Mike Oldfield - The Lake

[tongle]

I think this is one of his best ever instrumental compositions. It always reminds me of sitting next to Lake Derwent, Keswick in the Lake District (UK) and is a very summery kind of tune.

Typically there is are a lot of themes introduced early on which come back at the end with altered accompaniment - I especially like the echoey flutey keyboard motif which opens the track and then appears at the end.

But by far the best bit is the final descending guitar tune - it honestly brings tears to my eyes every time - man!!! that Oldfield sure can make a guitar SING. He's is still - to my mind - the most underrated, underappreciated, underplayed musician of our time - the guy is a bleedin' genius!!!

[teermin8r]

What cd is this song off of?

[thehealingroad]

The Lake is on the album "Discovery" from 1984. I like this track very much, too. Oldfield is really kind of a genius. Unfortunately he makes not enough use of it in recent years.

[spewie]

Although I agree that the Lake is a wonderful song, I find the rest of the album to be way to pop for my tastes.

Also I have been collecting recent Mike Oldfield compositions, and I have to say I am still very much impressed, His CD 'Songs of Distant planet Earth' is one of his more creative compositions. And the releases of Tubular Bells II, III, and Miluneum Bell are some of my favorite CDs, taking us to all new landsacpes of Bell music, his use of an orchestra on Millineum Bell, is one of my favorite classical compositions I have heard lately.

I am still and Oldfield fan, and although he did a lot of pop during the 80's and 90's, I believe that the new Millenium has brought us a new side of Mike Oldfield you may have never heard!

[PFD]

I like Discovery. I like the way it blends his poppier stuff (some really good tracks on that), with his traditional longer compostions. The Lake is really good.

I like his shorter songs, and wish he goes back to writing some more of those.

I also think Songs of...is a great album. In fact most of Mike's work is really good. I thought he lost the plot a bit with Tres Luna, but his last one Light and Shade had a few good moments. Still, it seems he's going a bit too techno, club music of late.

[Yesspaz]

I actually enjoy most of Oldy's pop stuff. "Shine" blows, but things like "Tricks of the Light" and "Pictures in the Dark" are phenomenal.

Since SoDE he's been in a New Age vibe, like on Tres Lunas and Light+Shade. Enjoyable, but I like his guitar driven stuff better.

Anyone know details about the new one?