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Mike Oldfield|Two Sides: The Very Best Of Mike Oldfield

Two Sides: The Very Best Of Mike Oldfield

Mike Oldfield

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Mike Oldfield, the self-taught guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, and producer, is chiefly remembered for his album-length "Tubular Bells" composition, an eerie, fascinating, and conceptual piece that did so much to set the tone for the movie The Exorcist. Oldfield played most of the instruments himself on "Tubular Bells" and it remains, and undoubtedly always will remain, his signature piece, but he's done a lot more than that, exploring styles and musical forms from progressive rock and folk to jazz, ambient, world, pop, and even disco and beyond throughout his maverick recording career. This two-disc set, selected and sequenced by Oldfield himself, provides a nice survey of his shifts and turns, and illustrates the restless and often brilliant way he produces a sound and style that manages to be expansive and insular, popular and eccentric, and sometimes all of these at once. Excerpts from "Tubular Bells" are here, naturally, along with the African section of "Amarok," "Ommadawn," and shorter pieces like "Ascension," "Supernova," and "The Tempest," and there's even a message in Morse code for Richard Branson woven in here. Now 60, and making his home in the Bahamas, Oldfield continues to do his own thing, combining the avant-garde with classical composition techniques, prog rock dynamics, and his own restless sense of pop music. This self-chosen set makes a great introduction to his life's work, although ardent fans will no doubt have everything here in their longer forms.

© Steve Leggett /TiVo

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Two Sides: The Very Best Of Mike Oldfield

Mike Oldfield

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1
Tubular Bells (Two Sides Excerpt)
00:13:27

Sally Oldfield, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Oldfield, Producer, Bells, Glockenspiel, Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar, Organ, Percussion, Piano, Flageolet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Simon Heyworth, Producer - Tom Newman, Producer - Mundy Ellis, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Jon Field, Flute, AssociatedPerformer - Lindsay Cooper, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 2012 Oldfield Music Limited, under exclusive license to Mercury Records Limited

2
Ommadawn (Two Sides Excerpt)
00:06:46

Sally Oldfield, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Oldfield, Producer, Glockenspiel, Guitar, Mandolin, Organ, Percussion, Piano, Synthesizer, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist, Bass (Vocal) - Bridget St. John, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Terry Oldfield, Flute, AssociatedPerformer - Leslie Penning, Recorder, AssociatedPerformer - Clodagh Simons, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 2012 Oldfield Music Limited, under exclusive license to Mercury Records Limited

3
Crises (Two Sides Excerpt)
00:10:28

Rick Fenn, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Oldfield, Producer, Guitar, Harp, Mandolin, Percussion, Piano, Vocals, Synthesizer, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist, Bass (Vocal) - Phil Spalding, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Simon Phillips, Producer, Drum, AssociatedPerformer - Anthony Glynne, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 2012 Oldfield Music Limited, under exclusive license to Mercury Records Limited

4
The Lake (Two Sides Excerpt)
00:05:29

Maggie Reilly, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Oldfield, Engineer, Guitar, Keyboards, Percussion, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist, Bass (Vocal) - Simon Phillips, Drums, Engineer, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Barry Palmer, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 2012 Oldfield Music Limited, under exclusive license to Mercury Records Limited

5
Amarok Part 1 (Two Sides Excerpt)
00:05:03

Paddy Moloney, Uilleann Pipes, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Oldfield, Producer, Guitar, Organ, Percussion, Piano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Julian Bahula, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Newman, Producer - Bridget St. John, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Janet Brown, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Clodagh Simonds, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1990 Oldfield Music Limited, under exclusive license to Mercury Records Limited

6
Amarok Part 2 (Two Sides Excerpt)
00:15:15

Paddy Moloney, Uilleann Pipes, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Oldfield, Producer, Guitar, Organ, Percussion, Piano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Julian Bahula, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Newman, Producer - Bridget St. John, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Janet Brown, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Clodagh Simonds, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1990 Oldfield Music Limited, under exclusive license to Mercury Records Limited

7
Sentinel
00:08:07

Trevor Horn, Producer - Susannah Melvoin, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Jamie Muhoberac, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Oldfield, Producer, Bells, Guitar, Mandolin, Hammond Organ, Percussion, Piano, Vocals, Synthesizer, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Sally Bradshaw, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Edie Lehmann, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Newman, Producer - Celtic Bevy Band, Bagpipes, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1992 Warner Music UK Ltd.

