Ommadawn [Original recording remastered]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
With his first release, Tubular Bells, Mike Oldfield created a genre that can best be termed "symphonic folk-rock." Ommadawn, his third album, continued in a similar though somewhat more ambitious and less portentous vein. Including the African percussion group Jabula and Paddy Moloney of the Chieftains on uilleann pipes, this is Oldfield's most easily palatable release. Oldfield plays almost 20 instruments here. The two instrumental pieces that make up nearly the entire album are similar to ambient music in intent and effect, with an almost constant recycling of themes. The album closes with "On Horseback," a classic piece of English whimsy. --James Swift

Ommadawn,Mike Oldfield,Blue Plate Caroline,Adult Alternative,Ambient,Electronic,Pop,Prog-Rock/Art Rock,Progressive Electronic,Rock,Rock/Pop

Tracks:

Ommadawn: Part 1
Ommadawn: Part 2

Amazon.com

With his first release, Tubular Bells, Mike Oldfield created a genre that can best be termed "symphonic folk-rock." Ommadawn, his third album, continued in a similar though somewhat more ambitious and less portentous vein. Including the African percussion group Jabula and Paddy Moloney of the Chieftains on uilleann pipes, this is Oldfield's most easily palatable release. Oldfield plays almost 20 instruments here. The two instrumental pieces that make up nearly the entire album are similar to ambient music in intent and effect, with an almost constant recycling of themes. The album closes with "On Horseback," a classic piece of English whimsy. --James Swift

Customer Reviews:

Mike's Masterpiece.......2007-02-11

Ive always loved Mike Oldfields work although his latter suff hasn't impressed me as much. This album along with Hergest Ridge and of course Tubular Bells are his masterpieces. Ommadawn is my favourite out the three, its a beautifully constructed treasure that never seems to age with time. Ive been listening to this album since I was 6 and 15 years later I still play this record religously it's that good do yourself a favour and buy it now!

A wonderful album of delicate instrumental music.......2006-05-08

Released in 1975, the haunting Ommadawn is an excellent recording and the last of the trilogy that featured album-length works including Tubular Bells (1973) and Hergest Ridge (1974). All three of these albums can be purchased in one shot with the "Boxed" package. Of the three albums, Ommadawn is a personal favorite.

Mike Oldfield is quite the multi-instrumentalist and on Ommadawn plays everything from acoustic/electric guitar, to bass, to (tons of) synthesizers (amongst other instruments), including a brief vocal passage on Ommadawn Part Two (he sings quite well). In addition to the wide range of instruments Mike plays, he is joined by Irish musician and Chieftains leader Paddy Maloney (pipes); Mike's sister Sally and Irish singer Clodagh Simmons (vocalese passages); Leslie Penning (recorder); a team of excellent African drummers (Jabula); and most notably, virtuoso Gong drummer/percussionist Pierre Moerlen. Unfortunately, Pierre is not allowed to rip it up on the kit and simply contributes percussion bits here and there. The way I see it, a full drum kit, especially when handled by a master percussionist like Pierre Moerlen, could have added another (dynamic) dimension to this recording.

This should not imply that this album is dull or one-faced. On the contrary, it is richly textured instrumental music with touches of progressive rock here and there and a great deal of traditional English folk music. I should note that although the term "world music" was used in the liner notes to describe the album, I do not feel that it is appropriate here, given the emphasis on European melodies, harmonies, and rhythms. Mike has a good handle on melodies and they are both abundant and haunting. He also knows how to put a large piece together, and the two works, including Parts One (19'14") and Two (17'17") flow along very smoothly, develop nicely, and more than hold my interest. Mike also has a sense of humor and there are (exceptionally) brief passages that are bouncier and lighter than the rest of the music, which is largely brooding and contemplative.

This remastered album was transferred using HDCD technology and the sound is incredible with deep rich bass and crisp treble. I would have liked to see more in the way of liner notes and photos, but we can't always get what we want. All in all, this is a pleasant instrumental album that is recommended along with Hergest Ridge.

