Posted by Jim Surace on August 18, 2008 at 16:32:58:
In Reply to: Hurdy Gurdy Man posted by Spencer Morasch on August 18, 2008 at 02:38:28:
Some info on "Hurdy Gurdy Man"
Donovan wrote the song for his old guitar mentor Mac MacLeod who had formed a power trio he called "Hurdy Gurdy." Donovan wanted MacLeod's band to play it but they played it in a heavy rock way and Donovan wanted it light and acoustic.
Over the years Donovan has mentioned various people as playing on this track. It is now understood to be as follows according to John Paul Jones (who did play bass and book the session players) as:
Donovan.................Acoustic Guitar, Tambura and vocals
Alan Parker.............Electric Guitar
John Paul Jones.......Bass and Musical Director
Clem Cattini........... Drums
John Bonham, Allan Holdsworth and Jimmy Page were not involved with this song, Jeff Beck according to Page did play on one version which was wiped. Jimmy Page has said, "I know it's rumored that I played on that, but I didn't - and the most bizarre part about this whole story I heard about this story actually when I was in USA, it was about the time we were talking about the deal with Led Zeppelin....