Hergest Ridge - MIKE OLDFIELD***

Part One/Part Two

Hergest Ridge was the follow up album from the multi instrumentalist Mike Oldfield. Unfortunately, meandering and unfocussed, it is rather a let down compared with its highly original predecessor. (US:87 UK:1)

“Hergest Ridge does not seem to have very big aspirations. There are no accumulations of instruments, no sophisticated arrangements, no funny or hit parts, just a restrained theme which is reiterated in numerous variations and, apart from the fast guitar section in part two, there prevails a calm, pastoral mood.”

“Mellow progressive rock with some symphonic and folk inspirations. Great melodies, rather mellow atmosphere, and at times it also feels like some kind of minimalist classical music. Feels quite experimental in a way, although it's rather well structured. Oldfield doing what he knows best with good results.”

“Hergest Ridge is more pastoral in nature than its predecessor, nostalgic and occasionally twee. But there's no mistaking Oldfield's perfect command of mood and ability to sustain tension across the course of an album.”

“If you are in the mood for something relaxing that doesn't require a whole lot of concentration, then this will fit the bill quite nicely. There's really nothing wrong with the performance, it's just that once a theme gets established, Oldfield just doesn't take it anywhere. He simply moves on to begin another theme, or returns to a previous one. After a while it becomes predictable, which leads to boredom.”

“Hergest Ridge is a very organic sounding album of mellow atmospheres and rustic charm. However I didn't find it particularly memorable, and somewhat boring in places, although there are some very enjoyable parts. Overall the album lacks distinction and offers very little to draw you back very often.”

“Here some of Oldfield's themes go on way too long. I can't deny that it's all well done, but being so close to new age music this is simply not for me.”

“Musically it is a stunning instrumental composed of two long tracks which both evoke a rich feeling of summertime and nature that is both warm and organic.”

“It is both soothing and stimulating, ideal for a meditative state. The long surge of developing melodies seem to echo the flow of an unspoiled, archaic landscape.”