An old school buddy Dennis Thomson, has got to be one of my favorite childhood pals. He recently surprised me once again. This time with a ticket to a very special concert he had invited me to a half century ago and now wanted us attend the 50th Anniversary concert tour of a famous folk singer. A performer we enjoyed in the New York area the first time was at MSG, while this one was at PAC.
Dubbed the “Sunshine Superman” tour, kicked off with a benefit concert in NY, it has included stops at New York’s Carnegie Hall, the Boulder Theatre, San Francisco’s Regency Ballroom and lots more. A percentage of ticket sales go to benefit his Children’s Fund, a division of the David Lynch Foundation.
The repeat performance was from non other than Donovan Philips Leitch, also known as DONOVAN. This 71 year old Scottish singer, who describes himself as a bohemian troubadour is also a fine songwriter and guitarist.
His amazing popularity has continued through the years and lasted this long because Donovan offers a distinctive style of music which blends folk, jazz, pop, psychedelia, and world music.
Donovan also shared many stories. My two favorites were about collaborations and inspirations from the likes of Country Joe, who suggested smoking bananas could be the very next phase, and the time Paul McCartney dropped by his place unannounced and Donovan wound up helping Paul with lyrics to Yellow Submarine. https://youtu.be/vefJAtG-ZKI
Take a listen to some of my favorites, which DPL performed live on stage with no back-up band. All he needed was a microphone, his acoustic guitar and a little help from his many geriatric, adoring audience. His website https://donovan.ie/, or follow him on Twitter @donovanofficial
Catch the wind https://youtu.be/J8hjEYTpwE8 via @YouTube
Season of the Witch https://youtu.be/JAzTnsSgs2s via @YouTube
Universal Soldier https://youtu.be/A50lVLtSQik via @YouTube
Mellow yellow https://youtu.be/64mb_hUOb4g This brought back memories. It was my DaD's favorite.
Jennifer Juniper https://youtu.be/M1cESSh-SqU via @YouTube
There Is a Mountain https://youtu.be/g-oi9GtY1MU via @YouTube
Remember the Alamo https://youtu.be/uuu8DcKGuGU via @YouTube
Royal Albert Hall Donovan Jimmy Page Sunshine Superman long start https://youtu.be/mFAyXF_XpVE?list=RDmFAyXF_XpVE via @YouTube
Music says a lot about someone’s personality.
Research has learned a great deal about the power of music:
Your musical taste does accurately tell folks much about you, including your politics.
Your musical taste is influenced by your parents.
You love your favorite song because it’s associated with an intense emotional experience in your life.
The music enjoyed when you were young you will probably love for the rest of your life.
Rockstars really do live fast and die young.
It also turns out music affects your behavior — and much more than you might think.
Studies show music can lead you to drink more, spend more, be kind, or even act unethically.
No, rock and heavy metal don’t lead people to commit suicide — but it’s possible that country music might