Mike Oldfield: Live at Montreux (1981/DTS)

 

Picture: C+     Sound: B     Extras: C-     Program: B+

 

 

No matter what Mike Oldfield’s name will always be synonymous with the classic and unforgettable music that perfectly set the tone for The Exorcist.  His Tubular Bells is without a doubt a masterpiece in its own right.  For those that really enjoy that particular album than the SACD of the original Tubular Bells is a must!  However, a great companion piece is this concert DVD of Mike Oldfield playing at the great Montreux Jazz Festival during his 1981 European tour, which was to help promote his recent QE2 album.  What is important to mention at this point is that Oldfield was a master craftsman inside the studio, but somehow he managed to emerge from that behind-the-scenes role and for a short time became a front-man for a band, which comprised of two percussionists, a bass player, a keyboardist, Maggie Relly on vocals, and Oldfield playing guitar and vocals. 

 

It should also be noted that this particular concert contains his material from QE3, Platinum, Ommadawn, and Tubular Bells.  It’s probably fair to say that watching this performance will help give a greater appreciation to the man behind the music and is far more memorable.  Not only that, but the complexity of the music is shaped here and far more developed, which only helps.  Oldfield was well ahead of his time and his influence can be greatly heard in some of the more progressive and experimental music that has since come along.

 

Track Listing:

 

Intro

QE3 Medley: Taurus 1/Sheba/Mirage

Platinum Parts 1-4

Tubular Bells, Part 2

Medley: Conflict/Ommadawn

Tubular Bells, Part 1

Punkadiddle

 

 

It’s probably fair to say that Oldfield is one of the few geniuses to emerge from the 70’s who was essentially the brains behind the band with the exception of probably Alan Parsons Project.  The content here is quite deep and this is the type of program that mainly appeals to those that are taken in by the music and musicianship rather that most concerts that are more about the mood. 

 

The full-frame image looks good and accurate depicts the age and time of this particular concert.  There is a limit to the level of depth and detail, but that’s forgivable.  The main concern here is the sound, which comes via Dolby Digital 5.1, PCM stereo, and DTS 5.1.  My preferred choice here is actually the PCM stereo.  For some reason this way feels a bit more natural, despite the fullness that is delivered from the DTS mix.  The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix falls way short of acceptable with the mix feeling very flat and empty.  The DTS is full and rich, but the PCM seems to deliver a more authentic reproduction.  For that reason it’s probably a more listener preference thing than anything else, so at least having the 3 options is great!  Eagle Vision does things right in that regard for sure! 

 

What else can be said about this terrific DVD?  There is a short write up inside the booklet that adds a nice touch, but it would have been great to get more ‘extras’.  The concert however runs 113 minutes and is worth every second!  So don’t sweat the fact that there aren’t a lot in the way of extras.

 

 

-   Nate Goss