Sweetpea
Group: Members
Posts: 1476
Joined: April 2007 |
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Posted: June 08 2007, 03:22 |
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I knew there had to be a topic such as this, so I've unearthed it from the depths.
From the age of about 14 (that would have been around 1982) onwards, I used to spend a lot of time in my brother's room foraging through his LP collection. He had several hundred, but I was really into his Roxy Music, Steeleye Span, Hollies, Beatles, Sparks, Al Di Meola, and 10cc in those days. I recall seeing 'Ommadawn' in there, but it didn't call out to me. I have a vague recollection of another sibling playing a section from part one for me, saying "Hey, check out this guitarwork." I think I was suitably impressed, but didn't feel a need to hear more. A few years later, I was having a rough time in both school and at home and turned to the classical albums in the collection - Beethoven's 9th symphony and Elgar's cello concerto to name a couple - as a balm to my emotional turmoil. I think it was around then that I decided I was intrigued enough by the pensive cover (and sleevenotes) on 'Ommadawn' to give it a thorough listen. It's probably a bit cliche to say, but it was cathartic for me. I've been a bit obsessed with the album ever since. Strangely, though, I didn't seek out any of Mike's other works. But that may have something to do with his lack of media exposure here. I did sample my brother's copy of 'Tubular Bells', but decided it wasn't for me. When I started to buy my own records, it was Ultravox, The Smiths, Kate Bush, Joe Jackson, Prefab Sprout, Game Theory, etc, and - later on - Dvorak, Mendelssohn, Saint:Saens, Rossini, and Gilbert & Sullivan.
By chance, I happened to catch the 'Tubular Bells II' performance in Edinbourgh on my PBS station. It was my first exposure to that piece and I was utterly enthralled. I must have gotten the cd soon after, but - again - I didn't search out other works. So, it was some years later that I acquired my next MO cds - 'The Best of Mike Oldfield: Elements' (single disc edition) and 'Guitars'. I enjoyed them, but only a few of the tracks really caught my attention, so they didn't get frequent play.
I have to thank the internet, actually, for revealing that there is a wealth of Mike Oldfield out there. Amazon.com was an eye-opener, for there I found what appeared to be dozens of MO cds. In fact, the selection was quite daunting. The reviews helped me to choose several albums, but as far as listening to them, I merely dipped my toe, then set them aside.
While at YouTube one day, I searched for Oldfield videos and came across footage from the Montreux concert. That was the catalyst for my recent discovery, rediscovery, and appreciation of Mike's music. It also indirectly led me to this community which has been very helpful to me. I now have about fifteen MO cds, and after a friend commented on the quantity, I replied "Oh, but I don't have them all!"
It seems strange, now, that it took me such a long time to thoroughly explore these works. In fact, I've lately been remonstrating myself for being a ninnyhammer all these years while I could have been enjoying Mike's wonderful music! So, I've been playing catch-up these past few months and enjoying every moment. 
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"I'm no physicist, but technically couldn't Mike both be with the horse and be flying through space at the same time? (On account of the earth's orbit around the Sun and all that). So it seems he never had to make the choice after all. I bet he's kicking himself now." - clotty
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and... "Earth Moving" 
Don´t take anything personal, who feels addressed...
. I didn't like TMB when I first heard it. I had to listen to it under headphones before I really enjoyed it. TMB was the one CD that converted both my parents to Mike Oldfield fans, too! TMB remains one of their most listened to CDs of MINE they steal from me. Amarok disappointed me the first time I heard it...but ONLY in the respect that it didn't sound crazy to me 
. I still love it!
)
