Mike Oldfield's Voyager
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Bands, Artists and Genres Appreciation
Forum Description: Discuss specific prog bands and their members or a specific sub-genre
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=109265
Printed Date: March 11 2025 at 11:36
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Mike Oldfield's Voyager
Posted By: Larkstongue41
Subject: Mike Oldfield's Voyager
Date Posted: October 31 2016 at 15:44
|
Any love for Oldfield's Voyager? It's actually one of my favourite albums he released (along Tubular Bells, Hergest Ridge and Ommadawn obviously), and I don't think it gets the appreciation it deserves. The only drawback to it imo is the electronic percussion and fortunately it is not present on every track. Anybody else thinks it's great? ------------- "Larks' tongues. Wrens' livers. Chaffinch brains. Jaguars' earlobes. Wolf nipple chips. Get 'em while they're hot. They're lovely. Dromedary pretzels, only half a denar." |
Replies:
Posted By: lazland
Date Posted: October 31 2016 at 15:57
|
It is one of Oldfield's albums I have not gotten around to reviewing, yet, but I really like it. A solid 3.5 hours to 4 stars in PA ratings, I love the Celtic themes and the rock/folk fusion. The electronic percussion was simply a thing of its time, and it doesn't bother me overly. ------------- Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org Now also broadcasting on www.progzilla.com Every Saturday, 4.00 p.m. UK time! |
Posted By: Meltdowner
Date Posted: October 31 2016 at 16:01
I noticed it was reissued recently but I never heard it. I keep forgeting to check it out  |
Posted By: tszirmay
Date Posted: October 31 2016 at 16:06
|
I reviewed it glowingly and lovingly. Special album and nicely Celtic in influence. Gave it 4.5 stars ------------- I never post anything anywhere without doing more than basic research, often in depth. |
Posted By: lazland
Date Posted: October 31 2016 at 16:13
I loved that review  ------------- Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org Now also broadcasting on www.progzilla.com Every Saturday, 4.00 p.m. UK time! |
tszirmay wrote:Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: October 31 2016 at 19:13
|
Need to check it out, I'll probably pick it up ------------- Ian Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/ |
Posted By: tszirmay
Date Posted: October 31 2016 at 20:20
You must choose not to be influenced by any of his other, more accepted, works. On its own merits, its is masterful. ------------- I never post anything anywhere without doing more than basic research, often in depth. |
Posted By: Dellinger
Date Posted: October 31 2016 at 20:36
| I got it, and I guess I do enjoy it. But nothing particularly great. He's done much better. |
Posted By: tszirmay
Date Posted: October 31 2016 at 20:39
|
Thanks Dill, ya made my point! ------------- I never post anything anywhere without doing more than basic research, often in depth. |
Posted By: Barbu
Date Posted: October 31 2016 at 20:47
|
Pas pire, pas pire. ------------- |
Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: October 31 2016 at 21:02
|
Bought. ------------- Ian Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/ |
Posted By: Kingsnake
Date Posted: November 01 2016 at 03:29
|
It's a great album. But if there's one thing progfanatics are allergic to, it's new age. When a beloved artist makes anything slightly new ageish, it's bashed to bits. I love it though, and don't care what the majority thinks of it. Mike is so diverse, making prog, popsongs, new age, electronic, dance and folk.
