Mike Oldfield- QE2 (SIDE 1) (REACTION & REVIEW)

Song Link: • Taurus 1
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[@cadanrichards2615]

Taurus 2 on his next album Five Miles Out is something in itself a 24 minute long epic. Taurus 1 is my favourite though just how cool and smooth it sounds. QE2 is underrated but it transitions Mike into the 80s smoothly.

[@yvesandrethevenot3489]

Taurus 2 on Five Miles Out is one of my favourite pieces ever. A flawless demo of progressive rock music. Absolute genius.

[@franckb8279]

Masterpiece. Phil Collins on drums on the album. David Hentschel (Genesis producer at that time) on production. You have really good ears, Phil drums on the first 2 tracks ;-) "Conflict" has an excerpt from J. S. Bach’s "Badinerie" (the last part of Bach's Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B Minor). "Arrival" is a reprise from ABBA. I'm looking forward for Five Miles Out and Crises, you will adore ;-)

[@yw1971]

Crises was MO last good album

[@linusfotograf]

@@yw1971 Discovery has some great moments and dare I say it, great songs. I do understand how some won’t like it

[@fastcarsoldandnew]

@@yw1971 I was going to agree with you, then I remembered that Amarok is later.

[@joaquinlezcano2372]

​​@@fastcarsoldandnew also Guitars

[@MrSinnerBOFH]

I’ve been waiting a long time for you listening to QE2: Phil Collins (!!!), shorter songs to offer variety, Genesis producer, Mike’s sublime guitars, all those multi tracks of Mike playing all kind of guitars (and mandolin!)… in short, you were going to like it. Oh, and your face each time Taurus 1 switched it out 😂😂😂😂 priceless! Glad you enjoyed Side A. Then, Side B, Five Miles Out and Crises. We all know you love them. (Good ear, my friend!!)

[@cuchullain27]

I heard this when I was 18 and it blew my mind. Since then I've been living in a private isolation room of appreciation... until now)

[@DarkStar-os9pv]

I've been a Mike Oldfield fan since the release of Tubular Bells. It is so gratifying to see his music being listened to today!

[@JustJP]

I've definitely been loving his music! Ty DS

[@torbenyj]

Bach - part of his Suite no 2 in B minor, a section known as Badinerie is played on conflict

[@paulcollins5586]

How he multi tracks a tune is so joyful .

[@tamaspolyak5564]

From the Wikipedia: "Conflict" has an excerpt from J. S. Bach’s "Badinerie" (the last part of Bach's Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B Minor). I knew it was Bach, just never knew the piece. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZ2Zg2eLnp6VosU

[@marekneymann]

Yes!!! Mike Oldfield, this was the first album I heard from him. Pure magic!

[@jean-marcboel4500]

In Conflics the organ part was an extract of JS Bach's Badinerie.

[@pgakagi]

All three Tauruses by Oldfield are great, always on my favourite list of instrumental music.

[@jerkedevries]

I love the sharp guitar sounds here and the celtic influences. 🙏

[@andrewmuttonandy]

Please don't leave it to long to get to side two or the next two albums Five miles out Crisis as the latter is one of his best albums

[@papalaz4444244]

This is the first Oldfield I bought on the day it came out. I can actually still remember coming home with it. :)

[@KNOPFLERSGOD]

Thanks for getting back to Mike Oldfield Justin, thanks also for the shout out. I knew you would like Taurus 1 it it followed by 2 and 3 over the next two albums. The thing with Mike is he is hard to pin down a genre, amongst the fans his music is classified as Oldfield Progressive, which I think sums him up well. Arrival was a suggestion from the record label, the ABBA version has great vocals but I prefer Mike's version. I am looking forward to side 2

[@markwakefield8533]

Hi JP you mentioned Maurice Pert on drums. Check out Oldfield live at Montreux 1981 video- Pert is on drums. Fantastic solo end of Ommadawn

[@petrariedewald9969]

Phil Collins plays the drums on Taurus One and Sheba.

[@BrandonBlume]

Been waiting a long time for more Mike Oldfield.

[@linusfotograf]

I don’t think ABBA blocks. I have seen countless reactions to them. You should consider reacting to one of their albums actually. They are so underrated among people who are a bit snobby. Their melodies, arrangements, musicianship and production values are unmatched.

[@kwikbit]

For the best of both worlds , you might want to check this version where someone has somehow managed to merge the Abba and Oldfield tracks togther 😎 kzbin.info/www/bejne/an2cgaufra-Vmas

[@leethomas2155]

Welcome back to Mike Oldfield JustJP keep em coming...

