Amarok

Track Listings

1. Amarok

Amarok,Mike Oldfield,Import,Prog-Rock/Art Rock,Progressive Electronic

Amarok

Tracks:

Amarok

Album Details

Extra Artwork, Remastered and Extensive Liner Notes.

Customer Reviews:

Health Warning.......2006-05-08

"This record could be hazardous to the health of cloth-eared nincompoops. If you suffer from this condition, consult your Doctor immediately."

That appears on the cover notes of Amarok. It's no less true today, although there are more musicians releasing more music that follows along the path that Mike Oldfield was on when he wrote it. If you only like pop, it's probably too dense.

I thought Tubular Bells was kind of OK, but that was all, really.
The first MO recording I bought was Boxed, because I could get Hergest Ridge and Ommadawn along with some other music he did with David Bedford.

I always rated Ommadawn the best of his music until Amarok. Amarok is a progression; different, great, but not necessarily better than Ommadawn.

As before, most of the instruments are played by Oldfield, with a few exceptions by regular Oldfieldites such as Clodagh Simonds, Paddy Moloney, and Julian Bahula.

It might sound like an ambigous bad mix of different sounds, with some separate themes jumping in momentarily and leaving in the same way. But that's only likely on the first few hearings, or later if you're one of the nincompoops previously referred to. Sorry, but that's the way it is ;)

There are some great short 5 minute segments, but to separate them would be to ignore the fact that they are parts of the whole.

I don't believe you can let the music do its job without paying attention to the way you listen to it.
Don't prepare dinner with it as a background. Sit in a quiet room with no distractions. Put on the headphones - a good pair, not the $50 off the shelf variety, because a good pair will really make a difference.
Sit back, and listen.

I bet you could make love with it in the background, though. Now there's a thought......if only. Woah.

What you will hear, if you give it a chance, is a piece of music that's been composed almost in a 'classical' way.

It's like a meal. It has ingredients that are different alone, but together make something unique. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. But that's usually the case with Mike Oldfield, even for something like the Mt. Teide track on Five Miles Out.

There are themes that gradually surface, sink back down, and then rise up after 20 minutes with a sparkle that wasn't there before. And it happens the other way round, too.

There are mumblings in the background that, when you hear them and recognize them, tie all the segments together. Once you've got to that point, you'll never hear the music again as a collection of different things.

It has samples (made by Oldfield from his own playing, not pre-recorded commercial ones), sounds that people don't call music so much (toothbrushing, walking, phones, things falling onto the floor, etc), but all those things had already been done by more people you can think of (Pink Floyd, Beatles, Hans Werner Henze, etc).

There is the usual signature Oldfield guitar method, with stabs and runs that you might expect.

A dash of Celtic, a measure of African drumming.
Some flamenco guitar, some funky rhythms.

Some nonsense lyrics. (He always said the Ommadawn stuff was made up by Clodagh, but Omadhaun is an old Irish word meaning simple or foolish.) The Amarok vocals are not meant to be understood as vocals are usually in modern popular music. They aren't songs, they don't have some romantic meaning. They are a part of the music. Sounds, only, not words. The meaning is in the music.

There are no revelations of divine truth on this, no social commentary (aside from Janet Brown's Thatcher impression, which might be a bit strange sounding for people who never lived during her time).

The Thatch.... there is a lot of humor in Amarok. One part ends, and before the next begins there's a one-second pause. In that single second you can just make out Oldfield going "uh" in tune with the two parts. Corny, but funny. He might be laughing at himself, but I think he just plain enjoys what he does. There are so many little pieces that make the work into a whole. It must have been a hell of a job to put together, time consuming.

Worth every second, Mike me old mate.

If you don't get it from the first, Amarok is something that will grow on you with more listening.

Maybe it's the kind of music I've heard so much of, but after a couple of listens I found the melodies coming back and wanted to whistle them. Maybe that's not such a good idea for me to do. But I never did find it very difficult to enjoy.

