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Mike Oldfield - Elements: Mike Oldfield 1973-1991 (1991)

Track listing:
CD1
  1. Tubular Bells (Part One) 25:31
  2. Tubular Bells (Part Two) 23:22
  3. In Dulci Jubilo 2:51
  4. Portsmouth 2:03
  5. Vivaldi Concerto In C 3:53
CD2
  1. Ommadawn Part One 19:19
  2. On HorseBack 3:26
  3. William Tell Overture 3:56
  4. Argiers 4:01
  5. First Excursion 5:57
  6. Sailor's Hornpipe 1:35
  7. Incantations Part One 12:20
  8. I'm Guilty 4:03
  9. The Path 3:31
  10. Blue Peter 2:08
  11. Woodhenge 4:07
  12. Punkadiddle (Live) 5:38
  13. Polka (Live) 3:34
CD3
  1. Platinum 3 & 4 8:03
  2. Arrival 2:47
  3. Taurus 10:18
  4. QE2 7:39
  5. Wonderful Land 2:51
  6. Sheba 3:33
  7. Five Miles Out 4:17
  8. Taurus II 8:00
  9. Family Man 3:46
  10. Mount Teidi 4:13
  11. The Peak 3:25
  12. Crises 5:25
  13. Moonlight Shadow 3:37
  14. Foreign Affair 3:54
CD4
  1. Shadow On The Wall 5:10
  2. Taurus III 2:26
  3. Crime Of Passion 3:38
  4. Jungle Gardenia 2:44
  5. To France 4:44
  6. Afghan 2:46
  7. Tricks Of The Light 3:56
  8. Etude 3:07
  9. Evacuation 5:13
  10. Legend 2:24
  11. Islands 4:19
  12. The Wind Chimes Part One 2:29
  13. Flying Start 3:36
  14. Magic Touch 4:14
  15. Earth Moving 3:59
  16. Far Country 4:25
  17. Holy 3:45
  18. Amarok 6:18
  19. Heaven's Open 4:28

Notes

Elements is a beautifully packaged four-CD box set that essentially covers every aspect of Mike Oldfield's 20-year span as a multi-instrumentalist. The discs are housed in a sturdy, oversized slip case with an extensive booklet containing biographical information, as well as a breakdown of each of the instruments used throughout the 15 albums represented. Disc one offers up the entire Tubular Bells album, but also harbors four more tracks, ending with a peculiar version of Vivaldi's "Concerto in C." The second CD begins to illustrate Oldfield's artistic prowess, with gems like "Incantations," "William Tell Overture," and a live version of "Punkadiddle," recorded during his 1980 European tour. The third disc demonstrates his love for hard, impacting rhythms and also his skill at being romantic and mysterious. The thunderous guitar of "Five Miles Out" packs a wallop, and the abstract instrumental work in "Taurus" is sure to please. On the other side of the coin, songs like "Moonlight Shadow" and "Foreign Affair" cast an alluring spell by way of his delicate string work. On the last disc, Oldfield's dexterity shines brightly with 19 tracks showcasing a multitude of different instrumental patterns and arrangements. "The Wind Chimes" is simply mesmerizing, and "Tricks of the Light" is a dazzling display of keyboards and meandering guitar. The disc wraps up with the bombastic fire of "Holy" and the intense excitement of "Heaven's Open." Each of Mike Oldfield's individual albums do transmit a genuine feel and emit an aura all their own, involving a certain musical feel and authentic atmosphere true to that one piece. Elements is a delectable journey through new age's most gifted artist, presenting bits and pieces of his gifted work all in one place.