Classical Composer reacts to MIKE OLDFIELD: OMMADAWN (Part 1) | The Daily Doug (Episode 877)

[@oriyan2]

Very happy to see you listening to this :-) It's an experience noone should miss IMO, a timeless and beautiful album! And that goes for part 2 + on horseback as well, so hopefully you can find time to listen to the rest of the album too :-)

[@adriangoodrich4306]

I Absolutely LOVE part 2! Such a change of mood, from the building menace of Part 1 as it develops, to the lovely pastoral pleasure and then the pipes of Part 2.

[@mojoll777]

I always have goose-bumps listening to this MASTERPIECE !

[@gokhanaya]

the guy was frkkin 23 years old when he did this, can you believe it?.. and already with Tubular Bells behind him!... the level of understanding of music, the ability to incorporate all these moods, the perception of sound and knowing how to reflect it, the genre-lessness (you can call it all new age, rock, neo-classical etc etc) and timelessness of it ...... just mind blowing!

[@GoblinGuy333]

IMHO, Ommadawn is in the top 10 most significant compositions of the 20th century, possibly top 5. Outstanding piece, outstanding talent, and outstanding execution.

[@thatbusker]

The complexity and beauty of his longer tracks have always been what I love most about Mike's music. He has always been the quintessential prog composer for my money. Anything that lasts more than 10 minutes is worth listening to ❤

[@SergeiAKlimenko]

I personally LOVE Mike. And this is one of his finest works, the second track is even better

[@ppvd4692]

Part 2, at about 7 minutes in, where the uileann pipes come in -- doesn't get any better, ever

[@billbolin7972]

Give Incantations a whirl. Next level Oldfield.

[@jakelm4256]

I know every note of this album by heart. And it’s still magical every time I hear it.

[@TC-mb2pw]

Same.

[@ivanhenriqueroberto1970]

Me too. And I've been listening since 1975, and maybe never stop listening until the day I'll die.

[@bpetrikovics]

One of my all-time favorites. Timeless.

[@Serena_Lunar]

Oh my, I can't wait! Straight-up my favourite piece of music ever.

[@Liz.Green789]

This was a very important part of my younger years. It's one of my beloved pieces. What a pleasure to hear again after about 25 years. Shame on me. I need a new turntable. Better than Tubular Bells. Thank you for the reminder.

[@marcklinker9229]

Mike Oldfield created masterpieces.

[@stephenpoirier4522]

I really like his Five Miles Out album.

[@suzycreamchez123]

This has been a favorite of mine since the 1970s. It's nice to hear it here.

[@santiagorojaspiaggio]

Love how the main intro melody comes again at the end and escalates till the climax.

[@gudulezzz]

One of the best albums from Mike Oldfield. If you enjoyed it, you should try AMAROK, a sixty minutes track considered by Mike as OMMADOWN 2. Weird and beautiful. Have a nice week end, Doug. Keep on being so enthusiast...

[@ppvd4692]

Don't overlook 'Return to Ommadawn' of 2017. Similar, yet very different, and a masterpiece in itself

[@LordAJ12345]

I love Ommadawn so much. Mike Oldfield is of course mainly known for Tubular Bells, but this is his definitive track for me

[@gerryrafferty7500]

I listen to this a lot on walks in the Irish country inside it evokes so much , like landscape

[@ppvd4692]

Make sure to also listen to Hergest Ridge on those walks!

[@gerryrafferty7500]

@ oh I do ! I walk up a hill to a plateau that’s has views across the country to the see there is a reveal on side one I try to time it right

[@louisfifteen]

Terry Oldfield on Panpipes. Sally oldfield also on vocals. I tried smoking hashes for the first time in my life from a water pipe. He then put on his new bought record which was Ommadawn. I was totally in the realms of imaginary sequences. The fast paced rhythm and electic guitar piece at the end, I saw a cheetah chasing an antelope. It was pure magic.

[@zedcharlie]

I prefer this to tubular bells. 50yrs. Well 49 😊

[@adriangoodrich4306]

Me too. My favourite MO album, along with Parts 1 & 2 of Incantations.

[@GregS-fh5zh]

My favorite album. I’ve been listening to it since 1975.

[@scotstevens5263]

This was my introduction to Mike Oldfield back in 1977 while in high school where as I purchased more LPs of Mike’s music and enjoy him to this day as I’m now 66yrs young.

[@ppvd4692]

Jaw-dropping, isn't it?!

[@robertofilho6060]

Doug, what an imaginative piece of music. Mike Oldfield is an underrated composer and arranger and knows exactly how to build amazing climaxes.

[@GoblinGuy333]

Also, a highly underrated guitarist. Very distinctive style and tone.

