Rating: **** (4 stars)
Title: Tubular Bells
Company: Virgin
Catalog: VR 13 135
Year: 1974
Grade (cover/record):
Comments:
Available: 1
Price: $
Born into a musical family, by the time he was 17 Mike Oldfield had completed his first album; 1969's "Sallyangie" recorded with sister Sally (see separate entry). In the wake of the sibling collaboration, Oldfield formed the short-lived (and never recorded) Barefeet. Although his initial interests were in the field of folk music, by 1970 Oldfield had hooked up with Kevin Ayers and the Whole World (see separate entry), playing guitar and bass in his band. His collaboration with Ayers lasted through three years and three albums; ending in 1972 when he opted to pursue a solo career.
Working with a borrowed tape recorder, Oldfield put together a rough demo of an instrumental composition he'd been working on. Shopped the demo to five major labels, he was rejected by each, but finally found a sponsor in Richard Branson's newly formed Virgin Records. Having made his money with a chain of record stores, Branson knew little about the recording industry, but was suitably impressed by Oldfield, making him Virgin's first signing. Given access to the company's state-of-the-art Manor recording complex, Oldfield spent the next year completing the effort.
Released in early 1974, "Tubular Bells" proved to be one of the year's surprising hits. A unique and ground-breaking instrumental, the album featured a series of haunting melodies, showcasing Oldfield's extensive overdubbing techinques. Backed by the publicity surrounding it's use in the soundtrack for the film "The Exorcist," the album attracted immense publicity, hitting #3, ultimately selling in excess of ten million copies, spinning off a top-ten single, and winning a Grammy as 'Best Instrumental Composition'. Unfortunately, born an introvert, Oldfield was reluctant to deal with the press; a particular source of infuriation for the English music press, which took every opportunity to skewer him.
"Tubular Bells" track listing:
1.) Tubular Bells (Part One) - 25:34
2.) Tubular Bells (Part Two) - 23:18
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Hergest Ridge
Company: Virgin
Catalog: VR 13 109
Year: 1974
Grade (cover/record):
Comments:
Available: 1
Price: $
1974's "Hergest
Ridge" (named after the location in Herefordshire Oldfield retreated to), bore more than a passing resemblance to his debut, although it found the artist focusing on his folk roots. Musically the album was actually more
consistwnt and enjoyable than it's predecessor; Oldfield displaying a knack for crafting highly melodic material. While the album proved a major English hit (replacing "Bells" at the top of the charts), in the States the sophomore album proved a disappointment, peaking at #87.
"Hergest Ridge" track listing:
1.) Hergest Ridge (Part one) - 21:40
2.) Hergest Ridge (Part two) - 18:51
Rating: ** (2 stars)
Title: The Orchesteral Tubular Bells
Company: Virgin
Catalog: 2026
Year: 1975
Grade (cover/record):
Comments:
Available: 1
Price: $
More than willing to take advantage of Oldfield's commercial potential (and that of "Tubular Bells"), Virgin commissioned 1975's
"The Orchesteral Tubular Bells". Not exactly an Oldfield endeavor, the album featured David Bedford conducting the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on an extended remake of the album. Oldfield's participation was limited to providing occasional guitar - if his name weren't prominently featured of the cover, you'd never have known he was a participant. A top-20 release in England, the set failed to chart in the States.
"The Orchesteral Tubular Bells (with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra" track listing:
1.) The Orchesteral Tubular Bells, Part 1 (instrumental) (Mike Oldfield) - 28:10
2.) The Orchesteral Tubular Bells, Part 2 (instrumental) (Mike Oldfield) - 24:36
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Ommadawn
Company: Virgin
Catalog: PZ-33913
Year: 1975
Grade (cover/record):
Comments:
Available: 1
Price: $
Ironically, Oldfield's patented multi-dubbing technique proved
disasterous in completing 1975's "Ommadawn". Having recorded hundreds of overdubs on the original master tape, engineers discovered the tape was worn through and unusable. Returning to the studio, Oldfield rerecorded a year's worth of material in three months. Although sister Sally, vocalist Clodagh Simmonds and the African drummers from Jabula added bits of color, musically the set differed little from his earlier catalog. Recorded as a virtual solo effort, the set was chiefly notable for incorporating Oldfield's interest in Celtic and African music. Somewhat more varied than his earlier efforts, the set featured several interesting instrumental passages, but nothing overwhelming. While the collection hit #4 in England, it did little to expand his American audience, faltering at #146.