One For The Ages.......2006-04-24

I have been listening to this composition at suitable intervals for 30 years now. Many of the reviewers here sound like this is about the best thing they've ever heard. Count me in. In one effort this album established the breadth of perspective of New Age music on par with classical music. Hundreds of years from now when people want to hear only the best of our era, this work will be there. Tubular Bells is Oldfield's wonderful if playful signature composition, but Ommadawn is his masterpiece.

Life After Tubular Bells.......2006-03-25

I never listen before to an other Mike Olfield's CD, and some how I thought he could not have written some thing as good as tubular bells but this is absolutly great, If you like the first one get this one you will not be disapointed

Another one of Oldfield's early masterpieces........2005-09-30

Like Tubular Bells, Ommadawn consists primarily of two long, progressive instrumental compositions, accomodating the 2-sided nature of the time's vynil LPs.
A bit more tame and etherial, and classical in structure, this is probably his most sophisticated piece. Like Tubular Bells, it foreshadows new-age classical, but with a distinctively atmospheric quality not unlike that of ambient music two decades later.

Average customer rating:

great music bad presentation
A Must for Oldfield Fans
Gives a new light on early Oldfield's recordings
Mike and Me
Superb

Boxed

Manufacturer: Virgin Records Us
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Electronic | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Progressive | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Amarok
Tubular Bells III
Exposed
Tubular Bells 2003
Mike Oldfield - Live at Montreux 1981

ASIN: B0000072NT
Release Date: 2002-12-10

Tracks:

Tubular Bells: Part One
Tubular Bells Part: Two
The Rio Grande
Portsmouth
In Dulci Jubilo

Tracks:

Hergest Ridge: Part One
Hergest Ridge: Part Two
An Extract From Star's End
Argiers
Speak (Tho You Only Say Farewell)

Tracks:

Ommadawn: Part One
Ommadawn: Part Two
The Phaeacian Games
First Excursion

Customer Reviews:

great music bad presentation.......2005-06-08

There is no doubt that the music in this so called boxed set is very good and for further info I humbly refer you to previous reviews. My disapointment comes in the destruction of the artist concept and display of the product. After reading the reviews I realized that most of you recall the album release, the albums came in a box format hence the title. But i do not know if the same people recall the original release of the cd which came in a clam shell box cleverly reproducing the album presentation. What is being past as a box is now a jewel case inside a flimsy slip cover the title should now be changed to Mike Oldfield jeweled cased.

A Must for Oldfield Fans.......2004-02-27

I have to say it... this is one of the best showcases of Mike's earlier work. This remixed version of "Tubular Bells" was created as a way to convince Mike that a quadraphonic mix should be created and released. Mike listened and proclaimed it perfect as was, so it was released. The original version, compared to this remix, sounded cluttered and confused. Also, the original American quad pressing, using the CD-4 system as opposed to the SQ format used in England, was marred by a very poor quality pressing. Contrary to what was said in the booklet accompanying this box set in CD, the recordings held on these discs are, in fact, SQ quad despite claims otherwise. I also have the LP set, and I directly compared them. So if you have a Dolby Pro Logic II setting on your playback system, by all means use it. The mix of "Ommadawn" is the same as was originally released on both SQ and QS quad versions in England, and on SQ here. The first part contains a chant, by Clodagh Simonds, that builds up toward the conclusion. Played back in surround, this chant takes on an etherial quality; Clodagh's voice suspended in mid-air as the additional instruments gradually come in. This is lost in the stereo mix, which I also have on another CD. "Hergest Ridge" features a musical tone poem, as it could be described, of where Mike was brought up. The shorter selections in the "Collaborations" album are also quite good. "In Dulci Jubilo", which is a Christmas song, takes on a highland fling style. As for "Speak", it's a duet with Mike and David Bedford on the vocals. This is a great box set, and I encourage any true Mike Oldfield fan to add it to their collection.