8
Supernova
00:03:22

Mike Oldfield, Producer, Guitar, Synthesizer, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist, Bass (Vocal) - Pandit Dinesh, Tabla, AssociatedPerformer - Cori Josias, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Ella Harper, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Molly Oldfield, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer - David Nicklass, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1994 Warner Music UK Ltd.

9
Ascension
00:05:50

Mike Oldfield, Producer, Guitar, Synthesizer, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist, Bass (Vocal) - Pandit Dinesh, Tabla, AssociatedPerformer - Cori Josias, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Ella Harper, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Molly Oldfield, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer - David Nicklass, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1994 Warner Music UK Ltd.

The Tempest (Mike Oldfield)

10
The Tempest (Album Version)
00:05:47

Gareth Davies, Flute, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Oldfield, Producer, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Jeremy Morris, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Worsey, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Karl Jenkins, Producer - Miles Showell, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Nicole Tibbels, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Kettel, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Mary Carewe, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Rupert Christie, Producer, Assistant Producer - Tom Pigott-Smith, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Mae McKenna, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Rachel Robson, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Neil Percy, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Emma Owens, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Kotono Sato, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Rachel Dyker, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Richards, Clarinet, AssociatedPerformer - John Thorn, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Clarvis, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Simon Wills, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Heather Cairncross, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Roy Carter, Oboe, AssociatedPerformer - Sarah Chapman, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Juliette Bausor, Flute, AssociatedPerformer - Sam Walton, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Lang Lang, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Holly Maleham, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Fish, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Edward Vanderspar, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Sarah Eyden, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Louisa Aldridge, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - David Lyon, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Francomb, Horn, AssociatedPerformer - Lucy Payne, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - James Adams, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Jonny Byers, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Henderson, Timpani, AssociatedPerformer - Tristan Gurney, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Watson, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Holly Butler, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Emma Parker, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Ben Trigg, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Vincent Green, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Jacqueline Barron, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Jenny Chang, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Walters, Horn, AssociatedPerformer - Miriam Teppich, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Rosie Jenkins, Oboe, AssociatedPerformer - Rob Collinson, Bass Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Joanna Watts, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Morwenna Del Mar, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Fay Sweet, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Nick Ellis, Clarinet, AssociatedPerformer - Steven Reay, Bassoon, AssociatedPerformer - Louise Chapman, Bassoon, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Tollington, Horn, AssociatedPerformer - Evgeny Chebykin, Horn, AssociatedPerformer - Gareth Small, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Edward Pascal, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Alex Kidston, Tuba, AssociatedPerformer - Dick Stutt, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Judith Tempplemann, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Harriot McKenzie, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Jemma McCrisken, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Amy Cardigan, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Joanna McWeeney, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Gillian Cameron, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Vladimir Naumov, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Camble-Kelly, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Sophie Appleton, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Nicholas Levy, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Lucy Hartley, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Jo West, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Sarah Cartner, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Elizabeth Neil, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Olly Burton, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Sally Pendelbury, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Verity Harding, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Sian Hicks, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Hugh Sparrow, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Jeremy Watt, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Kylie Davis, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Frances Casey, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Ben Griffis, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 2007 Mercury Records Limited

DISC 2

1
Guilty (7" Single Version)
00:04:14

Neil Jason, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Mike Oldfield, Producer, Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Steve Winwood, Organ, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Parker, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Raymond Chew, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Francisco Centeno, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Dave Tofani, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - David Anchel, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Garry Gazio, Horn, AssociatedPerformer - Dana McCurdy, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer - Iris Hickey, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Patricia Deckert, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Phil Gavin Smith, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1979 Oldfield Music Limited, under exclusive license to Mercury Records Limited

