Mike Oldfield
„Hergest Ridge“
CD, Remaster, Reissue. 2010 (1974). Folk, Art Rock, Rural Ambient.

It's said that as a prog head, you can't avoid Mike Oldfield in his early phase. When I first encountered Hergest Ridge in the early '80s after the album Tubular Bells, I was completely blown away by side A. I only listened to side B once. Not that Part II starts off badly. So why the annoying break "Thunderstorm"? This section doesn't fit the overall mood and, for me, ruins Part II. Of course, I appreciate it when a musician considers their own enjoyment, and there are plenty of prog heads who like such breaks. It's just not to my taste. And I struggle to categorize this album as prog. A wide variety of instruments is also a prog element, but only one. I simply find it a shame how the beautiful, "rural" ambience is destroyed for me in Part II. Of course, I'm committing a grave sacrilege here for some MO devotees, and I'm aware of that. But since I don't believe in "one true music," it's not a tragedy for me. The success of Hergest Ridge at least proves MO right.

Many probably expected a second Tubular Bells. But the shy young Oldfield was very surprised by the success of that album. Richard Branson and Virgin were too. So MO retreated to Hergest Ridge to create this album. In 2010, MO remastered Hergest Ridge, as he was not technically satisfied with the original 1974 album. This remaster is reviewed here.

Unfortunately, Universal does not allow linking to the official Mike Oldfield website without permission. Why Universal would refuse to allow one of the fundamental tools of the internet without permission is beyond me. I object to this, therefore, there is unfortunately no link.

There's no question that MO is a virtuoso on various instruments. That he can create works like "classical compositions." And that he did so at a very young age. "Hergest Ridge Pt. I" reflects this. I find this style, which I call "rural ambient," very appealing. Blue skies, green meadows, babbling brooks. And somewhere a lovely nymph sits by the spring. And then comes Pt. II. It starts off nicely. Then the break. Which, in my opinion, prevents the potential complete work of art. I also have my issues with the guttural, nonsensical grunting in "Tubular Bells," but that's another story. 

Generally, I think it's good when a musician follows through with their ideas. As a "fan," I have no right to expect that I have to like it. And even for his commercial escapades (Moonlight Shadow), I take my hat off to him. Successful and technically sophisticated pop music—not everyone can pull that off. I respect Mike Oldfield and his work. It's just that "Hergest Ridge Pt. II"—even 46 years later, I still can't warm to it.

The photos are all from my CD. The rights to all motifs, logos, texts and fonts that can be seen in the photos are of course owned by the copyright holder.

No AI was used in the making of this Review.
©26.08.2026