THE COMPLETE MIKE OLDFIELD

Couple of reviews suggest that it should have been named The Incomplete Mike Oldfield. Because there are only relatively short extracts from TB, Hergest Ridge, Ommadawn and Incantations? I think this fine compilation does nearly the best it can in given measure (2 LP's - no added tracks in 2CD which COULD have been a nice move). First of all the package (speaking of the vinyl) is lovely and very informative, and I like the idea to make four different sides: Instrumental, Vocal, Complex and Live.

The first side includes 11 short, mostly light instrumentals such as 'In Dulci Jubilo', 'Guilty' and 'Blue Peter' - they don't appeal to everyone but I think they represent a crucial side in Oldfield's career; they show that he wasn't always taking himself too seriously and also the strong orientation to folk music. Vocal Side could be called Hits Side - but quite an enjoyable one, reilly. At the time the latest album Discovery is surprisingly exluded but I'm not complaining about the choices.

Ah, then the second LP/disc: true, those extracts leave longing for more of the early masterpieces, but isn't that just the way it should be? Up to this point albums Platinum and QE2 are not much heard ('Wonderful Land' in the Instrumental Side), and the fantastic Live Side gives very delicious, almost magical versions of 'Sheba', 'Mirage' and 'Platinum' - this first one of Oldfield's one-album-side tracks is shorter than the original, but much better. 'Mount Teide' also sounds better live.

A beautiful compilation with a personal structure, nearly worth 5* to me considered as the LP edition. The CD edition lacks the overall spirit somehow.