Donovan
What's Bin Did and What's Bin Hid

THE REVIEW

Josie, I won't fail ya
I won't fail you have no fear
Josie, I won't fail ya
Give me one more chance to be as near

With these words begins the discography of Donovan, an artist unfortunately relegated over time to remain in the shadow of the certainly more famous Bob Dylan. Many are the similarities between the two figures of the world Folk singer-songwriter scene, many the differences. Time has taught us that Donovan managed to navigate multiple genres, much like Topo Gigio, while maintaining a musical integrity that makes him recognizable among thousands. And I say this because as we know 1965 is the famous date when Dylan made a turn that was sensational at the time, leaving everyone astonished, moving from the classic acoustic guitar and harmonica Folk to what was commonly defined as Rock. Donovan experiments, doesn't remain anchored to the roots, but does so through a psychedelic rock (let's remember we are in the 60s) through the album considered a classic by many, Sunshine Superman.

But it's not only in musical genres that we find similarities and differences between the two. It's their approach to music that distinguishes them. Bob Dylan, a ruthless narrator of reality and a fierce accuser of the world he lived in, Donovan, a daydreamer who narrates life through an almost pantheistic union with nature. Two undoubtedly sensitive souls, two almost opposite ways of showcasing themselves as well.

Precisely in 1965, three years after his cousin's debut, Donovan gave birth to his What's Bin Did and What's Bid Hid. The opener of the album, one of the masterful Scottish artist's sweetest pieces, is 'Josie'. From this song, Donovan's narrative intentions immediately become apparent, expressing an almost unnatural love towards a woman through symbols and images that recall nature (I love you darling Josie/The trees of pine, they grow so tall). Disarmingly light. But the track that surely carries the album is the famous 'Catch The Wind', which was also a single. Acoustic guitar and dreamy voice, a text that on the same lines as the previous Josie evokes dreamy images recalling nature, a love perhaps with impossible connotations (To stay in your heart/where I long and desire to be/ah but I may as well try to catch the wind). The song climbed the charts, becoming perhaps the iconic piece of the first part of the songwriter's career. It's noteworthy that Lucio Battisti was inspired by the song for his 'Era'.

Among other pieces, many of which have numerous covers, we remember 'Remember The Alamo', by Jane Bowers, narrating the soldiers' suffering in war, a theme very dear to Dylan, the playful 'Car Car', a cover of the undisputed Folk master Woody Guthrie, 'You're Gonna Need Somebody On Your Bond', a blues arrangement of the old Blind Willie Johnson. A special note should be made for 'To Sing For You', written by the young Donovan, and performed by him in the documentary film Don't Look Back in a friendly song duel with Bob Dylan (the latter responded with 'It's All Over Now Baby Blue'). To close it all, 'Ramblin' Boy' another "Donovan-style" song in which he tells of himself, defining himself as a traveling boy, thus betraying the trust of a woman who would have always wanted him with her.

Things will evolve years later, with 'Sunshine Superman' our boy with long hair, the hat, and the dreamer's voice will introduce novelties in his sound without ever excessively modifying his figure. We are left with the image of an artist who has never been talked about enough, deserving of a place among the greats of his genre.