10 REASONS WHY MIKE OLDFIELD IS A GUITAR GOD

I always loved Mike Oldfield and his guitars.
I just made a little list (in non particular order) of my favourite guitar solos and licks by him.
Remember to buy his music:
www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1/133-8176356-2251442?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=mike+oldfield

[@aivalsonic3537]

Mike Oldfield is the best musician of the twentieth year. Incredible genius and multi-instrumentalist. For me the best guitarist ever. Great melodies, sonorous instruments combined with such beautiful Celtic music. I'm a musician myself and a big fan of Mike Oldfield.

[@alvisespano]

It is a mystery to me why Oldfield is so underrated and unconsidered among the general public. But not only: he's unconsidered also by the history of rock, magazines, critics, etc. I have been into Oldfield's music for all my life, and to say I appreciate him is an understatement - he matches the definition of genius in a lot of ways. As a guitarist he is one of the greatest of his times: I know what I'm talking about. Mike is a kind of virtuoso whose personality on the guitar and creativity even surpasses his outstanding technique. To be a virtuoso does not necessarily mean to be like John Petrucci, Frank Gambale or Paul Gilbert: there are different types of virtuosity, not only metal shredding or fusion scales. Mike possesses the guitar fretboard like no one of his era: when Mike came out in the early 70s no one played the guitar as he did. Metal, shredding and fast picking were yet to come. He anticipated some of what later became fast scales through his own legato style; he also has fantastic abilities on classical, acoustic and electric without losing a bit of personality. Hear 3 notes and you know it's him! And this without taking into account he can play a lot of instruments (even though he is mainly a guitarist) and is a genius of musical architectures. Yes, his greatest achievement, besides all of his virtuosity, is the music! Original, unique, creative, powerful, inspired and complex. Now tell me another guitarist that has achieved the same: you may name some even more "virtuous virtuoso's", like modern shredders and guitar technicians, but the mediocre quality of their music and their anonymous sound would surely counterbalance. Or else you may name some great composers, but their instrumental technique would again counterbalance that down. Mike is great at both and achieves a wider overall result. Let me become quantitative, which is something people may appreciate in the era of the internet: if we measure the greatness of a musician by the product of the technique times the creativity, well I'm afraid Mr. Oldfield has the widest area of all. And especially guitarists and musicians should be aware of that. How on earth does he happen to not be one of the super legends of rock? I'm talking about the top-notch names, such as Mark Knopfler, David Gilmour, etc, he should be in the Olympus of the Gods together with them. How comes he isn't? Is that due to envy and jealousy among rockstars? It's a mystery I have been trying to solve for 30 years but with no success.

[@Marina-rt6ok]

Apsolutly agre with you. For me MIke is the only ONE, for last 40 years. Not a dey past that I don't listen samting of his music. His music tuch my soul. Love.all if his music. Dippend of my mood diferent pises for that dey. I can weit for samting new love, love love Mike. I told my hasbend when I dai hi must put all his LP in my coffin to listen on another world. Sorry for my speling.afcorse I have all his music in duplicate . My husbend and my dother is allso huge fan of Mike

[@josepalacid]

Why he hasn't the recognition we think he deserves? Maybe because his conception of music is not well understood or should it not connect with the majority of listeners? Nah! Just listen to the hits on mainstream media. No musical culture on the main audience.

[@michaeln3023]

In der Musikwelt gilt er als verschroben. In den 80ern hat er das Mainstream Publikum erreicht und entsprechend groß waren die Anfragen von Journalisten. Mike hasst aber generell Publicity. Er zog sich meist zurück und dann haben die Medien ihn hauptsächlich in Ruhe gelassen. Vielleicht hat msn ihn, weil er nicht sympathisch rüber kam, die Ehre verweigert, in den Gitarren Olymp offiziell aufzusteigen. Aber Mike schert es einen Dreck wer was von ihm hält. Das ist wiederum sympathisch. Er ist sicher nicht der einfachste Mensch, aber so what

[@MarceloKatayama]

He's not as proficient in the multi-instrumentalist department, but as a guitarist and composer, I'm sure Robert Fripp would surely prove to be a worthy oponent

[@morse1883]

He's allegedly underrated because he's an odious person!

[@NeivGabay]

Probably the most criminally underated guitarist EVER!