[@johnmavroudis2054]

Without a doubt my favorite Mike Oldfield album and one that I return to time and again. Such wonderful work with brilliant pacing throughout. A master in his prime... with one of the most distinctive guitar sounds in music. This album is perfectly named as it takes you on an epic journey from beginning to end.

[@suekay677]

The beat on Taurus is so sick I can totally imagine a rapper sampling the dinga linga ling in the beginning... even the dirty electric guitar right after would sound nice with some high quality bars to go with it 👌🏽

[@suekay677]

I know Kanye did a good job at sampling in high places from the crisis album... I died in my seat the first time I heard Kanye's Dark fantasy

[@MissAstorDancer]

You're so right; this truly is "ear candy"! I liked it a lot! I can hear so many influences from some of my favorite bands/artists!

[@onsesejoo2605]

"Arrival" indeed is from Abba, the title track of an album. Benny Andersson knows the Swedish folk music well, likewise Björn Ulvaeus and they truly let that influence shine through on that piece. Mike Oldfield was enthralled with the Roland VP 330 vocoder at that time.

[@kwikbit]

For the best of both worlds , you might want to check this version where someone has somehow managed to merge the Abba and Oldfield tracks togther 😎 kzbin.info/www/bejne/an2cgaufra-Vmas

[@spazimdam]

Justin I've been waiting for this, ever since you announced it! More Mike! This album is a departure from the lo-o-ong song format, but is still epic. Taurus 1 is quite an opener man. I love the banjo- so unexpected, yet sounds just right, totally fits. And with Phil Collins drumming and Maggie Riley singing, what more could you ask for? It is just sublime. Mike is an absolute master of tone. The guitar is unmistakably Oldfield and the synthesizers have a such a mellow, old world tone. What an multi-instrumentalist Mike is; he added vocoder to his repertoire. I agree JP about being reminded of Incantations, with those harmonies by Maggie Riley. Sheba always makes me happy. It's such a cool little tune. But when are you going to do side 2? The title track, the song QE2, is my favorite- trumpets, Mike's incredible guitar tone, orchestration. Can't wait! Great reaction JP. Cheers!

[@Silber7]

What may be noticable is that around this time, Mike was doing regular concert tours, like a "normal" rock-band. He experimented with a orchestra like output playing Incantations (and Tubular bells) but that proved inpractical and expensive (see the video and live-album "Exposed") - and later he played with a regular band line-up. So the songs of this time are mostly playable by a handful of musicians, and I think that is noticable. Mike found himself way more in the role of just a guitarist at that time. At least on the QE2 tour he had two drummers/percussionists, which also fits what we hear on the album... There is a live video Live from Montreux 1982, where he plays lots of this material. It's a bit more free, but the songs do make sense in that setting. His renditions of Tubular Bells and Ommadawn are a bit more deviant to their initial concept... Check it out on KZbin if you want! Maggie Reilly did nearly only vocalisations on this tour, but stayed on for the next albums and sang some actual songs - some became hits, like his biggest song Moonlight Shadow. Also, Arrival sure is no highlight here, though it may have been popular (because of the known original?). The Abba version lacks lead-guitar but is way more majestic, and also features magical femal vocals (how could it not from that band). It may be true they sadly are not suited for youtube. But Abba is a really amazing band worth listening to the whole albums too. Besides some world famous hits, many more of their songs are top tier pop songs with amazing compositions, productions and perfomances.

[@kwikbit]

For the best of both worlds , you might want to check this version where someone has somehow managed to merge the Abba and Oldfield tracks togther 😎 kzbin.info/www/bejne/an2cgaufra-Vmas

[@fsgreton]

Hi You JP , thank for this piece of sound , I mean there is no other who can make this kind of music ,and otherway "irstime listen it " as have been 40 years.

[@altair8598]

So glad you're back with Mike. Havent heard this album before. Looking forward to Songs of the Distant Earth if you don't give up before then!

[@leethomas2155]

Why would he give up... some great stuff coming

[@spazimdam]

Yes! Songs of Distant Earth is a fantastic album. I can't wait.

[@CJJC]

Always nice to find a TSODE fan

[@SmartCookie2022]

This album didn't show much progression from Incantations, which is still his last great album IMHO. However, the next album Five Miles Out shows a nice jump in progression, with hit single "Family Man" which Hall & Oates would cover that same year. Of course, Oldfield would follow 5 Miles Out with the excellent Crisis album.

