Progarchives, the progressive rock ultimate discography
Mike Oldfield - Ommadawn CD (album) cover

OMMADAWN

Mike Oldfield

 

Crossover Prog

4.30 | 1526 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

JCDenton
5 stars It's just mystical. Mike Oldfield's unique style is captivating in the use of so many different instruments and a variety of textures (played mostly by none other than him!). The album only has one song, which establishes an ominous (dare I spell that omminous or ommanous? I do apologize for the thought) personality with melodies before shining through with emblematic Oldfield guitar leads, then moving on to some more folk-ish influence, followed by more exploring of dramatic moods and colors with Sally Oldfield vocals chiming some of the most wonderful melodies I've ever heard. This is all just my own perceptions, by the way. But there's so much more explored, as one can expect through much of Oldfield's discography.

Mike Oldfield is listed as playing the following instruments: acoustic, classical & electric guitars, acoustic & electric basses, mandoline, harp, bouzouki, banjo, grand piano, spinet, electric organs, synths, bodhran, glockenspiel, assorted percussions. I mean, my goodness! It's a stylistic statement. Exploring such a variety of instruments almost always is accompanied with many different changes in style, leading to possibly some sketchy transition moments, but the song has such a clean flow about it. I feel this is such a successful incorporation of all sorts of ideas and textures. It all just fell together here so well.

I wish I knew what all Oldfield was envisioning when he wrote this. Moments towards the end of the first part (side 1) have a jungley feel with a tense, determined heart, while moments in part two cause me to reminisce of my youth, when times were simpler, as is the music in comparison to part one. That's a benefit about instrumental music, I've found. We have more creative power in determining the picture being drawn. I may be giving this album too much credibility, but it's highly regarded on this site, so that may say something. More than I have, at least.

What to expect of this album: -No drums (common of Oldfield music) -Many thickly textured sections -A wide variety of sounds, instruments, and moods -A melodic and atmospheric masterpiece

JCDenton | 5/5 |

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Forum user
Forum password

Share this MIKE OLDFIELD review

Social review comments () BETA







Review related links

Copyright Prog Archives, All rights reserved. | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Advertise | RSS + syndications

Other sites in the MAC network: JazzMusicArchives.com — jazz music reviews and archives | MetalMusicArchives.com — metal music reviews and archives

Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.