BOXED

Besides the absolutely normal signification of gathering the first three albums of Mike Oldfield's culminant start, plus some unreleased or unenclosed specials, there is a symbolic connotation in Boxed that you should not miss out of the viewpoint. Tubular Bells, Hergest Ridge and Ommadawn are masterpieces (the second one less of a perfect definition, still.still!). And it's not only the fact that what will follow falls into a "next best" category. It's simply a garnished convenient boxset containing master music from the artist. It's an inspired move, from my point of view, and a recommended compilation, just thinking that others to come over the years will be a bit of a voiled, still, casual thing. This one holds the moment tight and the essence is pico bello. As charts for compilations aren't such a common thing, I won't go into such a hilarious explanation, but Boxed surely worths everything and is a good feature by its own.

Now as the studio albums have their own power and their own words, discussing much about them standing in a compilation context isn't much an idea. In Boxed, references however point out towards a "remixed", as the common word goes, version of the three albums, a perfectioned sound or an other way of interpretation, these in short essences and subtle editing, of course. Still I must say, that except Tubular Bells, which is a clear third version accomplishment (and how quick!...and thinking that the future parts are criticized.), I sense no remix whatsoever in the other two. If it is, it's such a small allusion, it's impossible to feel it differently. Don't want to say it is a failure of context by this, but if Oldfield did indeed placed a re-work upon the 1974 and 1975 album, it's something done curiously small. In a funny way it can be called minimalist. The main idea is to not expect anything else than the known albums in the set. I was personally keen on hearing them in a different version as well. Still that's the fact. No impression of new.

Succinct disc-by-disc description: Tubular Bells is faithful to the original, not the disambiguation that Orchestral was. Original stays original, yet this one is just as enjoyable, offering through the worked moments a more apart scent and a delicate flavor. Contrast is after all not grand, but it is a notable reference by its own. Rio Grande is nice in its form. As for Portsmouth and In Dulci Jubilo are short essence Mike Oldfield gems, of a charisma and an authentic mode than melts your soul. Pure jovialism, pure reflection of a fantastic life lover, music streamer. Sounds much for 2 minutes pieces, still trust me completely. These are absolutely fantastic.

Hergest Ridge = indigo stripped. The three side tracks are a bit more ambiguous and they miss the scenario, in my opinion. The first is tad too clustered in an attempt of complexity and symphonic dynamics, doesn't resemble that much. Second goes charming and fluent. Third irritated me (I literally shouted what the.). What is that thing?!

Ommadawn = indigo stripped. The bonus tracks are just a simple moment of reflection as well. Not anything unworthy in them, still the contrast with the main material serves as the opposite of an attraction or of a dimensioning point. Casual, fluent, of the prologue impute.

A recommended asset. Mainly it is just a collection item and I can't tell that it will provide the difference of the original. But it is a successful concept and an interesting pack. After all, it's not just the titles that offer a certain prestige to the entire set, but the music itself bring the reflection upon something that is undoubtedly genuine moment, brought in a fashionable form. Anyway, don't overlook Boxed is all I can say.