Pied Piper

Donovan | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 19, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Music Little People
• ASIN: B000063129
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #231,684 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. I Love My Shirt

2. Happiness Runs

3. Sun Magic

4. People Call Me The Pied Piper

5. Little Boy In Corduroy

6. Colours

7. Jackie Beanstalk

8. A Funny Man

9. Mandolin Man And His Secret

10. Nature Friends

11. Wynken, Blynken And Nod

12. Little Teddy Bear

13. Voyage To The Moon

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

He used to be called Mellow Yellow, but these days Donovan answers to Pied Piper, or so he sings on the title track to his third record for kids. No matter what he goes by, though, the former '60s groove daddy continues to churn out tunes that tickle everybody, from kids as young as 2 on up, in a trippy, sherbet-hued sort of way. Boomer parents will dig the retooled originals, including "Little Boy in Corduroy" and "Happiness Runs," and kids'll come away copying the original Hurdy Gurdy Man's distinctively British vocal quirks on "Wynken, Blynken, and Nod" (they'll also warm to "Little Teddy Bear" and get a kick out of the peculiarly clad "Funny Man"). Best of all, unlike his rustier-piped contemporaries, Donovan proves vocally sturdy. Pair him with the honey-voiced Aine Whelan, Van Morrison's former backup singer, as this record's producers have on a couple of numbers, and his melodic musings never sounded sweeter. --Tammy La Gorce

Product Description

Pied Piper

This product is manufactured on demand using CD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A long awaited new album, March 28, 2002

By 

Wj Skillcorn "Tuatara" (Washington, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pied Piper (Audio CD)

I have just received my copy of this new album, and it is wonderful not to be disappointed! Although there are well established songs featured (and new ones, of course) they are all new arrangements, and very good arrangements at that.
The songs featured will be well known to Donovan's fans everywhere, but the addition of childrens' voices in places, as well as new instruments, makes for a refreshingly bouyant collection of happy songs. 'Happiness Runs' and 'Mandolin Man...' are already favourites of mine!
Also featured on this CD is the Pied Piper's song 'People Call Me the Pied Piper'. If memory serves me correctly this was not used in the film (much, I think, to Donovan's disappointment) but he has performed the song several times to my knowledge here in the UK at least, and clearly rates it highly himself. And rightly so!
His new arrangement of 'Colours' will delight everyone I am sure, with new lyric much more suited to the youngsters of the family. Further, there is the story of 'Jack and the Beanstalk' which every child knows and loves, and retold in the song 'Jackie Beanstalk'.
'Voyage of the Moon' is a new arrangement where the melody line is very slightly changed. I must say, I prefer the original to the one featured here, but at least it's different. Finally, I can just imagine classes of kids in schools up and down the country singing along to 'Nature Friends'!
You've scored highly with this one, Donovan, but please don't make us wait quite so long for the next one. As for the fans, you won't be disappointed.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This album is not a travesty, rather a breath of fresh air, December 6, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Pied Piper (Audio CD)

Donovan (who is a living legend as far as I'm concerned) still continues to record in this, his fifth decade of recording. With all due to respect to the reviewer from Victoria, Australia, I find myself liking this album quite a bit. I agree that this album is not the legendary classic that his earlier output is. However, this album should not be compared to the classics like "A Gift", "HMS", etc... This album is basically an album geared for children done with vintage Donovan guitars, melodies, and singing (backed up by children and a female vocalist). If you're expecting classic 60's/70's Donovan or "Sutras", perhaps you need to wait for his 2003 album "Beatnik Cafe" which may satisfy. I just like Donovan's guitar playing, singing and his positive attitude (which is so often sadly mistaken for 'sappy') on life so much that this album did not disappoint. There's some remakes of classics from his "For Little Ones" (2nd half of A Gift) and "HMS Donovan"(a monster classic which I consider one of the best albums of all time) done with the classic childlike innocence. Remember his purpose for this album (geared for children *but* very enjoyable for 30-and-40-and-50-somethings like myself) and don't get tangled up in comparing this to the Donovan of the 60's and 70's. This is quite an enjoyable album. Although his voice is a little more crackly and weary (heck, we all age) and worn, his voice is still "classic" Donovan. Make no mistake about it, Donovan is back and quite active. I look forward to his "Beatnik Cafe" and any of his future albums. Donovan is a living legend and this album is another chapter in his extensive discography. If you like/play accoustic guitar, you should consider giving this album a chance. One thing that seperates Donovan from other accoustical songwritting legends (Nick Drake, Jim Croce, Eric Clapton, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, etc..) is that Donovan has always possessed such an amazing positive outlook on life. He's a "the glass is half full" rather than "the glass is half empty" kind of a person. And it reflects in his amazing lyrics. Donovan prooves that you don't have to write tragic sad songs to be considered a legend. I think some folks consider that a "negative" trait and put Donovan in the "goody goody" category (which is a grave mistake to make). Oh well, their loss. I have "all" of Donovan's albums on cd just about and I can tell you that this album is worth a listen. If you listen to it with the intention that he geared this more towards a child (but not excluding an adult from really liking the melodies, arrangements and instrumentations), then I think you'll like this album. If you're expecting another "HMS Donovan" or "Sunshine Superman", this is not it. Not to say though that his "Beatnik Cafe" or future albums won't be like that as they could possibly be. Thank God this living legend is not ready to retire. Check out his www.donovan.ie official web-site...

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Style, September 30, 2005

By 

C. A. Luster "The Rook" (Burke, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Pied Piper (Audio CD)

Donovan has always had a marvelous style of music. His unique lyrics and melodies are a joy to us fans. This CD is a nice grouping that young and old can enjoy. To get an idea just listen to the clips that Amazon has provided. I don't think you will be disappointed. I am looking forward to the next CD that another reviewer mentioned. As for the reviewer that gave it one star, I think you need more fiber in your diet. You obviously aren't feeling well to be so negative about a Donovan album. It's good to hear from Donovan again after so many years.