Sally Oldfield: A Celebration
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Forum Name: Prog Bands, Artists and Genres Appreciation
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URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=125203
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Topic: Sally Oldfield: A Celebration
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Subject: Sally Oldfield: A Celebration
Date Posted: January 19 2021 at 06:12
It's time for a Celebration of the gentle Femme folk music of Sally Oldfield. I've noticed she doesn't receive the recognition she truly deserves on ProgArchives (mainly because she's overshadowed by her famous younger brother Mike). Hopefully, this thread will change all that by featuring a favourite song from each of her seventeen albums listed below. Sally's best-known song is of course Mirrors, an Easy-on-the-ears gentle folk refrain from her debut Water Bearer album. There's a certain Mystique attached to Sally Natasha Oldfield's albums, and my Instincts tell me that her Secret Songs will ignite The Flame of passion and Arrows of Desire for her music along The Enchanted Way. Her gorgeous songs are as varied and entertaining as the proverbial Three Rings in a circus on a Strange Day in Berlin.   Sally Oldfield's Albums  1978: Water Bearer - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtXBvEpvqp-DTKG68ya-Jz8" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtXBvEpvqp-DTKG68ya-Jz8 1979: Easy - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lue2NKPct-3CeZ_d7CVWvc4" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lue2NKPct-3CeZ_d7CVWvc4 1980: Celebration - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtEON8EfbzTqe8fY5qsJ5tq" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtEON8EfbzTqe8fY5qsJ5tq 1981: Playing in the Flame - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsjUZI46Zb__4_leGDnWJEF" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsjUZI46Zb__4_leGDnWJEF 1982: In Concert - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LthXGAQkDdSROrb3c1sE2U0" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LthXGAQkDdSROrb3c1sE2U0  1983: Strange Day in Berlin - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsG3PQhxS-0FR8F_W91fJq4" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsG3PQhxS-0FR8F_W91fJq4 1987: Femme - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lv6utUOM2Y-CQD3SX7rfsUh" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lv6utUOM2Y-CQD3SX7rfsUh 1988: Instincts - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuypSKpadQyltW4HrBKR06i" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuypSKpadQyltW4HrBKR06i 1990: Natasha - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lskgel_PVfdbAIfLie8yqsQ" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lskgel_PVfdbAIfLie8yqsQ 1992: The Flame - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvjqUH6T5ioV3zib6dSO_VE" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvjqUH6T5ioV3zib6dSO_VE  1994: Three Rings - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LssLDyy5w8axTFvfmq2xeBF" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LssLDyy5w8axTFvfmq2xeBF 1996: Secret Songs - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lsg9GcBvri8vno-AeHUD_v0" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lsg9GcBvri8vno-AeHUD_v0 2001: Flaming Star - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsL3qeDwKqDbqzZy6yecm4g" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsL3qeDwKqDbqzZy6yecm4g 2009: Cantadora - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuRoj1hj3FdksIXOlkbMbk3" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuRoj1hj3FdksIXOlkbMbk3 2012: Arrows of Desire (compilation) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvjCxtqEs1zUjH7ezNPaMjR" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvjCxtqEs1zUjH7ezNPaMjR 2018: The Enchanted Way - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lv22zwv6kCjJ3EJhnZ84-Yn" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lv22zwv6kCjJ3EJhnZ84-Yn 2019: Mystique - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lt8j1TekNF2_m9fbuuOyORv" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lt8j1TekNF2_m9fbuuOyORv |
Replies:
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: January 19 2021 at 08:37
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A Multicolored Journey Through Space and Time "Starting her career as early as 1968, Sally Oldfield now looks back on a life where change and the unexpected were her constant companions. Reaching the top of the charts and living the life of a pop star, she finally decided to take a break, listen to her inner voice and spend time with her beloved Nature- a recurring theme weaving throughout her music." "Sally Oldfield's first step into the world of music was the The Sallyangie in 1968. She and her brother Mike, then only 15 years old, recorded their first album as a duo expressing their love of folk music. "Children Of The Sun" is still hailed as a classic of it's genre, a foundation not only for one, but two exceptional careers in the music world." "The songs for‚“Children of the Sun“ were the first that Sally had ever composed. Up until that time her sights were set on an academic career following her love of literature and philosophy." "However towards the end of her studies at Bristol University in February 1968 she had a life-changing spiritual experience that catapulted her into the world of music. She secured a record deal and created and released the album with her brother within 6 short months." SallyOldfield.net:- https://www.sallyoldfield.net/about-2/" rel="nofollow - https://www.sallyoldfield.net/about-2/ Children of the Sun - Album Review :- http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=2338543" rel="nofollow - http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=2338543 |
Posted By: Dellinger
