Graham Fox

Amarok is nowhere near as good, or inspired as, Mike’s first four albums . Despite having very much the feel of his seventies works,It just isn’t the same to me: Mike himself stated that his first three albums were the best “because of his state of mind at the time “ It seems he wasn’t too keen on Incantations but it’s still a class above anything that came after it. How insightful to know that all his best music came prior to the exegesis seminar in 1978 .What better judge than his brother Terry, who commented: “ as far as I am concerned,after the first tour, he started writing stuff that wasn’t him in the deepest sense “. Well said, Terry, for a perfect summation. So, sorry Amarok, you are not up there with the truly inspired . I have recently thought what I might have in my top ten list, and Amarok is not there . Surprising as it may seem to some , I would have Return To Ommadawn at number five ; and included would be Discovery at number ten ; and a place also given to The Millennium Bell .

Second only to Ommadawn in my preference ,Hergest Ridge is best description as transcendently beautiful: a gently flowing symphonic gem.There are a few interflowing melodies here, as Mike himself stated, a perfect example of counterpoint at its purest . I adore the sleigh bells section, where it is reported Mr. Oldfield played under the lid of a grand piano ! Thereafter,the finale,with the rousing choir,so lovely you can almost feel your spirit leaving your body in to the heavenly paradise . Side two continues with this theme,interspersed with a curious middle section, the only change in the album from the all of the other material. Again,like all of Mike’s very best gets better the more you hear it.

Last of the big four for me : I don’t think Mike ever reached the same heights again; his seventies music was his most inspired period ,drawing upon his inner spiritual depths .I find his ability to create music which really sounds appropriate for the word Incantations one of the cleverest aspects of this recording. Sides one & four surely are the two most inspired but the album in its entirety has some wonderful moments: the latter part of side four is mesmerising and the Bodhran playing incredible, Side four’s finale is simply sublime: Mike’s early albums all had this . I can’t give it the same mark as Ommadawn.

you couldn’t find a more inspiring piece of music: Mike Oldfield’mastely album,composed before his exegesis seminar in 1978 .Mike’s first four albums have never been surpassed , whatever others may tell you. If you would like to like to try Ommadawn , then the original album is an absolute necessity . : subsequent CD versions are not the same : akin to adding water to whiskey .Ypu will need repeated listenings; I have been listening to it almost every day for more than thirty years . You may not like it , of course.Let me assure you this is spirit filled music, so ultimately:How can you understand the things of God unless you have the spirit of God?.My sincere good wishes and blessings to you.