Rime of the Ancient Mariner [Import]

David Bedford | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 1, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Virgin Int'l
• ASIN: B00000DAYP
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #302,072 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Rime Of The Ancient Mariner

2. Rime Of The Ancient Mariner

Editorial Reviews

The versatile composer, orchestrator, conductor's 1975 progressive rock concept album, features two 20-minute plus remastered versions of the title track with musicians Mike Oldfield on guitar & Robert Powell as narrator. Virgin.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For special tastes only, August 25, 2008

By 

J. Youngblood (USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Rime of the Ancient Mariner (Audio CD)

To the average listener, such as the person who rated this album a 1-star, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner isn't going to go over well. Without knowledge of the story it will be more like a soundtrack for Poe's "Descent Into The Maelstrom". It is discordant, anti-melodic, anti-harmonic, so erratic that it's literally disturbing at times, seemingly the opposite of what music is supposed to be. But no, that isn't what it's all about - it tells a story. It is David Bedford's interpretation of a poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge (written in 1798) that was based partly on true stories of seafaring misfortunes. It's a macabre tale of a ships captain whose journey turns into a hellish curse that kills his entire crew, destroys his ship, banishes him to a life of wandering exile, telling his story to those who might listen and learn, finally giving his heart a sense of peace. It's a deep story that speaks of morality, guilt, and the search for absolution. ANY musical journey of this portent is a brave effort, which in my opinion makes Bedford extremely commendable. The aura he creates (mostly keyboards) closely reflects the stories' intent, very much like a soundtrack-for-the-mind, a musical madness perfectly apt for ominous perceptive trickery, and the wrenching conflict in someone's life who didn't commit disparagement deliberately. Rime of the Ancient Mariner is meant for listening with intent, not lite accompaniment such as radio. This is for thinking, consideration, reflection. This is for turning down the lights, lighting some candles, listening with headphones, and letting the power of imagination take us into the abyss of an unfortunate soul who examples the many harrowing tales we could tell of our own lives. You may not listen to it often, but The Rime of the Ancient Mariner helps us appreciate our memories, their meaning, and the value of redemption by the struggles we've overcome to earn it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Across A Blue Sea, January 26, 2007

By 

Mark Champion "autumnfair" (San Antonio, TX United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Rime of the Ancient Mariner (Audio CD)

Based on the Coleridge poem, this is worth hearing for Bedford's brilliant arrangement of "The Rio Grande" alone (definitely not included in the poem). You might not normally think of a sea chanty as poignant or beautiful, but this is one sublime passage indeed. It's the sound of homesickness, longing and nostalgia, with Diana Coulson and Lucy Blackburn of the choir of Queen's College of London lending a hauntingly vulnerable quality to the piece along with Mike Oldfield's quavering guitar. The rest is pretty evocative too, if not so serene; the music tends to rise and fall with the poem's action (and the sea). It's also unfortunately marred by Robert Powell's redundant and intrusive (read: unnecessary) narration. If you can get past that, it's steady as she goes. By the way, read the original poem. It's awesome.

4.0 out of 5 stars I Like This album..."Going home,we're homeward bound across the blue sea", April 6, 2010

By 

Russell Sullins "quiet sun" (okmulgee, ok United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Rime of the Ancient Mariner (Audio CD)

This is not for everyone but i like this album..Something out of the norm.Plus im a big Mike Oldfield fan..As a previous reviewer stated "Rio Grande" is such a beautiful song,,the children singing and Mike's guitar work makes it worth it all..I have truly LOVED that piece since i was 16 yrs old,now 49!!