"Ommadawn" track listing:
1.) Ommadawn (Part one) - 19:23
2.) Ommadawn (Part two - 13:55
3.) On Horse Back - 3:24
Rating: ** (2 stars)
Title: Exposed
Company: Virgin
Catalog: 2511
Year: 1979
Grade (cover/record):
Comments:
Available: 1
Price: $
Recorded during 1979 European dates, "Exposed" was a limited edition, 5 track, double album live set. Recorded with orchesteral backing, the 46 minute "Incantations" suite wasn't bad, if hardly his most original endeavor. Less impressive was the upteenth version of "Tubular Bells" - this one clocking in at 40 minutes. (The collection was originally released with a gatefold sleeve.)
"Exposed" track listing:
1.) Incantations (Parts One and Two) (instrumental) (Mike Oldfield) - 26:31
2.) Incantations (Parts Three and Four) (instrumental) (Mike Oldfield) - 20:50
3.) Tubular Bells (Part 1) (instrumental) (Mike Oldfield) - 28:42
4.) Tubular Bells (Part 2) (instrumental) (Mike Oldfield) - 12:00
5.) Guilty (instrumental) (Mike Oldfield) - 5:37
Rating: ** (2 stars)
Title: QE2
Company: Virgin
Catalog: 2181
Year: 1980
Grade (cover/record):
Comments:
Available: 1
Price: $
With Genesis' Phil Collins provided support throughout, 1980's
"QE2" was a transitional effort. In spite of the title, unlike earlier
outings, the collection lacked a unifying theme (certainly nothing we could see or hear), Moreover, with the exception of the extended leadoff instrumental "Taurus 1" the set found Oldfield largely abandoning his trademark attack in favor of shorter, commercial-styled material such as "Conflict", "Wonderful Land" and "Mirage". Continuing his collaborations with vocalist Reilly, the album even included an instrumental cover of ABBA's "Arrival". A minor chart success, the set reached #174. (Nice to see someone having spent 30 seconds designing the album cover.)
"QE2" track listing:
1.) Taurus 1 (instrumental) (Mike Oldfield) - 10:16
2.) Sheba (Mike Oldfield) - 3:32
3.) Conflict (instrumental) (Mike Oldfield) - 2:48
4.) Arrival (instrumental) (Benny Andersson - Bjorn Ulvaeus) - 2:46
5.) Wonderful Land (instrumental) (J. Lordan) - 3:38
6.) Mirage (instrumental) (Mike Oldfield) - 4:39
7.) QE2 (instrumental) (Mike Oldfield - David Hentschel) - 7:39
8.) Celt (Mike Oldfield - Tim Cross) - 3:04
9.) Molly (instrumental) (Mike Oldfield) - 1:14
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Airborn
Company: Virgin
Catalog: VA 13143
Year: 1980
Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments: double album; gatefold sleeve
Available: 1
Price: $10.00
1980's "Airborn" was an odd offering. Apparently a corporate attempt to get back at Oldfield for his lawsuit, the double album set repackaged the earlier "Platinum" adding the English single "Guilty" and a second album of live material. Divided into the sidelong instrumental "Platinum" suite and a side of shorter tracks such as "Punkadiddle", "Into Wonderland" and "I Got Rhythm" (the latter two featuring former Cado Belle vocalist Maggie Reilly) the "Platinum" tracks were thoroughly enjoyable. Oldfield's shimmering guitar provided most of the highlights. In contrast, the live version of "Tubular Bells (Part 1)" (recorded during a 1979 European tour) fell somewhere in the mid-region. Mixing studio and concert passages, the sidelong "Incanitations" was professional, if unspectacular. Unfortunately, Oldfield's return to the American market went unnoticed.
