I agree, Donovan is "groovier" and fun. 

But Dylan, whose voice is a bit more of an acquired taste, blows most people away in pure persona and stature, songwriting ability and lyricism, legacy, etc.

He is way more of an icon around the world. He never really faded too terribly much. Now, he is making yet another comeback. 

Again, I don't prefer to sit around listening to his music all day, but he really is a fascinating musical figure as well as musician.

I feel like if a sort of quality vs. quantity argument comes in to play, Dylan wins on both counts. Donovan's output is absolutely miniscule compared to Dylan's. I also think Dylan has aged better and I love how he will play older songs in a fashion that make them unrecognizable from their original versions. In terms of output and songwriting, Dylan's got it wrapped up.

Another thing is that Dylan could never really sing, but his writing and persona make up for that.  The tragedy about Donovan is that he really can't sing anymore. Seeing him on Conan earlier this year, I was downright embarrassed for him.

That said, I think Donovan might have a wider emotional range in his songs. His tracks run the gamut from elation to downright frightening.

 People forget , before Donovan REALLY started having hits in The U.S. , he was regarded as one of the first "Answer To Bob Dylan" artists.....I'm not a huge fan of either one. I like other people's versions of Dylan's songs better than most of his originals. But , I like Donovan more , if only because he can actually sing (It's hard to be Welsh and unable to sing , unless you're somebody like Jon Langford.), and , yeah , he had some catchy Psych/Pop flavored hits.

When people ask me what my favorite Led Zeppelin song is , I tell 'em "Hurdy Gurdy Man". 

Donovan definitely had his moments, and is possibly a slightly better singer but in terms of a catalogue of songs he can't really compete with Dylan. Not a huge fan of either but Donovan is groovier!

I don't really give this argument much thought, and you won't get much of a fight out of me, but they were only compared simply because they were contemporaries and toured together a little bit. Otherwise, I don't think they compare. 

I like them both, but I don't really get terribly excited over either of their music.

I gotta say, though, I don't think there is too much of a comparison because Dylan draws way more water than Donovan for many reasons. Dylan can easily overshadow many musicians that have come and gone. There is a reason why many people consider him such a big deal and he's won so many awards (including the Medal of Freedom).

I don't really see Donovan stacking up so high, even though he did write some fun tunes.

Someone may argue that Dylan never wrote a song quite as poppy or fun as Sunshine Superman.

I can honestly say that I don't listen much to either of 'em. Won't get much of a fight out of me!

I just wanted to start a fistfight out there! They have been compared and contrasted. They are iconic, ironic and perhaps a little over blown. But everyone has a favorite. I prefer Donovan what about you??

On Fuzzbox. Sad to hear the passing of Jo the lead singer last week. After a long battle with illness. Say wot you want about Fuzzbox, they coloured a very drab and serious late 80's and 90's Britain. She'll be sorely missed. Great lass and an even wickeder sense of humour. R.I.P

Totally forgot Schonen Knife (hope i've spelled it right)

Blondie, Sleater-Kinney, Shonen Knife, and of course Joan fucking Jett.

Just in case anyone's interested (and since you mention them), the Rezillos are touring in the USA at the moment.

D.

As Axel will attest (Because I told him so.) all that stuff was less  than unknown in the states....I followed it as much as I could . I have the Vibes EP , The Stingrays' "Dinosaurs" EP , THE LIVE ALBUM , AND THEIR LATER , MORE PSYCH - ORIENTED ALBUM , BUT , I think I only have one or two Purple Things songs on Media Burn comps.... I have'nt played that stuff in years , but, I did'nt trade it in , either.

Art Phag were very funny. They were actually a spinoff of Detroit's Snake - Out. I saw both bands , but , I liked Snake - Out , better. When I saw Art Phag , I recall them being a three piece - Vocals , drums and guitar. The members of Art Phag/SNAKEOUT DID ANOTHER ALBUM AS THE FUKNOTZ , called "Let's Play Scratch and Sniff With Grandpa's Butt". It's hilarious. Some of the material dated back to Snake-Out's repertoirre.

