Sunshine Superman (album)

History

Whilst still incorporating folk music, these recordings mark a distinct change in Donovan's music, representing some of the first psychedelia released. A full rock band backs up Donovan on many of the songs, and the instrumentation had been expanded, being one of the first pop albums to extensively use the sitar and other unique musical instruments. This change is partially the result of working with producer Mickie Most, whose pop sensibilities led to chart hits for many other artists at the time.

Donovan's lyrics began to encompass his increasing ability to portray "Swinging London" and give listeners an insider's look into the mid-sixties pop scene. He was close to The Beatles and Brian Jones at this time, and he became widely known after "Sunshine Superman" became a chart-topper in the US, and hit number 2 in the UK. Donovan's penchant for name-dropping in songs such as two influenced by his travel to Los Angeles, "The Trip" and "The Fat Angel" (written for Mama Cass) coupled with his chart success helped elevate him to superstar status. In addition to noting the people in the pop scene, Donovan recorded "Bert's Blues" for his friend and folk music notable Bert Jansch.

Contrasting this modern bent was Donovan's fascination with medieval themes in such songs as "Legend of a Girl Child Linda" (written for Brian Jones' girlfriend Linda Lawrence) and "Guinevere".

Several other songs were recorded for Sunshine Superman, but did not make the cut. These include "Museum" (later rerecorded and released on Mellow Yellow), "Superlungs My Supergirl" (later rerecorded and released on Barabajagal) and "Breezes of Patchulie" (originally called "Darkness of My Night" and released on Donovan's 1964 demo collection Sixty Four). The Sunshine Superman recordings of these songs were all included on Troubadour The Definitive Collection 1964–1976.

In the video for the Beatles' "A Day in the Life", a close up of a spinning turntable shows the Epic Records version of Sunshine Superman playing. The film was shot at the recording sessions for the song, which was included on Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

A cover version of "The Fat Angel" was recorded by Jefferson Airplane for their 1968 live album Bless Its Pointed Little Head. Monster Magnet covered "Three King Fishers" (as "Three Kingfishers") on their 2013 album Last Patrol, with a live version included on 2014's Milking the Stars: A Re-Imagining of Last Patrol.

Original album (US)

All tracks written by Donovan.

The UK version

Due to the contractual dispute between Pye Records and Epic Records, Donovan's releases were held back in the UK throughout 1966 and early 1967. During this time, Donovan released Sunshine Superman and Mellow Yellow in the US. To catch up to the Epic Records schedule in America, Pye Records compiled a cross-section of both albums and titled it Sunshine Superman.

It was released in the UK (Pye NPL 18181) in June 1967 and reached #25 in the British charts.

Side one

1. "Sunshine Superman"
2. "Legend of a Girl Child Linda"
3. "The Observation"
4. "Guinevere"
5. "Celeste"
6. "Writer in the Sun"

Side two

1. "Season of the Witch"
2. "Hampstead Incident"
3. "Sand and Foam"
4. "Young Girl Blues"
5. "Three Kingfishers"
6. "Bert's Blues"

Reissues

The 2011 UK Stereo reissue

In mid-2011, UK EMI issued a 2-CD set containing the entire US album in stereo for the first time.

Disc one (All stereo, tracks 1-10 US album plus bonus tracks)

1. "Sunshine Superman" - 3:19
2. "Legend of a Girl Child Linda" - 6:52
3. "Three Kingfishers" - 3:19
4. "Ferris Wheel" - 4:13
5. "Bert's Blues" - 3:59
6. "Season of the Witch" - 4:58
7. "The Trip" - 4:38
8. "Guinevere" - 3:44
9. "The Fat Angel" - 4:16
10. "Celeste" - 4:13
11. "Breezes of Patchuli" - 4:39
12. "Museum (First version)" - 2:53
13. "Superlungs (First version)" - 4:14
14. "The Land of Doesn't Have to Be" - 2:43
15. "Sunny South Kensington" - 3:57
16. "Epistle to Dippy (Early alternative arrangement)" - 3:19
17. "Writer in the Sun" - 4:33
18. "Hampstead Incident" - 4:51
19. "Sunshine Superman" - 4:42

Disc two (All mono, 1-12 UK album plus bonus tracks)

1. "Sunshine Superman" - 3:17
2. "Legend of a Girl Child Linda" - 6:54
3. "The Observation" - 2:25
4. "Guinevere" - 3:42
5. "Celeste" - 4:12
6. "Writer in the Sun" - 4:31
7. "Season of the Witch" - 4:59
8. "Hampstead Incident" - 4:44
9. "Sand and Foam" - 3:21
10. "Young Girl Blues" - 3:48
11. "Three Kingfishers" - 3:18
12. "Bert's Blues" - 4:03
13. "Ferris Wheel" - 4:15
14. "The Trip" - 4:38
15. "The Fat Angel" - 4:11

Personnel

On "Sunshine Superman" and other tracks recorded in England: