Live in Japan: Spring Tour 1973


Live in Japan – Spring Tour 1973 is the twelfth album from Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan. It was only released in Japan in 1973. In 2023, the 50th anniversary of the original release, Donovan's website released the first CD version of the album.

History

The tracks on Live in Japan – Spring Tour 1973 were recorded at Donovan's 25 and 26 March, 1973 shows in Osaka. Around the time of this concert, Donovan released Cosmic Wheels, and had started recording Essence to Essence. With the exception of "Hurdy Gurdy Man", the songs on this set avoid Donovan's chart hits of the 1960s in favor of more obscure and even unreleased songs.
The recordings of "Sadness" and "Universal Soldier" were also included in the 1990 album Rising.

Album origins of tracks

The following is a list explaining the original releases of each song. Tracks that were previously unreleased are noted with *, followed by explanations of their origin.

Track listing

All tracks by Donovan Leitch, except where noted.

Original album

Side one

  1. "Hurdy Gurdy Man" – 3:17
  2. "Only the Blues" – 3:20
  3. "Sadness" – 3:04
  4. "A Working Man" – 3:07
  5. "Your Broken Heart" – 3:42
  6. "Universal Soldier" – 2:48
  7. "The Dignity of Man" – 4:45

Side two

  1. "Hey Gyp " – 2:26
  2. "Tinker Tune" – 2:47
  3. "Living for the Love Light" – 2:53
  4. "Josie" – 3:21
  5. "Sailing Homeward" – 3:23
  6. "The Ferryman's Daughter" – 2:38
  7. "Life Is a Merry-Go-Round" – 3:52