October 23rd, 2016 - La Belle Pêche For The Hurdy Gurdy Man

Good afternoon!  Something a little more mellow for you on this sunny, lazy Sunday... I'm pairing Donovan's "The Hurdy Gurdy Man" and La Belle Pêche from Proper Brewing Company!

Album Info:

• Artist: Donovan
• Title: "The Hurdy Gurdy Man"
• Recorded: November 1967 through April 1968
• Release date: October 1968 (6th studio album by Donovan) (1969-04-16)
• Record company: Epic Records
• Production: Mickie Most
• Album cover art: ?
• Personnel: Donovan (vocals, guitar, and harmonica)
• Additional musicians: uncredited session musicians (It has been noted that John Bonham, Clem Cattini, John Paul Jones, and Jimmy Page all played on the album.)
• Musical style: Pop, folk rock, psychedelic rock, raga rock, and elements of jazz
• Sound: Combining Donovan's love for folk, jazz, Indian sitars, and the new psychedelic movement at the time, "The Hurdy Gurdy Man" is a very well balanced and joyous album.  However, some find it a bit disjointed as the songs don't necessarily flow well into one another.
• Major themes: Peace, love, seeking knowledge, seeking truth, girls, and pastoral themes
• Notes: George Harrison wrote a verse for "Hurdy Gurdy Man" when they were in India together, but it didn't make it on the album.  The last verse of "Hurdy Gurdy Man" written by Harrison is: "When the truth gets buried deep, beneath a thousand years of sleep, time demands a turn around, and once again the truth is found".
• Tracks:   

1. "Hurdy Gurdy Man"
2. "Peregrine"
3. "The Entertaining Of A Shy Girl"
4. "As I Recall It"
5. "Get Thy Bearings"
6. "Hi It's Been A Long Time"
7. "West Indian Lady"
8. "Jennifer Juniper"
9. "The River Song"
10. "Tangier"
11. "A Sunny Day"
12. "The Sun Is A Very Magic Fellow"
13. "Teas"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Proper Brewing Company (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: properbrewingco.com      
• Brew: La Belle Pêche Saison
• Style: Saison / Farmhouse Ale
• Serving: 22 ounce bottle
• ABV: 4.0%
• IBUs: 17
• Pour: It pours a hazy golden-yellow with a frothy 1-finger, bright white head that displays intricate, sticky lacing. 
• Nose: The nose is grainy, fruity, and mildly funky.  There are aromas of fresh peaches, peach syrup, fruity esters, lemon, light barnyard funk, and Belgian yeast.
• Taste: The taste is fruity, grainy, citrusy, and mildly funky.  There are notes peach juice, cereal grain, soft banana, light Chardonnay, and herbs.
• Mouthfeel: Light to medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is crisp, slightly tart, and sticky with a dry finish.

Overall pairing: The brilliant, bright peachy flavors of Proper's La Belle Pêche Saison is perfect for the mellow grooves of Donovan's "The Hurdy Gurdy Man" album and particularly the title track itself!  Those sharp and playful Belgian flavors work really well with Donovan's eclectic and playful musical taste and execution!

Cheers!!