If you don't like it, you can always turn it down or sell it.
But if you like music with a bit of something more than the usual, then you will most likely love Amarok. It's not perfect. Nothing is., But 16 years on, it still rocks.

Mike Oldfield is the Man of Melodies again........2004-07-20

Mike is free to do whatever he wants. And he does. This album is funny, challenging, insulting, gorgeous, crazy and violent. Many artists have used noises, sounds, exotic instruments and arrangements in the past. But Mike Oldfield isn't using these as the main feature of the album. The music is brilliantly written, with defiantly simple, but utterly gorgeous melodies in every place. It is rich and touching, emotionally resonant, and it is able to deflate itself at strategic moments with Margaret Thatcher immitations, dissonant bits and messages in Morse code. The music is sincere and genuine, and highly replayable. There are many ways to listen to this music, and every single one of them is highly rewarding. Truly a masterpiece: an untrivial, gorgeous album that challenges insults and mocks its listeners. It could be Oldfield's own "Trout Mask Replica", in fact, and is every bit as amazing as Captain Beefheart's tour-de-force, if not even more.

ONE MAD ALBUM.......2004-04-07

I BOUGHT AMAROK 3 YEAR AGO AND I WAS SURPRISED WHEN I FIRST PLAYED IT, IT SOUNDS WEIRD AT FIRST BUT U JUST GROW TO LOVE IT. IT IS ONE OF THE BEST MIKE OLDFIELD ALBUMS I HAVE HEARD!.

Amazing soundshock.......2003-09-30

mixing variable and noisy samples with charming traditional melodies gives a new quality in music.noisy,annoying but beautifull.an album that you love or hate.i love it.Mike's best album ever recorded!

Happy? Indeed!.......2003-07-14

I must be one of the few people who loved this album on first listen, but I came to it with a looong MO listening history. My first listen to the original Tubular Bells (many moons ago) was similar to others' first listen to Amarok...mainly: "Huh?" I didn't dislike TB...it just seemed boring and repetitive to me. I shelved it and came back to it a year or so later and was stunned; how could I have wasted a year of my life NOT listening to this??? It is true that you grow into appreciating music that you might not be ready for yet; it can take some time. Amarok is just such a work.

You don't play this album as background music while you eat dinner or read a book or pay the bills; you put this album on, sit down and LISTEN to it - closely (headphones and closed eyes highly recommended!). When the album is finished, you feel you've been on a journey and have just returned, and have some things to think about.

This is easily MO's most brilliant work. It is also his most hilarious, with laugh out loud bits occurring when you least expect them - a striking example is during one of the most exquisitely emotional guitar bits (about 42 minutes into the piece) where MO is busy elevating the guitar to divine instrument status in a fantastic passage and everything just cuts out - "Happy?" - and then starts up again. LOVE IT! It is not his most outrightly beautiful work - that is reserved for Incantations, Ommadawn and the like - although there are ravishingly beautiful passages scattered throughout, as well as ear-splitting dissonances and discordant blasts (your speakers WILL get a work-out with this one!). There are more enchanting melodies (MO's strongest creative trait) and more pure sounds made into music on this one album than you can shake a Sailor's hornpipe at. He just tosses them out one after another; most other musicians would make entire albums out of just a few of these (and still not do them justice).

Fa-fa's and footsteps, mandolins, toothbrushing and ahhh's, drums and chanting, cash registers, nickolodeons, bagpipes, choirs and cavemen, guitars of every shape and sound, banjos, organs, pianos, people mumbling, Margaret Thatcher dancing, bells...and the ending - the ending that is a dissertation on how to do endings. Each time it wells up and you think this is the transcendent ending and the CD will be over...you're wrong. It goes on...delightfully, blissfully, zanily...well, what can you say? These are words - they don't do the music justice.

