magnum opus, whereas today it feels that has to be an artist's starting point. Anyway - getting back on topic - this album is a psychedelic masterpiece and I cannot stop listening to it. 5/5

Wow. Dieses Album kann man heute immer noch hören. Zeitlos und wunderschöne Melodien. Da kann man nur staunen. Ich bin heute noch genauso begeistert wie damals.

In meiner Jugendzeit habe ich sehr viel Donovan gehört. Vor allem die Filmmusik "Franz von Asissi" hat es mir sehr angetan, leider gibt es diese Aufnahmen mit Orchester noch nicht digital, sondern unplugged (Gitarre und Stimme). Diese Album kannte ich noch nicht, nur die Lieder "Sunshine superman" und "Season of the Witch". Aber gerade auf diesem Album ist der "Franz von Asissi"-Stil unverkennbar. Franco Zifferelli hat bestimmt dieses Album gehört und wußte genau, dass Donovan der Richtige für seinen Film ist: leise, wunderschön arrangierte Musik mit Folk-einschlag, spirituelle Texte. Aber so ein Titel wie "Sunshine Superman" hat auch noch eine besondere Note mit psychedelischen Touch. Klasse-Album

Some of the greatest songs of the 60s!!

Sunshine Superman is the third album by Donovan, originally released in 1966. This is some whimsical shit right here. If you were to take the entire summer of love and transpose it into a sonic medium it would probably output this album. There was a period of time in the mid-60s where Donovan was in the same class as Bob Dylan. In fact, they had a bit of a rivalry because of all the media's comparisons. I believe Bob Dylan is on record stating that he "hates" Donovan. So why isn't Donovan the legendary figure that Dylan is today? Well, he certainly isn't in the same songwriting class as Dylan. However, I think Donovan's musical compositions are very interesting. He really fell victim to appeasing the pop scene at the time, leading to a lot of his work appearing way too "twee" by today's standards. He kinda disappeared after the psychedelic scene faded away. Like another user commented, I think he really got into the hippie movement and everything that the real hippies stood for. There is a sense of genuineness in his music that reflects this. It's records like this that truly show what Donovan is about. That whimsical, psychedelic, almost medieval sound. I really feel like a nobleman sitting in my palace puffing hashish while listening to this. It recalls a sense of nostalgia for times that I've never experienced, which is a really unique and enjoyable feeling. Much like The Incredible String Band, this record is best enjoyed on a summer day through a haze of Nag Champa incense and weed smoke.

great one!

Donovan's first couple of albums are pretty bad, but it all started to change with Sunshine Superman: a really great Donovan album to which I listened a lot and that contains the best song from the sixties, Season of the Witch.

I'm not exactly sure what it is about this album that I love so much. It sounds like pretty classic 60's psychedelic rock, in the vein of the Beatles, but all the songs work together so well. I enjoyed the mythical, mystical theme about the legend of Camelot. I also enjoyed the use of Indian instruments like the sitar and tabla. Overall, a lovely listen.

Great

Fantastic album, really one of the best offerings of the 60s psychedelic scene. Donovon shows he can do it all on this album here, varied yet catchy

This is a great one. I wore out my LP by playing it over and over. Good to listen to the songs again.

Absolutely love this album! I have a very special place for 60s music and especially Donovan in my heart. One of my all-time favourite records ever. Most of the time I had the feeling of taking a walk through the woods with little elves and dwarves crossing my way. For me, this is exactly what the 60s sounded like.

It doesn't get more 60s than this album, complete with some elements of Indian music. Best song would be the opener "Sunshine Superman". I really liked it, have to listen to it again.

Season of the Witch is one of my top favorite songs. Donovan is classic, 5/5

a classic of psych rock, Season of the witch MVP

I surprisingly really enjoyed this album. The unique sounds of each song kept me intrigued. Some of them used Indian sounds which I really enjoyed. 4 stars

So much weirder than his greatest hits, which is the only thing I've heard of him before. Should have found this earlier. Love it.

Very nice psychedelic indie music with a wide array of great instrumentation. All songs were good. I wouldn't be surprised if they had a strong influence on The Decemberists.

Great psychedelic rock. Seems to be closely related to sgt pepper. Enjoyed listening to this in the office with Alyssa. Really like the blues song

Amei o bruxo.

Minimalist and mellow compared to other psychrock efforts, which are usually explosive. Yet it's groovy and rich in colours. Perhaps the most elegant piece from the psychrock era.

I love the meandering flow of the album tracks, this album takes a few listens to get it and maybe some LSD. Great stuff.

Excellent early Psychedelia, I think this was important enough and also unheard of for me (a layman) to consider it vital.

J'ai vraiment trippé, c'est dans les années qe j'aime et je ne connaissais pas. J'ai été vraiment surpris et ca mérite cette note car ca fait un bout je n'ai aps eu grand chose a me mettre sous la dent que j'aimais beaucoup. J'imagine qu'après 878 albums il en reste plus beaucoup de bon... 5

cool

THE GREATEST! I fucking love Donovan! What a wild card, a true pioneer of the psychedelic rock genre. Great album too with such classic songs, Superman Sunshine, Season of the Witch, Guinevere all so so good! Cannot go wrong with any Donovan tunes! 10/10

oh genieten!