[@333wheeler]

Start of the switch to the albums Virgin wanted made that they could get on TOTP and daytime radio.. Maggie starts to come into the picture big time for those chart hits ..

[@DenisLarochellejr]

Oh my God! I haven't heard that in about 40 years... Thanks for digging it up man!

[@Coneman3]

I was bewitched by this man’s music as a youth. It was life changing.

[@kwikbit]

Oldfield is probably my all time go-to Musician/composer and QE2 was the first Oldfield album which I bought back in Winter 1982 😎!!.... every time I listen to it, it takes me back to those days ... which is probably why I also agree about the slightly Christmassy feel to some of the tracks...👍

[@CJJC]

Absolutely love that you broke these down into the two sides. There are Oldfield albums incoming where that might not be as necessary but we aren’t there yet.

[@denislaferriere2693]

The musical part in conflic sounds like Ode to Joy - Beethoven

[@DavidTateVA]

I played the vinyl of this until it was unplayable, then played the cassette I'd made of it until the tape failed. I think I still have the CD somewhere. Yeah, I liked it. Have to agree with @Cadan Richards that Taurus II on Five Miles Out is even more wonderfully epic -- that one I played on repeat.

[@jamespaivapaiva4460]

Halloween has passed, but I have a sweet tooth. Ear candy indeed! I'm at home but must leave to deal with a "Crisis"! "Heaven's Open" and I cannot tell the difference between "Light + Shade". I feel the "Earth Moving". I'm a "Voyager" to "Islands". "Five Miles Out" and the "The Songs of Distant Earth" are just "Incantations" to the Universe and "The Music of the Sphere's"! Peace & Love now, or we become "The Killing Fields".

[@HippoYnYGlaw]

Mike has a distinct style. Phil too. Yet they are able to mix it up. Phil fell at the 90s hurdle but got back up to say goodbye with Fading Lights.... Hang on JP You’ve just triggered me Major League How can i carry on the rest of the day? And again You’ve just Repeated the words A Sense of Wonder! The Blue Nile Van Morrison Don’t give up on em JP Poetic Chamions Compose High Essential LPs Thanks. Really grateful for playin this. I don’t own it and I’m glad i had the opportunity to stretch my back while listening this Saturday lunchtime. Oldfield takes me back to the glorious summer of 83. The Days of our Lives? Sylvian Nostalgia you betcha but Today is equally blessed. A design for Life. Catatonia Lost Cat/ you’ve got a lot to answer for But baby i love you🧢🧶♥️🥁🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@murdockreviews]

I still love this album - it has a few cheesy moments (I am looking at you, "Arrival", and some other parts), and may seem like summer vacation background music in a new age-y meditation spa at first, but to me it is unlike any other Oldfield release. The little melody cropping up in "Conflict" is a piece by J.S. Bach; a part of the "Orchestral Suite No 2 in B minor".

[@leethomas2155]

Arrival is superb!

[@piotrrybka318]

If you like New Age music, you must definitely try listening to Andreas Vollenweider. And not single songs, but full albums. I'd suggest starting with White Winds, Caverna Magica and Down to the Moon, as they are most new-age-like. Also Book of Roses is very coherent, like verything fits there. But also the last one, Slow Flow-Dancer is very well thought through.

[@JohnWhipp]

I'm looking forward to side two of this, in hopefully the near future, but at the same time, here's a thing: This is of course a reaction channel, not a Mike Oldfield appreciation channel. I love Mike Oldfield's music, but there are periods of his career, especially during the 1980s, when things kind-of stayed on-brand and didn't really progress for a while, which isn't especially great for a reactor, and then there are other points in his career where everything totally switches tracks. So, whilst to some this might sound radical, maybe even heretical, for a channel like this I would advocate taking a different approach to Oldfleld after completing QEII. I'm going to suggest jumping wildly around his discography, and then maybe at a later date going back and filling in some of the gaps. Maybe try some of these (one every 3-4 months, say): "The Songs of Distant Earth", "Tubular Bells III", "Amarok" (for a super-long song Saturday), "The Millennium Bell", "Music of the Spheres" (either version), "Crises" and "Return to Ommadawn" (but do some of those others before Return To Ommadawn). Also maybe "The Killing Fields" (it's certainly different), maybe "Tubular Bells II" (but do some of the others first), and maybe throw in an album from his brother Terry Oldfield one day too for variety (for example "Spirit of Africa" or "Resonance" to name two I'm familiar with). I'm certain many will disagree with that set of choices, but it would definitely make for an interesting ride!