"Happy?" Indeed! Above all...this is a happy, warm work. A master at his most brilliant and creative best, and having a romping good time at it. Buy it, play it and if you don't get it...come back to it again at a later time. As the story in the CD booklet says...

"I hear it has voices to speak of things we cannot speak of..."

"I am told that when men hear its voice, it stays in their ears, they cannot be rid of it. It has many different voices: some happy, but others sad. It roars like a baboon, murmurs like a child, drums like the blazing arms of one thousand drummers, rustles like water in a glass, sings like a lover and laments like a priest..."

"I have heard it says only one word..."

Tracks:

Sephiroth
Medley: Hermits/Initiation/Song Of the Ascet/Transit/The Last Of the Lasts/John Roundeau's Jig
Xiongmao I (The Cat-Bear)
Wendigo
Duet For Hang and Bass
Mama Todorka
Medley: Ishak the Fisherman/The Rebel Genius/Half Man Half Stone/The Castle Of the One Hundred Maidens/The Great Secret/Ishak Returns Home
Eight Touts
Medley: Midnight Sun/Colourless World/The Dance Of the Automatons/Far Away/The Great Deceit/Taiga/Midday Shade
Xiongmao II
Abaddon's Bolero

Average customer rating:

Quentadharken
Amarok
Manufacturer: Musea Records France
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0002KP4ZO
Release Date: 2005-04-12

Tracks:

Hsieh
tima Expedici
Encantamiento
Tierra Boreal: Groelandia/Nieve y Sequoias/Mar de Cactus/El Viaje ...
Espiral: Encuentro/Fiesta/Ritual/Hogueras
Alumbrado
Quentadhark Los Ornes
Quentadhark Los Hechos
Quentadhark La Batalla
Quentadhark Final
Quentadhark Coda
Laberintos de Piedra 2004 [*]
Bocins de l'Emporda [*]
Venus Antigua [*]
Amos del Aire [*]

Average customer rating:

Diverse! Beautiful! Creative!
Excellent Music

Mujer Luna

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00009M7P1
Release Date: 2003-05-06

Tracks:

Mujer Luna
En El Parque
Arabesca En 4 Mov.
Sueno Suenos
Duo Para Tabla Y Saz Numero 1
Nana Para El Hijo De La Tierra
Donde Estas Mi Amor
Tierra Austral (I. Sobre Las Dunas De Lava/II. Laguna Arcoiris/ III. Patagonia Infinita/ IV. Selva De Araucarias/V. La Nutria Y El Mar)
Donde Estas Mi Amor - Conclusion
Duo Para Tabla Y Saz Numero 2

Album Description

AMAROK's style is quite different from the current Spanish Progressive rock movement, thanks to their tone. Led by multi-instrumentalist Robert SANTAMARIA, this mainly acoustic band uses a variety of instruments, like the guitar, oboe, violin, piano, didgeridoo, tabla, saxophone, organ, drums and percussions. Mireia SISQUELLA's clear voice creates sound-scapes characterised by their simplicity and calm, and this makes her the counterpart of Portuguese singer Teresa SALGUEIRO (MADREDEUS). Some keyboards rhythm sequences are the basis for the superb melodies pictured by the vocals, in a peaceful atmosphere between ENYA's acoustic new-age, L'ENSEMBLE RAYE's minimalist chamber rock and IN THE LABYRINTH's ethnic musics (Apart from the Indian references). "Mujer Luna" is the fifth album issued by AMAROK after "Els Nostres Petits Amics" (1994), "Canciones De Los Mundos Perdidos" (1995), "Gibra'ara" (1998) and "Tierra De Especias" (2001). It has to be mentioned that the! lyrics, sung in Spanish, as well as their English translation, are all printed in the booklet. What could be nicer than following the music in its travels without leaving one's chair ?

