Book review: On track…MIKE OLDFIELD (Every album, every song) – Ryan Yard

On track…MIKE OLDFIELD (Every album, every song) – Ryan Yard

Sonicbond Publishing [Publication date 18.09.20]

As Ryan Ward suggests in this survey of Mike Oldfield’s music, his calling card Tubular Bells – in 1973 – defined him and was never surpassed. He was only 20. Those of a certain age will remember that at some time they owned a copy of this album.

There’s not much background given to Oldfield’s apprenticeship with sister Sally (‘The Sallyangie’) or his stint with Kevin Ayers as a member of The Whole World, the story jumps in with the magnum opus.

In truth the following albums were patchy and some disappointing. ‘Hergest Ridge’ for example failed to live up to expectations in 1974 although ‘Ommadawn’ and ‘Incantations’ were critically well received. All are documented meticulously here.

Oldfield fashioned a more pop approach in the 1980s, reflected in several Top 20 singles and with Maggie Reilly the resident vocalist. A more organic seventies style was progressively updated with heavy use of synthesizers, a process begun in 1980 with the album QE2.

Oldfield has embraced modern musical trends, not least electronic dance and world music, but – since the early 1990s – he has also mercilessly rechanneled his best known work. ‘Tubular Bells II’ (1992) and ‘III’ (1998) maintained the brand along with ‘Tubular Bells 2003′ in which he completely re-recorded the original album. There has even been talk of a fourth re-visit using analogue equipment, an approach complementing the more organic ‘Return to Ommadawn’ his last studio album in 2017 .

In his introduction, Yard bemoans the sporadic recording activity with the musician “seemingly content in his island paradise, working at a relaxed speed”. We can picture Oldfield basking in the Bahamas sunshine, peeling grapes, and contemplating his next royalty cheque.

This has to be one of the best accounts in the “On track..” series in terms of musical appreciation. Ryan Yard is a professional music teacher and theoretician and therefore adds a more in-depth analysis than unusual. And, in this respect, he also kindly adds a glossary of musical terms. His account will therefore appeal to the musician as well as the casual reader. He also adds in the bonus tracks and various collaborations.

Mike Oldfield’s output over the years may seem diverse and demanding, but Yard is an indefatigable guide throughout. ****

Review by David Randall

On track… The Who
On track…10cc
On track…Dream Theater
On track…Gentle Giant
On track…Hawkwind (and more review links)

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)