Rating: ** (2 out of 4)

Availability:Widely Available

American Recordings, who handled Johnny Cash's latest albums, also released this new work by the man who brought us "Mellow Yellow" and "Season of the Witch." Given their work with Johnny Cash, one would expect to hear more of Donovan's surreal sense and psychedelic stylings with perhaps a bit of a modern touch. One would also be disappointed.

That's not to say that Donovan's Sutras isn't good. It's just saying that it's not fantastic. Donovan was always at his best when he was either tripping out or freaking us out. "Hurdy Gurdy Man" and "Season of the Witch" have all outlasted the saccharine "Lady of the Stars" or his other, innumerable lesser songs. Unfortunately, there's not much on this new album that smacks of the surrealistic appeal of his greatest hits. The melodies are easy, his voice has mellowed and sounds better than it did when he originally recorded, and the acoustic nature of the album creates an intimate atmosphere. There's just not much that stands out on this album, except for his musical setting of Edgar Allen Poe's "Eldorado," one of Poe's greatest poems which Donovan handles nicely. It's sad, though, that this album really has no "Mellow Yellow" to buoy it up. Better luck next time, perhaps?

The opinions expressed in the above reviews are those of Glen Williams and may not represent the views of slac.com or any of its members. Compliments, complaints, and comments should be addressed to gandalf@tricon.net

Reproduction or transmission of the reviews in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.