Hergest Ridge [Import]

Mike Oldfield | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 15, 2010)
• Original Release Date: 2010
• Number of Discs: 3
• Format: Import
• Label: Universal UK
• ASIN: B003DO13O2
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,091 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Digitally remastered deluxe two disc (CD + NTSC/Region 0 DVD) edition of the British guitarist's 1974 album including bonus original demos, new artwork plus a DVD that features 5.1 surround sound mixes by Oldfield. Hergest Ridge was the follow-up Mike Oldfield's groundbreaking debut, Tubular Bells. It gave Oldfield his first UK #1 album, and was actually knocked off the UK top spot by Tubular Bells itself. It is another lengthy suite, reflecting the glory of the countryside Oldfield had secluded himself in following his early global success.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Is it as good as the vinyl Original....?, July 2, 2010

By 

Christopher Mellor "colonist" (Orlando, FL ,USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Hergest Ridge (Audio CD)

When I first bought my original copy of this album it was the vinyl lp version back in '78. I played it to death it got me thru my GCE's at secondary school. With the advent of the cd era I bought my second copy on that format however, the recording had been shortened due to problems with the source tapes. So one of my favourite albums had been bastardised in the name of technological advancement. In time though I grew to like it and lived in hopes of Mike actually revisiting the original recordings and producing the original in its entirety.
Well dear reader that moment is at hand... this is original recording hitherto only available on vinyl however; there are some caveats and warnings that go with this recording. First off the mix is so well cleaned up that everything that was lost in original low technology version is brought to life and forefront of the recording. The trumpet and oboe solos are quite astonishing especially the missing links that were lost in first cd transposition and rerecording of the album.Now some downsides the guitars have been pushed back in some parts of the recording from where they were in the original. Also the bass solos are a bit overpowering and at the end of part one there is now a new guitar overdub which takes a little getting used to and detracts from the mellowness of original mix.
This can be explained by the fact that Mike was "assisted" (I use this term advisedly...!) by two other people during the remixing and rerecording of this version and it shows in parts quite starkly. However, I'm very pleased with this new recording and would recommend it to anyone who is a die hard Oldfield fan.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Oldfield at his Best, August 16, 2010

By 

G. Simms "Ireadlots" (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Hergest Ridge (Audio CD)

Mike Oldfield has been called pretentious, egotistical, and similar uncomplimentary synonyms. I find his efforts unique, transformational, and highly creative. His work, at its best, is a 20-21st century successor to the classical tradition, especially his long-form works.

Hergest Ridge is a terrific example of his extraordinary compositional range, melding together elements of tone-poetry with rock, jazz, and orchestral influences. This is not as iconoclastic as Tubular Bells, and is more similar to Ommadawn in that it demands close attention to appreciate its much more subtle aspects.

This particular work might be labled as "New Age" by some, but don't confuse Hergest Ridge with the background tunes at your local spa. Don't light candles and meditate to this music. Listen closely and appreciate real artistry at work - it's well worth the effort.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Three versions of an underappreciated title, August 29, 2010

By 

R. Wagner "fritzopup" (Earth, Milky Way Galaxy) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Hergest Ridge (Audio CD)

This release contains three versions of Hergest Ridge. Disc One contains the new 2010 remix, Disc Two contains the original mix and the demo version, Disc Three contains the 5.1 Surround Mix of the 2010 remix. There are two additional bonus tracks (a single and an unreleased track). What is not to like? There is something here for everyone, the purist, the revisionist and the audiophile. I bought this set (and the Ommadawn release) to get the 5.1 Surround Mix and it is astonishing. Oldfield certainly knows how to get the best out of an expanded sound field. You could spend alot more and get alot less. This (and Ommadawn) are both worth a second look!!