[@DavidHartley88]

When I was thirteen years old I was obsessed with Tubular Bells and ,especially,Ommadawn. I think it’s his masterpiece. A thing of transcendental beauty. Seventeen years later I was thrilled to play keyboards on his Tubular Bells II tour in Europe and the US.

[@dioxygene]

the best album from Mike Oldfield

[@thomasmeyer8798]

AMAROK is my favorite.

[@GoblinGuy333]

​@thomasmeyer8798 Amarok comes in behind this for me, but it is captivating.

[@brucer2152]

Whenever I haz a sad...I can listen to this and it makes me happi.

[@toweri_li]

This has been a life-long (all the way from its release) pick-up-mood piece for me. Whenever I have felt down, I put this piece on and it will unfailingly take me back to a happier place. The way I hear it is: At the very start, it takes your hand, quietly consoling, soothing you in your blue mood. Ever so carefully and considerately it begins to walk you over from the dark place of yours, towards the light. It picks up the speed and tempo, enlightens the mood, bringing ever lighter tones, ever merrier mood. Nearing the finale, the drums start a beat that soon makes you wanna dance, finally resolving into a full-on banguet of joy and merriment at 22:24 on this video, and yet again at 23:03. No bars are held! No sorrow remaining! The closing fade-out is "the camera, the observer" drawing away, leaving the dance and party going on the beach under the soon rising sun...

[@LeonVenediktou]

The other side is fun. And somewhere in there at the end is Horseback!

[@billbolin7972]

Such a brilliant piece. Worthy of appreciation.

[@nofishinmydiet]

this is such a masterpiece. I've been known to get stuck in an Ommadawn loop when I'm working on a painting, where I simply keep turning the record over and over again unable to accept the end as a stopping point. the music is full of color and movement

[@ivanhenriqueroberto1970]

This is not simply an album, this is a world apart with an unearthly beautiness.

[@leproghead]

Mike's best.

[@DingleyDell]

I love this album, I can listen to it time and again. Lots of colour, lots of expectation, tension and a long build up to the crescendo. Amazing.

[@charleswagner2984]

Please get back to Oldfield. A whole lot of great music throughout his catalog. Incantations is my favorite. It's the follow up to Ommadawn.

[@raverdeath100]

i miss my old bodhran, i used to play along with this album all the time.

[@DavidMorley]

An amazing record. IMHO his best.

[@kasperkjrsgaard1447]

I’ve looked forward to see and hear you document this. I believe that Ommadawn is my favourite of Mike Oldfields early work, but with so much else it depends on my mind and how I feel on that day. But a big part of my top 10 list on all of my albums.

[@craigbucholtz7271]

Ommadawn is definitely fantastic. For me, his masterpiece is Voyager, his 1996 offering. The whole album is extraordinary and even after years of listening, goosebumps and awe. Track 8, Wild Goose Flaps It's Wings...wow & track 10, Mont St Michel...pure perfection. Thanks Doug. Love your channel.

[@davidlong1786]

I always loved "The Songs of Distant Earth" based upon the novel by Arthur C. Clarke.

[@thebgt1254]

Thank you Doug... thank you so much... so much...

[@PTguitars]

14:59 That trebly "Christmas Bell" lead guitar is why I always wanted a Gibson SG with p90 pickups. Hasn't happened yet, but who knows ?

[@mejsjalv]

This is the sort of stuff that keeps me stuck in the 70's, even though I was born in '80. One of the most unique records available at my house, and definitely nothing that was played much on the radio. I still prefer "Tubular Bells", but this one is the first Oldfield one I heard and really got to me.

[@Fernando_AP]

I love this album, it's on my top 10 favorite albums of all time I don't know wich side I preffer but this is a masterpiece I would love see you reacting to tubular bells 2!! A big diference then the original

[@simonkoster]

Finally! (The guitar is my least favorite part: you're breaking my heart, Doug)

[@simonal1989]

Finally! Now do his magnum opus, Incantations

[@charleswagner2984]

Yes Doug. Incantations is my favorite Oldfield song. It's a four part symphony like Tales From Topographic Oceans. Incantations comes in at number 8 on my all music history list. I love it better than Ommadawn and Tubular Bells.

[@altair8598]

Yes, Incantations please!

[@adriangoodrich4306]

Indeed. Diana Luna Lucina! And especially parts 1 & 2, including the mesmerising excerpts from Longfellow's The Song of Hiawatha set to music and sung so beautifully and powerfully by Maddy Prior.

[@charleswagner2984]

​@@adriangoodrich4306All of it is amazing. Have you heard the Orchestral Hergest Ridge? When David Bedford was commissioned to make Orchestral Tubular Bells, he took it upon himself to make Hergest Ridge orchestrated. It's brilliant like Orchestral Tubular Bells.