The funniest thing , which I just learned , was that Dino , from Snake - Out , was in The New Monkees. There's an interview in Roctober #50    www.roctober.com
where he makes it clear he was a huge Monkees fan , and tried to make peace with The Monkees , when he briefly met a few of them , but , it was'nt happening. Neither was their show.  
Axel said:

I wouldn't compare the Purple Things to Deja Voodoo or Bone Orchard but I agree that their first two records on Media Burn are fantastic. If you haven't heard them yet listen to the Vibes, the band the singer had before the 'Things'. Early Sting-Rays might appeal to you, too, like their 1st EP and LP 'Dinosaurs' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiL4CIzDFyc. Another 2-piece band similar to Deja Voodoo(but nowhere as great) was 'Art Phag', on Wanghead Records http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dakg0QpkKQw&feature=related 

I played in a band heavily influenced by Deja Voodoo in the mid 80s but we were sooo bad, I can't recommend listening to us, lol.

MADD BLAKE said:

Deja Voodoo is great, it got to listen to a few tracks from House Of Knives in a Myspace page,  sounds very good! I like the Gun Club too and I listened to Blowstops and sounds good too. Thank you both. I found this other band that sounds similar to the bands mentiones before, 'The Purple Things' you guys should check them out in youtube. 

Amen. We can be civil , without agreeing about everything. This is'nt You Tube.

D. A. Anguiano said:

Can I just say what a classy bunch of guys and gals you guys are. For being such a hot-button issue, this conversation has been downright civil. Cheers, everyone! Glad to be a member.

The Pulsebeats , That's a lot to consider , having to hire the venue yourself , and the other people that have to be paid , Soundman , Doorman , etc.    I think a lot of people in your position break even , at best , the first time they book an established act....Some of my friends have really taken a beating on bands that you'd think would draw plenty. On the other hand , I remember a so called "Booking agent" who took over a show my friend and I were doing ( I was the middleman, but , I personally put the two parties in touch.) even though he had no faith in the band or their drawing ability , because he did'nt know who the Hell they were.

They were THE CREATION , and they sold the venue out , two nights in a row , both weeknights , which NEVER happens in Chicago. One of our friends , here , posted recorded evidence of what a great engagement it was , too.

When we put The Dirtbombs on it was our first time putting on a band of their calibre. Before that we'd mainly put on bands who were happy to take whatever door money there was on the night, so we thought 1000 pounds was a lot to begin with and tried to get them down to 800. We covered it though, and the venue hire and all other costs, but didn't make a penny off it. For us it was payment enough to be able to meet them and share a stage with them. Unforgettable night!

John Battles said:

 The Pulsebeats' comment about working with The Dirtbombs , earlier , a grand for a band as popular as they are is'nt that much at all (Though it was'nt clear - to me  - as to whether he was talking Dollars or Pounds , or whether that was a large amount to pay , compared to other bands.).  Those guys draw several hundred people a night , maybe more in Europe.

Jim Jones Revue abide, dudes an dudesses

http://youtu.be/Xu9BBvUhM10

Wasn't he Jilted John, the camp one hit wonder?

I love Bog Log III, he looks pretty cool in that fighter pilot/human cannonball get up. Mister Quintron gets my vote too.

Andy Climax said:

In Britain we've got a guy called ' John Shuttleworth'. Does stand up and songs about his family and other nonsense. This is the funniest man on the planet. His music is mental. check'im out

Right! We're no doubt all familiar with garage craziness like Alergic to Flowers, Dribbling Fram, Surfin Bird, Swami, etc. What is the craziest garage song out there? I'll start with this chunk of junk...

OK well this might get me in trouble but... My favorite cover of a Dylan song is this Dylan cover of "It Take A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry" I know Alternate take if you would. Thought this version was very Garage in influenced and far more rocking than the original.

The Animals' classic , "Baby , Let Me Take You Home" is , of course , a variation on "Baby Let Me Follow You Down".
 
Old School Hero said:

http://soundcloud.com/shawn-dugger/the-berries-baby-wont-you

Click there for a really good version of Baby Won't You Follow Me Down.

Link Wray did a pretty good version of "Girl From The North County" and "Baby Blue", too.
 
gumbo chaff said:

Lions do a great cover of girl from the north country

Of course , the late Ronnie Dawson NEVER failed , and the late Janis Martin kicked major ass. Great lady.