Customer Reviews:

Diverse! Beautiful! Creative!.......2007-02-22

This is a very interesting group. In this album there is change from previous albums that I thoroughly enjoy also. There are parts that remind me of the "progressiveness" (kind of tired of the word progressive, but for lack of a better term, I use it) of Zappa instrumentals. The vocals are otherworldly and though I cannot understand the lyrics, it does not matter. It is an album, as the other reviewer said, worthy of many listens. I'll leave it at that except to say, "Buy this and get yourself a real treat!"

Excellent Music.......2005-05-15

I've owned this album for quite a while, and it's one of those that I can always pull off of the shelf and listen to just about any time without getting bored with it.
The band plays what seems like a very nice blend of folk and progressive rock, giving the music a good, ethnic flavor (Spanish) as well as enough variations in theme and rhythm to satisfy the discerning listener.
The music often has an eastern sound, which is helped by the traditional-sounding strings they use. In addition to those instruments, they also employ others such as flute and even xylophone. The rhythm and bass add very much to the texture of the songs.
Overall I find this to be an excellent album--one of my favorites. I definitely recommend it to ANYONE who likes music.

Average customer rating:

The Apex of sheer creativity and skilled musicianship...
Simply his best
seriously boring ego trip by a dried up former genius
Mike's Best
A fine musical experience, if you give it time and attention

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

General | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Electronic | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

Pop | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000072NS
Release Date: 1999-01-12

Tracks:

Amarok

Customer Reviews:

The Apex of sheer creativity and skilled musicianship..........2002-10-26

and more.
I had stopped listening to Mike after a few mediocre efforts and then years later Amarok landed on my stereo. Then Mike's music was born again though much stonger, richer, mature. It awakened the great realization of the pure joy of freedom expressed within. It broadened my horizons of what music can be, free of the constraints of convention.
The whole ride (60 min) is one orgasmic musical pleasure like I had not known.
Set time aside time for this alone with a good stereo and/or headphones and expect a lot because you're going to get it. Forget the negative reviews as the poor souls are still collecting themselves after the shock. This album will move you deeply at times and then will have you dancing alone on the floor and even laughing. Can music do all this? It did it to me. Six out of five for this.

Simply his best.......2001-07-10

The best Oldfield album, no other words needed. Just get it, listen 2 it and U'll see. Give it a 2 or 3 times listen, it is not the album that U can simply get used 2 it, but after then... U'll see, will never get this CD out from your player. It's not Omadawn, it's MORE than Omadawn.

seriously boring ego trip by a dried up former genius.......2000-06-17

He must be kidding. And the insult to listeners on the outside of the cd. If we don't like it we're "cloth eared"? Whatever. If Mike has to be so defensive as to insult us before we've even listened to the cd then something's wrong. And something is very wrong with the cd; everything. It's boring, pointless, unorganized, just another Oldfield ego trip. Like we needed another? Where did the genius who created Ommadawn go? ... It's a shame, really.

Mike's Best.......2000-05-20

As someone who has all of MO's albums on either cd or vinyl, I rate Amarok as THE BEST of the bunch. Amarok is intensely original, so original that the uninitiated may not get it. After some lackluster releases as Discovery and Songs from Distant Earth, Amarok explodes with energy, which was a very pleasant suprise! If you like MO, you will LOVE this release.

A fine musical experience, if you give it time and attention.......2000-02-02

Amorak had completely escaped my notice until a friend from Australia was kind enough to bring me a copy. (I had not yet discovered the wonders of Amazon.com. :) ) He warned me that this album might be a tough listen initially, but advised me to give it time.

He was right. I wonder if the reviewers who said the album was a 'mess' bothered listening to the entire thing.

While the first 20 or so minutes seem to be a chaotic collection of random elements, the album starts to come together in a coherent whole around the 30 minute mark, something which, for me at least, provided the same sensation I get when reading a mystery novel and I finally realize "who did it," even if the author hasn't gotten there or not. It was a sense of discovery that I haven't received from any other musical work. Sure, thrills, chills, joy, apprehension... music has invoked all of those in me, but I've never felt that 'click' of discovery before.

