The Donovan of Trash

Recorded for Billy Childish's Hangman label in the early '90s, well over ten years after Wreckless Eric's brief moment in the charts, one would be forgiven for thinking that Donovan of Trash would be a complete mess. On the other hand, all of Wreckless Eric's best albums are complete messes; it's only when he's spiffed up that things go off the rails. As such, Donovan of Trash is probably Wreckless Eric's most enjoyable album that doesn't have either "Whole Wide World" or "Semaphore Signals" on it. The highlight is "Joe Meek," one of Eric's finest songs ever, a heartfelt yet tongue-in-cheek tribute to the great British eccentric record producer of the '60s, though the Jonathan Richman-like reverie "Paris in June" is a close second. The sound is live and largely acoustic, with minimal backing that includes such unexpected instruments as kazoo and good old-fashioned Bill Black-style slap bass. Sweet, funny, and utterly unpretentious, Donovan of Trash is a winner, one of Wreckless Eric's finest albums ever. ~ Stewart Mason|