Customer Reviews

Hergest Ridge

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I happen to be a huge Oldfield's fan and therefore, I own all his CDs (there are some 30 of them). "Hergest Ridge" is his second album, released a year after his huge-selling success "Tubular Bells" in 1973. For a very long time, I considered "Tubular Bells" to be my best album in the history of music, but slowly, it fade because of Mike's another two albums "TB II" and "TB III", not to mention that "Tubular Bells" show up on every collection and "The Best of" CDs etc. Not to be missunderstood - it is still good CD, but almost too good. Yet, "Hergest Ridge" is, in a way, similar to "Tubular Bells", but it has this pastoral and soft touch his predecessor doesn't. It is built on one, or maybe two, beautiful melodies, which occurs through the album in a various shape, first calm and easy with the trumpet, then very rough and hard on the second half with the guitars. The first part of this album is my most favourite Mike's piece he has ever written. It could be divided into three sections, each one ended with an music eruption of feelings - those crescendos make me shiver each time I listen to this, and I've had this CD for almost ten years now! The second section is breath-taking: there is a short melody, played on oboas with strings in a back, but more and more instruments are added, so at the end you can hear a blast, accompanied by girl's opera singing - then it fades in a second, starting to build on another section, which is ended by male choir. I agree with other fans who suggest to buy this album. It could only be compared to Mike's third album, "Ommadawn".

This music is inspiring, pastoral, uplifting, and meditative. At times it melts with the scenery, then suddenly soars above it. This is not pop music. You must take the time to let it envelop you. It is not for everyone. I would have given this CD 5 stars, but this is the REMIXED version from the Boxed set (1976), which other fans, myself included, find disappointing. The horn part that was unfortunately mixed out here on side 1 was one of my personal favorites. Those familiar with the original pressing will find something missing. I've been informed that Mike considers this mix the definitive version and has ordered that all future pressings be from the remix. I hope that someday Mike will reconsider releasing the original version on CD. For now, I'll listen to the original 1974 vinyl release. If you have recently tuned into Oldfield, perhaps you can get a copy of it through an internet auction.

I consider Hergest Ridge to a great follow up to Tubular Bells, if not better. Like so many other fans, I was disappointed that the CD version is the remixed version from the Boxed set. Side Two benefits from this mix however much of the emotion from Side One is lost, especially with the removal of the horns and the snare drum. I was also disturbed by the CD insert which doesn't do justice to the original LP cover. I dream of the day when Mr. Oldfield with approve the release of the original version of this splendid album, music and all. Hergest Ridge is still so very beautiful and haunting. I feel that Mike Oldfield shared his heart and soul on this recording

It dates back to 1974, and I still LOVE it. Listening to the whole of it leaves me breathless, marvelling at the beauty of the melodies and the so great sound.
It has been said that Herdgest Ridge came too soon after the first and well known release "Tubular Bells" (in 1973) and that Mike Oldfield, after the Tubular effort, hadn't regained all his strenght and inspiration when he started working on a new project. Does Herdgest Ridge, for that particular reason, sound somewhat unfinished, not to say scamped ? Well, it might - but I really don't care, as it is so beautiful and, to me, better than Tubular Bells anyway.

I thought "hmmm" after hearing this for the first time when it came out all those years ago, but suddenly found myself listening to it avidly. I liked it better than Tubular Bells, as it, well, satisfied my soul more. The reason is the wonderous guitar piece at the end of Part One. Its that slow incantation effect of music leading your somewhere - and what anticipation it created. I have differing recordings of this work, and whilst I appreciate the re-workings, the first recording is still my favourite. Part Two is OK but I always return to the original Side One of my cassettes. Now CD versions are available the recordings no doubt are digitally enhanced - still it is the music that counts and Hergest Ridge is a gem.

I'm confused- why again is Tubular Bells praised to the moon when Hergest Ridge is basically just as good, and might I say, even BETTER at times? This is seriously one mighty fine album. Soothing guitar rock can quickly change into something *just* as equally impressive and melodic without hesitation. The entire experience of Hergest Ridge feels like one complete gathering of melodic instrumental parts, most of which are quite impressive and -to my surprise and delight- emotionally pleasing. It doesn't really get any better than this, and I believe Hergest Ridge gives many supposed Pink Floyd classic songs a run for their money. Let's just call it the way it is- Hergest Ridge is worthy of your CD collection, especially for fans of creativity and powerful emotional music.

"Seriously wonderful?" Well, yes; the album is both. Recorded long before the current flood of "mystic" albums, the music is both soothing & stimulating, & ideal for a meditative state. The long surge of the developing melodies seem to echo the flow of an unspoiled, archaic landscape.

I had heard and enjoyed "Tubular Bells," but it was "Hergest Ridge" that turned me into an Oldfield fan.

After "Tubular Bells", Mike Oldfield would be hard-pressed to come up with something to follow up such an effort. So that may be partly why "Hergest Ridge" seems to be rather unfocussed in places in comparison. Oldfield tries to stretch his compositional methods around a few more elements this time out, and sometimes this work, but also, sometimes it doesn't quite gel. Still, this has some wonderful moments, especially the whole of Part II with its dramatic developmental arc. You can also see here some nascent ideas that would get a lot more development later on, forming some of the seeds behind the superior follow-up, "Ommadawn". I do have to object, though, as this CD reissue is considerably remixed and altered from the original version. Whole instrumental parts are missing in some places, and Part II's overall mix has been changed...sometimes for the better, as it's not as muddy, but overall there seems to be something absent between the original and this version. Therefore, docked one star for tinkerage; Virgin really should remaster and rerelease the first version of this and do this sophomore effort of Oldfield's better justice.

"Hergest Ridge" is pure magic - there is nothing quite its equivalent. It transports you to another magical world where time has stopped. Oldfield's talents are in evidence here. This may be an obscure recording, but it is a treasure!

I've never been a real fan of new age, but I've always liked Michael Oldfield. His music will alternately relax you, stimulate you and delight you, but it will never bore you. Hergest Ridge is a perfect example. Building on a simple melody, this opus slowly builds from a lilting flow to a controlled fury...and then it goes out of control. Then it slowly brings you back to reality. No one does it better. If you like Oldfield, this is a must. If you're not familiar with his music, buy it and give it a listen. I guaranty you won't be disappointed.