[@treadingtheboards2875]

Yes, Incantations definitely has to go one the list. And perhaps Arthur C Clarke's Sci Fi novel The Songs Of Distant Earth interpreted by Mike Oldfield.

[@mjc01]

Best thing he ever did. IMO.

[@TC-mb2pw]

I started with Tubular Bells in 1973 when I was learning about how the exciting music of the 60s was growing into the staggeringly creative 70s. It showed me a whole new world. But then Ommadawn came out (Hergest Ridge for me lacks memorable tunes), and although TB had the global impact of being ground-breaking, Ommadawn had the better music. Beautiful, hairs on the arms on edge stuff. To me, Oldfield made three masterpieces: 1. Tubular Bells 2. Ommadawn 3. Amarok (the longest single track in my collection, even including my prog rock). ps just wait until part 2 with Paddy Moloney on Uillean pipes.

[@porflepopnecker4376]

I had this on 8-track when it came out. I only ever listened to the exquisite side one. I would love for you to listen to another Mike Oldfield fave, "Platinum."

[@trufflecappuccino]

Thanks!!!

[@altair8598]

Probably his best piece of work, though Incantations is also up there for me. And do check out his searing guitar solo on David Bedford's Instructions for Angels. You will never forget that and indeed play it for appreciation many times. Thank you, Doug.

[@fernandotor3266]

This is mike's best

[@wolfheartdeadleaves]

My favorite musical piece ever. That would be an epic reaction!

[@mrb.5610]

Wish I could listen to this album for the first time again if that makes sense !

[@blitzstrahl]

I never knew Tubular Bells was his first album. I always assumed it was a later one.

[@thomasmeyer8798]

Where does that deep understanding of music come from when you're 23? Mike must have been some kind of Wunderkind.

[@andrewmason7207]

a genius with every instrument known to man

[@teuska1965]

I have this lp. Love it.

[@phantomparadox6735]

Amarok would be insane to react to.

[@JimBalder]

Found the lyrics. Whatever it means. Great album. What an amazing musician/composer. Especially on that age. Didn't he compose Tubular Bells at 17 years old?. Ab yul ann i dyad awt en yab na log a toc na awd taw may on omma dawn egg kyowl omma dawn egg kyowl Ab yul ann i dyad awt en yab na log a toc na awd taw may on omma dawn egg kyowl omma dawn egg kyowl Ab yul ann i dyad awt en yab na log a toc na awd taw may on omma dawn egg kyowl omma dawn egg kyowl Ab yul ann i dyad awt en yab na log a toc na awd taw may on omma dawn egg kyowl omma dawn egg kyowl Ab yul ann i dyad awt en yab na log a toc na awd taw may on omma dawn egg kyowl omma dawn egg kyowl Ab yul ann i dyad awt en yab na log a toc na awd taw may on omma dawn egg kyowl omma dawn egg kyowl Ab yul ann i dyad awt en yab na log a toc na awd taw may on omma dawn egg kyowl omma dawn egg kyowl

[@brianmorgan9811]

I got this on my 16th Birthday. Maggie Thatcher just won the election. Still my favourite album that I absolutely cherish.

[@AlexDainese]

Hey Doug: 😉 1. Ommadawn was not released on Halloween. But on the 28th of October 1975. 2. The Beacon was Mike's house, where he also had the recording studio (downstairs) where Ommadawn was recorded. 3.Ommadawn has three parts. Last part is On Horseback. 4. More... 😉 Are you coming to the 50th Ommadawn Anniversary in Gladestry? We just celebrated Hergest Ridge 50th Experience last month, and it was AMAZING.

[@GregS-fh5zh]

Can you provide a link to info? I saw the Tubular Bells 50th anniversary performance at Royal Albert Hall in 2022. The group played Ommadawn Part 1 and it was spectacular.

[@yes_head]

Good observation about the similarity in Oldfield's guitar playing to Steve Howe (you can also hear a bit of Steve Hackett in there as well IMO). I think this comes down to their common upbringing with English folk music. They have a similar harmonic vocabulary, and both favor an older (English) aesthetic over the American blues that so many other guitarists of their generation fell in love with. I also agree with the comment about how Oldfield leans on 'undergraduate' harmonies. IMO he's never had the richness in his harmonic toolbox that most other prog bands bring to bear, although he often does cool stuff with layering. IMO his strengths are as an architect and colorist. I sort of have to be in the mood when I put his albums on, but it's usually always an enjoyable listen. I'll also second the recommendation to hear 'Incantations'. It's actually 4 sides, but worth it.