Gives a new light on early Oldfield's recordings.......2003-08-06

This is a must have for real Oldfield's fan..."Ommadawn", "Hergest ridge" and "Tubular bells" are his classic works, here they come along in slightly different versions and unreleased songs...The songs are really interesting especially delicate piano tune "Speak..." with vocals by Mike and beautifull "first excursion", that signals a beginning of "Incantations" era....
"Tubular bells" has a bit different sound from original and it features diffrrent ending - very funny "sailor's hornipipe" version with crazy commentary by Drunken Vivian Stanhall (master of ceremony in part 1) - a very nice suprise...
If you are a big fan of Early progressive and instrumental music,or just a Mike Oldfield fan this is a must have for you - it is also good for those fans that don't have internet to collect Mike's rare songs...

Mike and Me.......2003-04-05

Like most people, I suppose, first became aware of Mike Oldfield when THE EXORCIST first came out. Those haunting strains from TUBULAR BELLS really affected me when I saw the film lo these many yuears ago and again when I bought the album. I hyave owned that one in just about every format possible from Long Playing Record through Cassette tape to midi file and now on CD thanks to this beautiful set. A set which also features HERGEST RIDGE, OMMADAWN (another GREAT Mike Oldfield composition btw) and an album of collaborations. Unlike the LP version (which I have also owned of this boxed set) the cd boxed splits the collaborations on to the three cds that contain his first three albums. This seems to me a better way to hear them then all piled together on a separate cd the way they were with the record. They seem to complete the listening experience one has when one puts a Mike Oldfield work into one's cd player one soon notices that---whatever one is listening to: Tubular Bells, Hergest Ridge, Ommadawn...whatever---it's just not long enough. One wants the listening experience to continue..or, at least, one wants a few encores. And that's what you get here. What can I say, kids? BUY IT!!!

Superb.......2003-01-31

I was thrilled to see that this was available. I had to get my copy through a friend in England.

This CD set is an excellent collection of Oldfield's early work, and the re-mix on Tubular Bells (including the original Sailor's Hornpipe, as opposed to the toned down version used for the original American release) is hysterical (but a bit blind-siding if you're very familiar with the original -- first time I listened to it I almost pulled the needle off the LP so I could check the LP for problems).

Well worth the money, as among other things it includes Hergest Ridge, which is hard to find.

Ommadawn
Average customer rating:

Mike's Masterpiece

A wonderful album of delicate instrumental music

One For The Ages

Life After Tubular Bells

Another one of Oldfield's early masterpieces.

Ommadawn
Mike Oldfield
Manufacturer: EMI/Virgin
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music
Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music
Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Hergest Ridge

Tubular Bells

Incantations

The Songs of Distant Earth

Five Miles Out

ASIN: B0000242OK
Release Date: 1999-08-18

Tracks:

Part One
Part Two
On Horseback

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Mike's Masterpiece.......2007-02-11

A wonderful album of delicate instrumental music.......2006-05-08

One For The Ages.......2006-04-24

Life After Tubular Bells.......2006-03-25

Another one of Oldfield's early masterpieces........2005-09-30

Average customer rating:

Mike Oldfield - 'Ommadawn' (Virgin)
Another one of Oldfield's early masterpieces.

Ommadawn
Mike Oldfield
Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ambient | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Electronic | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00004T9AI
Release Date: 2000-09-26

Tracks:

Ommadawn (Part 1)
Ommadawn (Part 2)

Customer Reviews:

Mike Oldfield - 'Ommadawn' (Virgin).......2006-12-23

Originally released in 1975, this looks to be Mike Oldfield's third lp on CD reissue. Personally, I don't remember much about Oldfield, except of course for his Grammy award winning debut 'Tubular Bells' record. Not that this is exactly my cup of tea, but I have to admit this CD is quite a compelling piece of 'new age' work. Just two lengthy tracks, "Ommadawn,Part 1"(19:23) and "Ommadawn,Part 2"(13:54). Mike Oldfield plays several instruments, like guitar, bass, keyboards and percussion. The rest of the line-up on this record is simply too extensive to list here. Just might appeal to some fans of Tangerine Dream, Vangelis, Jean Michel Jarre and Pat Metheny.

Another one of Oldfield's early masterpieces........2005-09-30

Pop Music: