WATER BEARER

Sally Oldfield had already had years of experience singing, adding numerous backing vocals to brother Mike Oldfield's works such as Hergest Ridge, Ommadawn and Tubular Bells. She had also done a one album wonder with her brother Mike, the SallyAngie folk duo. Her voice is befitting to progressive music, ethereal, folky and popular, take your pick. Waterbearer is her first solo release and is also an excellent debut too. There is something quite madrigal to her, she reminds me of the chraracter, The river maiden out of The Old Forest from Tolkien's world, Ethereal, almost elvish. It is no surprise then that the Waterbearer continues with Tolkienesque themes with the wonderfully progressive " Songs of The Quendi" The song having four parts providing rich tapestry of sounds. The title song is equally beautiful. " Mirrors" although now sounding a bit dated still evokes that madrigal touch and perhaps her most commercially succesful song ever released.

The album generally holds up well, ironically to this reviewer the highlight to the album is " Night Of The Hunter's Moon", which was the flip side to the single Mirrors. Great keyboards, shifting time signatures and booming vocals from Sally. " Child Of Allah" is also great laying the prescedent that SO is universally spiritual and respective of all religions. An excellent album and a perfect starting point ( debuts normally are ) for anyone wanting to invest in her discography. Four stars.