VOYAGER

I have an special feeling to this album, since it was a birthday present, and what a birthday present! . I also like celtic influenced music, so this was an excellent addition to my musical collection. It may not be the most ambitious or bright Mike Olfield's album, but I think it is an enjoyable progressive experience.

"The song of the sun", one of the most known songs from the record, it is a strong opener, suitable for the ears for both lighhearted and more serious listeners, thanks to its atmosphere both epic and melodic at the same time.

"Celtic Rain" shows, like many of Oldfield's compositions how talented as a guitarist he is. Probably not a specially strong song, but quite enjoyable.

"The Hero" is one of the most celtic influenced songs we can find here with no discussion. Enjoy the flutes and all the folk arragements. Another of the strong moments present on the album

"Women of Ireland" is another of the hit singles which were released. It is a cover of a well known traditional celtic tune, performed with the characteristic elegance of Mr Oldfield.

"The Voyager" is one of the two of my favourite tracks of the record. Dreamy, relaxing, celtic, melodic and atmospheric, all of those adjectives could be given to this excellent song. Probably some might find it as a weak one, due to its simplicity, but you don't have to perform something like "The revealing science of god" (ok, it has no clear relation with this record and artist but I think it makes its purpose as an example) every single time to achieve something at least good.

"She moves through the fair" is the other favourite track. It is another cover from a traditional celtic melody. I always wonder which cover is better, if this one or "Belfast child" from Simple Minds. I think I'll pick this one. It is amazing.

"Dark Island" is a rhytmic composition, somewhat in the lines of "Celtic Rain", although the result here is probably more uneven. It is a beautiful and catchy song, but it gets boring and repetitive after some time.

"Wild Goose flaps its wings" is probably another weak track. It is a melancholic and a bit ackward composition. I think Mike Oldfield is capable of better things

"Flowers of the forest" is a clear improvement from the two previous tracks. The celtic spirit is pretty obvious in this song as well.

"Mont St Michel" is the closing epic theme. This one will be probably the favourite of diehard proggresive fans, since it is the most ambitious and complex song found on the record. If "The song of the sun" was a strong opener, this is a strong ending theme.

Probably this record would probably fit better in the "prog folk" category, and it shows the versatility of a legendary composer, although not necesarily at his best moment