Search - Mike Oldfield :: Exposed

Amazing

Bill R. Moore | New York, USA | 06/14/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Exposed is an amazing live record, that truly captures Mike Oldfield's talent, not only as a performer, but as an arranger, writer, and bandleader. The album begins with a nice run through Incantations (a little less than 50 minutes worth), which is a nice performance, and features some sparkling orchestral movements, and some beautiful guitar work from Mike. However, the highlight of this album is undoubtedly the live display of Mike's masterpiece, Tubular Bells. Being as the original was close to perfection, it would've been easy (and indeed, expected and perhaps satient) for him to lead his band up there on stage and perform the piece by the numbers, with little improvisation or change from the album. However, this is not what happens. The best part from the original are left without being raped, to be sure, (the only thing you could really complain about missing is the novel instrument introducing narraration), but there are many new twists and turns that a fan of the original will notice and appreciate. TB Part 1 is extended with a little jam at the end, and one of the nicest enchancements to the piece is the addition of a drummer (the album featuring only some light percussion.) This makes the piece more upbeat for the live setting, and also adds a nice punch to the midsection of TB Part I. The string and horn sections are nice additions, as well. However, TB Part II (which I never liked nearly as much as Part I, anyway) is considerably abbreviated, with the entire "Piltdown Man" section missing, which I cannot really complain about. A nice jam at the end more than makes up for it. Following the masterpiece is a nice, pleasurable run through Guilty. Highly reccommended for the Oldfield fan."

Killer version of "Tubular bells"

Mike Chadwick | Gdynia,Poland | 08/23/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Exposed" is a live album from 1978 world tour.Mike was promoting then his lates work "Incantations", so far his longest album ever.That's why the Incantations version contained here is short.if the whole 77 minutes of "Incantations" were contained on a live album then the original LP must have contained 3 LP.2 LP for whole Incantations and the other one for Tubular bells.
So that's why not 5 stars - "Incantations" from here are missing their finest moments (part 3 long guitar solo, Part 4 long african drums tune).yes, the performance is more dynamic and spontanic but Editing one of his finest works from 77 to 47 minutes is anoying.But the second disc saves "Exposed" - The performance of "tubular Bells" is simply amazing - with addition of Drums,funky bass and some Jazzy guitar solos "Tubular bells" are simply getting new taste. Sounding much different than original.I simply love it.The second part of it is lacking only Mike's crazy "caveman" vocal part, but still it sounds great...and "sailor's hornpipe" theme sounds even better than on original album.The ending song "Guilty" (interesting disco tune) signals Mike's new step into commercial music - "Incantations" from 1978 were his last long epic work for long years. Anyway, "Exposed" is mostly an interesting album for Oldfield fans.If you like and know "Tubular bells" or any of his other albums you will like it.oh - and get "Incantations" too!"

A dream concert

G. Poulin | Montreal | 03/03/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This albun include a funky live version of tubular bell (1) witch is surprising, different from the original, very good. It also include a compact live version of Incantation, very near to the original version. This concert is in the mind of all those lucky poeples who were there, about 20 musicians live, good songs, A dream concert !!!"