2
Family Man
00:03:45

Tim Cross, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Rick Fenn, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Maggie Reilly, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Oldfield, Producer, Engineer, Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist, Bass (Vocal) - Morris Pert, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 2009 Oldfield Music Limited, under exclusive license to Mercury Records Limited

3
Five Miles Out
00:04:16

Tim Cross, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Rick Fenn, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Oldfield, Producer, Engineer, Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist, Bass (Vocal) - Morris Pert, String Arranger, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Graham Broad, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Newman, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel

℗ 2009 Oldfield Music Limited, under exclusive license to Mercury Records Limited

4
Moonlight Shadow (2000 Remaster)
00:03:37

Maggie Reilly, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Oldfield, Producer, Guitar, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Phil Spalding, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Simon Phillips, Producer, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Nigel Luby, Engineer, StudioPersonnel

℗ 2000 Oldfield Music Limited, under exclusive license to Mercury Records Limited

5
Shadow On The Wall
00:03:08

Roger Chapman, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Oldfield, Producer, Banjo, Guitar, Synthesizer, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist, Bass (Vocal) - Simon Phillips, Producer, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Nigel Luby, Engineer, StudioPersonnel

℗ 2009 Oldfield Music Limited, under exclusive license to Mercury Records Limited

6
To France (2000 Remaster)
00:04:39

Maggie Reilly, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Oldfield, Producer, Engineer, Guitar, Keyboards, Percussion, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist, Bass (Vocal) - Simon Phillips, Producer, Drums, Engineer, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel

℗ 2000 Oldfield Music Limited, under exclusive license to Mercury Records Limited

7
Etude (Remastered 2000)
00:04:38

Mike Oldfield, Producer, Arranger, Engineer, Guitar, Synthesizer, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Francisco Tarrega, ComposerLyricist - Morris Pert, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 2000 Oldfield Music Limited, under exclusive license to Mercury Records Limited

8
Magic Touch (2000 Remaster)
00:04:15

Mike Oldfield, Producer, Guitar, Keyboards, Synthesizer, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Jim Price, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Geoffrey Downes, Producer

℗ 2000 Oldfield Music Limited, under exclusive license to Mercury Records Limited

9
Islands (2000 Remaster)
00:04:19

Mike Oldfield, Producer, Guitar, Keyboards, Synthesizer, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Alan Shacklock, Producer - Bonnie Tyler, Vocals, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Newman, Producer

℗ 2000 Oldfield Music Limited, under exclusive license to Mercury Records Limited

10
Heaven's Open (2000 Remaster)
00:04:28

Mike Oldfield, Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Sylvia Mason-James, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Simon Phillips, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Valerie Etienne, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Newman, Producer, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Anita Hegerland, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Shirley Roden, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Levy, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Debbi Doss, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Andy Longhust, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Dolly James, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Viki St James, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Nikki 'B' Bently, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 2000 Oldfield Music Limited, under exclusive license to Mercury Records Limited

11
Tattoo
00:03:44

Trevor Horn, Producer - Susannah Melvoin, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Jamie Muhoberac, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Oldfield, Producer, Bells, Guitar, Mandolin, Hammond Organ, Percussion, Piano, Vocals, Synthesizer, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Sally Bradshaw, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Edie Lehmann, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Newman, Producer - Celtic Bevy Band, Bagpipes, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1992 Warner Music UK Ltd.

12
The Song of the Sun
00:04:32

Mike Oldfield, MainArtist - Bieto Romero, Composer

℗ 1996 Warner Musik UK Ltd.

13
Summit Day
00:03:46

Mike Oldfield, Producer, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist

℗ 1999 Warner Music UK Ltd.

14
Lake Constance
00:05:17

Mike Oldfield, Producer, Guitar, Keyboards, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - The London Session Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1999 Warner Music UK Ltd.

15
Broad Sunlit Uplands
00:04:03

Mike Oldfield, Producer, Guitar, Keyboards, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - The London Session Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1999 Warner Music UK Ltd.

16
The Doge's Palace
00:03:06

Mike Oldfield, Producer, Guitar, Keyboards, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - The London Session Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, AssociatedPerformer - The London Handel Choir, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 1999 Warner Music UK Ltd.

