Customer Reviews

Ommadawn

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

 

 

With this latest Deluxe set, Oldfield continues to make unnecessary tweaks to his classic albums. The new stereo mix isn't bad (I can't speak for the 5.1 surround mix), but given that there was virtually nothing wrong with the original mix of the album, who cares?

The reason to buy this Deluxe set is because it contains the "lost" version of Ommadawn. In 1975, as the story goes, Oldfield had nearly completed the first side of Ommadawn when the tape reel on which it was recorded began to rapidly disintegrate. Partly due to faulty chemistry, and perhaps partly due to Oldfield's constant penchant for overdubbing, the tape eventually was rendered useless. This version of Ommadawn was considered just that---lost---that is until very recently, when it was discovered that Oldfield had duplicated a master of the rough mix which had then been buried in Virgin's archives for over 30 years. The result is the discovery of a brand new recording and interpretation of this masterpiece. This lost version is beautiful and fascinating in its own right, and works not only as a interesting prototype for what was to come, but stands up well as a complete work on its own. While it features the trademark harp melody line (played this time as a "round" at the opening) and even the African drum/chant build-up (though with a jarring Monty Python-esque exchange between two voices thrown in the middle), this new version, while certainly flawed, possesses a more manic energy all its own that works brilliantly more often than it falls flat. It doesn't quite rival its eventual work, but is a wonderful piece from a musician at the height of his powers.

This release contains three versions of Ommadawn. 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 four addition audio bonus tracks (singles and selections from the box set) and two promotional videos. What is not to like? There is something here for everyone, the purist, the revisionist and the audiophile. I bought this set (and the Hergest Ridge 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 Hergest Ridge) are both worth a second look!!

"Tubular Bells" hooked me. I'm a fan of Mike Oldfield's music. His music tells stories and paints musical pictures. "Ommadawn" is no exception. It's like a Celtic tone poem. The haunting melodies are bound to pull you in and make you "see" what Mike is trying to convey.

My first experience with this piece was with an SQ Quadraphonic LP. The ethereal effect that was created with the quad mix gave it an almost mystical sound. This new CD/DVD, with the discrete 5.1 mix, added to that effect, but with greater separation of sounds. The difference between a discrete surround mix, compared to the SQ matrixed version, is night and day. Discrete separation is absolute. It can more accurately convey what the artist's intent was. This discrete version, when played back in surround on any DVD player and Dolby Digital system (too bad it wasn't DTS), will reveal this to you.

The new surround mix sounds less cluttered than the original quad version. Many of the textures in the music that were merely hinted at in the quad LP are clearer and more revealing. The chant in part 1, which is my favorite part of the piece, gives Clodagh Simonds's voice a more ethereal effect, while the locations of the different instrumentals as the chant builds up, are more pinpoint and more enveloping. My only criticism is that they cut the drums at the end of part one just a bit too abruptly. I was glad they shortened it, but a more gradual fade would have been better.

The original mix of "Ommadawn", which was conceived to present the piece to the record company for their approval, was almost unrecognizable. The instrumentations were very different on many parts, but as you continued with it, you could hear some familiar elements. Interesting, indeed. As for the new stereo mix, it's also less cluttered, but there are some subtleties not heard here that were heard clearly in the 5.1 version.

My only objection here is that, as was stated earlier, Mercury should have used DTS for the surround encoding of this DVD. Since DTS uses less compression, it sounds much better than Dolby Digital for music. Still, this was very much a worthwhile purchase, and I highly recommend it.

I can't imagine why I bought this. For over 30 years, Ommadawn has been one of my favourite albums by anyone ever. The remix is self-indulgent in the extreme and shows, yet again, why it's not a good idea to monkey with success. The "lost version"...? Ho hum, really for completists only. Yes, it gives clear insight into the creation of the album but there's a shock waiting almost at every turn. Sorry, gang, but I wonder why this album was put out at all. Maybe I can't get out of the original mix enough to appreciate what Mike's done here but I don't want to. I love the album as was and this is not going to get a second hearing. It makes me wonder if Mike's well has started to dry up...