In December 1973, “Epic” label released “Essence to Essence”, the eleventh Donovan studio album. It was recorded September – October 1973, at “Morgan Studios”, and was produced by Donovan Leitch and Andrew Loog Oldham.

Personnel:

• Donovan – vocals, acoustic guitar
• Henry McCullough, Danny Kortchmar, Doug Schlink, Neil Hubbard, Peter Frampton- electric guitar
• Alan Spenner, Carl Radle, Leland Sklar, Paul Ossola – bass
• Danny Thompson- double bass
• Carole King, Craig Doerge, Jean Roussel, Nicky Hopkins- piano
• Nicky Hopkins – electric piano
• Bobby Whitlock- organ
• Bruce Rowland, Denny Seiwell, Jim Gordon, Russell Kunkel- drums
• Ray Cooper- percussion
• Tom Scott- woodwind
• Jack Emblow – accordion
• Chris Nicholls – bass flute
• Simon Jeffes- koto
• The Scratch Band – backing vocals
• Andrew Powell, Del Newman, Nicky Harrison – strings

Track listing:

All tracks by Donovan Leitch.

1. Operating Manual for Spaceship Earth
2. Lazy Daze
3. Life Goes On
4. There is an Ocean
5. Dignity of Man
6. Yellow Star
7. Divine Daze of Deathless Delight
8. Boy for Every Girl
9. Saint Valentine’s Angel
10. Life is a Merry-Go-Round
11. Sailing Homeward