[@robertoreyes4258]

criminally? What was his crime? Incredible use of multiple instruments in multiple songs and on multiple live venues

[@philippelemenager5590]

@@robertoreyes4258 , Nelv Gabay means that it's "criminal" that Mike Oldfield is not recognized at his real value ! Mike is not present in the guitarists charts ; it's a scandal ! es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anexo:Los_100_guitarristas_m%C3%A1s_grandes_de_todos_los_tiempos_seg%C3%BAn_Rolling_Stone

[@faggotsmoker9588]

Lol no

[@danielb.m1075]

I don't think so Neiv. MO is (yet) a very skilled guitarist. But to be a good guitarist does not implies be able to play fast or play shredding, must be a good music over all. Just a example: The solo of Comfortably Numb from Gilmour is not so difficult to play, but it sounds like glory angels.

[@faggotsmoker9588]

@@danielb.m1075 You think Mike Oldfield is a shredder?

[@heim8270]

I will forever love him,my first LP from him was five miles out,I was 13 years,now im 55.Yes hes my music god and will be till i die.Hes the best,his music touches all my senses,my heart everything,He wrotes tubular bells at the age of 16,think of that!Hes a underrated genius,especially on guitar and composing.Mike Oldfield forever;)Thank you for decades of enriching my life with your outstanding composing your unbelievible music!Youre the greatest and forever in my heart.

[@hildeverdijk7936]

For me, Ommadawn is his masterpiece. After listening to it for more than 40 years, I'm still in awe of his genius.

[@medusaman1]

He also says so.

[@RushfanUK]

My favourite piece of his work, Incantations gets a regular workout as well.

[@markwakefield8533]

I agree however who else would use sound effects like a mechanical typewriter or someone cleaning their teeth with a manual toothbrush or treat the human voice as a musical instrument as he does in Amarillo?

[@poykehmusic]

@@markwakefield8533 You meant _"Amarok"_ 😄

[@simonstock2526]

Agree 100%

[@tool_fighter]

Mike will be listened to hundred of years from now. I cannot think of a higher compliment.

[@borisbodrov6895]

Намного больше, чем 100💯💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@joebrown756]

Mike's early music got me through my teenage years. I'm now in my late 50s and I still follow his music. To me he's a Saint. Thanks Mike.

[@XanAxDdu]

interesting. dont tell that to mike he is so much descreet he cannot see himself so from the outside i think important thing is we like we love his music

[@igornegovelov8854]

One of the greatest musicians in the whole world!

[@fflat5150]

Sadly Mike is one of the most underrated guitarists :(. His technique and tone are legendary IMO. Thumbs up if you agree.

[@ceecee2017]

I've been a fan of Mike Oldfield since I was introduced to his music by my dad. He is without a doubt the best guitarist ever. He can make a guitar sing like no other and his music so beautiful. Never understood why he was so underrated.

[@thetailgunner777]

Came here to say the same. It was my dad favorite musician and now I'm the dad and my son hums Tubular bells.

[@gislileifs]

Listening to all these parts gives me chills! I was 16 when I was introduced to him. I'm a guitar hobbyist and Mike Oldfield is pretty much the only one I like playing along with. Of course only the parts for us mere mortals! His guitar solos are somehow so melodic. Two songs spring to mind I haven't seen mentioned here, Pictures in the Dark and Shine. Plus all the bits in this video. I totally agree that Mike Oldfield is a modern day Mozart!

[@Elenien12]

I will never forget the first time I heard Ommadawn! A great friend turned me on to the album when we were living in Italy. It changed my life forever! 😎

[@northsta]

same here, I let the whole Ommadawn CD play for the first time, left the room and when I returned, the finale of part 2 sounded out of the speakers, it was unbelievable, I never felt such euforia from music

[@420247Music]

, 🎉🎉

[@TheShorty0ne]

If i got to say something about Mike Oldfield, its that he just sounds totally diferent from any other guitar player...the vibrato, the slide, all sounds really personal

[@emmaandangus946]

Totally agree, Mike doesn't just play guitar, he makes it speak like a human voice with emotion . The Space Movie in the mid 80s was my introduction, and Oldfield is still my favourite music i listen to !

[@imhof8]

He is the master of Music , no doubt !!!