17
Amber Light
00:03:44
18
Angelique
00:04:40

Mike Oldfield, Producer, Engineer, Guitar, Keyboards, Piano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist

℗ 2005 Mercury Records Limited

On My Heart (Mike Oldfield)

19
On My Heart (Album Version)
00:02:28

Gareth Davies, Flute, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Oldfield, Producer, Guitar, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Jeremy Morris, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Worsey, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Karl Jenkins, Producer - Miles Showell, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Nicole Tibbels, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Kettel, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Mary Carewe, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Rupert Christie, Producer, Assistant Producer - Tom Pigott-Smith, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Hayley Westenra, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Mae McKenna, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Rachel Robson, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Neil Percy, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Emma Owens, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Kotono Sato, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Rachel Dyker, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Richards, Clarinet, AssociatedPerformer - John Thorn, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Clarvis, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Simon Wills, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Heather Cairncross, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Roy Carter, Oboe, AssociatedPerformer - Sarah Chapman, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Juliette Bausor, Flute, AssociatedPerformer - Sam Walton, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Holly Maleham, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Fish, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Edward Vanderspar, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Sarah Eyden, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Louisa Aldridge, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - David Lyon, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Francomb, Horn, AssociatedPerformer - Lucy Payne, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - James Adams, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Jonny Byers, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Henderson, Timpani, AssociatedPerformer - Tristan Gurney, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Watson, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Holly Butler, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Emma Parker, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Ben Trigg, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Vincent Green, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Jacqueline Barron, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Jenny Chang, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Walters, Horn, AssociatedPerformer - Miriam Teppich, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Rosie Jenkins, Oboe, AssociatedPerformer - Rob Collinson, Bass Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Joanna Watts, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Morwenna Del Mar, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Fay Sweet, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Nick Ellis, Clarinet, AssociatedPerformer - Steven Reay, Bassoon, AssociatedPerformer - Louise Chapman, Bassoon, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Tollington, Horn, AssociatedPerformer - Evgeny Chebykin, Horn, AssociatedPerformer - Gareth Small, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Edward Pascal, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Alex Kidston, Tuba, AssociatedPerformer - Dick Stutt, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Judith Tempplemann, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Harriot McKenzie, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Jemma McCrisken, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Amy Cardigan, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Joanna McWeeney, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Gillian Cameron, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Vladimir Naumov, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Camble-Kelly, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Sophie Appleton, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Nicholas Levy, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Lucy Hartley, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Jo West, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Sarah Cartner, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Elizabeth Neil, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Olly Burton, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Sally Pendelbury, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Verity Harding, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Sian Hicks, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Hugh Sparrow, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Jeremy Watt, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Kylie Davis, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Frances Casey, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Ben Griffis, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer

℗ 2007 Mercury Records Limited

Album review

Mike Oldfield, the self-taught guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, and producer, is chiefly remembered for his album-length "Tubular Bells" composition, an eerie, fascinating, and conceptual piece that did so much to set the tone for the movie The Exorcist. Oldfield played most of the instruments himself on "Tubular Bells" and it remains, and undoubtedly always will remain, his signature piece, but he's done a lot more than that, exploring styles and musical forms from progressive rock and folk to jazz, ambient, world, pop, and even disco and beyond throughout his maverick recording career. This two-disc set, selected and sequenced by Oldfield himself, provides a nice survey of his shifts and turns, and illustrates the restless and often brilliant way he produces a sound and style that manages to be expansive and insular, popular and eccentric, and sometimes all of these at once. Excerpts from "Tubular Bells" are here, naturally, along with the African section of "Amarok," "Ommadawn," and shorter pieces like "Ascension," "Supernova," and "The Tempest," and there's even a message in Morse code for Richard Branson woven in here. Now 60, and making his home in the Bahamas, Oldfield continues to do his own thing, combining the avant-garde with classical composition techniques, prog rock dynamics, and his own restless sense of pop music. This self-chosen set makes a great introduction to his life's work, although ardent fans will no doubt have everything here in their longer forms.

© Steve Leggett /TiVo

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