OMMADAWN

Virgin Records contracted Mike Oldfield, they gave him artistic freedom and he paid them back with the million-selling debut LP "Tubular bells". But what to do after such a brilliant and successfull first effort? Well, in my opinion this third album is his best and Mike Oldfield looks like Jesus on the front cover picture, does he let his large following to a musical heaven?

1 - Ommadawn part 1

First a soaring female choir and then the blend of warm classical guitar play, beautiful and so pure! Mike Oldfield enters with his distinctive electric guitar sound: melodic, flowing and very intense, almost howling. The climates changes from folky with flute and mandolin or Gaelic vocals, mellow with soaring keyboards and classical guitar to bombastic with fiery electric guitar runs. The electric guitar sound from Mike Oldfield dominates this composition, it's so distinctive!

2 - Ommadawn part 2 (including The horse song)

The atmosphere is dramatic featuring a wide range of instruments, from guitars and bells to a choir. The the climate turns into wonderful folky: first the powerful Northumbrian bag pipes (this north-UK region is close the Scottisch border) and then the sound of pan pipes from Terry Oldfield. Next a cheerful mid-tempo rhythm including the Greek bouzouki, a pumping bass and Mike Oldfield his fiery electric guitar runs. Halfway this composition contains the part entitled "The horse song", the folky vocals (from Mike Oldfield and William Murray) evokes the song "Part of the union" from THE STRAWBS.

3 - In dulci jubilo

The short final track "In dulci jubilo" (latin for, let's say "In the mood") was the single from the album, it has a cheerful and catchy rhythm featuring a great melodic with a clear presence from the flute, drums (tympani?) and Mike Oldfield his howling guitar runs, it makes you feel very happy!

THIS IS WONDERFUL AND UNIQUE PROG FOLK!