[@F-Andre]

because he never was into metal or rock... ;)

[@XanAxDdu]

@@F-Andre for god s sake

[@pattardn]

He is, first and foremost, a composer. His music is not created to show off his guitar prowess which, I have to say, is considerable. The beautiful tones he mixes are out of this world and transcend mere concepts of melody, harmony, and rhythm. He's not there to demonstrate technique because, frankly, that's for the books and the eyes, not for the ears, the heart and mind. Others play a million notes that mean nothing to no-one but the musical snobs who think they know something, but actually adore conjuring tricksters. Oldfield works magic with a single note because he means it. Obviously, not all of his work is high art, but when it reaches the dizzy heights of his earlier works, it is exceptionally beautiful.

[@spazimdam]

Paul Attard: Well said. Mike's music is very spiritual and comes from his heart to carry into your heart. His music goes beyond and within.

[@breatheinmoonglade]

How dare you say Mike's guitar prowess is considerable? Mike has played many technically difficult solos. Maybe he doesn't play Vai style, but if he played like Vai i wouldn't relax to it. LET THE BELLS RING!!!

[@PetraKann]

I saw Oldfield play live in Australia and he moved around amongst his band playing all the instruments on stage

[@robertpearson8798]

As a non-musician I’m not qualified to comment on his technical ability, but the sounds he makes on a guitar (or any other instrument) have a quality that reach inside of me and connect in a way that no other musician/composer does. I’d have to pick him as my all-time favourite.

[@andywalter2329]

Same here 😊

[@rochebaudelaire]

J'ai découvert la musique Mike Oldfield en 1982 et j'ai été tout de suite conquis par son génie. Pour moi il est le plus grand 👍✌ et sa musique ne m'a jamais quitté. Encore merci M. Oldfield pour tout ce bonheur.

[@benedictfishy1218]

Everyone talks about Ommadawn, but no one talks about Crises (the song). There aren't many fast parts, but the sound is so clear. It's one of those when you hear it, you know it's Mike Oldfield.

[@mistie710]

I don't dislike Crises. Just as I don't dislike Taurus II, Platinum, even Incantations (think it was a shame that the segment from part four that was featured on the B side of Guilty was left off this list but oh well...) I can listen to them all, but Ommadawn was something else. I'm not really surprised that it gets so much praise over so many other bodies of work that Mike has recorded but to each their own!

[@ToyotatechDK]

Mr. Oldfield is one of my all time favorites just because of the easily recognizable guitar sound. The fact that he’s somewhat underrated makes him even better

[@GiacoC]

guitar legend....and music GOD! He touched so many styles, so many instruments, tried so many techniques, inventing his own.....AND TURNED EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM INTO MUSIC GOLD!! Like nobody else

[@AGD2112]

On his albums it's always about the music .. not guitar pyrotechnics. He CAN play lightning fast or precise classical ... and switches to whatever the music needs. An astonishing composer, multi-instrumentalist and harmonic genius. AMAROK is the most under rated album of all time.

[@borisbodrov6895]

AMAROK-лучшее музыкальное произведение хх века 💯❗❗❗❗❗❗❗

[@martifingers]

Nice to see Amarok represented here... it is to my mind, his masterwork. I tend to agree he is under-rated.

[@Lioanimals1977]

Amarok is a stellar album/song!

[@atheistfromaustria]

Yes, his absolute masterpiece! Listening to it for more than 32 years now, he is a genius! Would love to have Amarok II or at least a special 30th anniversary edition but sadly... nothing there.

[@ivdragoslav]

I still think Amarok could have been the... Tubular Bells 2.

[@BenjaminSchubert6789]

Amarok is - after hearing it for 33 years now - always an eargasm and homecoming at the same time

[@iainherridge6253]

Insanely brilliant, brilliantly insane!

[@IsmaelLabrador]

It is impossible not to fall in love with Olfield's guitar sound.

[@ishko108]