[@routemaster19]

As ever - it's usually good to see these albums with a bit of historical context - as what may sound incongruous and dated now most likely was not at the time of first release. Music in the UK in 1980 was all over the place. Punk Rock had established itself as an alternative genre helped in no small way by Virgin Records, Disco was still around but running out of steam and just round the corner was the "Nu-Wave" synth pop that would totally transform the musical landscape. And yes - above it all - ABBA were still very much omni-present giving us regular Top ten hits. Mike had gone through his "Exegesis" re-birthing therapy and had turned from introvert to extrovert. He went touring, collaborated with loads more artists and musicians both on his own albums and on theirs. He turned up on radio and TV and had thrown off the awkward, painful persona of a troubled soul. To keep Virgin sweet he had been persuaded to try and become more commercial as the musical landscape from the early seventies was now long gone. Platinum & QE2 are very much transitionary albums bridging his complex epic folk rock symphonic works with the lighter more commercial sounding soft rock and pop of the 80's. Oldfield lost a lot of fans during this time and it's debateable he garnered many new ones to replace them until 1983's "Crises". Having said that I think there is still a lot to admire and enjoy on these albums. Sometimes you don't want to listen to 20 odd minutes of a complex and concentration demanding piece of music but prefer something lighter and more frivolous. This certainly fits the bill. It was highly unusual for Mike to cover other peoples work though not unheard of. From "The Sailor's Hornpipe" at the end of "Tubular Bells" and "In Dulci Jubilo", "Portsmouth", "William Tell Overture", "Vivaldi's Concerto in C" all precede Bach's "Badinerie" excerpt in Conflict and on "Platinum" of course he did his own version of Gershwin's "I Got Rhythm". Abba's "Arrival" was an album track on their 1976 LP also called "Arrival". It was unusual as it was only the second and last time Abba produced an instrumental track. Not only was this track covered by Oldfield but there are other references to Abba's Benny Anderson's recognisable piano motif's running throughout the QE2 album. You couldn't get away from ABBA during this time in the UK! The next track on QE2 is a cover of Jerry Lordan's "Wonderful Land". Originally released by "The Shadows" in 1962. Mike has said he was a big fan of them growing up and this was done as a homage to show how much of an influence they had been to him. Mike is always keen to try the latest bit of music technology and to try and bend them to his style of music making - with mixed results. Vo-corders were very much part of the musical furniture back then so it was inevitable that Mike would use them - particularly as he liked to use voices as another instrument. Later he would become fixated on the Fairlight using it to construct another soundscape for a few albums. This album got lost in the noise of the UK music scene but it did very well in West Germany!

[@JustJP]

Appreciate the write up RM19! Ty

[@fredrickmaynor6304]

Great reaction, JP. One thing, Mike Oldfield doesn't SOUND New Age-y. Every New Age album can be traced back to Mike Oldfield inventing the entire genre!

[@KNOPFLERSGOD]

Yes, amongst his fans, his genre is called Oldfield Progressive, which I think is apt.

[@dirkschrauwen]

Welcome back to the Mike Oldfield Universe JP 🙂 QE2 is, just like Platinum a nice album, only Taurus I makes it already worthwhile to listen to. There are other tracks with Oldfield at his best (Sheba, QE2) but also some tracks a bit weaker... Mike seemed to be in a transitional phase and from Five Miles Out on he re-emerged again... JP, if you liked Taurus I, you'll be blown away by Taurus II, the main track on Five Miles Out.

[@tkengathegrateful4844]

The beginning of Taurus 1 sounds a lot like the beginning of the Italian partisan song "Fischia il Vento", but re-imagined as a sea chanty.

[@benoitdesmarais2948]

Ear candy and fun, yes, Platinum was that...and just that. Back then, i was hoping for the big follow-up to Incantations. Qe2 wasn't it either, somehow i kept thinking it was déja vu, or rather déjà entendu. The synths and drum machine haven't aged well, in particular the pan flute-like sound which i find very grating, and yes, very Christmas Carol - the Abba cover doesn't help either. It has its moments, but his big comebacks were Five Miles Out and Crises, before he got very new-agy.

[@Coneman3]

Solo in conflict is Bach.

