The Sleeve:
The Liner/Sleeve Notes:
“This stereo record cannot be played on old tin boxes no matter what they are fitted with. If you are in possession of such equipment please hand it into the nearest police station.”
Personal Review:
So, anyone who has ever seen ‘The Exorcist’ will immediately recognize the opening piano playing on this great album, and that it was sampled for the overture to ‘The Exorcist’.
So, ‘Part One’ (or the A-Side) is that piano playing used in the film ‘The Exorcist’ and it’s a pretty great piano instrumental, like when you really think about it, Mike Oldfield is pretty great at playing this instrument, and every other one he plays on this album. The guitar playing and overall orchestration that comes in at about four minutes in is just outstanding, and then the piano keeps going, and it’s a simple piano rhythm, yet so beautiful. The longer the A-Side continues on, the more amazing it gets, it’s absolutely amazing. I don’t think there is much of a way to describe the beauty of this instrumental, and all of the sounds that are heard within this track. Eleven minutes in and it begins to quiet down some, but it still has an overall great sound to it. Then the guitar playing at about fourteen minutes in is just off the wall. By 20 minutes in, it’s just overly quiet and seems to just be bass and synthesizer, it also does seem to be picking up a bit. There seems to be some sort of vocals and lyrics in it, not really sure though, it’s pretty cool.
Part Two (or the B-Side) and it begins with some slow instrumentals, and guitar playing, and yes this guitar playing is great. Lots and lots of guitar playing, and it’s a pretty good track, I do prefer the A-Side so far, but that being said it’s not a bad song, just not my thing – at this exact moment. When it gets around to the piano parts it’s amazing, and I think there might be an organ in here somewhere. I don’t know for sure. Suddenly, the B-Side seems to have taken a different turn and it’s amazing, there is some sort of vocals going on, they’re kind of growly and howly, and I’m loving every minute of this, it’s fantastic! We’re slowly nearing the end of this amazing album, and all I have to say by this point is listen to this album, it’s fantastic. We keep going and it gets better, but then this odd little gamey sounding music that ends the whole album kind of ruins things for me. Oh well, all was good up til then.
Interesting Facts:
None.
Track Listing:
A – Part One
B – Part Two
Label:
Virgin Records
Catalog Number:
VR 13-105
Studio Musicians & Other Album Credits:
Grand Piano, Glokenspiel, Farfisa Organ, Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar, Speed Guitar, Taped Motor Drive Amplifier Organ Chord, Mandolin-Like Guitar, Fuzz Guitars, Assorted Percussion, Acoustic Guitar, Flageolet, Honky Tonk, Lowrey Organ, Tubular Bells, Speed Elec. Guitars, Concert Tympani, Guitars Sounding like Bagpipes, Piltdown Man, Hammond Organ, Spanish Guitar & Moribund Chorus – Mike Oldfield
Master of Ceremonies – Viv Stanshall
Flutes – Jon Field
String Basses – Lindsay Cooper
Nasal Chorus – Nasal Choir
Girlie Chorus – Mundy Ellis & Sally Oldfield
Bootleg Chorus – Manor Choir; Conducted by Mike Oldfield
Drums – Steve Broughton
Sound – Tom Newman, Simon Heyworth & Mike Oldfield
Sleeve Design & Photography – Trevor Key
Other Albums I Own by Mike Oldfield:
None.
Released:
1973
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