Slow Down World
Encyclopedia
Slow Down World is the thirteenth studio album
, and fifteenth album overall, from Scottish
singer-songwriter
Donovan
. It was released in the U.S.
(Epic PE 33945) in May 1976 and in the UK
(Epic SEPC 86011) on June 4, 1976.
for Cosmic Wheels, Andrew Loog Oldham
for Essence to Essence
, and Norbert Putnam
for 7-Tease
. The success of these albums was mild at best, and indicated a shift in Donovan's popularity away from the superstardom of the 1960's and towards a distinctly smaller fan base. For his next album, Donovan decided to embrace this fan base by taking on the producer duties himself and writing a set of songs that were directly at odds with the popular sounds of the time. While Slow Down World does contain some upbeat numbers, many of the songs feature tired and resigned lyrics.
Two of the songs on Slow Down World were written by Donovan's longtime friend Derroll Adams
. Derroll was the influence behind "Epistle to Derroll" from Donovan's 1968 album A Gift from a Flower to a Garden
. Donovan's hit "There is a Mountain
" has similar lyrics to "The Mountain", one of the Derroll Adams songs covered here.
Slow Down World reached #174 in the U.S. charts, matching the success of Essence to Essence but not reaching the success of Donovan's last album, 7-Tease. More importantly, Slow Down World marked the last album of Donovan's Epic Records
contract. Without access to Epic's promotion mechanisms, Donovan never again achieved chart success or the same level of record sales.
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
, and fifteenth album overall, from Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
Donovan
Donovan
Donovan Donovan Donovan (born Donovan Philips Leitch (born 10 May 1946) is a Scottish singer-songwriter and guitarist. Emerging from the British folk scene, he developed an eclectic and distinctive style that blended folk, jazz, pop, psychedelia, and world music...
. It was released in the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
(Epic PE 33945) in May 1976 and in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
(Epic SEPC 86011) on June 4, 1976.
History
Over his past few album releases, Donovan had hired a succession of popular record producers in hopes of chart success – Mickie MostMickie Most
Mickie Most was an English record producer, with a string of hit singles with acts such as The Animals, Arrows, Herman's Hermits, Donovan, Suzi Quatro and the Jeff Beck Group often issued on his own RAK Records label....
for Cosmic Wheels, Andrew Loog Oldham
Andrew Loog Oldham
Andrew Loog Oldham is an English producer, talent manager, impresario and author. He was manager and producer of The Rolling Stones from 1963, and was noted for his flamboyant style.-Biography:...
for Essence to Essence
Essence to Essence
Essence to Essence is the eleventh studio album, and thirteenth album overall, from Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan. It was released in both the UK and the U.S. in December 1973.-History:...
, and Norbert Putnam
Norbert Putnam
Norbert Putnam is an American record producer and musician. He grew up near Florence, Alabama and was part of the Muscle Shoals musicians brought to Nashville to play for Elvis Presley in 1965. Putnam worked there as a bassist on recording sessions with Presley, Roy Orbison, Al Hirt, Henry...
for 7-Tease
7-Tease
7-Tease is the twelfth studio album, and fourteenth album overall, from Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan. It was released in the US in November 1974 and in the UK in January 1975.-History:...
. The success of these albums was mild at best, and indicated a shift in Donovan's popularity away from the superstardom of the 1960's and towards a distinctly smaller fan base. For his next album, Donovan decided to embrace this fan base by taking on the producer duties himself and writing a set of songs that were directly at odds with the popular sounds of the time. While Slow Down World does contain some upbeat numbers, many of the songs feature tired and resigned lyrics.
Two of the songs on Slow Down World were written by Donovan's longtime friend Derroll Adams
Derroll Adams
Derroll Adams was an American folk musician.-Biography:Adams was born Derroll Lewis Thompson in Portland, Oregon. At 16, he served in the Army and later in the Coast Guard. He was a tall, lanky banjo player with a deep voice...
. Derroll was the influence behind "Epistle to Derroll" from Donovan's 1968 album A Gift from a Flower to a Garden
A Gift from a Flower to a Garden
A Gift from a Flower to a Garden is the fifth album from Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan, and marks the first double album of his career and one of the first box sets in rock music...
. Donovan's hit "There is a Mountain
There Is a Mountain
"There is a Mountain" is a song and single by Donovan, released in 1967. It charted in the USA and UK .Featured musicians are Donovan , Tony Carr on percussion, Harold McNair on flute and arrangement and Danny Thompson on bass.Chart positions: # 11 , # 9 , # 11 , # 8 The Allman...
" has similar lyrics to "The Mountain", one of the Derroll Adams songs covered here.
Slow Down World reached #174 in the U.S. charts, matching the success of Essence to Essence but not reaching the success of Donovan's last album, 7-Tease. More importantly, Slow Down World marked the last album of Donovan's Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
contract. Without access to Epic's promotion mechanisms, Donovan never again achieved chart success or the same level of record sales.
Reissues
- On April 19, 2004, Diablo Records released 7-Tease/Slow Down World (DIAB8052) in the UK on CDCompact DiscThe Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
. This compilation includes all of 7-Tease and all of Slow Down World on one disc, and marks the first time all of Slow Down World was released on CD.
Side one
- "Dark-Eyed Blue Jean Angel" – 3:50
- "Cryin' Shame" – 4:29
- "The Mountain" (Derroll AdamsDerroll AdamsDerroll Adams was an American folk musician.-Biography:Adams was born Derroll Lewis Thompson in Portland, Oregon. At 16, he served in the Army and later in the Coast Guard. He was a tall, lanky banjo player with a deep voice...
) – 3:32 - "Children of the World" – 3:22
- "My Love Is True (Love Song)" (Adams) – 3:41
Side two
- "A Well Known Has-Been" – 7:25
- "Black Widow" – 5:44
- "Slow Down World" – 4:22
- "Liberation Rag" – 2:56