Date Posted: January 19 2021 at 20:10
| ^ Those guitars at the beginning reminded me of Amarok. |
Posted By: triptych
Date Posted: January 20 2021 at 02:59
I agree, she doesn't get the merit she deserves....ty for starting this thread :)
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Psychedelic Paul wrote:Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: January 20 2021 at 07:21
^ My pleasure.  --------------------------------------------------------- The Bronze Years"After touring for about a year, the brother and sister duo amicably went their separate ways. Although Sally is heard on Mike Oldfield's breakthrough album "Tubular Bells" as well as other artist collaborations, it was not until 1978 that she released her debut solo album "Water Bearer‘. " "Both the album and the single "Mirrors" stormed the charts giving her a worldwide hit that turned into a classic and is still a favorite of music lovers, fans and critics,building bridges between the folk, prog-rock and pop genres." SallyOldfield.net:- https://www.sallyoldfield.net/about-2/" rel="nofollow - https://www.sallyoldfield.net/about-2/ Water Bearer (1978) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtXBvEpvqp-DTKG68ya-Jz8" rel="nofollow - |
Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: January 20 2021 at 07:33
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Surprised you didn't give "Water Bearer" a big fat 5 stars, which I did. There are 2 5 star albums you rated from the 90s...are those original material? |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: January 20 2021 at 07:45
Sally Oldfield's first five albums all sound equally good to my ears, but my ultimate favourites are her two exceptional albums from the mid-1990's, and yes, the albums are all original material, which I'll feature later in this thread.
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Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: January 20 2021 at 07:52
| Thanks! I'll definitely check those 90s albums out...my interest petered out with "Strange Day in Berlin" where she got a bit too synthetic after the charm of the early albums was in their folkiness |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: January 21 2021 at 15:23
For me she will always be in the shadow of the Heirophant (see what I did there  )
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Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: January 21 2021 at 16:52
| Water bearer is usually considered to be her best. |
Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: January 21 2021 at 17:19
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Outside the fact that she was born in Dublin, is there a reason why she's categorized as Irish , when her two brothers (Mike & Terry) are British? Also, no mention in this thread of the Sallyangie album Children of the Sun? ------------- let's just stay above the moral melee prefer the sink to the gutter keep our sand-castle virtues content to be a doer as well as a thinker, prefer lifting our pen rather than un-sheath our sword |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: January 21 2021 at 18:24
Paul has the video in the second post.
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Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: January 22 2021 at 01:48
I tend to not read or skip over his ever-so-uninformed posts    ------------- let's just stay above the moral melee prefer the sink to the gutter keep our sand-castle virtues content to be a doer as well as a thinker, prefer lifting our pen rather than un-sheath our sword |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: January 22 2021 at 13:49
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The Bronze Years (continued) "The follow up albums "Easy" and "Celebration" extended her group of followers and established a loyal fanbase, giving the world hits like "The Sun In My Eyes", "Easy", "Mandala" and "Morning Of My Life" as well as fan favorites like "My Damsel Heart", "Blue Water", "Sons Of The Free" or "You Set My Gypsy Blood Free"." SallyOldfield.net - https://www.sallyoldfield.net/about-2/" rel="nofollow - https://www.sallyoldfield.net/about-2/ Easy (1979) |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: January 22 2021 at 16:09
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Celebration (1980) Morning of My Life (video courtesy of Leo May) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtEON8EfbzTqe8fY5qsJ5tq" rel="nofollow -
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Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: January 22 2021 at 17:45
Paul! I just LOVE your creative way of introducing your poll and discussion posts! So clever and witty! You must put a lot of time and energy into formulating them. Kudos to you, bud, for putting in the work. It shows how much you love your music--and how much you love promoting the artists and albums you love. Bravissimo! Sincerely, Drew Fisher ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: zwordser
Date Posted: January 22 2021 at 21:34
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Cool, P.P., glad you're giving Sally a little more attention on PA. Also nice to hear a more folky side of her (compared to the album I'm familiar with--see below). I first found out about Sally Oldfield because of her amazing vocals on Steve Hackett's, Shadow of the Hierophant. And, naturally, thinking that she must be Mike's Sister, did a little research, including on P.A., to find her included here, but little noticed. Then, in about 2014 or so, I was in a music store, and fished one of her CD's out of a bargain bin for 50 cents. Even on first listen, I realized it didn't belong in a bargain bin! The album: Flaming Star has a world/pop vibe --not always my cup-o-tea, but I really love the title track: ------------- Z |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: January 23 2021 at 05:24
Cheers Drew!
