The Legacy of Mamma Lena & Dino Gustin - Dee Donavan

Dee Donavan - Fourteen Tracks To Travel

Fourteen Tracks To Travel

SIDE 1
SHE DARKED THE SUN
I'LL WALK AWAY
GREEN, GREEN GRASS OF HOME
JUANITA
SIN CITY
HEAR
THERE GOES MY EVERYTHING SIDE 2
A TRIBUTE TO JIM REEVES
WHEELS
LOVE IN MY TIME
HITCH HIKER
RADIO SONG
MORNIN' I'LL BE MOVIN' ON
GOD'S FOOL

Fourteen Tracks To Travel

[ BACK ]

SHE DARKED THE SUN

I'LL WALK AWAY

GREEN, GREEN GRASS OF HOME

JUANITA

SIN CITY

HEAR

THERE GOES MY EVERYTHING

A TRIBUTE TO JIM REEVES

WHEELS

LOVE IN MY TIME

HITCH HIKER

RADIO SONG

MORNIN' I'LL BE MOVIN' ON

GOD'S FOOL

SIDE ONE
1. SHE DARKED THE SUN (Clark-Leadon)
2. I'LL WALK AWAY (Williams-Rose)
3. GREEN, GREEN GRASS OF HOME (Putnam)
4. JUANITA (Hillman-Parsons)
5. SIN CITY (Hillman-Parsons)
6. (Whistle) HEAR (Williams)
7. THERE GOES MY EVERYTHING "(Frazier)

SIDE TWO
1. A TRIBUTE TO JIM REEVES (a) WELCOME TO MY WORLD (Winker-Hatcock) (b) WHEN TWO WORLDS COLLIDE (Miller-Anclarsc-
(c) I WON'T FORGET YOU Harlan Howard)
2. WHEELS (Hillman-Parsons)
3. LOVE IN MY TIME (Young)
4. HITCH HIKER (Roger Miller)
5. RADIO SONG (Clark-Leadon)
6. MORNIN' I'LL BE MOVIN' ON (Nichols-Williams)
7. GOD'S FOOL (Roberts-Margolin)
Musical Direction: RON MARTIN
Produced by ERIC DUNN

The reason Dee Donavan is flashing that row of "pearly whites" on the front of this cover is sheer happiness at realising a life-long ambition—to release an album. And this is it. "Fourteen Tracks To Travel" on the country music train. Dee has been working towards this happy disc event, most of his life. Born in Dublin, Eire, he began singing while still at school. At 16, he won the role of Curly in the first European production of "Oklahoma" and soon after began his own weekly programme on Radio Eirann. While he was working with a show band a New York theatrical agent heard the young singer who put over country and western numbers so meaningfully, and offered him a tour of the United States. And that's how Dee Donavan came to leave home at 18. America seemed to take very kindly to the idea of an Irishman as an exponent of the all-American C & W music. Soon he was appearing on the renowned Ed Sullivan TV show and appearing at the top clubs and concerts all over the country. So well did he interpret the musical soul of America's heartland that he was invited to perform for homesick servicemen at U.S. Armed Forces bases in Europe. Thus, singing for his breakfast and
lunch—as well as his supper—brought Dee right around the world. Through the Far East he came to Vietnam. And from Saigon he came down to Sydney for a season at the now vanished Spellsons Restaurant in 1967. While working in Melbourne a radio station executive suggested that Dee should cut some records and introduced him to industry personality Ron Tudor, the man who had first given the Seekers a recording contract. Tudor arranged an audition for Dee with E.M.I. The result was Dee's first single for Columbia, "Hello Walls," an inevitable choice because Dee rates the late, great American star Jim Reeves the greatest influence on his career. Included on this album is a tribute to Reeves in a medley on Side 2, "Welcome To My World," "When Two Worlds Collide" and "I Won't Forget You." Country music is never absent from the charts and is currently enjoying an upsurge in popularity thanks to balladeers like Tom Jones and Glen Campbell, who with instant standards like "Green, Green Grass Of Home" and "Wichita Lineman" have produced a new kind of country music. This retains the gutsy rhythm and scope of the outdoors while gaining a fresh, urban polish. This
town-and-country sound is combined with lyrics that are meaningful wherever you live. Some call it wheatfields soul. Others city blues. It is this happening style that Dee Donavan delivers with such feeling on these 14 tracks. Donavan qualifies as a travellin' man, and he has paid his dues in life. Working his way around the world has given him the understanding that every singer needs to become something more than just a performer—an artist. It's the difference between just another vocalist and an original, towering' talent. Add this sensitivity to the wickedly' unfair charm of the Irish and you have not just another international entertainer—but the first Dee Donavan. With a grin Dee says "Irishmen make wonderful lovers but rotten husbands." Maybe that's the reason he's still single. Be that as it may, one listen to this album will convince you he's certainly got what it takes in the vocal department. So stop reading and start listening. Hard.

The following musicians took part in the recording: Guitars: Darby Wilson, Dave Bridge, Ken Kitching — Banjo: Gary Pearton "- Drums: Pat Caplice — Bass: Ron Martin — Piano: Bill Palmer, Bryce Rohde.
Cover originated in Australia by E.M.I. Cover photo: Jozef Vissel Artwork: Keith Naughton Studios