[@sheldonhowells3083]

An enjoyable listen! I am not over familiar with QE2. I have listened to the album a couple of times, and it was definitely a step up from his previous release, Platinum. I love Maggie Reilly's voice. Her voice would become part of the Mike Oldfield sound during this period. Maggie appears quite often, over the next few albums on the list, including my two favourites: Five Miles Out, Crises. I always try to pay attention, Justin! Cheers!

[@x-sphere6431]

Side 2? Getting withdrawls here haha Keep up the good content :)

[@samsonau8205]

I've been waiting for you to get back to MO!! So much material to get through. 5 Miles out and Crises next up. Patience is a virtue they say.

[@rabbitwhisperer7525]

Loved the choice of ethnic percussion and Eastern influenced vocals on this voyage. Always felt Taurus 1 should have been expanded to a full side, maybe merged with QE2 from side 2 where the final Taurus 1 theme is resurrected. Love the metallic hammering in the latter as if the ship is being built. Even the quietest, simplest track on this album is as intricate as it is intimate.

[@rrraudiovisuellemedien2636]

QE2, finally! One of my favourite records of Mike Oldfield. Granted, it's a little underrated, but it features some very, very nice ideas and combines different styles and aspects that - at least partly - became treatments of his 80s sound. I'm curious of what you say to the title track - I think it's absolutely great and Taurus 1 already features some moments of that song ;).

[@josephchisholm2654]

That Bach bit was my Nokia ringtone twenty years ago. It's catchy.

[@kenl2091]

I am surprised at some of the most positive reactions to this album - surely there are a minimum of six better Oldfield LPs? By this stage, he had set out his stall and sold his juiciest fruit. This is the leftovers and retreads of themes/atmospheres that he had done better previously. I doubt if anyone listened to his first 5 albums and thought 'you know what this needs - Phil Collins! (and a vocoder)' The next few albums are similar until he gives in and records Tubular Bells 2. Amarok is a bit better (and different) but Oldfield was never young and hungry, experimental or outstanding again.

[@DascMusic]

Thanks for listening to this one (I paid attention)! Because of that I finally came back to listen to this one as well, which I haven't done in a long time, I normally skip this album. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised, it was better than I remembered. Also, I'm looking forward to the second half, because the title track was always my favourite of this album. In it you can basically hear at one point a musical representation of the QE2 ocean liner starting its engine and setting off. But still, I would say that for me "QE2" is his weakest album up until "Islands". I find it sounds like he is using more kind of short musical snippets (almost as if this is all the ideas that were left unused from the first five albums) than an overarching vision. And especially the next album "Five Miles Out" is much, much better. And then, there is of course "Amarok" waiting in the distance, in my opinion probably the coolest album he's ever done. Also, nice little Blue Nile "Over the Hillside" reminder singing you did towards the end.

[@egapnala65]

"Taurus One" is completed by the title track on the other side. I think this was released in the wake of the launching of the QE2 Cruise liner. To me its rather a "filler" based album witth "Taurus/QE2/Sheba" being the highlights. "Five Miles Out" the next album is much more concise and meaningful album.

[@stoffer108]

PLEASE! Don’t skip the exposed live album, I beg of you. At least not the tubular bells part 1 and 2 and guilty on disk 2. It’s not just tubular bells but live, it’s a completely different song, IT HAS DRUMS! Though, you will have to find it here on KZbin as Mike has yet to release it on Spotify. It features some killer guitar solos and has a disco/funk vibe that’s just incredible. Sorry for caps lock, I’m just very passionate about this amazing album. And it doesn’t get enough attention in my opinion. Thank you for listening to my TED talk.

[@lbd-po7cl]

I’m not 100% sure, but I feel the intro to Taurus I is a traditional hornpipe tune, something that was common on British naval ships back in the day. I haven’t listened to this album in a long while, and I don’t know what Wikipedia or Mike Oldfield himself says, but I get the sense of a nautical journey from this side. Starting with celebrations at the launch of the ship on her maiden voyage, then some joyous sailing through tropical islands, then entering into a naval battle, and finally arriving back to their home port again. Glorious album.

[@karstenreichert1094]

The short part in Conflict is from Johan Sebastian Bach

[@dchalmers9331]

You might be interested in another track that features Mike Oldfield's distinctive guitar; Little Red Robin Hood Hit The Road by Robert Wyatt from the fantastic Rock Bottom album. In fact the whole album would merit a play as each of the two sides hangs together as a single piece.