So glad to be able to share the love with other Mike Oldfield fans. Where I live I can barely find another one apart from myself. Sad. Truly and verily, Mike is a genius and a real gem of a musician. If music was ever meant, and I believe it is, to uplift our emotions from the daily drudgery of our lives and take it on a journey through amazing fairy tale regions, or even if only through the rolling green hills of England and Ireland, for instance, it's a journey that enriches us every time we press play. I've been a fan since first hearing Moonlight Shadow on TV in 1983. I was in the 7th grade elementary then. I'm 54 now with a whole life behind me, and I can honestly say that Mike's music has always had a very special place in my life. No one uses the guitar the way he does, and I mean not in a technical way, but in a profoundly musical context. Actually, when it comes to the emotional experience of a solo electric guitar, for instance, for me no one can have the no. 1 spot, maybe Brian May at no. 2 comes close enough sometimes... Mike also does everything himself, and even though like most musicians he's had to bow down to the monster that is the musical establishment (may it burn it hell), they have never managed to steal his indomitable spirit. He is one stubborn Taurus after all. 😋 God has spared no talents in showering upon him, and even though some of you may not agree with me, or even Mike himself may not agree, I can only share my experience of things the way I experience them. It's a bloody shame he's not more appreciated, but then what do we expect from the masses who like everything quick, easy, cheap, or just easy to swallow? Their untrained ears and hearts make it difficult for people like us when it comes to wide consumption and distribution AND glorification of music! There's a lot more I could say here, but I have to restrain myself, it's a KZbin comment after all, not a book. Thank you for appreciating and sharing the musical miracle that is Mike Oldfield. God bless.

[@enricopasquinelli]

Hai scritto la cosa giusta. Mike è il più grande di tutti! Non sarà dimenticato. Grazie Mike.

[@jeffreycook7384]

I have all his albums he is undoubtedly one of the best guitarist of all the time

[@bjrnsunhill7650]

One of the best guitarplayer in the world. Top 3🥰

[@bjrnsunhill7650]

And composer🥰🥰

[@laurenwilliams9163]

He really is a guitar god, isn't he!?

[@gordontunnicliffe8930]

Probably one of the greatest guitarists of all time

[@margital941]

Mike's music has always been and still is a happy haven for me. It's like he's been making that music exactly for my soul, it fits it perfectly, it's like a complete understanding of his musical expression, ever since I first discovered him through Tubular Bells II and gradually through his other masterpieces...

[@KNOPFLERSGOD]

I totally agree and feel the same.

[@bobin1973]

Ohh yes he is God! Oldfield Forever! ❤️❤️❤️

[@jonschannel-j8p]

my favorite mike oldfield album is definitely songs of distant earth ,absalutly brilliant and ive ben listening since the first album in the early 1970s tubular bells

[@neilmclanaghan4980]

Multi instumentist extrodiniare genius talent..but so underrated..a modern day Mozart!!!

[@morse1883]

Oldfield? A thoroughly loathsome individual.

[@geriskater2657]

Having tubular bells as a ringtone for 20 years, Hergest ridge and amarok are my favourites

[@maverrober]

Mike Oldfield no hace musica. Hace magia.

[@I_Don_t_want_a_handle]

There's only one reason why Mike Oldfield is a guitar god, and that is because he is the guitar god. End of discussion.

[@thomas-ty6ic]

Mike is the best 😂😂😂

[@kevinrombouts3027]

His musicianship and compositions are in a different stratosphere. Totally unique.

[@morse1883]

I wish he'd go and join them in the stratosphere!

[@georghagglund9338]

Mike Oldfields career is a journey. Most only think "Tubular Bells" but there is so much to be found. All might not suit everyone but just giving everything a chance might make you find many new favorites. I grew up on "Moonlight Shadow" not knowing much else.. Thought it was a "one-hit-wonder". I much later found Tubular Bells and now I have not all albums, but a big portion of them. I can't say I love them all but I like most...The more progressive things, the more "pop" and the landscapes. So glad I took a chance on him - Mike Oldfield!

[@rndszrvaltas]

Same for me :3

[@CaptainDangeax]

My experience is close to yours. When I was a young teen, I used to hear "moonlight shadow" and "to france" a lot on the FM radio, and then a close friend of my mother lend her "ommadawn". What a revelation ! I even didn't realise it was the same musician but eventually, I bought almost all albums, first on tapes then on CD.

[@Tredecimus]

Actually Moonlight Shadow made me look into his music and I bought Crises then in 1983 and spend the next decade with listening to his records. Though I have to admit that the records after that don’t quite meet my taste. Anyway there isn’t much in rock music that’s anyway close to Ommadawn or Hergest Ridge for example. It’s a genuinely original and wonderful music.

[@bobin1973]

He is GOD... nobody can play guitar better than him............

[@gilessteve]

There's something magical about Oldfield's playing. He can't even be judged using the same metrics that apply to other players.

[@margital941]

exactly

[@LauradelCarmenRíos]

❤Y en verdad que es un virtuoso de la guitarra, ademas de un gran musico y compositor, gracias Mike or ser tan rolifico. Besos.

