Track Listing

1. Love Floats
2. Poorman's Sunshine
3. Beat Cafe
4. Yin My Yang
5. Whirlwind
6. Two Lovers
7. Question
8. Lord Of The Universe
9. Lover O Lover
10. Cuckoo
11. Do Not Go Gentle
12. Shambhala

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #99443 in Music
• Released on: 2004-09-30
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .17 pounds

CD Description
BEAT CAFE is UK troubadour Donovan's first adult album of the 21st century (he released a kids' album in 2002), its predecessor being the '96 Rick Rubin-produced acoustic record SUTRAS. Where the latter was strictly a solo affair, full of hushed spirituality, BEAT CAFE is a group effort that bears a markedly more sensual, rhythmic tone closer to Donovan's '68 hit "Barabajagal". As the title implies, there's a loose sonic concept at work; undertones of beatnik jazz/blues simmer beneath many of the tunes, most explicitly the title track, which bears echoes of SUNSHINE SUPERMAN's "Bert's Blues".
There's an organic, spontaneous feel to the mostly acoustic arrangements. Donovan is accompanied only by famed British folk-rock bassist Danny Thompson (Nick Drake, Pentangle) and American drumming deity Jim Keltner, with occasional keyboards from producer John Chelew. Utilising such sympatheticmusicians in a spare, intimate setting helps make BEAT CAFEan album that lives up to this famed singer/songwriter's legacy.

Customer Reviews

BEAT CAFE-Donovan's New Album Is All That Jazz!
One of the most versatile artists of his generation Donovan carries many labels on him but none do him justice.From his first folks albums to his pop ,folk-rock through every genre to his last album the Rick Rubin produced 'Sutras' he defies the critics.
Beat Cafe returns Donovan to the jazzy-beat poet smoke filled clubs of the 60's but with a contemporary edge.This time Donovan has teamed up with producer John Chelew (also on keyboards)with the wonderful Double Bass of Danny Thompson and the expert touch of Jim Keltner on percussion-drums.

As mellow sounding as ever Donovan delivers an interesting mix of songs.Love Floats and Whirlwind have a Buddhist feel to the lyrics which fits in nicely with the Beat-Jazz style of the music.
Other notable tracks include Beatnik Cafe which describes the feel of those 60's hang outs in typical Donovan style . The double Bass of Thompson makes Poor Man's Sunshine a real toe tapper.

Lord Of The Universe is a fun bluesy number,The Cuckoo cover is a catchy version of this traditonal track taught to Don by his old mate Mac MacLeod (who also covered the song on his anthology). The Question has a hypnotic and spooky Donovan in full flow.Two Lovers and Shambala have a return to the Buddhist theme's of love and Utopia,the later sounding like a track from 'Sutras'.Lover O Lover is a erotic mantra like song.
Donovan's real master stroke is his cover of Dylan Thomas's Do Not Go Gentle which is simply superb and has a sound of a David Lynch movie soundtrack.Donovan is back!

Grooving at the Beatnik Cafe
This is the coolest, grooviest album you will ever hear. The fact that it was recorded recently is quite a shock as upon hearing it you will instantly feel you are in a small, smoky, happenning club in the swinging 60s.
The playing is magnificent, from Donovan's husky delivery to Jim Keltner's tight drumming to Danny Thompson's (frankly amazing) bass playing.
Welcome to the Beat Cafe. Have a seat, pour some coffee. You may never want to leave...

Cool Vibes
I've only just finished listening to the whole cd in a one sitting and I am really impressed that Donovan sounds as good as ever, maybe even better. Excellent production with Donovan being backed by world class musicians, Danny Thompson and Jim Keltner, plus keyboards courtesy of the producer John Chelew (also very good, I just haven't heard of him before).