Awesome band, I like this kind of music

Donovan is a great storyteller and calms me with his voice. True, original and genuine musician. 5 stars

Absolutely sure I've heard quite a few of these songs before. But if someone had asked me what Donovan sounds like, I wouldn't have had any clue whatsoever. Turns out, I quite like his music. Not sure if I should round the 4.5 up or down - but let's err on the positive side for the obvious influence he had on a lot of later music I enjoy a lot.

Un extravagante álbum con toques folk y rock los cuáles asemejan mucho a la edad medieval, además de sus letras las cuales nos llevan en un viaje a través de le época medieval

oh hell yeah that his has been one of my favorite albums for a while I’m glad I got it again just all-around weird and perfect 10/10

Two thumbs up!

Mí favorita es The season of the witch pero me gustaron todas las canciones. Discazo!

This is right up my alley. This kind of folk music just feels so genuinely unpretentious to me. From the harpsichord to the sitar to all the other instruments, I loved listening carefully to this record. An album I can get lost in.

Good. I liked it. 5\5

psychodelic

so. huge fan of psychadelia. come to find out, this was some of the OG shit. love it!

60s in a bottle. I LOVED IT!

What a cool guy

I can't believe I'd heard so little of Donovan before this! This album leans heavy on psychedelic, but it does so much more, and it shows a lot of the sound that I'd thought was a Doors trademark. Donovan clearly deserves to be remembered as a first generation innovator of rock music, rather that the also-ran, hanger-on to the Beatles and Bob Dylan that I'd thought he was.

I knew a couple of tracks on this album, but it was my first exposure to the album as a whole. It was excellent. Although I was less in love with the slow folkier tracks than the psychedelic-leaning ones, I thought that the album as a whole was a treasure.

Wowee, was this fun! I love the prominent bass and the psychedelic sound. Occasionally, it ventures into a ren-faire area (a ren-fairea, if you will) and engages in some scansion shenanigans (scansionanigans) that might make me uncomfortable if they came from another artist. But on Dononvan I find them completely endearing. ("Through the DARK, forbo-DING skies..." You're kill-ING me!) Fun fun good good fun.

i did not realize singing about wizards was such a long and storied tradition

This album unexpectedly really touched me. As another reviewer said, there is not a trace of cynicism in it.

Love Donovan. Folky with some Indian music influence. Great album. Season of the witch.

Beautifully 60s. A good mix of big hits and weird trippy stuff.

Fantastic mix of psych and folk with great lyricism. I need to cop this album.

Very good

Super psychedelic

Najlepszy z tych które były dotychczas. Początek albumu ma taki magiczny vibe bardzo przyjemny. Legend of a child girl Linda przepiękny utwór, choć każdy z utworów bardzo mi sie podoba.

