OMMADAWN

Ommadawn is Mike Oldfield's highest rated record here on Progarchives.

Personally, I believe that, although more varied, it does not reach the peaks of Tubular Bells (which remains his masterpiece).

On this record Oldfield's fusion becomes very daring, using a group of African percussionists, a small choir of children's voices, as well as a lot of orchestral and Irish folk instruments.

1. Ommadawn Part 1 (19:14)

It starts very slowly and frankly until 7 minutes, when the flute and acoustic guitars arrive, the piece is not musically inspired. After this change, there are flashy and fast changes of rhythm and arrangement, too fast, and only towards the end of the piece do we reach a climax of a certain beauty, when African percussion is added to Celtic folk song. The final with electric guitar, on the other hand, is not very inspired.

Rating 7.5 / 8

2. Ommadawn Part 2 (incl. "On Horseback") (17:07)

Part 2 begins with an insignificant electronic carpet that unfortunately continues for a long time, and the music becomes beautiful just when you hear the Paddy Moloney's Uillean pipes. Undoubtedly the folk acoustic moments, which follow the electric ones, make the album more interesting and save it from mediocrity.

Rating 7,5 /8.

Good album, with some peak but even with long uninspired passages.

Rating 7,5/8.

Three Stars.