Now, I know (as my wife tells me) the appeal for this kind of thing is idiosyncratic to me and the synesthesia, but this is it (cover by David Bailey):
After Tubular Bells, Oldfield was crushed by the tidal wave of global attention foisted on his already fragile psyche. Retreating to the wilds of Herefordshire (oh my missed chance to climb it -) he produced Hergest Ridge, because he was contractually obliged to create a sequel. His heart wasn't in it, and although many of us devotees feel it is a much neglected gem, it really wasn't a labour of love. He chucked it at Virgin and retreated...only to be stung by the critical response: dubbed son of Tubular Bells (its structure whilst more minimalist is pretty much the same) it was an opportunity for the press to put down the new 'maestro'.
On the whole, for us muso's, this was a good thing - he knew he had much more to give and he set out to prove it to them. And prove it he did (IMHO) - for many fans this is the ultimate Oldfield work: a fully developed set of themes, beautifully played, incorporating what would become common fare 15 years later in 'world music' (African musicians, uillean pipes, his discovery of Lesley Penning and his recorders & whistles, with whom he had a hit in Indulce Jubilo) and a blistering guitar solo with what would become his trademark 'doublespeed' sound. His mad overdubbing was taken to an extreme on side 2 (that's not an organ, that's thousands of guitars), plus his first song, On Horseback. His creativity was back - including learning the harp to get the haunting sound to open.
It's pastoral, evocative, multilayered, rock, sound-painting at its best. It's just too short.
The downside is good old Spotify have had to remove it for some reason, so below are the only online editions: youtube videos, which sadly will produce 2 gaps where there shouldn't be any. BUT just to let you know that Amazon have the original 1975 edition (not the new 2010 remix) at the ridiculous price (I hope this is true and not a misprint) of £1.99!
Hope I've got these right....
Part 1.1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJw_pu5_DbQ
Part 1.2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDal2p_zxIE&feature=fvst
Part 2.1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zol09q-AGMg&feature=related
Part 2.2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2UflUdryY8&feature=related
2 comments:
Well, as you know I ended up re-mortgaging my home in order to buy this one, just to please you....
And it's very pleasant and interesting - which is a shockingly mild thing to say after your vivid portrayal of its place in your affections and life; I don't mean to be mean.
I like it. And I'm only sorry that I only like it. But I won't ask for a refund.
It is but a matter of time before your mortgage will be refunded, I promise...especially as you will need everything you can get if you were not prostrate in awe before this album....
Ah, I know it's a personal one. But it's my most consistently enjoyed album for 20years. I wonder if I will be allowed it play it in the Home?
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