Mike Oldfield Boxed [Box set]

Mike Oldfield (Composer), David Bedford (Composer), Robert Lucas Pearsall (Composer), Lawrence Wright (Composer), David / Oldfield, Mike Bedford (Composer), David Bedford (Conductor, Performer), Vernon Handley (Conductor), Leslie Penning (Conductor), Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Mike Oldfield (Performer), Mundy Ellis (Performer), Sally Oldfield (Performer), Clodagh Simonds (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: David Bedford, Mike Oldfield, Mundy Ellis, Sally Oldfield, Clodagh Simonds
• Orchestra: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: David Bedford, Vernon Handley, Leslie Penning
• Composer: Mike Oldfield, David Bedford, Robert Lucas Pearsall, Lawrence Wright, David / Oldfield, Mike Bedford
• Audio CD (December 10, 2002)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 3
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Virgin Records Us
• ASIN: B0000072NT
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #352,002 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must for Oldfield Fans, February 27, 2004

By 

Jay L. Rudko (Pembroke Pines, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mike Oldfield Boxed (Audio CD)

I have to say it... this is one of the best showcases of Mike's earlier work. This remixed version of "Tubular Bells" was created as a way to convince Mike that a quadraphonic mix should be created and released. Mike listened and proclaimed it perfect as was, so it was released. The original version, compared to this remix, sounded cluttered and confused. Also, the original American quad pressing, using the CD-4 system as opposed to the SQ format used in England, was marred by a very poor quality pressing. Contrary to what was said in the booklet accompanying this box set in CD, the recordings held on these discs are, in fact, SQ quad despite claims otherwise. I also have the LP set, and I directly compared them. So if you have a Dolby Pro Logic II setting on your playback system, by all means use it. The mix of "Ommadawn" is the same as was originally released on both SQ and QS quad versions in England, and on SQ here. The first part contains a chant, by Clodagh Simonds, that builds up toward the conclusion. Played back in surround, this chant takes on an etherial quality; Clodagh's voice suspended in mid-air as the additional instruments gradually come in. This is lost in the stereo mix, which I also have on another CD. "Hergest Ridge" features a musical tone poem, as it could be described, of where Mike was brought up. The shorter selections in the "Collaborations" album are also quite good. "In Dulci Jubilo", which is a Christmas song, takes on a highland fling style. As for "Speak", it's a duet with Mike and David Bedford on the vocals. This is a great box set, and I encourage any true Mike Oldfield fan to add it to their collection.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A must for the true Oldfield enthusiast, September 16, 2002

By 

Clifford Bunten (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mike Oldfield Boxed (Audio CD)

After getting over the initial disappointment of discovering that the CD was only recorded in stereo, as opposed to the original "Quadraphonic" mix that the Vinyl release had, I realised what great value this triple CD was.

Boxed contains re-mixes of Oldfield's first three Album's, as well as bonus tracks, some of which are hard to find anywhere else.

The re-mix of Tubular Bells even includes an "extra" bit of audio consisting of a rather drunken MC (Oldfield fans should know what I mean by that) tramping around the recording studio/mansion providing some rather silly and well, drunken commentary. It's quite a laugh and is a stark contrast to the mostly serious and sombre tones of the original album.

So if you are planning on completing your collection of Mike Oldfield recordings and have yet to replace your vinyl copies of Tubular Bells, Hergest Ridge or Ommadawn on CD, don't bother buying them individually - just get Boxed. Its nothing like the rather bizarre film of the same name!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gives a new light on early Oldfield's recordings, August 6, 2003

By 

Mike Chadwick (Gdynia,Poland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mike Oldfield Boxed (Audio CD)

This is a must have for real Oldfield's fan..."Ommadawn", "Hergest ridge" and "Tubular bells" are his classic works, here they come along in slightly different versions and unreleased songs...The songs are really interesting especially delicate piano tune "Speak..." with vocals by Mike and beautifull "first excursion", that signals a beginning of "Incantations" era....
"Tubular bells" has a bit different sound from original and it features diffrrent ending - very funny "sailor's hornipipe" version with crazy commentary by Drunken Vivian Stanhall (master of ceremony in part 1) - a very nice suprise...
If you are a big fan of Early progressive and instrumental music,or just a Mike Oldfield fan this is a must have for you - it is also good for those fans that don't have internet to collect Mike's rare songs...