It's always a fun challenge to see how many song titles and album titles I can fit into a thread intro. It's also nice to see how this thread has reignited The Flame of passion for the music of Sally Oldfield, which Mirrors my own love for her Easy-going brand of Prog-Folk. There's always been a certain Mystique attached to the music of Sally Oldfield, but my Instincts tell me her Secret Songs are not so secret any more, which is cause for Celebration. |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: January 23 2021 at 12:00
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Playing in the Flame (1981) Love of a Lifetime (video courtesy of Sally Oldfield) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsjUZI46Zb__4_leGDnWJEF" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsjUZI46Zb__4_leGDnWJEF |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: January 23 2021 at 15:07
By strange coincidence, Flaming Star is the only Sally Oldfield studio album I have on CD. I recall it includes a reflection back to her classic Water Bearer album with a rather nice ambient remix of Mirrors. |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: January 25 2021 at 03:21
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The Bronze Years (continued) "After "Celebration" went gold, Sally Oldfield went on an extended tour documented on the album "Sally Oldfield in Concert". She ended her collaboration with Bronze Records with an album that is considered one of her best." ""Strange Day In Berlin" was produced by Hans Zimmer, then a budding composer who was to become a legend for his movie scores like "Rain Man", "Pirates Of The Caribbean" and “Gladiator“. He gave Sally the possibility of exploring orchestral atmospheres in her musical expression and the album yielded the hit single "Path With A Heart"." "After 6 years of touring, recording, TV-shows and chart success it was time to take a break, only to come back with a huge surprise for her fans reaching out for an even wider audience." SallyOldfield.net - https://www.sallyoldfield.net/about-2/" rel="nofollow - https://www.sallyoldfield.net/about-2/ In Concert (1982) |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: January 25 2021 at 04:40
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Strange Day in Berlin (1983) |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: January 26 2021 at 08:09
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Sally Oldfield - Becoming a Popstar "1987 saw the return of Sally Oldfield with the album "Femme" led by "Silver Dagger" the first of 4 singles taken from the album. "Femme". This saw the return of a singer who was ready for pop stardom." ""Silver Dagger" entered the top of the charts in Germany and Europe as did the album, giving her not only a successful comeback, but extended her following once more. The song is still a staple on German radio and might be one explanation why Germany in particular fell in love with Sally Oldfield." "In 1988 "Instincts" was released. The album includes "Let It begin",a duet with Moody Blues singer Justin Hayward. Well known for the video that accompanied the song it turned Sally Oldfield into a member of the MTV generation . Both albums show Sally Oldfield at the top of the pop genre." SallyOldfield.net - https://www.sallyoldfield.net/about-2/" rel="nofollow - https://www.sallyoldfield.net/about-2/ Femme (1987) |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: January 26 2021 at 14:54
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Instincts (1988) |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: January 28 2021 at 13:01
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The Nineties "The Nineties saw a return for Sally in fine form. Both albums "Natasha" and "The Flame" were a step back to her roots combined with a rockier edge, more evidence of her versatility as she continued to explore the wide field of her musical and lyrical skills." "She also collaborated with her brother Terry Oldfield on his album “Star of Heaven“ including a beautiful rendition of the classic “Ave Maria“." "In 1994 she entered the German and European charts again. The album "Three Rings" with epic songs and pop tunes spawned the hit singles "Digging For Gold" and "Summer Of Love" while keeping old fans happy with aerial and folk influenced melodies like "The Blessing", "Survival" and the title track influenced by J.R. Tolkein’s“Lord of the Rings“." ""Secret Songs" and "Flaming Star" ended the Millennium era - two critically acclaimed albums combining Sally Oldfield's unmistakable style with ethno-beats and world music influences. "Secret Songs" features the special song "Mystic Drum". hailed as a firm favourite amongst her growing following of spiritually orientated fans with it's soaring melody and inspiring lyrics." SallyOldfield.net - https://www.sallyoldfield.net/about-2/" rel="nofollow - https://www.sallyoldfield.net/about-2/ Natasha (1990) |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: January 28 2021 at 15:39
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The Flame (1992) |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: January 30 2021 at 11:08
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Three Rings (1994) |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: January 31 2021 at 03:23
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Secret Songs (1996) Warm Wind on the Wasteland - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lsg9GcBvri8vno-AeHUD_v0" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lsg9GcBvri8vno-AeHUD_v0 |
Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: January 31 2021 at 08:48
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Where exactly did "Celebration" go gold? In the UK, her only chart hit was the single "Mirrors". Was she popular in Germany from the start?
