7-Tease is an album by the Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan. It was released in the US (Epic PE 33245) in November 1974 and in the UK (Epic SEPC 69104) in January 1975. The album peaked at No. 135 on the Billboard 200.

History

After the low chart success of Essence to Essence, Donovan entered the studio in late 1974 with a different producer and a new set of songs. The songs were originally intended for use as part of an operetta about the preceding 10 years of Donovan's life and times. Some of the songs on 7-Tease feature lyrical lines or melodies from earlier Donovan songs. "The Voice of Protest" features a line about a ship going "all on her starry way", in a direct lift from a line in "The Voyage of the Moon" on H.M.S. Donovan. The melody on "How Silly" is nearly identical to "A Funny Man" from H.M.S. Donovan.

Critical reception

AllMusic wrote that "a fair hearing of 7-Tease reveals an album steeped in disillusionment, yet built upon beautiful melodies and some of the most diverse and appealing sounds and arrangements of [Donovan's] career, and a harder rocking sound than he was usually known for."

Reissues

Track listing

All tracks by Donovan Leitch.

Original album

2004 Repertoire Records version

Personnel