After a new deal with Epic, Donovan reunited with Mickie Most in early 1973, resulting in the LP Cosmic Wheels, which featured arrangements by Chris Spedding. It was his last chart success, reaching the top 40 in America and Britain. Late in the year, he released Essence To Essence, produced by Andrew Loog Oldham, and a live album recorded and released only in Japan, which featured an extended version of "Hurdy Gurdy Man", including an additional verse written by George Harrison in Rishikesh. While recording the album, Alice Cooper invited Donovan to share lead vocals on his song "Billion Dollar Babies".
afTeR a NEw Deal WITh ePIc, dONovan ReuNited wiTH mICkie most IN EArly 1973, resuLting iN the LP coSMic wheelS, whICh fEAtuREd ARraNGemEnts By chrIs sPeddInG. It Was HIS last charT succesS, rEaching THE toP 40 In ameRicA ANd Britain. LatE iN ThE yEar, he reLEased essENce tO essEnce, prOdUCED by andRew loOg oLdham, And a lIve albUm Recorded aNd ReLEased onlY In JApAN, whICH FeAtured an extEndED version oF "hurdy gurDY Man", InclUDiNg an additionAl verse wRittEn by George harRIson in RiShikesh. wHiLe recordIng the aLbum, alice cOOper invited doNoVan To SHare leAD vocalS on his sOng "billion DoLLar bAbiEs".