[@gerryrafferty7500]

It’s bodhran traditional Irish drum

[@garri5108]

I’m so glad I don’t know music theory, so I listen every melody as a emotion converted in music, I listen every part of this song as a feeling, as a word that Mike tried to say, instead of F# and E# lol

[@Derickenbacker]

Would be one hell of an endeavor for a video but a reaction to Amarok would be awesome. It’s a single hour-long track that acts as the spiritual sequel to Ommadawn (at least before the official sequel was released back in 2017). Seriously some of the best and most efficient use of motivic development I’ve heard in a piece of music while also being his most chaotic form-wise.

[@ametralha]

❤❤❤

[@AlexDainese]

The definitive video. Ommadawn is the greatest album of the XXth Century ❤

[@danielstarchl653]

❤

[@danielstarchl653]

The wait is over 🤗 "You" and the masterpiece Ommadawn from Mike Oldfield ❤ Thank you ❤️ A wonderful day for me tonight.

[@batweed]

Finally, it's happening!!

[@FLASHAHOLIC_TV]

Ommadawn pt1 is genius. Mike's first 4 albums are gold. The rest after are, meh.

[@steveglossop]

I've always found it strange that Rick Beato won't touch anything to do with Mike Oldfield. Years ago when his channel had 7K subs, I mentioned Tubular Bells as a piece to consider and he basically sneered at the suggestion with his reply: "You reckon that's the gold standard?" No, I don't think it's the gold standard and it's not even my favourite Oldfield piece. Mike was 19 when he composed Tubular Bells, I just thought that was worth some consideration. Sorry for mentioning another KZbinr in your comments section Doug and thank you for all that you do, educating us all with a vast array of music reactions.

[@onsesejoo2605]

Extra to Jabula, who really drive the finale. :)

[@nickk6518]

Mike remastered this album for the 'Boxed' set and in doing so he pushed the synths towards the back of the mix, which I absolutely hated. For years and years I had to listen to the original mix on cassette and for years and years after Cds hit the shops, Mike refused to allow the original mix to be re-released. Happily, in 2010, a new 3-disc set was released with a new stereo mix, the original 1975 stereo mix and a DVD containing the album in 5:1 Surround sound. Also some extras, such as his rendition of In Dulce Jubilo and Portsmouth. Ommadawn seemed to me then and now to be rather more cohesive and mature than Tubular Bells. In some sense I imagine Mike Oldfield to have been almost a modern-day Vaughan-Williams, with what sound like traditional folk tunes incorporated in his compositions. He famously rearranged the theme tune to the long-running BBC children's programme Blue Peter.

[@geordie4339]

C'mon Doug, you're being kind.

[@HollowGolem]

"The exciting conclusion" I don't know, I'd say "Return to Ommadawn," his album from 2012, is the proper conclusion. It doesn't have the creative or sonic highs as this one, but is more consistent throughout, is a more mature piece of music (which it had better be, coming in the 5th decade of the man's career).

[@braxious]

there are 2 albums by Mike O you really need to listen to 1) Incantations and 2) Songs of Distant Earth, both are so different but totally brilliant

[@gerryrafferty7500]

It is his best and that he sings in Irish , ommadawn at ceol means the fools are singing

[@dannylyons302]

The name was supposed to be the Irish name amadan, translates to the word "fool" or idiot. Changed cause they didn't think listeners would get it.

[@MrEjw3]

Isn't this great? I really enjoy this piece, with or without a bowl of inspiration!😂

[@richardfurness7556]

Mike's finest side of vinyl - though part 3 of Incantations runs it pretty close.

[@robfractal6820]

I still have this on vinyl and think it's great. The revamped version l bought and thought it was dreadful.

[@Ronnie1001]

Doug, have you reviewed "Ricochet" (live) by Tangerine Dream, from the same time in the 1970's? If you're limited for time, go straight to "Part 2".

[@ericclayton6287]

How do you like the Meze headphones?

[@cottonuwu3167]

Attempt 7 of trying to make you hear the spanish band “legado de una tragedia”

[@elevown]

Oooh thats rare! Its a great album but personally i much profer Return to OMMADAWN .

[@AmonRa33]

The tone is a bit offset. Not a proper F#. It looks like they tuned their instruments a little lower than A440

[@johanbruinenberg4401]

Hello

[@luiznogueira1579]

Isn't Ommadawn a double album?

[@henrikwinther6621]

No, his first double album was Incantations. TB, Hergest Ridge and Ommadawn are single albums.

[@altair8598]

No that's Incantatios which is at least its equal.

[@jakelm4256]

Still better than ChatGPT lyrics

[@teuska1965]

More airdrumming!

[@jm12green31]

Hello Doug always enjoy the content man and just wanted to say that Trump and his minions can lick my ass haha. Resist idiocracy folks

[@MrHyde11976]

mike is awesome absolutely transcending but progressive rock is just that. i own it all

[@pablolazaromartinez3541]

❤