Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A decent collection, and good value, 16 Mar 2006
What, another Oldfield compilation? There are already plenty out there, none of which are flawless, some of which are bad. The existing Oldfield fan will own them all of course, for the smattering of B-sides, non-album A-sides and live tracks, and may wonder why they should look at this new Platinum Collection at all. But three discs running well over three hours is not something to complain about at this price. And many tracks are extended versions (like the superior version of 'Guilty', which was originally a blue vinyl 12" single), which sort of adds to the value. (This kind of thing offends die-hard music fans, who don't like shelling out just to get a rare track . . . )
As far as compilations go, this is far less sterile than normal. The selection seems to have been made intelligently (such as the 'Hergest Ridge' excerpt being the visionary first ten minutes of Part 1), and the fact Oldfield is given interview space in the booklet lends it a more friendly personality. I found myself enjoying tracks I've not usually liked before, in particular the songs from what is considered his 'career dip' in the 1980s (honestly though, what established artist DIDN'T dip in that dire decade?). One or two things deserve pointing out: 'Don Alphonso' is a mono recording - how on earth did that happen? 'The William Tell Overture' is lifted from the 'Elements' box and still sounds like a (decent) vinyl transfer with one audible tick. The booklet does have a variety of grammatical mistakes (Jerry Lordan wrote 'Wonderful Land', not 'Lardon'!!), including a mis-spelling of the liner note author's name (how embarassing, shoddy and sadly commonplace in this day and age!) - but nothing is as downright amateurish and factually incorrect as the notorious booklets on 'Elements' and the album remasters. On the plus side, there is a hidden track on disc two (a B-side), and the single-only 'Pictures in the Dark' is a gem. And despite this being a Virgin set (Oldfield quit from the label 15 years ago), post-Virgin tracks are included, such as 'To be Free' from the relatively recent 'Tres Lunas'.
As a nostalgic Oldfield fan, I can recommend it as I certainly don't feel ripped off by 'yet another compilation'- because, crucially, Oldfield is not being misrepresented to a new audience. So, new listeners, this is the best collection you can buy. Start here.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Perfect Introduction to Mike Oldfield, 14 Mar 2006
If you are new to Mike Oldfield this is the one to get and if like me you’re a true fan of Mike still get it. Why you may ask looking at the contents of the cd’s you say “ I’ve got them all,” what the track listings don’t tell you is a lot of the tracks are extended or twelve inch versions . Amazon please note
That is the reason I bought this tripple cd (extended & twelve inch versions mean more music). This box set showes Mikes diversety in music ranging frome complicated sections to single sections than any erlier complations for the very reasonable price.
If I had to pick the worst tracks they would be .
Don Alfonso this is more like a b side than an a side light harted and slightly amusing
Woodhenge this track in my view is boring and when I play Platinum I tend to skip this track.
And Millennium Bell I like this track on the original cd but on this it fades out before it is finished.
That’s three tracks out of forty six so I can’t complain really.
So in my view it’s worth buying if your new to Mike and if your familiar to Mike’s music the extended versions offer a different sound to some old singles.
After all it’s three cd’s for the price of one
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A wonderful comperlation, with a small correction, 5 Aug 2006
Just to correct one of the other reviewers, I don't know which Sally Oldfield Terry Alexander is refering to (both Mike's first wife and sister are called Sally), but neither of them sing on these songs. Tracks like Moonlight Shadow, Family Man, Mistake, and most others are performed by the wonderful Maggie Reilly.
I have almost all the other Mike Oldfield albums, but none of them contain extended versions or 12" mixs (some of which are better than the originals). This album is perfect for people who are just discovering Mike's work, and for completists.
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