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The early 1970s
saw Donovan step back from the album-a-year cycle. He became a father
in 1971 and indulged in some non-traditional activities including recording
what could be described as a children's album (1971's "H.M.S.
Donovan"). He recorded a film score for Franco Zefferelli's
Brother Sun, Sister Moon, released an album under the name Open Road, and
even found time to tour with the folk group Planxty. With those
outside interests out of his system, he returned to the commercial
mainstream with the release of 1973's "Cosmic
Wheels".
Reunited with
former producer Mickie Most, the album also saw Donovan return to Epic
Records. Backed by an all star cast including guitarist Chris Spedding
and drummer Alan White. Musically the album offered up a weird
mixture of Donovan's patented hippy dippy mystical lyrics with a tougher
glam-rock sound. In theory it should have been a pretty good
combination, but the results seldom lived up to the promise. Part of
the problem was the simple fact that most of these ten tracks weren't
particularly memorable - Donovan's longstanding knack for simply, but catchy
melodies seemingly having abandoned him for this outing. The other
problem was that he seemed to be trying too hard. Those comments
aside, this wasn't nearly as bad as critics would have you believe.
- The title track
served as a perfect example of Donovan's efforts to update his sound.
Interesting and heavier than his normal output, if not entirely successful.
rating: *** stars
- 'Earth
Sign Man' found Donovan taking a stab at a blues number. The fact his
voice wasn't particularly well suited to the genre and some unexpectedly
sexist lyrics ('I like
my trees and books, I like my women to cook')
made the song
surprisingly funny. To its credit the song showcased a tasty Chris
Spedding lead guitar solo.
rating: *** stars
-
Propelled by Spedding's guitar, 'Sleep' was the most glam-ish song on the
album. With the exception of Donovan's wolf howls, the results were
actually quite likeable.
rating: **** stars
-
With typical train-of-thought lyrics the bouncy 'Maria Magenta' sounded
something from his mid-1960s catalog. As such it was one of those
songs you either loved, or hated with a passion.
rating: ** stars
-
Hum, if you ever wanted to hear Donovan really trying to sound heavy, then
'Wild Witch Lady' was the song for you. Personally I wouldn't
recommend you make the effort. Imagine Tony Joe White had he been an
overly sensitive English singer/songwriter and you'll get a feel for this
one. I have to admit that hearing Donovan screech was actually pretty
funny.
rating: ** stars
-
Donovan's celebration of music festivals, 'The
Music Makers' started side two with one of the album's more successful
blends of old and new Donovan. The song wasn't hurt by the fact it
sported one of the album's stronger melodies.
rating: **** stars
-
I'm not even going to speculate about 'The Intergalactic Laxative'.
Sounding like a raw demo (just Donovan and guitar), this could have been a
Monty Python ditty. Truly weird, though if you were interested in
learning how astronauts relieved themselves in space this was your
tune. rating:
** stars
-
Starting off as a
stark ballad, 'I Like You' then bounced back and forth between ballad and an
upbeat chorus. A nice nod to the old Donovan this one was tapped as a
US single. rating:
** stars
-
'Only the Blues' found Donovan taking a shot at a country number. Next
song please. rating:
* star
-
'Appearances' was another stark ballad, but had a decent melody that let you
overlook the sophomoric lyrics.
rating: **** stars
The album was
tapped for a single in the form of:
- 1973's 'I Like
You' b/e 'Earth Sign Man'
(Epic catalog number 5-10983) # 66 pop
With the single
providing Donovan with his final US hit, the parent LP proved a minor US
seller peaking at # 66 pop.
The results
weren't entirely convincing, but in hindsight the album's better than
critics would have you believe a couple of tracks like 'Sleep' and 'The
Music Makers' worth multiple spins.
"Cosmic
Wheels" track listing:
(side
1)
1.) Cosmic
Wheels (Donovan Leitch) - 4:00
2.)
Earth Sign Man (Donovan Leitch) - 3:55
3.)
Sleep (Donovan Leitch) - 4:45
4.)
Maria Magenta (Donovan Leitch) - 2:10
5.)
Wild Witch Lady (Donovan Leitch) - 4:20
(side
2)
1.)
The Music Makers (Donovan Leitch) - 4:25 2.)
The Intergalactic Laxative (Donovan Leitch) - 2:50 3.)
I Like You (Donovan Leitch) - 5:10 4.)
Only the Blues (Donovan Leitch) - 3:10 5.)
Appearances (Donovan Leitch) - 3:36 I
always liked the inner sleeve which was clearly inspired by a 19th century
C. Flammarion woodcut.
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