[@cyberfennek]

Mike Oldfield knows how to play allmost every instrument there is. Todays lazy music can bow down to him :)

[@michaeln3023]

Das stimmt. In der heutigen Pop Einheitsbrei Musik gibts überhaupt keine Gitarren mehr- ist das mal jemand aufgefallen?

[@macpaul1391]

@@michaeln3023 Stimmt. Z.B. Sängerin mit drei Musikern, die alle diese neuartigen Percussions speilen, mit denen man alles an Tönen erzeugen kann.

[@MrAmarok7]

Don't forget Discovery guitar solo which is one the best ever!

[@paulmartin7241]

Yes ! it is brillant !

[@strenge1969]

Dont forget guitar solo of crime of passion

[@Interbasser]

3:56 absolute genius

[@volt9903]

YES👏🇬🇷🌷🌻

[@heima1299]

What a musician, i Love him.

[@orlandohernandezaires956]

Le conocí con 14 años y con QE2,,y desde entonces hasta ahora que tengo 40 años mas, soy fan total de éste genio,el mejor y mas emocionante concierto que he visto fué verle en la plaza de toros de Las Ventas ,Madrid. Tubular Bells 2..una obra maestra de un maestro..y su solo con una sola luz sobre él,nadie mas en el escenario tocando...ALUCINANTE!!! Y los gaiteros escoceses que tocaron Tattoo,ya fué la HOSTIA!!!!.grande grande!!!

[@geowynleda4641]

I could pick out his playing from any number of guitarists, so distinctive.

[@jesusbonsom3528]

IS THE BEST OF THE WORLD.....! ! !

[@KeithCanisius]

Mike was such a great composer. I think it took the attention away from how good he actually was at the guitar. He has his own tone. The violin like sustain tone played with his long nails -:) and much much more.

[@gertsy2000]

Seeing him play the "fast triplet" section of Ommadawn @3:56 live is an eye opener.

[@akruscic]

Pure genius as Mozart

[@chrisq78]

East or West Mike Oldfield is THE BEST!!! :)

[@ParcelOfRogue]

I'm going to buy Amarok and "Return to Ommadawn" today!

[@ORERETARRA]

Hahahahaha well, is better now than tomorrow...

[@sinajakelic]

did you buy it? have you realised that Amarok is the pinnacle of human creativity? ;)

[@marklammas2465]

"Return To Ommadawn" is pure genius. One of Mike's best ever works.

[@robertt7002]

THE reason I listen to music. Every album a work of art. When I first found Mike's music, I realized I had found MY music.

[@thetailgunner777]

What a wonderful distillation of Mike music. You interpreted it so well.

[@KNOPFLERSGOD]

Great video, Mike is a unique guitar player, he is rarely mentioned among the "greats" no idea why!!! As you say this is just a brief sampling of his abilities, many more could be listed, good to see you included Return To Ommadawn, I think it's a great album. Amarok alone could have filled your list.

[@gnordache4405]

He has a very unique sound, highly expressive, with a killer vibrato and clever use of hammer-ons, sometimes with quite long, intrincate runs, but his playing is not the technically cleanest and not the most accurate either. In many of his live performances you get clearly more bum notes than many of his guitar hero peers, that's probably why. Ah, and the Alan Partridge factor.

[@philippfrogel9355]

@@gnordache4405 For accuracy, I assumed this is on purpose, don't you think so? (meaning accuracy as timing of notes)

[@gnordache4405]

@@philippfrogel9355 I don't have the feeling it is always the case - in many performances you have unclean - if not straight ahead botched - runs or hammer-ons, bum notes, screeches... Not the kind of stuff you play as an artistic choice. I mean, his playing his not the easiest, but since his playing is not based on pure improvisation -as in jazz or improv- I would expect that many of these mistakes are avoidable (they match the recording, can be thoroughly rehearsed).

[@philippfrogel9355]

@@gnordache4405 I would take the fact that they match the recording as you say as an indication that they are on purpose. Also I think it is more likely that a guitarist of that caliber does not have such timing problems while many lesser guitarists have not. I just thought this is part of his very individual play. But could be either way, I dont know. Thanks for your statement!

[@gnordache4405]

@@philippfrogel9355 I meant that the lines he played were written, not that the live performance matched the recording - hence my suspitions: no rubato, nongrace notes, just missed ones, or clumsy phrasing. He himself never claimed to be a virtuoso, but rather a very good player, anyway. Damn right, both statements.

