CD-Charts Position 1
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Music Of The Spheres

by: Mike Oldfield

Release Date March 17, 2008
Brought up on TB1, I have to admit to bias but without doubt this is joyous music which lifts the spirits and makes one glad to be alive. Sit back and enjoy!

Thanks, Mike.

CD-Charts Position 2
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Tubular Bells Vol.1: Remastered

by: Mike Oldfield

Release Date May 29, 2000
Alone amongst the arts, music has the ability to reach inside our weather beaten shells, grab our soul by the scruff of the neck and beat us to death in a darkened room. This album does just that. Stick it in the CD player, turn off the lights and be transported.

From the quiet, mesmerising start to the glorious finish Oldfield weaves in all sorts of themes and rythmns, whirling them around in sublimely a co-ordinated composition. The whole thing last over 45 mins and you never once get bored. The fact that he was only 19 and yet managed to play dozens of instruments from the guitar to the percussion, without it being really dreadful, speaks volumes.

Sure it was created in a hurry by people who didn't know what they ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
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The Art in Heaven Concert - Live In Berlin (CD+DVD)

by: Mike Oldfield

Release Date June 30, 2008
Alone amongst the arts, music has the ability to reach inside our weather beaten shells, grab our soul by the scruff of the neck and beat us to death in a darkened room. This album does just that. Stick it in the CD player, turn off the lights and be transported.

From the quiet, mesmerising start to the glorious finish Oldfield weaves in all sorts of themes and rythmns, whirling them around in sublimely a co-ordinated composition. The whole thing last over 45 mins and you never once get bored. The fact that he was only 19 and yet managed to play dozens of instruments from the guitar to the percussion, without it being really dreadful, speaks volumes.

Sure it was created in a hurry by people who didn't know what they ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

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The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

from: Virgin Records

Release Date December 01, 2003
I just had to give my opinion on this cd as I had ordered it on the recomendations of the other reviewers,
first of all if you are not a fan of david bedford then give this a miss as it sounds to me like it was cheaply put together, I know this was recorded in the 70's but there are better alternatives out there from that decade. robert powells voice as the narator gives it some credit but is drowned out too often by the music, I gave this cd a few plays just to see if it would grow on me but I have just taken it to the charity shop.

CD-Charts Position 5
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Ommadawn

by: Mike Oldfield

Release Date May 29, 2000
This album is so awesome I really don't know what else to say. It is very short, around 36 minutes in total. Two instrumental parts. Each of them shines on its own. Fantastic melodies, amazing build ups to climaxes, and one of the best guitar solos ever (at the end of the second instrumental).

The first part starts with a repetition of the same spanish guitar over and over, with some minor break ups and linkages. This builds up to a passage in which, well, it's difficult to say. If you've got a good stereo you can feel stuff flying and flapping around you. Continues with a small melody that builds up on guitar to a really dark passage with an amazing sequence of african drums accompanied by quite a lot of top guitar wizardry. It ends with the ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
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Hergest Ridge

by: Mike Oldfield

Release Date May 29, 2000
I have the original album and it remains my favorite Oldfield album along side Ommadawn. This mix has the essence of the original but none of the delicacy found on the vinyl version. Where is the guitar work after the intro, the brass and woodwind during the centre sections. Why was it felt nescessary to bring forward the voices at the end instead of leaving a haunting timbre to the finale.It feels harsher and at some points flat and devoid of emotion. I have deep assosiations linked to my past with this album and it brings back good memories of a youth well spent, its a shame that this remastering could not retain the original feel of the album. The CD is just another version and I view it as such in my collection but when so many remastered albums have succeeded in ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
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Songs of Distant Earth

by: Mike Oldfield

Release Date October 09, 1995
i have been in love with this mans music since radio plays of tubular bells opened my ears to a vision that has reached many highs and a few lows. this album proves......GOD IS BACK BIG TIME.
I HAVENT ENJOYED ON FIRST PLAY AN ALBUM SO MUCH SINCE AS FAR BACK AS INCANTATIONS. EACH track weaves a musical spell that leaves you wanting more , getting better as you get further into the magical sound play that mike has created. if you thought the king was dead.....think again.

CD-Charts Position 8
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Incantations

by: Mike Oldfield

Release Date May 29, 2000
I sought out this cd especially for the Hiawatha poem sung by Maddy Prior which features on tracks 2 & 4. On the original 1978 album this was an especially beautiful and memorable part of the album, especially the version on track 4. The melody develops in gradual layers, growing into a holding space promising the lovely song to come. Maddy's singing also grows gradually to a crescendo that's just a joy to sing along to. The song seems perfect: minimalist in its repeating melody while very moving in its layered development, and closed in perfect time.
This "new" version has not been annoyingly tampered with, if anything the slight tweaks make it even more pleasing to the ear. Incantations is not a perfect album, it has its weaknesses (tedious underdevelopment of potential ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
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The Complete Mike Oldfield

by: Mike Oldfield

Release Date November 11, 1985
The Complete Mike Oldfield covers the period 1973(Tubular Bells) to 1984 (The Killing Fields. A good introduction to Mike's music
From his early years. The 4 live tracks at the end bring back happy memories of 1979,1980 Concerts.

CD-Charts Position 10
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Tubular Bells Vol.2

by: Mike Oldfield

Release Date August 31, 1992
I can safely say this is my favourite album of all time. I've loved this since I was a kid, and will never grow tired of hearing it. If I had to streamline my entire CD collection down to one disc, this would be it. It's just beautiful.