Mike Oldfield
„Crises“Progressive Rock, Pop. Black Vinyl 1983

Genialer Composer, Multi-Instrumentalist. Seit 1973 bekannt für lange Tracks, fast immer alle Instrumente selbst eingespielt. Tubular Bells, Ommadawn, Hergest Ridge. Der Wechsel hin zu kommerzielleren Alben begann mit QE2, Five Miles Out und Crises (1983). Wobei Moonlight Shadow und Shadow on the Wall die bekanntesten Auskopplungen vom Album Crises sind. Damals hörte ich nur Seite 2. Heute nur noch Seite 1. Wobei der Long-Runner Crises allerdings auch seine Schwächen hat. Technisch ist das alles ohne Tadel.

“The Watcher and the Tower, Waiting Hour by Hour”. The long track “Crises” covers the entire side A and is a little reminiscent of Tubular Bells and it briefly picks up the melody of “Forreign Affair”. At times the track is very rocky for Mike Oldfield’s standards. According to Mike Oldfield, “Crises was created for my own satisfaction and side B for the satisfaction of the fans”. I didn’t ask Mike Oldfield to do this, although I thought side 2 was better at the time. The track “Crises” is still worth listening to today, apart from the vocal passages, which I think are superfluous. The rest is more commercial than we are used to from Mike up to 1983. Still the highlight and well done. Side two starts with “Moonlight Shadow”. A real pop song, sung by Maggie Reilly and of course in the charts. “High Places” is not my favourite and “Forreign Affair” sounds monotonous despite Maggie’s vocals. I don't understand what "Taurus 3" is about. A flamenco? Technically clean, but just doesn't fit the theme. "Shadow on the Wall" is simple rock, unmistakably Mike on the guitars. Sung by Roger Chapman's excellent voice. Side 2 is commercial through and through. However, Mr. Oldfield knew how to bring together good musicians. Commercial? Yes, but technically on top.

Side 1 great, side 2 ugh? Even highly commercial music by Mike Oldfield is technically and musically well done. I listen to both sides, start with side 2 and then look forward to “Crises”. I only really listen to side 2.

Mike Oldfield various instruments and vocals, Maggie Reilly, Jon Anderson and Roger Chapman vocals, Simon Philips drums and Phil Spalding on bass.

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