LIVE AT MONTREUX 1981

Oldfield' one and only performance at the annual festival, it was filmed, like so many other shows played there. (This DVD is part of a series of releases from the Jazz Festival).

He had assembled a large band (Much smaller than the previous couple years, though..) consisting of the Jim Carey look-alike on keyboards, Maggie Reilly on vocals/vocalisations, the hair cavemen Mike Frye and Morris Pert on drums/percussion, and Rick Fenn on bass and backing guitar.

The talent of all musicians is evident as the kick into the QE2 opus; It sounds SO much better than the album version. SUPERB, ACCURATE, EMOTIONAL playing from Oldfield. It's amazing! There are some great moments, like when Mike gets on the vocoder. There is much energy, and interaction between the musicians. Of course, Maggie Reilly looks like she is constipated, but I guess she was having her period that day. Oh well, she still sings very well.

Platinum is also another treat, and sounds 300% better than the album version. There are some embarrasing moments, like when Cross jumps into the punch keyboard bit and a waiter brings out glasses of wine.. well, it was the eighties. Overall, its a top notch performance.

Conflict outclasses its studio version by vast margins, Tubular Bells is a bit of a bore, Ommadawn is done quite well, though the drum bashing at the end seemed a little pointless to me. Punkadiddle is a funny little song, that is so much better live, again. The band tops it off by going shirtless.

I really think the producers should have also issued a seperate CD, because its such a great live album that doesn't need to be seen to be enjoyed. To be honest I enjoy my CD copy more than the DVD, partly because I can't witness the get ups of some of the musicians. Whoo, the eighties. Catch the guy in the Camel shirt, and the drugged teenage girl headbanging to Punkadiddle. Classic.

Essential for all fans of Oldfield, a wonderful addition for those looking to farmiliarize themselves with Mike, or just to discover some incredible music.

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