[@javierdepaizpaetow9603]

Your comments at the end are just what I feel and think every single time I listen to him ...most people could never imagine how extraordinary good he really is ...but his taste and musicality is million lightyears ahead from other guitar virtuosos ..... The Ommadawn part always freaks me out since I was a kid trying to learn guitar... God bless him , he developed his TALENT in the most amazing way ... For me he is either an Alíen or an Angel.....or both...Love him so much !!!! Thank you for all of your divine Music , my dearest Mike , I truly love you....

[@margital941]

..perfectly said

[@ilovemydog6847]

Thank you for this wonderful tribute to the GREATEST GUITARIST OF ALL TIME MIKE OLDFIELD> I have loved him and his music all my life and it is so wonderful to come people like you who love him ass much as I do. You are right. He really is so unfairly underrated ans i could never understand why. There are so many so called "guitar gods out there, but NONE can hold a damp matchstick to him never mind a candle.

[@nelsonsoucasaux2751]

Just what I have always thought and said, along some 45 years, but sadly many people who think they understand guitars cannot see and don't recognize... And I'm a guitarist and composer too... So, I know very well the instrument. I would like to emphasize that, just in this small selection, there are two solos that I consider almost technically impossible: the 'fast triplets' on Ommadawn's Part 1 and that just after the introduction of Incantations Part 3. Many thanks and congratulations for producing this excellent video. Best regards.

[@andrewdavidhill4601]

Fantastic talented musician, I never tire of listening to his unique music . Love t.b. 2003 especially. I find incantations part 3 & 4 so relaxing to listen too. Love your music Mike!

[@ckasel1]

I love his music for over 40 years now. I changed my way of playing the guitar since I saw the knebworth interview. He is a great composer and guitar player. His music is immortal.

[@volt9903]

YES. ABSOLUTELY PERFECT VIDEO TRIBUTE TO MIKE OLDFIELD. RESPECT AND CONGRATULATIONS. 👏👏❤❤🇬🇷🇬🇷

[@rudyNok]

His solos and actually all of the guitar playing sound like no other. There are many great guitarists, but they all sound similar and oftens it seems it's only about speed and technique.

[@ORERETARRA]

Very good work! But better Taurus 2 than FMO And remember Platinum 4

[@davidpegram8725]

I have seen Mike Oldfield live twice and he’s fantastic

[@simonstock2526]

Five times for me. Finsbury Park Rainbow on the QE2 tour was incredible.

[@aivalsonic3537]

Mike Oldfield's music is not primitive rock n roll music to drink beer and sing along to in any bar. His music is very intelligent and considered music creation on a completely different level. Like Franz Schubert, Johann Sebastian Bach or Bethoven.

[@juliancochran]

Well done for finishing with the incantations part 3 solo. I would also add hergest ridge 1976 version part 1 first main melody, ending where trumpets come in. Also First Excursion, and also Phoeacian Games.

[@therealcaldini]

QE2. Shivers every time!

[@CarlosPT-hb6zb]

I don't have words to say about yr video. I can only say: thanks. Many, many, many thanks. What you say is absolutely correct. Mike is obviously a genius, namely with a guitar. Is his soul speaking to our souls. You could put more hundreds of guitar's masterpieces made by Mike. Ommadawn has perhaps the best moments. I listen them since the 70's till now... That's all.

[@BrandonBlume]

100%. Mike Oldfield inspired me to play guitar and compose. No greater inspiration!

[@geoffwhitemusic]

Glad you included Taurus 3. For me it's where he shows off his skills the most.

[@JA-qi1fb]

MO is in my life .. forever.

[@vinhdu408]

5 miles out and the live moonlight shadow solo with pepsi demaque and the extra solo ( this time perfected) as a real addition to a great song. those two are the best solos in my opinion. thanks for sharing, he really is a genuis

[@tomasgrom5161]

those two are really stunning

[@MasterGeekMX]

Yassss! Finally someone that acknowledge the genus. Hailings from #1 fan of mike in Mexico

[@FelipeMac-Crea]

I listen every song of Mike in this ranking, but I never listened very carefully the Part three of Incantations.......Unbelievable!! Incredible scales with ups and downs, reaching to the very soul core there uuuffff!! 🤟🤟🤟🤟🤟

[@ilovemydog6847]

Listening to your wonderful tribute to the wonderful Mike Oldfield one guitar d solo I would have included is at the end of the second part of Ommadawn just before the song On Horseback plays. IT IS STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL. Then he puts down his electric guitar picks up his acoustic guitar s as nd plays another beautiful solo in the introduction to the song On Horseback. AMAZING ❤😊.

