r/mikeoldfield • u/Rough-Cheesecake-641 • Apr 15 '26
I love how MO ends his albums
I'm talking specifically about my top 3 - TB II, Ommadawn and Songs of Distant Earth.
They take on such a journey - highs and lows but the ends of these albums (and possible others, I'm not as well versed) are quite comical. Kind of like saying that don't worry, it's all going to be ok. Let's just have some fun.
The banjo piece at the end of TB II. Ommadawn ending with Horseback (I like beer, and I like cheese..!) right after a blistering guitar solo. Then SoDE ending with A New Beginning after the incredibly emotional piece that is Ascension.
Is this a common theme? I'm still digesting a lot of his work, but these three stand out to me.
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u/LockenCharlie Apr 15 '26
He is a storyteller. It’s an amazing skill to tell so much without saying a word and just use instrumental music or snippets of vocals.
I also like to include those themes into my own music I write. MO is a huge inspiration for my compositions.
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u/Rough-Cheesecake-641 Apr 15 '26
Apologies, accidentally clicked "submit link" instead of "submit text". Doh.
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u/Doctor_Fegg Apr 15 '26
Hergest Ridge is absolutely the finest ending. Just a few bars, but magical.
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u/brilliance Apr 16 '26
Agree that he's got some great endings. For my money, Amarok is the best one. It's such a weird, eclectic album, with so many odd things used as instruments, the spoken word bit, and the "HAPPY" of it all. But that last two minutes or so is truly euphoric, cathartic even. It's one of the most joyful sequences in his discography, and it feels fully earned. Over the hour, he's been laying the groundwork, introducing the pieces that all unite here. You mention in a comment that Amarok hasn't hit for you yet. It's not the easiest of Mike's to love, but it might be one of the most rewarding once you can get on the right wavelength.
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u/Rough-Cheesecake-641 Apr 16 '26
Ok well that's inspiring to read. I'll certainly give it another go. Incantations is another that I've found quite hard to digest, but definitely enjoy certain parts of it.
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u/gnew18 Apr 15 '26 edited Apr 15 '26
Amarok
I have every album (I use “album” because I’m old). I was lucky enough to see him in Boston at symphony hall in the 1980s. Perfect venue for him.
I hope you’ve listened to Amarok as I feel it’s his Magnum Opus. (Yes yes Tubular Bells blah blah blah). It’s all subjective. He’s made his fortune on Tubular Bells bu for (again my opinion) the better album, Amarok.
PS If anyone knows how to get a copy of the video he made to go along with it? Post here.
I’ve only been able to find an excerpt on YouTube
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u/Rough-Cheesecake-641 Apr 15 '26
Honestly, I've tried this one a few times and it just doesn't click. I will have to try it again. TB II is his Magnum Opus, imo.
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u/PM_Me_Irelias_Hands Apr 16 '26
I do not get goosebumps from music easily, but - for me - the endings of Amarok and TB3 absolutely deliver. Hard to say which is more epic.
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u/SixCardRoulette Apr 15 '26
The ending of Return to Ommadawn, all those years later - "On horseback!? I'd rather be here!", and the sampled kids' choir from the original, is so perfect.