I don't know what Oldfield was thinking or trying to emulate when composing this work, but for me 'Amorak' invokes two distinct sensations.

On one hand, it feels like a 'day off.' First, one is wandering aimlessly through town, looking at the ever-changing scenery of everyday life. But, ultimately, one's attention is seized by a particular activity. Finally, the day comes to an end... but even in that ending there is joy, because one can return to work rejuvinated.

On the other hand, my mind drifts back to the mystery analogy before. The album represents the effort of sorting through a puzzle, attempting to make sense of seemingly disparate elements. But, if one is tanacious and sticks with it, eventually a pattern will emerge and after that a picture will come clear. With a clear picture comes understanding... and with understanding there can be a new beginning.

I try not to wax philosophically about music like I just did above, or, rather, I try not to do so publically, as everyone will walk away from a good piece of music with a different impression... but 'Amarok' engaged my mind to the point where I can't help it.

Tracks:

Amarok

Average customer rating:

Amarok
Mike Oldfield
Manufacturer: Phantom Sound & Vision
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000E0YY
Release Date: 1996-11-21

Album Description

1990 album for Virgin featuring one track, the hour longtitle cut.

Average customer rating:

Retrospectiva
Amarok
Manufacturer: Musea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000UIVENO
Release Date: 2007-08-20

Average customer rating:

Mujer Luna
Amarok
Manufacturer: Musea Records France
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Latin Music | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Latin Music | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00008LO0B
Release Date: 2006-06-01

Average customer rating:

Retrospectiva
Amarok
Manufacturer: Musea/Luna Negra
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000UPXGHY
Release Date: 2007-07-25

Tracks:

Somiedo
Tucans Per Tot
Prologo
Canto Celta
El Vuelo De Pelicano
El Mestre De La Caverna
Gibra'Ara
M'Goun
Danza De Samotracia
Azabel Cuentacuentos - Fragmentos
Llagrimes De Tardor
La Cancion De Haren
Tres Impresiones Para Guitara De Doce Cuerdas
Fantasia Breve
La Ultima Expedicion - Mezcla Alternativa
Donde Estas Mi Amor - Conclusion

Product Description

AMAROK's style is quite different from the current Spanish Progressive rock movement, thanks to their tone. Led by multi-instrumentalist Robert SANTAMARIA, this mainly acoustic band uses a variety of instruments, like the guitar, oboe, violin, piano, didgeridoo, tabla, saxophone, organ, drums and percussions. Mireia SISQUELLA's clear voice creates sound-scapes characterised by their simplicity and calm, and this makes her the counterpart of Portuguese singer Teresa SALGUEIRO (MADREDEUS). Some keyboards rhythm sequences are the basis for the superb melodies pictured by the vocals, in a peaceful atmosphere between ENYA's acoustic new-age, L'ENSEMBLE RAYE's minimalist chamber rock and IN THE LABYRINTH's ethnic musics (Apart from the Indian references). "Mujer Luna" is the fifth album issued by AMAROK after "Els Nostres Petits Amics" (1994), "Canciones De Los Mundos Perdidos" (1995), "Gibra'ara" (1998) and "Tierra De Especias" (2001). It has to be mentioned that the lyrics, sung in Spanish, as well as their English translation, are all printed in the booklet. The 2004 album, called "Quentadharken", polishes the formula, getting even closer to perfection. What could be nicer than following the music in its travels without leaving his chair ?... "Retrospectiva" gathers the best tracks ever recorded by AMAROK on a CD, the summary of twelve years of recording career with sixteen songs and nearly 80 minutes of music. Let's also note some alternative versions, such as the live version of "Donde Estas Mi Amor - Conclusion", performed in 2005 at the portuguese Gouveia Art Rock Festival. Recommended !

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