[@davidolveira8935]

Punkadiddle from Platinum album is missing on this list. The guitar riff response to the synthesizer tune has blown my mind away for over 36 years since I first heard it

[@nelsonsoucasaux2751]

As a 69 years old Oldfield's greatest fans along more than 40 years ( and someone who modestly also plays solo guitar and compose ), I fully agree. That's just what I have always thought, since the 70's. Very good selection of pieces and excerpts and excellent text in the end. Many thanks for posting, since sadly Mike has been considerably underrated regarding his guitar genius, very often not fully recognized. Best regards !

[@nelsonsoucasaux2751]

Plus the fact that he truly REINVENTED the guitar technique !

[@jimpedersen9809]

He is the Best of the Best he is The king of Musik in all aspect

[@JosGeelen-u5d]

Agree with all of this, but would have added the SOLO for CELT (QE2)

[@JosGeelen-u5d]

Totally agree, actually made that my phone ringtone....

[@SimoNaapuri]

MoonlightShadow-solo! ❤

[@ppj3730]

i found mike oldfield back in the netherlands at the ripe old age of 12 and still love all his music ..

[@ingokupler8687]

2 see why Mike is a god you just gotta listen.

[@firstfill5072]

His solo on instructions for angels is absolutely magnificent

[@stenandersson8064]

Absolutely and probably a piece that not so many have heard.

[@susanachristianayuso1218]

Breaks my heart

[@backroads6695]

Mike was only 17 years old, when he started working on Tubular Bells.......20 years old, when it was released......he played every instrument on the album. The first album to be released on the new Virgin Records label......damn good masterpiece! Some people called it rubbish.....garbage......those are the same people that have no concept of what real music is.

[@mikeduke6492]

He's a modern day Mozart. guitars is really good, in my opinion. out of mind is the best track on the album

[@NoreenHoltzen]

Kudos for staying on the Incantations part 3 solo as the last, and best, of all. Hergest Ridge part 1 guitar section in parallel with oboe should also be there, and Incantations part 4 earlier sections, plus First Excursion of course.

[@christianblack9426]

Literally everything he did that had a guitar though, should be on this list lol.

[@snowgoose3426]

Wow!! No platinum here lol...but yeah mike has been one of my absolute favourite almost 40 years now...he’s definitely not underrated in my world 🌞

[@pumagutten]

Well said, Snow Goose! You can read my comment from today, if you find it!

[@snowgoose3426]

@@pumagutten yep saw 👍

[@christianblack9426]

You totally missed "Branches" from The Sallyangie album, which he played at only 15 years old, and yet it's one of the greatest guitar pieces ever made.

[@ThomasSchulteEbbert]

einfach nur genial, krasse Erinnerungen kehren zurück, wie ich das alles als Jugendlicher auf damals schon Beyerdynamik Dt 8xx und Sanyo Plus Series Hifi mit Sony CD-Player, Vinyl und auf Sony Kassentenwalkman bei langen Joggings und Training gesuchtet habe, Wahnsinn, was so eine "Zufallsentdeckung" dieses Zusammenschnitts an Emotionen wachruft ... wo ist meine Gitarre, ich muss spielen und neu analysieren mit heutigen Fertig- & Fähigkeiten ;-) - Danke

[@adrienbretin8882]

Mike the best

[@Vladancz]

I applaud Mike!

[@andrewdavidhill4601]

Ambient guitars t.b. 2003 awesome!!!!

[@biddandabopanna7336]

I am really happy to have been introduced to Mike Oldfield. Love his guitar skills and his compositions. My favourite remains "Tubular Bells"

[@Chromexus]

His solos on Bedford's Instructions for Angels and Robert Wyatt's Rock Bottom ( last song on lp) are worthy of mention

[@Michael-mm3fm]

Always remember his single with Maggie Reilly. Moonlight Shadow. Great solo. So melodic. I was watching a documentary the other day and noticed how he plays lead like he’s playing a bass guitar. Unique technique?

[@rafaelvazquezmateos7478]

Cualquier disco de este músico es una maravilla