Music from the 60's and 70's, that rocked our world!: Donovan: Colours and Catch the Wind.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Donovan: Colours and Catch the Wind.

"Colours" is a song written and recorded by Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan. The "Colours" single was backed with "To Sing for You" (previously included on What's Bin Did and What's Bin Hid) on the United Kingdom release and "Josie" (from What's Bin Did and What's Bin Hid) on the United States release.

Donovan followed up the success of "Catch the Wind" with "Colours", which featured a similar folk style. The single matched the success of "Catch the Wind" in the United Kingdom, reaching #4 on the charts. In the United States, "Colours" reached #61 and marked a decline in popularity from "Catch the Wind". A different mix of the song (without harmonica) was released on his second album Fairytale.

When Epic Records was compiling Donovan's Greatest Hits, they were either unable or unwilling to secure the rights to the original recordings of "Catch the Wind" and "Colours". Donovan rerecorded both songs with a full backing band, and the rerecordings were included on the greatest hits album.

Released: January 1969
Recorded: January 1966 – September 1968
Length: 39:07
Label: Epic
Producer: Mickie Most (original issue)
except for on expanded CD reissue:
"Catch the Wind" prod. by Terry Kennedy, Peter Eden and Geoff Stephens
and "Riki Tiki Tavi" prod. by Donovan Leitch
Expanded CD reissue prod. Al Quaglieri

7 comments:

Paul 2 said...: Dawn FYI, Both songs were released in the USA on the Albums Catch The Wind, Fairy Tales(Colours) and The Real Donovan,(Both) on Hickory records out of Nashville,through a deal with Pye records in the UK long before his deal with Epic. I'm looking at my copy of The Real Dovovan LP#135 as I post this .

I saw Donovan twice in the late 80;s early 90's first as the opening act for Judy Collins, and as part of a English Invasion oldies show with Peter Noone among others, had a friend who was dating one of the acts and we got to move to the second row. BTW Peter stoled the show with (are you ready) a medley of Frankie Laine hit songs, it was unreal to say the least.; February 5, 2012 at 8:34 AM
Patti said...: I never even heard of this guy, and I didn't recognize either of the songs.

Some things never change, though...all those screaming girls in the audience!!; February 5, 2012 at 10:41 AM
Paul 2 said...: Patti, you got to be kidding. Never heard of Donovan? Do The Songs, Mellow Yellow, Sunshine Superman,Wear Your love Like Heaven, Season Of The Witch, Universal Solider, Hey Jip ring a bell?; February 5, 2012 at 4:26 PM
Patti said...: Paul, no, I'm not kidding. I don't know him. Based on just the song titles, I don't know any of the songs you referenced, except for Mellow Yellow. (Couldn't have told you who sung it, though...and I only know the line which has "mellow yellow" in it.)

However, it looks like he was a 60's singer. I was in elementary school then and not even really into music. What I did listen to was more little kid music. I know far more 70's music than I do 60's, although I'm actually more into 40's music than anything.; February 6, 2012 at 6:55 AM
Dawn said...: Paul, what a night that must have been. The song.. Are you ready does not really ring a bell. I will see if I can find it and post it.

Patti, I will post more Donovan. I really thought he was a great performer.; February 6, 2012 at 7:19 AM
Paul 2 said...: Dawn the song was not are you ready, but are you ready for Peter dong a Frankie Laine medley. LOL; February 7, 2012 at 9:51 AM
Paul 2 said...: BTW the song was Jezabeal and he did it back in 1966 with the Hermits, and that version is on you tube along with other concert versions; February 7, 2012 at 4:02 PM

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