"Airborn" track listing:
1.) Platinum Part One: Airborne - 4:59
2.) Platinum Part Two: Platinum - 4:56
3.) Platinum Part Three: Charleston - 3:11
4.) Platinum Part Four: North Star/Platinum Finale - 4:36
5.) Guilty - 3:48
6.) Into Wonderland - 3:36
7.) Punkadiddle - 5:39
8.) I Got Rhythm - 4:35
9.) Tubular Bells (Part 1) (live) - 23:40
10) Incantations (studio and live) - 19:26
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Five Miles Out
Company: Virgin
Catalog: 37983
Year: 1982
Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments:
Available: 1
Price: $
1982's "Five Miles
Out" found Oldfield working with a full fledged band, including vocalist Reilly, keyboardist Tim Cross and bassist Rick Finn. Musically the set was kind of a hybrid. Half the set consisted of an extended instrumental piece "Taurus II." The other half stood as another concept piece, the plot focusing on Oldfield's experiences as a private aviator. Like most of his catalog, the largely instrumental set had its moments, including portions of "Taurus II" (featuring members of the Chieftains), the title track and "Orabidoo". Elsewhere, Reilly's vocal performance on "Family Man" (Hall and Oates took their version into the top-10) stood as an outright stab at commercial acceptance. Another minor commercial success, the album peaked at #164. (The collection was originally released with a gatefold sleeve.)
"Five Miles Out" track listing:
1.) Taurus II - 24:49
2.) Family Man - 3:45
3.) Orabidoo - 13:03
4.) Mount Teidi - 4:10
5.) Five Miles Out - 4:17
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: The Complete Mike Oldfield
Company: Virgin
Catalog: 233518
Year: 1988
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: double LP set; gatefold sleeve; UK only album
Available: 1
Price: $10.00
An English 25 track, double album set, 1984's
"The Complete Mike Oldfield" served to compile the best of the man's broad and eclectic career (much of which has never seen an American release). In addition to singles, album tracks and soundtrack work, the compilation included a couple of previously unreleased numbers ("In Dulci Jubilo" and "Jungle Gardenia"), as well as a side of previously unreleased live material (recorded during the 1981-84 timeframe).
The live material was interesting to hear in that Oldfield and company
actually turned in decent performances of some rather complex
material. The highlight was probably "Platinum" wherein
Oldfield actually got down and played some funky geetar !!! Mind you, not everything here was necessary (1979's "Blue Peter" sounded like Oldfield had ripped off the Popeye the Sailor Man theme, while "Etude" from the critically acclaimed "The Killing Fields" soundtrack didn't even sound like a fully developed effort). That said, Oldfield's instantly recognizable guitar (how does he get those thick sustained tones?) remained a treat, and even some of his mistakes were worth investigating. The set was accompanied by an interesting discography and was originally released with a gatefold sleeve. Although hard to find in the States, this is probably the set casual fans and the curious should invest in ...
"The Complete Mike Oldfield" track listing:
1.) Arrival (instrumental) (Mike Oldfield) -
2.) In Dulci Jubilo (instrumental) (Mike Oldfield) -
3.) Portsmouth (instrumental) (Mike Oldfield) -
4.) Jungle Gardenia (instrumental) (Mike Oldfield) -
5.) Guilty (instrumental) (Mike Oldfield) -
6.) Blue Peter (instrumental) (Mike Oldfield) -
7.) Waldberg (The Peak) (instrumental) (Mike Oldfield) -
8.) Wonderful Land (instrumental) (Mike Oldfield) -
9.) Etude (Theme from the Killing Fields) (instrumental) (Mike Oldfield) -
10.) Moonlight Shadow (Mike Oldfield) -
11.) Family Man (Mike Oldfield) -
12.) Mistake (Mike Oldfield) -
13.) Five Miles Out (Mike Oldfield) -
14.) Crimes of Passion (Mike Oldfield) -
15.) To France (Mike Oldfield) -
16.) Shadow On the Wall (Mike Oldfield) -
17.) Excerpt from Ommadawn (instrumental) (Mike Oldfield) -
18.) Excerpt from Tubular Bells (instrumental) (Mike Oldfield) -
19.) Excerpt from Hergest Ridge (instrumental) (Mike Oldfield) -
20.) Excerpt from Incantations (instrumental) (Mike Oldfield) -
21.) Excerpt from the Killing Fields (instrumental) (Mike Oldfield) -
22.) Sheba (live) (Mike Oldfield) -
23.) Mirage (live) (Mike Oldfield) -
24.) Platinum (live) (Mike Oldfield) -
25.) Mount Tiede (live) (Mike Oldfield) -