I bought Sutras and didn't know what I was getting in to. I'm fairly new to Donovan though I'm learning fast. The songs here are so tight it is unbelievable that this CD is not more widely known or talked about!! It was only after many listens that I delved into the liner notes and discovered some of the sources that the artist used for inspiration, such as lines from classic spiritual texts, poetry, etc. But, this is somehow even beside the point. The songwriting here is like a spell, a beautiful culling of many spiritual traditions that Donovan distills through his ever entrancing guitar work and lyrical prowess. A freakin' masterpiece. I did some looking around on Donovan dedicated sites and found press articles relating to the release of this record. I encourage you to do the same just to fact check me, but if I remember correctly Rick Rubin contacted Donovan because he felt compelled to work with him and they ended up hanging out in L.A. for quite a while going to all sorts of fantastic bookstores and having some deep philosophical converstaions. Anyway, Donovan wrote 100 songs during this period and they brought it down to what, something like 14? Incredible. The production is very subtle, with a soft and whole accoustic resonance with the exception of one song ("out of nothing comes the one(?)") that has a very bright yet straight forward texture (somewhat George Harrisonesque sounding I think). It seems that the more this work is listened to, the deeper it goes!!! Enjoy this ride!

I read a review about Sutras (not on Amazon) where they were criticizing Rick Rubin's production on Sutras for having "too much compression" and sounding "too modern." I'm sorry, but I think Rick is a genius and everything he did on this album sounds great. Actually, if you want to hear "too much compression" on a Donovan album, go back and listen to the Mickie Most-produced albums from the 60's, especially the Sunshine Superman LP which has some great brick-wall limiting on it. Mickie Most was as much a genius at producing as Rick Rubin. Donovan is so gifted at songwriting that his producers are really just there to "enhance" the music. Rick Rubin has a way of making the performances sound very natural. Warm and natural. I wish he had been producing albums in 1982 when everyone was drowning everything in reverb gates and wobbly chorus effects and making the music to sound like it was recorded in a large concrete garage. My review is really just to stress two points. Donovan is a brilliant singer and songwriter and Rick Rubin is a top-notch and technically skilled producer who crafts fine examples of brilliant audiophile. This album will not fail you. It's a shame that a follow-up or sequel never materialized. Rubin encouraged Donovan to compose a large number of songs so that the cream of the crop could be chosen for a final album. It would be nice to hear what wasn't chosen.

I so agree with the thoughtful review posted by ....someone from Michigan (can't see the other reviews while writing here).

This album seems to have been overlooked in the rush to repackage Donovan for some wave of nostalgia the marketers must think is coming. Donovan's body of work is so strong, of course, that marketers can pitch him any way they want and his "unprecedentedness" in the music of the time will always shine forth.

It's been maddening to be unable to download this most extraordinary album. I gave away my first physical copy, and have wanted the music constantly, and can't get it, so I'm going to order it physically again.

This effort shows Donovan in his true colors as a poet, musician, scholar, historian and guide for all of us. His influence on the music of the time (from Dylan and beyond the Beatles) needs to be fully recognized.

If you ever loved his perfect-pitch, resonant, slow-vibrato voice, this is the album that finally allows us to hear it flawlessly. This selection of songs is inward, peace-making, jewel-like, honest, moving, intimate. The man has never strayed from his affectionate and genuine path. Before you listen to his "hit" songs again, listen to this, and see where those efforts have always been tending.

What a mervellous album. A masterpiece. If you are a fan of DONOVAN you must have this CD.This album is fresh, acoustic. All the songs are good. This album is produce by Rick Rubin who knows how to extract the essence of a great composer. This album had the potential for a great comeback but it never happend ? I am one of those rare guy who knows how great is this CD.

I was there when he was there, back in the 60's- with his special knowingness and elegant image-weaving. In the 70's I raised my kids on his sound, his color and his imagination. I trusted them to his gentleness and agreed with his standards about life and love. I wanted them embued with the ageless maturity underlying his sometimes 'youthful' themes. I have had 'Sutras' with me for several years now and have loved it from the first. There again is my old friend- older, wiser, still evolving creatively, still singing about the Eternal Thread with ever new richness. Yes, many will not 'get' this album. The subtleties are not available for all to witness. Those who can receive will be grateful for his gift. Everlasting Sea is a spectacular love song.