Healthy Living Books Music

Rating: - A great album
Mike's music never ages, even if the generous use of synths on Crisis points to the 80s. Every Oldfield album seems to have a technological edge to it which for me makes them a joy to listen to. Starting with a simple and perhaps irreverent tune, the layers of music build and interweave before a moody and seriously catchy title melody `Crises'. At this point I'm aggressively nodding my head - excellent stuff. Again more clever tunes with a dark edge juxtaposed with some gloriously sweet melodies carried by Mike's guitar. The layers of music build once again before a stirring finale which ends with appropriate abruptness followed by a reprise of the simple tune as an after-thought. The title track reminds me of the Taurus suite which again is excellent. Side Two contains some of Mike's best ever vocal tracks, Moonlight Shadow and the wonderfully moody and catchy Shadow on the Wall. Another great Oldfield album you will keep returning to.

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Rating: - Very Good Work
This is a great album from Mike Oldfield with strong tracks and has the fantastic Moonlight Shadow on it with Maggie Reilly on top form,other vocalists on the album are the superb Jon Andersson and the superb Roger Chapman front man from the band Family.I own twelve Mike Oldfield albums and class Crisis as one of the best.It flows along at a fair pace.The remastering work on cd is great and gives you fantastic sound quality so be assured your getting a great copy of the album.If you like vocals on Mike Olfields works you might want to check out the albums Discovery and Islands both great albums with excellent remasteting work done on them.
Hope this review helps you in some way.

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Rating: - An onslaught!
The last movement of Track 1, lasting about 8 mins, is an onslaught of a piece of music. When I first heard it, back in 1985, I was blown away. And today, in 2008, I still haven't heard anything that comes up to par. Intricate Oldfield layers wave upon wave in an electronic soundscape, combining his unique guitar shrill, that is breathtaking in its conception, structure and execution - and all driven along by the mesmerising force of Simon Phillips on drums. I don't know how many times I've heard it, yet it simply doesn't date. Indeed, this piece will always live in the future. The man truly is a genius. Yes, he's had a few duffs, but then all people of genius will. Then, when you least expect it, they come up with a gem that blows your socks off.

And in case you think the word 'genius' gets banded around too easily, go check The Songs of Distant Earth. For all his issues, the man is blessed. Thanks, Mike - for coming up with music to dream to.

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Rating: - Lifetime favourite
This is an album i've grown up with, one found amoungst my fathers vast collection of vinyl (at the age of 9) alongside the likes of Pink Floyd - Shine on you crazy diamond & Poco - Rose of Cimarron ... thanks pa :)

The main track of the album is the title track Crises, which despite having some dodgy lyrics (some weird man chanting 'Crises'), is one of the most engrosing melodies of modern times - fluctuating in tone and encapturing in its travel.

Then there's my personal favourite 'Moonlight Shadow', with lyrics from Maggie Riley. I'd forgotten just how good this track was until i heard it on Radio 2 this morning =) thanks Tegs.

The only other track worth a mention from memory (i haven't heard the album in over 10 years!!) is Foreign affair, another beautifully sung track from Ms Riley.

I recall spending many evenings in front of the pioneer hi-fi, ear goggles on .. TV only has so much appeal after all hey !!

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Rating: - Mystery missing track
For some reason, the excellent Foreign Affair, featuring vocals by Maggie Reilly, isn't included on the album's tracklisting, though there is a reference to it on the CD booklet. Puzzling.

Moonlight Shadow is the track most people know, as it was released as a single. Foreign Affair wasn't - at least, not in the UK - but its insistent metronome rhythms later saw it adopted by the rave generation. In my view, would have made a great one-off 7-inch at the time the album was released. Oh well. In any case, this album is a stimulating and varied listen, even if the title track is a bit sub-Pink Floyd.