Mike Oldfield – Ommadawn

For a 49 year old pressing, superbly quiet and sonically much superior to the quadrophonic 'Boxed' version I've had for much of those 49 years!

Stellar Pressing, bought for 5 quid at a market. words

Ommadawn part 1 is possibly Mike Oldfield's crowning moment, seeing his career it is timeless in every regard.

This CD sounds fine, good dynamics and with acoustic instruments popping out in the mix. A little bit harsh in louder parts especially around 4 mins in, the electric guitar sounds very grating. It has three tracks unlike earlier versions, On Horseback is a separate track 3.
No information on the inner booklet! Insane really as they could have copied the vinyl information.

The Boxed CD was issued in 1989 and is the 1976 mix. It opens with the soundscape a little distant with extra overtones and textures in high frequencies. The guitar is harsh again here at around the 4 min mark but not as bad as the original CD. It's a more atmospheric mix overall. Seems to be more reverb and echo. It's not like the original but not much different as say the Boxed mix of Hergest Ridge so it's hard to pin down. There is more bass for sure, not any noticeable compression. It's a very natural mix with very subtle details more audible.

The 2000 HDCD is a bit smoother in the louder parts, more tolerable thankfully. The mix is more open and enjoyable.
Only 2 tracks here. Better bass too but more compressed. Again the booklet is a missed opportunity as it's only filled with advertising the new 2000 Virgin catalog, cheesy sleeve notes and not a mention of any personnel that performed on the album! I prefer the sound to the original CD.

The 2010 remaster of the original mix has compression and is very noticeable right off the bat. Bass is fatter and the mix louder.
The guitar at around 4 is far better than on previous versions as it's compressed and easy on the ears. Details are good and it's more professional sounding here for some reason. Sounds like it was recorded recently and not in 1975!
Mike's new 2010 mix is in here too and it's again loud and more atmospheric. A little too loud. That guitar at around 4 is very angry and grating on the ears. The snare drum is more upfront at around 5 and sounds cool. The acoustic instruments are right in your ears here. The separation excellent. The finale on part one with the fast spiralling guitar work is powerful but the guitar is hidden too low in the mix as the drums mask it out. This seems deliberate as he did mix it himself! Paddy Moloney's pipes are very powerful and beautiful in part 2.
So, which one do you prefer?

Ommadawn is part 3 of the trilogy that started with Tubular Bells. It's a dark and often menacing work with some stunning guitar passages from the young Oldfield. The music gives the illusion of simplicity but don't be fooled, there's lots happening. I can imagine tribes chanting this music back in medieval times. It's very organic, very natural and draws from Celtic and English folk roots. At 55 all I can say is Mike Oldfield's music has made my life that bit better and I'd hate to die never having heard it at all.
At the risk of being a dork, this pressing is a little on the quiet side but it's clear and detailed with good separation. Vinyl is not a perfect format so it's luck of the draw when it comes to pressings. At the end of the day it's the music that counts.

Got this from a record store in Long Island a few years back, and I only remember the 5.1 tracks on the DVD only being Dolby Digital, no lossless or DTS options. Regardless, it's a good album, and even though I would prefer the quadrophonic mix as a selection, the three mixes as they are are fine.

Incredible sounding LP of my fave Oldfield album. You can actually hear music BEHIND you on this thing. Perfect stereo-mix, great pressing quality.

Side A is an absolute masterpiece, Side B is good also but i never completely warmed up with it.
The pressing is flat and silent and the overall sound is fantastic.

Very nice pressing with George Piros mastering the lacquer cut. Minimal surface noise, full bass, very dynamic.

Just acquired a copy with PROMOTION COPY ONLY printed on both labels.