[@volt9903]

Hi Justin, PANOS FROM ATHENS GREECE. MIKE OLDFIELD FOR EVER.👏🌷🇬🇷🇺🇲🥂

[@x-sphere6431]

After a year of waiting..finally. Thought you'd given up on Mike tbh. Any idea as to when you're reviewing side 2?

[@MrCREWCRUSHIN95]

FYI- Arrival is a cover of an ABBA tune!

[@raymondregis6219]

'... not in an Anthony Phillips sort of way.'

[@DavidImiri]

As you can imagine, Mike's whole catalog is strewn with gold, more than two dozen albums, every one stunning, evolving, and progressing, with the sad and understandable exception of two dogs from 1989 and 1991. If you're looking for suggestions for the next time out, Cadan Richards nod to Five Miles Out isn't a bad one, because the album is certainly no slouch, and it would be following his discography through the years (may as well go through them all). But if you're looking for pinnacle highlights of the archive not yet covered, for my money try Music Of The Spheres, The Songs of Distant Earth, and Tubular Bells III. (Watch the concert movie of that last.)

[@leethomas2155]

I think he's going to do them in chronological order. I hope so as that is the best way to enjoy the journey.

[@torbenyj]

yes, it's phil playing on sheba

[@karstenreichert1094]

Endlich geht es weiter. Ich freue mich auf Five miles out und Crises.

[@gaiaeternal5131]

Hi Justin. Dave from a grey, wet London (Steel Rain). I'm new to this album too. I love early Mike Oldfield but checked out after Incantations (just because I decided to move on to other things). Highlight for me is Sheba, with Maggie Reilly's lovely Polynesian style vocals. Was that an influence on classical composer (and ex Soft Machiner) Karl Jenkins? Enjoyed the whole side but I can't help thinking that his instrumental passages are treading old ground. Arrival is decent but like all covers is it really better, or different, than the Abba original? P.S. my song ref Steel Rain is by Chris Cornell.

[@geneharvey7]

Something that might be fun is to react to Oldfield's "Family Man" and then follow immediately with Hall & Oates' version. Strange to think of those two artists together...yet H&O covered Oldfield. Would be fun to see which version you prefer.

[@HippoYnYGlaw]

I agree. A return to the Comparing Covers video format would be interesting. For example, Budgie recorded Baby Please Don't Go, which many say is the best version...I haven't heard any other versions myself though!

[@MrCREWCRUSHIN95]

My favorite Mike Oldfield albums: QE2, FIVE MILES OUT, CRISES. Hope you listen to those latter two after QE2

[@markwakefield8533]

Hi JP New Age music try Mike and Sally Oldfield “the sallyangie”. Or Terry Oldfield

[@Nidels]

Mike oldfield is a fucking genius.

[@paulcollins5586]

@@Katehowe3010 He can play 20 instruments with feel and puts his heart and soul into it. If you are not a musician you wont understand.

[@Nidels]

@@Katehowe3010 When a musician is able to maintain a very high musical level in his albums, and then releases a masterful pearl like Amarok, surpassing all his previous albums, he is a fucking genius. I'm telling you, I've spent 47 years of my life in both classical and electronic music. A hug.

[@lemming9984]

In an interview many years ago, Oldfield stated that this period of his contract with Virgin was very unhappy. He stated he was keeping his best stuff on hold, and several albums were just contractual obligation. His "better stuff' became Tubular Bells 2 and 3.

[@linusfotograf]

But TB 2 and 3 aren’t anything to cheer about imo

[@lemming9984]

@@linusfotograf I Don't disagree babe, just remembering Oldfield's opinion!

[@samsonau8205]

I can't wait unti JP hits Amarok!

[@stephenhowes6378]

Next try the single guilty then man on the rocks featuring luke from the struts

[@TheRassamee6y]

Bach toccata is the part you mean as classical part

[@-davidolivares]

The thing about Mike is his way of building a song up has grown too familiar for me. Layer upon layer… It’s like the old Star Trek episode or movie where Spock mentions the enemy has been thinking 2D or 3D where they should think 4D. I prefer his early stuff.

[@MePeterNicholls]

Shout out Phil Collins on drums!

[@artabwar]

The QUE2 song please!!

[@lidlc703]

how long we need to wait part 2? ; )

[@wesleyrodgers886]

Added to my list of... Albums you forgot you had and lost.

