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 |
||
| A2 | Sheba | 3:32 | |
| Notes: |
Drums - Phil Collins |
||
| A3 | Conflict | 2:48 | |
| Notes: |
Drums - Morris Pert |
||
| A4 | Arrival | 2:45 | |
| Notes: |
Arranged By [Strings And Choir] - David Bedford |
||
| B1 | Wonderful Land | 3:37 | |
| Notes: |
Arranged By [Strings] - David Bedford |
||
| B2 | Mirage | 4:39 | |
| Notes: |
Arranged By [Horns] - David Hentschel |
||
| B3 | QE2 | 7:39 | |
| Notes: |
Arranged By [Horns], Drums, Synthesizer - David Hentschel |
||
| B4 | Celt | 3:04 | |
| Notes: |
Drums [African], Timpani, Cymbal [Hit-hat] - Mike Frye |
||
| 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.