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: January 31 2021 at 09:29
I'm assuming Sally Oldfield's "Celebration" went Gold in Europe, but Sally's real golden nuggets for me are her two wonderful albums from the mid-nineties: Three Rings (1994) & Secret Songs (1996).
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: February 01 2021 at 00:35
Entering a new millennium"Sally Oldfield surprised critics again when she entered the new millennium where she was least expected. In 2001 a remix of "Mirrors" turned her into a queen of the clubs. This new version of Sally Oldfield's classic hit peaked right at the top of the dance charts, introducing her music to a whole new generation." "Subsequently Sally Oldfield took a break again not knowing how long it might be. But after all, what looked like a circle closing is more like a Zen circle leaving the end open." "The colorful life and eclectic songs will go on as Sally is ready to be back. But what can people expect? One thing for sure. It will be a surprise!." SallyOldfield.net - https://www.sallyoldfield.net/about-2/" rel="nofollow - https://www.sallyoldfield.net/about-2/ Flaming Star (2001)Invocation - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsL3qeDwKqDbqzZy6yecm4g" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsL3qeDwKqDbqzZy6yecm4g |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: February 01 2021 at 04:30
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Cantadora (2009) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuRoj1hj3FdksIXOlkbMbk3" rel="nofollow - |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: February 01 2021 at 05:33
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Arrows of Desire (compilation) (2012) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvjCxtqEs1zUjH7ezNPaMjR" rel="nofollow -
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: February 02 2021 at 09:26
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The Enchanted Way (2018) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lv22zwv6kCjJ3EJhnZ84-Yn" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lv22zwv6kCjJ3EJhnZ84-Yn Digging for Gold |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: February 03 2021 at 04:04
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Mystique: the 17th and last album from Sally Oldfield, although hopefully, it won't turn out to be her final album, if Sally blesses us with another album in the 2020's. 2019: Mystique - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lt8j1TekNF2_m9fbuuOyORv" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lt8j1TekNF2_m9fbuuOyORv  |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: June 27 2021 at 12:04
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1996: Secret Songs - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lsg9GcBvri8vno-AeHUD_v0" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lsg9GcBvri8vno-AeHUD_v0 The title track from Sally Oldfield's loveliest album together with a beautifully-filmed music video. Secret Songs |
Posted By: ProfPanglos
Date Posted: October 05 2021 at 12:15
| Strange Day In Berlin holds a special place for me, I've always loved that album. |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: October 05 2021 at 13:06
I've never had a strange day in Berlin but I did once have a strange day in Barcelona.
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Posted By: ProfPanglos
Date Posted: October 05 2021 at 16:21
Everybody should have a strange day somewhere!
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: October 26 2023 at 16:16
Inspired by Dublin-born Sally Oldfield's appearance in the recent series of Irish polls, this seemed like a good time to revisit this loving tribute to Sally's beautifully sweet folk refrains. It's a time for reflection with Mirrors (her only Top 20 hit) and a Celebration of her gentle Femme folk albums. I've noticed she doesn't receive the recognition she truly deserves on ProgArchives (mainly because she's overshadowed by her famous younger brother Mike). Hopefully, this thread will change all that by featuring a favourite song from each of her seventeen albums. Sally's best-known song is of course Mirrors, an Easy-on-the-ears gentle folk refrain from her debut Water Bearer album. There's a certain Mystique attached to Sally Natasha Oldfield's albums, and my Instincts tell me that her Secret Songs will ignite The Flame of passion and Arrows of Desire for her music along The Enchanted Way. Her gorgeous songs are as varied and entertaining as the proverbial Three Rings in a circus on a Strange Day in Berlin.  1978: Water Bearer - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtXBvEpvqp-DTKG68ya-Jz8" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtXBvEpvqp-DTKG68ya-Jz8 |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: October 27 2023 at 02:08
Achtung Stanza! A rare German video of Sally und Mike Oldfield performing together on stage - so rare in fact that I found the video on YouTube when I wasn't even looking for it. To be honest, Sally and Mike are performing on two separate stages, but they're together in the same venue. Danke schoen und guten tag.  |