Cosmic Wheels/Essence to Essence [IMPORT] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]

Donovan

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 1, 2004)
• Original Release Date: March 23, 2004
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import, Original recording remastered
• Label: Diablo Records UK
• ASIN: B0001CVBJQ
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #166,654 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
UK twofer combines both the British folk-rock icon's 1973 albums, 'Cosmic Wheels' produced by Donovan & Mickie Most along with 'Essence To Essence' produced by Andrew Oldham & Donovan. 21 tracks. Edsel. 2004.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally on CD!, February 27, 2004

By	"pretty_boy" (Catonsville) - See all my reviews

Cosmic Wheels was issued in Europe on CD for a very short time in the 1990s and went out of print shortly thereafter. Finally it's re released and available, this time as a twofer with Essense to Essense, the followup CD. Cosmic Wheels is Donovan's last great album, featuring his whimsical but still lyrical concerns with the earth, stars, astronomy, astrology, etc. There are some amazing and powerful orchestrations on this album, particularly on the title track, arranged by Chris Spedding. Great musicianship and songwriting on this overlooked and underrated album. Essense to Essense has some interesting material but is not nearly as good as Cosmic Wheels either in consistency of songwriting or in performance. Sound quality is good, thank God they refrained from using noise reduction, and this CD sounds quite acceptable.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Mystic Minstrel of the 20th Century, March 19, 2005

By	David R. Rauh "The Vinyl Junkie" (Cincinnati, OH) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was glad to find these two albums paired together. I don't have to sell anyone on Cosmic Wheels, one of Donovan's better efforts from the 70's. But Essence to Essence has always been slammed as a weak album, with so-so production and subpar material. However, there are always hidden gems and this LP has a few. Operating Manual for Spaceship Earth and The Divine Daze of Deathless Delight remain two of my personal favorites. But if you are a true Donovan fan, or just now beginning to discover the wonder of his talent, then There Is An Ocean and
Sailing Homeward are absolute musts to have in your collection.
They both have minimal accompaniment and in my opinion that is when Donovan is at his best. Although he has made some great electric music over the years, all he really needs is an acoustic guitar and that great built-in vibrato voice of his to bring goose bumps to your skin. Listen and enjoy.

5.0 out of 5 stars Donovan's finest achievement, January 6, 2008

By	Rene "Rene" (Riverfield, MN) - See all my reviews

Contains Donovan's most stirring songs: "Cosmic Wheels," "Sleep," and "Wild Witch Lady." Ethereal, oneiric, beautiful.