The Hurdy Gurdy Man Returns: Donovan's Mind-Bending Classic

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Off the Beaten Path and Into the Psychedelic: Impex’s Hurdy Gurdy Man by Donovan

Sometimes a reissue comes along that feels like it was made just for you—and Impex’s new all-analog pressing of Donovan’s Hurdy Gurdy Man is exactly that kind of release.

When I first saw the announcement, I got genuinely excited. It’s not often that audiophile labels dig into the more offbeat corners of the catalog, especially with late-60s psychedelic folk. But Impex has a knack for the unexpected, and if they were handling this title, I knew we were in for something special. Spoiler: we were.

A Thoughtful, All-Analog Reissue

This new edition of Hurdy Gurdy Man is sourced from the original master tape and cut all-analog by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering. The pressing is done at RTI, and the packaging is handled by Stoughton—so yes, all the top-tier names are involved here.

The jacket is a heavy single-pocket sleeve that looks and feels fantastic. Impex’s attention to detail is always top-notch, and this release is no exception. The reproduction quality is vibrant and faithful. But of course, with Impex, there's always a surprise inside—and this one comes courtesy of their art director, Robert Sliger.

Pulling out the custom insert, I was struck by its elegance. It’s a brand-new graphic design—original to this release, not found on any previous editions. It includes a beautiful essay by Charles Granata that adds depth and context to the listening experience. For collectors who appreciate thoughtful presentation, this insert is a real treat.

A Rediscovery of Donovan

I’ll admit it—I don’t own any Donovan records. I’ve heard the hits over the years: “Mellow Yellow,” “Sunshine Superman,” and of course “Hurdy Gurdy Man.” At one point, I had a greatest hits collection, but nothing stuck. Still, my love for '60s psychedelia and folk has grown deeper in recent years, and this seemed like a great entry point into exploring Donovan's work more intentionally.

The timing couldn’t have been better.

The Music: Psychedelia Meets Spiritual Whimsy

The album opens with the title track, “Hurdy Gurdy Man”—a swirling, hard-edged psychedelic rock song that sounds unlike what most people associate with Donovan. It’s bold, strange, and completely captivating. And it features a guitar solo by none other than Jimmy Page. Yes, that Jimmy Page.

But here’s the surprise: the rest of the album doesn’t let down.

Like Sgt. Pepper or Magical Mystery Tour, this record plays like a theatrical experience—part folk, part rock, part eastern mysticism, and all wrapped in a layer of dreamy experimentation. Influenced by Donovan’s travels to India with the Beatles and his embrace of Transcendental Meditation, the songs are laced with spiritual themes and eastern instrumentation. Drones, flutes, acoustic textures—it’s a kaleidoscopic tour of Donovan’s mind in 1968.

Each track feels like a self-contained world. Quirky, whimsical, emotionally sincere. And yet, it all holds together beautifully.

The Sound Quality

I didn’t have an original Epic pressing on hand for comparison—but honestly, I didn’t need one. If past experience is any indicator, original pressings from that label and era often leave a lot to be desired.

This Impex pressing, on the other hand, sounds superb. The mastering is warm, spacious, and utterly respectful of the vintage character of the recording. It hasn’t been modernized or sterilized. Instead, it feels like the album has simply been brought to life under the best possible light. No tricks, no gimmicks—just honest, analog sound.

This is vintage late-'60s psychedelia at its finest, and it’s never sounded better.

Final Thoughts

If you're even remotely interested in psychedelic folk, or you’re building a vinyl collection that reflects the creative explosion of the late 1960s, this is a must-own. It’s also a great reminder that audiophile labels don’t always have to stick to the “safe bets.” Hurdy Gurdy Man is a bold choice from Impex, and it paid off.

The album hasn’t left my turntable since it arrived. I absolutely love it—and it’s now a treasured part of my psychedelic-era vinyl shelf.

If you’ve never ventured into Donovan’s catalog beyond the hits, this is a fantastic place to start. And if you’re already a fan, I don’t think you’ll need any convincing. Let me know what you think of this one—and whether Hurdy Gurdy Man has cast its spell on your system too.