I love the guy. |
Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: November 01 2016 at 06:10
Nah, I think you have to view it in context and in time. Compared to his other albums of the 90s it's middling at best while Songs From Distant Earth and Amarok tower above it - it's the Hergest Ridge of the 90s - not bad but not great either and quite easy to live without. ------------- What? |
Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: November 01 2016 at 06:18
|
Seems a fair assessment, I just bought it yesterday, it's not up there with Songs From Distant Earth and Amarok but it's a nice album I'm happy to own. I'm a lot more tolerant of his lesser works these days. I've only recently bought Platinum through Crises as they were rereleased. For years I only had up to Incantations. ------------- Ian Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/ |
Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: November 01 2016 at 07:56
| I don't care for it, as explained in my review. There are artists that did this type of new age music better, and I also expect more from Oldfield. Oldfield also did Celtic much better, especially in the early 1980s |
Posted By: tszirmay
Date Posted: November 01 2016 at 09:31
Nah, you just compared it!  You did not view it in context and in time.  ------------- I never post anything anywhere without doing more than basic research, often in depth. |
Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: November 01 2016 at 09:52
 It followed Songs... that's viewing it in context; it was the same decade as Amarok... that's viewing it in time. At least I didn't mention Tubby Bells 2 & 3 that cashed-in on either side of it, or comment on the "Guitars" album that followed it. Voyager is a so-so album. It's not terrible, it's not magnificent and even by its own merits it isn't masterful - by its own merits it's okay. ------------- What? |
Posted By: tszirmay
Date Posted: November 01 2016 at 10:24
|
Brilliant, as usual. My apologies, I keep forgetting your wisdom is absolutely precise. ------------- I never post anything anywhere without doing more than basic research, often in depth. |
Posted By: Larkstongue41
Date Posted: November 01 2016 at 11:47
Never listened to Amarok and I have nothing against your opinion, but Songs Of Distant Earth?? Really? I mean, Oldfield's probably in my top 10 musical bands/artists, but I always thought of that album as being more bad than good. It has its moments for sure, but I never particularly liked it. ------------- "Larks' tongues. Wrens' livers. Chaffinch brains. Jaguars' earlobes. Wolf nipple chips. Get 'em while they're hot. They're lovely. Dromedary pretzels, only half a denar." |
Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: November 01 2016 at 12:11
|
Welcome Gendron, I know you're not exactly new to the forum but we've never exchanged words before and unfortunately you've caught me in really sarcastic mood today, so what I am about to type must be taken as tongue-in-cheek and not as some snarky snipe. I don't know you from Adam and have no wish to offend. However, some days I am my own worse enemy...
That's what I love about personal opinions, tastes and likes. We're all different and there are no right or wrong answers when it comes to opinions about music. So yeah. Really. That's what I really think because that is really my personal opinion and that is really how it is for me when I play all three of those albums. Really. Now, I imagine you are going to really hate Amarok, or you are going to really like it or you are going to be really indifferent about it. Fun isn't it? ------------- What? |
Posted By: tszirmay
Date Posted: November 01 2016 at 12:14
It seems your valued and precise opinion will always TRUMP mine.
 Different tastes are not debatable, unless expressed by higher powers. ------------- I never post anything anywhere without doing more than basic research, often in depth. |
Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: November 01 2016 at 12:21
You seem to not quite grasp the concept of opinions are not facts... It's an opinion, if I state it then it is my opinion, if your's is different then it is your opinion. How difficult is this?  ------------- What? |
Posted By: Barbu
Date Posted: November 01 2016 at 12:23
 ------------- |
Posted By: tszirmay
Date Posted: November 01 2016 at 12:23
|
With you, very difficult, as always . You are a grumpy old man who likes to be very authoritative and authoritarian. You opinion is always factual while other person's facts are just opinions. Tu ne fais pas le poids , mon cher.
------------- I never post anything anywhere without doing more than basic research, often in depth. |
Posted By: tszirmay
Date Posted: November 01 2016 at 12:24
|
Bold red lines, not impressive. Are you angry today ------------- I never post anything anywhere without doing more than basic research, often in depth. |
Posted By: tszirmay
Date Posted: November 01 2016 at 12:33
The use of the imperative IT IS or IT ISN'T denotes little opinion but rather stating it like fact. A master linguist like you should know this  ------------- I never post anything anywhere without doing more than basic research, often in depth. |
Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: November 01 2016 at 14:06
|
I have no opinion as I never heard the album. I have early Oldfields like Ommadawn and Hergest Ridge. Am I missing much? ------------- This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State. |
Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: November 01 2016 at 14:16
Yes Steve I think you are missing a lot there, but I wouldn't recommend Voyager next or even 10th or 11th  Chronological is as good an approach as any
|
Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: November 01 2016 at 14:20
Crust on a f**king bike, man you're f**king desperate. Okay, have it your way, you are correct, any subjective statement any f**ker makes about any piece of art must be a f**king fact if it is stated as an imperative. sh*t man, thanks for opening my f**king eyes, boy have I learnt a f**king lesson today. Cheers. ------------- What? |
Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: November 01 2016 at 14:21
Songs of Distant Earth gets a lot of love on this site, which I always find surprising, but there you have it. To me it, Voyager, and Earth Moving are the worst Oldfield albums. Actually add Amarok to that, though I understand why people here often like it. I think Heavens Open is pretty weak as well, but the awesome title track practically redeems the whole album. So yeah the late 1980s/early 1990s were a trough. He has done some really good stuff since
|
Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: November 01 2016 at 14:29
------------- This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State. |
Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: November 01 2016 at 18:23
Five miles out is one of my favorites. The pop that's there is good quirky pop to me. It's one of the albums that has the most Celtic influence particularly on stretches of Taurus II, featuring Paddy Moloney of the Chieftains on pipes. Some interesting experimentation on Orabidoo and the title cut. If you haven't heard QE2, that's another good one with a strong Celtic vibe. The track "Conflict" is a brilliant marriage of electronic prog and trad Irish. Neither of these albums are mushy new age Celtic like Voyager. I mentioned how others did that Voyager style better than Oldfield. An example is the group Nightnoise that released a number of albums on Windham Hill. They featured several stalwarts of the Irish folk scene who lived in the Pacific Northwest I believe, which explains that laid back vibe well.