## In-Depth Review of *Sunshine Superman* by Donovan Donovan's *Sunshine Superman*, released in 1966, stands as a landmark album in the evolution of psychedelic rock and folk music. It showcases a unique blend of influences, innovative production techniques, and lyrical depth that reflects the cultural zeitgeist of the 1960s. This review will explore the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and its influence on subsequent musical movements, alongside a balanced assessment of its pros and cons. ### Lyrics The lyrics of *Sunshine Superman* are characterized by their whimsical imagery and romantic themes. Donovan's songwriting is deeply personal, often reflecting his feelings for Linda Lawrence, who would later become his wife. The title track opens with the line, "Sunshine came softly through my window today," setting a tone of optimism and warmth. - **Romantic Undertones**: The song expresses a yearning for love and connection. Lines such as "I made my mind up you're going to be mine" convey a sense of determination and hopefulness. - **Psychedelic Imagery**: Many lyrics incorporate surreal and fantastical elements, such as "I can make like a turtle and dive for your pearls in the sea," which evoke a dreamy quality typical of psychedelic music. - **Philosophical References**: Donovan infuses his work with philosophical allusions, notably referencing Nietzsche’s concept of the Übermensch (Superman) to suggest an evolution of consciousness beyond mere existence. However, not all critics view Donovan's lyrics favorably. Some argue that certain songs lack coherence or depth, describing them as self-indulgent or overly simplistic. For instance, "Legend of a Girl Child Linda" has been criticized for its lack of poetic discipline, with some lines described as nonsensical combinations of visual effects without clear meaning[3][4]. ### Music Musically, *Sunshine Superman* is groundbreaking for its time. It marks Donovan's transition from acoustic folk to a more electric sound that incorporates various genres. - **Instrumentation**: The album features an eclectic mix of instruments including sitars, harpsichords, violins, and electric guitars. This diverse instrumentation contributes to its rich sonic texture. - **Production Techniques**: Produced by Mickie Most at Columbia Studios in Hollywood, the album showcases innovative production techniques that were ahead of its time. The use of layering and effects creates a lush soundscape that complements Donovan's vocals. - **Notable Tracks**: - "Sunshine Superman" is driven by jangly guitar riffs and rhythmic bongos. - "Season of the Witch" stands out with its haunting groove and bluesy undertones. - "Bert’s Blues" adds a jazzy element but has been criticized for its awkward arrangement. Overall, the musical composition reflects a fusion of folk roots with burgeoning rock influences, creating a sound that was both accessible and adventurous. ### Themes Thematically, *Sunshine Superman* encapsulates several key ideas reflective of the 1960s: - **Love and Relationships**: At its core, the album expresses romantic longing and idealism. Many songs reflect Donovan's personal experiences and emotions regarding love. - **Psychedelia**: The album captures the essence of the psychedelic movement with its exploration of altered states of consciousness and mind-expanding experiences. References to LSD culture are present but often interpreted through a lens of broader existential exploration rather than mere drug references[2][5]. - **Nature and Mysticism**: Donovan frequently draws on imagery from nature and mysticism, weaving Celtic influences into his narratives. This connection to nature reflects a broader countercultural movement that sought harmony with the environment. ### Influence *Sunshine Superman* is often credited as one of the first psychedelic rock albums to achieve commercial success. Its influence can be seen across various musical genres: - **Psychedelic Rock**: The album paved the way for artists who would follow in Donovan’s footsteps, including Jefferson Airplane and The Doors. Its fusion of folk elements with rock set a precedent for future psychedelic artists. - **Folk Revival**: Donovan's work contributed to the folk revival movement by incorporating electric instrumentation while maintaining lyrical storytelling traditions. - **Cultural Impact**: The album resonated with the counterculture movement of the 1960s, encapsulating ideals of love, peace, and exploration that defined an era. ### Pros and Cons #### Pros - **Innovative Sound**: The blending of various musical styles creates a unique listening experience that remains influential today. - **Lyrical Depth**: While opinions vary on their coherence, many listeners appreciate the imaginative quality and emotional resonance found in Donovan's lyrics. - **Cultural Significance**: The album captures the spirit of its time and has left an indelible mark on both popular music and culture. #### Cons - **Lyrical Ambiguity**: Some tracks are criticized for lacking clarity or depth in their lyrical content, leading to perceptions of self-indulgence. - **Inconsistent Quality**: Not all songs achieve the same level of impact; some tracks are viewed as weaker or less engaging compared to standout hits like "Sunshine Superman" or "Season of the Witch." - **Overly Whimsical Elements**: Critics argue that certain whimsical aspects may detract from the overall seriousness or emotional weight intended by some songs. ### Conclusion In conclusion, *Sunshine Superman* by Donovan is an essential work that encapsulates a transformative period in music history. Its innovative blend of genres, rich lyrical imagery, and cultural significance make it a landmark album in both psychedelic rock and folk music. While it faces criticism for certain lyrical choices and inconsistencies in quality across tracks, its overall impact remains profound. As both a reflection of personal experience and broader cultural movements, *Sunshine Superman* continues to resonate with audiences today—celebrating love, exploration, and artistic expression in an era defined by change.

Classic hippies 60’s music

Pretty solid

COOL!!!! it's like if you took the eastern-influenced part of the Beatles' music and turned it into its own whole developed sound. the most famous song from this album is the worst one though.

smooth transition into psychedelica and jazz and RandB

3.5 Fave tracks: "Season of the witch" and "The trip"

3.5

I have heard for years and years about the great Donovan. The Beatles loved this guy. He was more influential than people give him credit for in the 60's. Plus, he recorded "Atlantis," so that earns him a lot of points in my book. Donovan went to India with the Beatles a couple of years after this album released, and his interest in Indian music shows here. Hell, there's elements of Indian influence, chamber pop and baroque pop, straight up rock, psychedelia, and folk. It's a eclectic mix of these genres, which at times even coexist within the same track. It's a really fun listen because you don't really know what you're going to get next. Did I love every track? No not at all. It has the feeling of an experimental album (despite the fact that it's performed with the confidence of someone who knows exactly what he's doing), and you're always going to have some misses when experimenting. But man was this a cool listen. I gotta have more. If we can have four Metallica albums or whatever on this list, we can give Donovan at least one more. Four stars. Standout Tracks: Sunshine Superman, Bert's Blues, Season of the Witch

I'm just mad about Saffron .... Donovan is the Ralph Steadman of music. His LSD infused madness created epic celebrated songs like Hurdy Gurdy and Season of the Witch, but lays down uninspired drivel [like] most of this album, without psychedelics. Still the few electrified bangers on this album are redeeming... https://www.ralphsteadman.com/collections/

Really nice.

this is the music that your grandpa probably got dangerously high on acid to

Glorious !

I've always liked Donovan and this album is no exception, especially the title track.

I would have loved to experienced what it must have been like to live when this album was charting!

Clearly an inspiration for both Nick Drake and Spinal Tap, so I’m thankful.

I started getting into Donovan's stuff after going down the Beatles White Album rabbit hole. I was familiar with Sunshine Superman and Season of the Witch. The rest of the album was great and I could see myself putting this one on the rotator for a while.

I enjoyed the Renaissance vibes some of the tracks had on this! His vocals don't grab me like some others do but I would definitely listen again.