[@andrewclayton4181]

I'd bought the first 4 or 5 M. O. Albums, and saw this one in my local library. I hired it for a week or two, but was frankly disappointed with it. I felt the tracks tended to have a more aggressive feel to them, were edgy, and also went on a bit too long. The ABBA cover at the end came as a relief. Frankly 30 years later my opinion hasn't changed much. Think side 2 is better, but it's been a while, so I'm going to tune in and give that a listen. I know it's got a cover of Wonderful Land on it, so that's worth listening to in itself.

[@maruad7577]

Unlike many I enjoyed this. Mileage varies.

[@thomassharmer7127]

The risk for many artists is that after establishing their own unique style, and maybe producing a run of 'classic' and iconic albums, they can fall into becoming just a pastiche of themselves. Of course, many of their fans (and often record companies) do want the familiar style they have grown to like, but the artistic and commercial challenge is to grow and change enough to stay fresh without losing your audience. I'm not sure this fully achieves that balance. It's pleasant, but falls into the 'more of the same' category for me, without achieving the originality and impact of his early work.

[@HippoYnYGlaw]

I'm a big fan of Crises and had a soft spot for MO but I hadn't heard this one. I think it's subtle variation and dynamics show progress. Very enjoyable, courageously unfashionable.

[@FLASHAHOLIC_TV]

I can only take his first 4 albums. Though this is way better than Platinum. Though they are probably way too emotionally intense for your audience I'd love to see you checkout some of 'Archive's biggest hits.

[@matthew-Williams]

You should check ABBA's original version of Arrival for comparison.

[@lemming9984]

Loved Oldfield's pastiche of Abba's album cover for the pic sleeve of his Arrival single. Mike in his own helicopter!

[@altair8598]

Mike's is much cheesier than Abba's. Disappointing.

[@leethomas2155]

I actually prefer Mike Oldfield's version to Arrival... I think it's more developed. ABBAs is still great though but sounds like a WIP.

[@leethomas2155]

@@altair8598 cheesy? How?

[@altair8598]

@@leethomas2155 OK, 'cheesy' was a bit strong I admit. Much as I like Mike's playing on the tune, personally I just prefer the more stately pace and simplicity of the original version.

[@volt9903]

I know from your reaction of your face how much you love MIKE OLDDIELDS MUSIC 👏👏👍👍🌹🌷🌻.I send you all my love.The finale is epic.

[@jfergs.3302]

Interesting... I never know what he's really thinking from his expression. Ever track, whatever the track, virtually it's the same. With the first note comes the eye's mostly shut, semi-smile, and head bobbing. That's why I requested Baby Shark a while ago, and I could even see him doing it if he ever played Chopin's funeral march :)

[@echoflood9737]

I hope you get to react to the album life fantastic by the band Man Man.

[@markgodwin1777]

Great reaction but you miss the clever transition between the tracks by not listening to the side in one go. Especially Conflict to Arrival.

[@sicko_the_ew]

Just in case anyone here is wondering where *Downpressor Man* came from, it turns out it was from *Sinnerman* - and here's a nice version of that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/novRdKOZbJqni9E (For me the QE2 had its ups and downs, and I didn't care much for the downs - to be gentle about it. Downpressor Man is just something that popped up in the bookmarks, where that missing something must surely be hidden.)

[@sicko_the_ew]

Just in case *Downpressor Man* doesn't ring a bell, I mean the song by *Peter Tosh* (reggae not being all about feeling good on some Dreadlock Holiday). This one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rp3XXoipf8h6bsk

[@sicko_the_ew]

Just to introduce some balance, here's *I Am That I Am* - which is closer to the "happy holiday" aspect of reggae (whilst saying, "I'm not in this world to live up to your expectations", and such things.) kzbin.info/www/bejne/aHWwhZqKlrx6pKc He was murdered in his own home (in a home invasion/ house robbery), so I suppose that makes him an honorary South African. There isn't enough money in the world to be worth the loss of Peter Tosh.

[@sicko_the_ew]

He was a little guy, but he said he was a *Stepping Razor* . "Don't you watch my size; I'm dangerous". I wish he had been. Nice thought, anyway. Don't bully the little guy; he'll make you regret it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4vTn3tqeKlrgNU

[@PiramidWall]

The part You say it sound like something actually is from Mozart

[@PiramidWall]

Sorry from bach not mozart. Mike is a very enthusiastic fan of bach. In the first album (Sallyangie) he play something from Bach. He have a lot of references to classical music

[@PiramidWall]

This is the part where Mike plays Tocata & FUGA in D minor with the guitar with only 14 years: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpaUcmmjh5KGaZo

[@Lightmane]

I see Jfergs comment garnered TWENTY SIX REPLIES! I think J is taking over your channel, Justin 😎

[@robertgyurjan4607]

This is the MO album I like the least. Even Earth Moving is better for me.

