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QE2

Artist: Mike Oldfield
Label: Epic
Catalog#: FE 37358
Format: Vinyl
Country: United States
Released: 1980
Tracklist
A1 Taurus 1 10:17
  Notes:

Drums - Phil Collins
Drums [African] - Mike Frye
Mandolin, Bass Guitar, Synthesizer, Banjo, Harp [Celtic], Drums [Machine], Timpani, Electric Guitar, Bass [Pedals], Piano, Other [Claptrap], Vocoder - Mike Oldfield
Synthesizer - David Hentschel
Vocals - Maggie Reilly

A2 Sheba 3:32
  Notes:

Drums - Phil Collins
Vocals - Maggie Reilly
Words By, Vocoder, Electronic Drums [Syndrums], Other [Chair], Drums [African], Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar, Synthesizer - Mike Oldfield

A3 Conflict 2:48
  Notes:

Drums - Morris Pert
Drums [African], Timpani - Mike Frye
Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar - Mike Oldfield
Piano, Synthesizer - Tim Cross

A4 Arrival 2:45
  Notes:

Arranged By [Strings And Choir] - David Bedford
Choir - English Chorale
Drums, Synthesizer - David Hentschel
Electric Guitar, Drums [African], Harp [Celtic], Bass Guitar, Mandolin, Guitar [Spanish], Synthesizer, Vocoder, Other [Arboriginal Rhythm Sticks] - Mike Oldfield
Strings [Leader] - Richard Studt
Vocals - David Hentschel
Vocals - Maggie Reilly
Vocals - Mike Oldfield
Written-By - Benny Andersson
Written-By - Björn Ulvaeus

B1 Wonderful Land 3:37
  Notes:

Arranged By [Strings] - David Bedford
Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar, Synthesizer, Drums [African], Marimba, Mandolin, Vibraphone, Guitar [Spanish] - Mike Oldfield
Strings [Leader] - Richard Studt
Synthesizer [Cs80 Steel Drum], Synthesizer [French Horn] - David Hentschel
Written-By - Jerry Lordan

B2 Mirage 4:39
  Notes:

Arranged By [Horns] - David Hentschel
Tenor Saxophone - Phil Todd
Trombone - Paul Nieman
Trumpet - Guy Barker
Trumpet - Raul D'Oliveira
Vibraphone, Synthesizer, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar, Timpani, Vocoder - Mike Oldfield
Vocoder, Drums - Mike Frye

B3 QE2 7:39
  Notes:

Arranged By [Horns], Drums, Synthesizer - David Hentschel
Drums, Timpani, Tambourine - Mike Frye
Synthesizer, Guitar [2 X Speed Guitar], Electric Guitar, Bass [Pedals], Bass Drum, Timpani, Tambourine, Mandolin, Gong, Bagpipes [Northumbrian], Bass Guitar - Mike Oldfield
Tenor Saxophone - Phil Todd
Trombone - Paul Nieman
Trumpet - Guy Barker
Trumpet - Raul D'Oliveira
Vocals - Maggie Reilly
Written-By - David Hentschel

B4 Celt 3:04
  Notes:

Drums [African], Timpani, Cymbal [Hit-hat] - Mike Frye
Synthesizer, Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar - Mike Oldfield
Vocals - Maggie Reilly
Words By, Piano, Synthesizer - Tim Cross

B5 Molly 1:13
  Notes:

Vocoder, Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar - Mike Oldfield

Credits

Engineer [Assistant] - Pete Greenslade
Engineer [Assistant] - Simon Johnston
Other [Technical Advice] - Richard Barrie
Producer, Engineer - David Hentschel
Producer, Engineer - Mike Oldfield
Written-By - Mike Oldfield

Notes

Released with credits printed on inner sleeve.
All titles published by Virgin Music (Publishers) Ltd.
Except track A4: BOCU Music Ltd., track B1: FD & H Ltd., track B3: Virgin Music (Publishers) Ltd./David Hentschel Music Ltd.
Printed in Western Germany by Mohndruck Graphische Betriebe GmbH, Gütersloh

Strawberry Bricks Entry: 
For his next record, Oldfield assembled a new cast, including Genesis producer David Hentschel, vocalist Maggie Reilly and keyboardist Tim Cross. The opening "Taurus 1" clicks away under a pulsing drum-machine until the rhythm section of Phil Collins and Mike Frye kick in, revealing a potent rocker. It's got that Oldfield vibe: slightly folky, slightly progressive yet adorned with a battery of keyboards and his unique guitar tone as well. "Sheba," again with Collins on drums, features Reilly on vocoder. Her vocal contribution is integral to the album: It's mostly wordless, which helps define the record. "Conflict" comes across just as one would expect: Oldfield's guitar soaring above the drum patterns of Frye and Morris Pert. Two cover versions come next, with Abba's "Arrival" closing the first side, and The Shadows' "Wonderful Land" opening the second. Oldfield does a great job of appropriating the material; and with the help of longtime collaborator David Bedford, he also tailors them to fit with his original material. "Mirage" sounds familiar, copping a riff seemingly straight from his "Tubular Bells," yet one that's filled out with a horn section. The title track, named after Cunard Line's ocean liner, is another big composition, with a rousing chorus and double-speed guitar. The album closes with the delicate "Molly," dedicated to Oldfield's daughter. Ultimately though, it is Hentschel's production that makes the album a curious mix of new technology and old world themes. The album charted in the UK, rising to No. 27; and the following year saw Oldfield hit the road for his European Adventure Tour with Reilly, Frye, Cross, Pert and guitarist Rick Fenn from 10cc.
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