Donovan

A true survivor of Rock and Roll super fame, Donovan is among the finest of songwriters - performers. Today, Donovan finds himself back in the studio and returning to the concert stage. He is in fine voice and writing better than ever.

In addition to his famed folk/pop status, Donovan is known to be the most prolific writer of children’s songs of his generation, encouraging his friend Paul McCartney to write in this genre. It is not uncommon for him to include children’s songs on his adult albums as well. Donovan has recorded two previous children’s albums, including For little Ones (the children's album in the two album family release A Gift From a Flower to a Garden, which went gold in 1969) and HMS Donovan (a double album). Both children’s records have been used in European classrooms as an aid in teaching English to young students.

His new children’s album, Pied Piper, on the American children’s label Music for Little People includes several new songs written by Donovan as well as newly arranged classics with age appropriate lyrics. Featuring his unique brand of magical ballads and delightful sing-a-longs, Pied Piper is scheduled for release March 19, 2002.

Donovan also recently recorded a new version of his 1968 hit Atlantis with the popular all-girl group "No Angels" for the November 2001 launch of the new Walt Disney animated feature "Atlantis" in Germany.

In 1964, at age eighteen, Donovan Leitch was discovered by two managers and began recording demos for Southern Music Publishers (now Peer Music) in Tin-Pan-Alley, London. His first recordings were so impressive, he was soon appearing on the hit television show "Ready, Steady, Go" every Friday night for five weeks in front of the entire British Isles. Donovan became an overnight success, quickly gaining a huge fan base.

His first hits, Catch The Wind, Colours and Universal Soldier rose to number 3, 5 and 7 on the pop charts worldwide. He began touring America, making his debut at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965, becoming friends with Joan Baez , Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan and other major contemporaries. Featured in the first issue of Rolling Stone magazine (1967), Donovan had arrived as a star in the popular music firmament. His original songs were recognized as innovative, daring and exquisitely crafted.

His early folk hits were soon followed by massive folk-rock hits Sunshine Superman, Mellow Yellow and Hurdy Gurdy Man (1966), all of which charted in the top ten worldwide, with Sunshine Superman becoming his first #1 hit and Mellow Yellow (featuring vocals by Paul McCartney) following at #2.

During the 70s, Donovan was found acting in and scoring movies. He had the lead role in the 1971 "The Pied Piper" and wrote several original songs for the movie. He wrote the title song for "If It’s Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium" and performed another song in the film. He wrote several songs for Franco Zeffirelli’s "Brother Sun, Sister Moon" (1973), including the title track. He also published a book of his poetry.

Donovan has recorded 27 albums, achieving 14 Top 20 records throughout his career. His concert appearances have become legendary, selling out Madison Square Gardens twice (a record for a solo artist), Carnegie Hall, The Royal Albert Hall, Sydney Opera House and many others.

Donovan continues to beautifully portray his gentle vision of peace, awareness and understanding through his music.

As life gets increasingly more complicated and serious, there’s nothing we welcome more than entertainment for our children that reflects the simple, light-hearted side of life. That is exactly what they will get from Pied Piper, Music for Little People’s latest release by world renowned folk/pop star, Donovan.

Babyboomer parents will delight in introducing their youngsters to his sweet, melodic voice and innocent lyrics with this baker’s dozen of original songs specifically for children. Those parents not familiar with Donovan will quickly find a place in their hearts for his life-affirming music.

From the silly "I Love My Shirt" to the thoughtful "Mandolin Man and his Secret" and "Little Teddy Bear," this CD reflects Donovan as vibrant, hopeful and still as comforting as ever. Donovan is superb with his colorful arrangements and acoustic instrumentation. He has adapted several of his previous classics for children’s ears, including "Little Boy in Corduroy"; "Mandolin Man and his Secret"; "Happiness Runs"; "Sun Magic"; "I Love My Shirt"; and "Colours." From his repertoire of songs written specifically for children are the comforting "Jackie Beanstalk"; "Little Teddy Bear"; "Nature Friends"; "People Call Me the Pied Piper"; and "Voyage of the Moon."

MFLP’s founder and twice Grammy® -nominated producer, Leib Ostrow, produced Pied Piper and joined Donovan in co-arranging several tracks as well as contributing additional lyrics on "Colours." Ostrow traveled to Cork, Ireland for the recording of the album. "I knew it would be both a fun and successful project when I arrived at Donovan’s home to find him singing "People Call Me the Pied Piper" with his grand kids. He is definitely the Pied Piper," Ostrow said. "A true bard, Donovan would create verses spontaneously in the studio as we were recording."

In fact, Donovan’s grand children contribute back-up vocals on "People Call Me the Pied Piper." Also highlighted is the beautiful vocal talent of Àine Whelan (former back-up vocalist with Van Morrison). Several MFLP child singers’ added vocals from the MFLP studio in California. The talented child singer, Carrie Brandon, provides her beautiful young voice to the chorus on "Little Boy in Corduroy." Additional acoustic musicians complement Donovan’s guitar and vocals, with strings, fiddle, banjo, keyboards, bass, drums, harmonica, accordion and cagone. There’s even a touch of electric guitar on "Jackie Beanstalk."