[@lemming9984]

Yeah. I bought it when it came out, but hardly played it. In an interview (probably at the time of TB2) Oldfield stated he was just putting anything on the albums til his Virgin contract expired, and he was saving the better stuff for TB2.

[@AriadneJC]

That wasn't nearly as bad as I feared it would be (having had some horrendous experiences with previous Oldfield albums). He doesn't seem to be stomping his "Annoying AF" guitar pedal to the max quite as much as I recall he does on past albums, so that immediately made me more likely not to hate it. Would I listen to it again, though? Probably not.

[@HippoYnYGlaw]

i've just listened to it again when it played after paprika plains and I'm chillin out reading all the informative comments. MO is his own genre I reckon. good mornin' music! :>)

[@lidlc703]

?

[@spoteach]

QE2 is just like Platinum not exactly one of my favourite Mike Oldfield albums. Mike is struggling his way into the 80's. The gorgeous Sheba is a good example of Oldfield trying to do "a song". Maggie Reilly will continue coworking with Mike for three more albums. She became the lead vocalist of his early 80's live band. Phil Collins can be heard on Sheba and Taurus 1. Mike was born under the Taurus horoscope starsign. Taurus 1 sounds very nautic to me as if he's on a boat in the ocean guided by the stars. He tries to travel through the music business under his own sign, with his own musical signature. Conflict is nice but the Bach part ruins it for me. I know Mike loves Bach and so do I but Oldfield is referring too much to his musical heroes on QE2. I'm sure he admired the kraftmanship of ABBA (in fact Mike's late 80's pop work comes to ABBA). Side 2 will kick of with a cover of The Shadows's UK number 1 hit Wonderful Land.

[@felipefasel1762]

In my point of view, this is the worst album of oldfield in his entire career. I agree with the comments before, he was in a transition, in an experimental way. The next ones, are great, especially Crises, the 20 min song. That really is a fkc journey so worth to listen. Come on, go foward! Don't stack here pls.

[@jfergs.3302]

Sorry, I couldn't take this seriously after, a) that opening riff. I found myself saying 'ooh yes please, I'll have the calamari, followed by the souvlaki, and a side of kolokythokeftedes. And b) The rampant use of vocoder, worse thing to happen to vocals ever. After that, same ol' mike. Pick a basic riff, play it slow, fast, repeat the theme, noodle a bit with that awful guitar sound of his... Then finish with an ABBA cover! WOW. He should've called it a day after 'Bell's'.

[@paulcollins5586]

If you dont understand genius then its your loss.

[@jfergs.3302]

@@paulcollins5586 Genius!, oh come on 🙂 Da Vinci was a genius... this, naarrrr

[@HippoYnYGlaw]

SFA ok ‘s “Juxtaposed with U“ has a vocoder of some description and it’s a top 100 45 of all time. Aerosmith’s “Prelude to Joannie” has some too, and RelientK’s “ Empty Room” . Three examples from millions of songs which could possibly be the exception to the jfergs theory. I’m an 80s Oldfield fan as i had to go against the trend at the time That labelled him a Has-Been. Great theory from the heart though!😁

[@jfergs.3302]

@@HippoYnYGlaw My thoughts on the vocoder aren't a theory, just my personal opinion. I'm sure they were in a ton of stuff, 'the new toy in the toybox' when they came out. But I can't think of a single example were they've enhanced a song. And as bad as they were then they sound a 1000X's worse today, so horribly dated. Also, when did big sales, or a high chart position make something great. 'Shaddap you face' by J Dolce, number 1 in multiple countries.... let that be my exhibit one in the case against sales/chart postion. Cos let's face it, as the man said, there's one born every minute 🙂

[@HippoYnYGlaw]

They do sound dated i agree! The top 100 chart reference was not a Gallup one but an Official HP sôs personal faves one -selected on good vibes stemming from the lyric ( sung non -vocoderized): *you’ve got to tolerate all those people that you hate” and a Costello meets Hot Chocolate arrangement with added *vocoder*. Sufjan Stevens used one on The Age of Adz too but that annoyed people too. I’ll shut up now about vocoders then!

[@yronfaclin]

boring album for me...

[@antoniocabreraperez]

Badinieri. Bach