|
Posted By: Barbu
Date Posted: November 01 2016 at 18:45
Can't go wrong with any 1973-1984 Oldfield afaic. More recent material, Light and Shade is worth checking out and Music of the Spheres is splendid. Looks like Return to Ommadawn is finished and should be out shortly, great news indeed. ------------- |
Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: November 01 2016 at 19:26
There's little out there for you beyond the ones you've got if he lost you with Crises & Five Miles Out. I similarly bought Platinum through Crises for the long tracks (and the bonus live material on the reissues). Of the rest of his catalog I'd recommend Amarok, Song Of Distant Earth, and maybe TB2 and TB3. But little else. ------------- Ian Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/ |
Posted By: Dellinger
Date Posted: November 01 2016 at 21:37
But I love Hergest Ridge... mostly side two, even though side one is rather enjoyable too. For me, the top of Oldfield are Hergest Ridge, side 2; Ommadawn, side 1; and Incantations, side 4. And most of Tubular Bells, though he lost me from the Caveman section onwards. And the Diana part of Incantations first side is sublime also. |
Posted By: Dellinger
Date Posted: November 01 2016 at 21:42
I do find Songs of Distant Earth to be very good... all of it is beautiful... perhaps his best album as far as the whole album goes... though I think he reached higher peaks on his 70's albums. As for Amarok, I found that one rather difficult to enjoy... it's got good music parts here and there, but it's all presented as one song, and if you don't have 40 continuous minutes to hear it you won't be able to finish it, and when you find a nice bit of music within, it doesn't last long enough and some noisy parts come in. The Africa 1 section is just sublime, though. |
Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: November 01 2016 at 21:53
Well that was deliberate, it was a snub to Richard Branson & Virgin, he owed them an album and they wanted singles and hits. He deliberately recorded it as one song that changes all over the place so no 3 minute section could be pulled out as a single. Personally I find it sublime. It's bizarrely wonderful. ------------- Ian Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/ |
Posted By: tszirmay
Date Posted: November 01 2016 at 23:38
------------- I never post anything anywhere without doing more than basic research, often in depth. |
Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: November 02 2016 at 13:00
|
I don't have anything against new age. I have 19 Mike Oldfield albums, the last one being 2008's Music Of The Spheres. They're all decent albums, but with the exception of The Orchestral Tubular Bells, which I find a little ho hum, his '70's stuff are my favorites. ------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened... 
|
Posted By: Dellinger
Date Posted: November 02 2016 at 21:48
Yeah, I know about that, but still that makes the album hard to follow... however, it has got lot's of followers and is generally regarded as great... I just have found it hard to love. And in the end, the Africa 1 section I mentioned before was a very easy piece to pull a single from. |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: November 03 2016 at 13:14
That's where I stand....never heard that one and frankly I have never understood all the love for his music in general. ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: Barbu
Date Posted: November 03 2016 at 13:27
^ A fabulous artist and one of the very best in music, period. Your next step is to accept it, Doc.  ------------- |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: November 03 2016 at 13:35
There's no accounting for taste...is there?  I have several of his early albums....and bought Tubular Bells when it was first released, and he's still boring imho. ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: Barbu
Date Posted: November 03 2016 at 18:43
|
Duly reported to the appropriate authority. ------------- |
Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: November 03 2016 at 19:12
nah, poor musical taste is not a crime...although continually flaunting it might be
|