John Battles said:

Yeah , that's the deal . When I go to these Rockabilly fests (I only went to the first Viva Las Vegas , but , the next one actually looks good.) , I catch a few new acts on the flip flop , but go see the older cats , out of respect....The best have included Art Adams , Huelyn Duvall , Joe Clay , The Collins Kids (Of course) , Wanda Jackson (Ditto.) , Charlie Gracie , Billy Lee Riley , and Hayden Thompson and Sonny Burgess (But he was TERRIBLE the last time I saw him , and I missed the Batusis to go , again , out of respect , and , while he usually BLAZES , he failed.
 
Joe said:

I recently saw both Ray Campi and Mac Curtis for the first time, at last April's Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend.  Both are a little worse for wear - hell, they're in their eighties! - but it was cool to see them perform, nonetheless. 

John Battles said:

SOME of our experiences , or lack of , are similar.....I did see Ray Campi in Dallas once , in 1986 , but , my Brother (Who was nice enough to take me , tho' he's not a big Rockabilly fan.) insisted we  leave after the second song of the set (His backing band had done a VERY long opening set , andit was getting late.). I saw him at the last Green Bay Fest. Like a lot of the still active Rockabillies , it was good , but , not great.
  Mac Curtis played , too , again , not great , but , honest...

 I got a couple of free passes to see Gene Summers in '83. I tried to get my other Brother to go , but , he was'nt into it. Who'da thunk that , years later , he'd be in a band with the younger Brother of one of Summer's former band members ? To be fair , I was'nt familiar with Gene Summers , I just wanted to see one of the originals , if I could. Naturally , I got the word , later , that HE was the one to see , and , the one time I had the chance to see him , he had to cancel (He'd had a heart transplant years ago , so , it may have been related to that. He's still living , but , I think he still performs just once in a great while.).

When The Clash played in Dallas , in 1982 , everybody was there , from the too punk to the not punk enough , I remember how cool and how friendly the audience members were , as much as I remember the show , itself. The Jam  were supposed to follow right behind at the same venue , but , they broke up before they ever made Dallas. I guess I don't regret it as much , now , knowing they'd be doing more of their "Soul Boy" stuff than songs from the first few albums , or even "Sound Affects" , but , sure , I wish I'd seen 'em. It's cool that you were even aware of the LA Punk scene in your early teens. But , I did meet Alice Bag , recently , on her book tour. She's VERY cool , and she told great stories , as well as doing about a half dozen songs with a pared down backing group. HER BOOK , "VIOLENCE GIRL" comes recommended.     Funny thing , too , I was even supposed to have an arranged meeting with Gary Panter when I went to what was , unfortunately , his Alma Mater , too , East Texas State University. THEY HAD A GREAT ART DEPT. , WHICH WAS THE MAIN REASON I WAS LIVING IN THAT SHITHOLE (COMMERCE , TEXAS.). I happened to be their star pupil , that and 50 cents'll get you a local newspaper , and the Dept. Head knew I was a fan of Panter's . But , it did'nt happen.
  He also did two appearances here in Chicago , neither of which I heard about.

Mike said:

Working shift work for the past 20 years, there are so many. But in my younger days I would have to say it'd be:

The Germs - by time I got into music they had stopped playing, but there was the Darby Crash band and then they did that re-union/final show in December of '80 that, being 14, I couldn't manage to get a ride to.

The Screamers - they were still playing a bit towards the end of '80 as I recall, but I was "too punk" to get it. Outside of a few demos Rodney Bingenheimer would play, they were more known to me for that Gary Panter logo that seemed to be so prolific.

The Clash - There were several opportunities to see them, yet again, I was "too punk" (aka too young and dumb) and they were too comercial. I remember using my limited funds to go see the Angelic Upstarts instead during an '82 7 night stand by the Clash at the Hollywood Palladium. The upstarts were playing just a stone's throw away from the Palladium. By time I realised the error of my ways I saw the "new" Clash on their 'Cut The Crap' tour. Not the same thing obviously.

The Jam - What can I say, my "mod" friiends were smarter than me. I passed and now regret it.

Bags - Another band I never caught thatI could of towards their end.

Ray Campi - How and why I haven't seen him I do not know! There's still a chance to though!

Mac Curtis -  see above

The list is actually quite long now that I start thinking of it, so I leave at that.