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Mike Oldfield: Earth Moving

 A l b u m   D e t a i l s


Label: Virgin Records
Released: 1989
Time:
 41:19
Category: Pop/Rock
Producer(s): Mike Oldfield, Daniel Lezeus
Rating: *******... (7/10)
Media type: CD
Web address: www.mikeoldfield.org
Appears with:
Purchase date: 1998.12.23
Price in €: 6,99



 S o n g s ,   T r a c k s


[1] Holy (Mike Oldfield) - 4:37
[2] Hostage (Mike Oldfield) - 4:09
[3] Far Country (Mike Oldfield) - 4:25
[4] Innocent (Mike Oldfield) - 3:30
[5] Runaway Son (Mike Oldfield) - 4:05
[6] See the Light (Mike Oldfield) - 3:59
[7] Earth Moving (Mike Oldfield) - 4:03
[8] Blue Night (Mike Oldfield) - 3:47
[9] Nothing But/Bridge to Paradise (Mike Oldfield) - 8:40

 A r t i s t s ,   P e r s o n n e l


MIKE OLDFIELD - Bass, Guitar, Percussion, Keyboards, Programming, Vocals (Background), Engineer, Main Performer, Horn Arrangements

DANIEL LAZERUS - Harp, Tambourine, Clavinet, Vocals, Producer, Horn Arrangements
ADRIAN BELEW - Guitar, Vocals
PHIL SPALDING - Fretless Bass, Vocals
RAPHAEL RAVENSCROFT - Saxophone
BOBBY VALENTINO - Violin

SIMON CLARKE - Kick Horn Section
SIMON GARDNER - Kick Horn Section
TIM SANDERS - Kick Horn Section
RODDY LORIMER - Kick horn section

MAGGIE REILLY - Vocals
ANITA HEGERLAND - Vocals
MAX BACON - Vocals
CHRIS THOMPSON - Vocals
NIKKI "B" BENTLEY - Vocals
CAROL KENYON - Vocals
PAUL LEE - Vocals
MARK WILLIAMSON - Vocals
LANCE ELLINGTON - Vocals
MAGGIE RYDER - Vocals
JACKIE CHALLENOR - Vocals
KEITH MURRELL - Vocals
SONIA JONES MORGAN - Vocals
CARL WAYNE - Vocals

 C o m m e n t s ,   N o t e s


LP: 1989 UK (Virgin V2610)
CD: 1989 UK (Virgin CDV 2610)
CD: 1990 US (Virgin 91270-2)
CD: 1997 NL (Disky VI 882352)

The German words at the beginning of "Hostage" are "Auf der Autobahn 2 von Hannover in Richtung Oberhausen" ("On highway 2 from Hannover going to Oberhausen.") The song refers to a real German incident where two bank robbers ended up killing one of their hostages.

Fish is credited on this album as he originally sang the lead vocal of "Far Country", but MO wasn't satisfied with his interpretation and went with Mark Williamson instead.



"I made Earth Moving in full cooperation with the record company. It was a record which they wanted. I didn`t have real problems with it, because I could experiment writing pop songs. Earth Moving is in my discography and I`m not ashamed of it."

Mike Oldfield about this album



Diese Musik muß man gehört haben. Sie kann als Maßstab für viele andere neuere Melodien und Texte angesetzt werden. Neben dem Titelsong sind vor allem das Stücke "Innocent" und "See the Light" empfehlenswert. Die Musik von Mike Oldfiel ist zeitlos schön, man kann mit ihr träumen oder Kraft für den nächsten Tag schöpfen. Obwohl die Aufnahmen aus dem Jahr 1989 stammen, merkt man ihnen die Jahre nicht an. Die Stimme des Altmeisters der Musikgeschichte kann den Hörer immer wieder beeindrucken. Seine Musik ist eine eigenwillige Mischung, die sich in kein Muster pressen läßt. Diese CD kann ich empfehlen, weil sie auch nach vielen Jahren gern gehört wird und nie verblaßt.



But not a good CD for first timers. Listening to Earth Moving requires an understanding of Oldfield's style and history, and the discerning listener must already have formed a connection with previous Oldfield albums in order to appreciate these simplistic songs. Mike Oldfield was truly a composer, in the best sense; his albums reflected '70's Britain's drug culture and the need for instant gratification that has become so prevalent, while rarely resorting to a drumset to hold down his beat. His early works are divided into short, song-like segments which flow quickly and smoothly into each other, with no repetition or reworking of thematic material, as if he was distracted by something, forgot where he was going, and never remembered. Those who have attention disorders, and those who use some hallucinogens, were, and still are, often drawn to his thought-pattern-like tune-switching. Each song of "Earth Moving" centers around a single short idea, which is stuffed awkwardly into the current popular form of verses, chorus, and bridge. Most listeners do not notice the elements of these songs which make them unusual: Oldfield's primary method of expression has always been the guitar, of which he is a master, and his style is unmistakable. Most listeners rely too heavily on the lyrics for understanding of a song-writer's meaning, which is why this album may let them down. Oldfield expresses his meaning in the music itself, while the lyrics are secondary to the sound of the whole. One senses Oldfield, bewildered by the world surrounding him, struggling to work with an art medium that is far more silly and shallow than he is. These songs echo the 1980's in every way. This is unfortunate; "See The Light," for instance, is reminiscent of any number of mediocre, monotone 80's rock ballads, and the listener's associations with that time cause most of us to skip to the next track. "Innocent" instantly calls to mind Cyndi Lauper, and is actually a very funny song, whether it was meant to be or not. However, Oldfield was at his best when attempting to capture the mystical, or experiences so fantastic they cannot be explained in words. "Far Country" captures the freshness of first love, or loss of virginity. "Nothing But" begins as a simple love song, but soon becomes an angelic hymn, as the listener seems to ascend into paradise. The same idea is contained in "Bridge To Paradise," (actually a continuation of the same CD track; a subtle use of technology to express a thematic idea) which first establishes the grim unhappiness of modern life, and then transports us across the bridge with some of the most heavenly and yet confusing chord progressions and sounds Oldfield has ever written. The title track is wonderfully uplifting, as a result of constantly ascending chords and rising vocal lines. Those who buy Oldfield's CDs are often disappointed upon their first few hearings. Despite their "pop" style, these songs (like most of his music) do not give instant gratification. Once the listener knows these songs, many of them will become favorites, and will never be forgotten. This is a characteristic of "classical" music, which is why I consider him one of the finest of modern composers.

A music fan from Phoenix, Arizona , July 15, 1999
 

 L y r i c s


HOLY

Harmony always, when I look around me
And your smile I see,
I can feel it surround me.
A miracle I find in your company.

One glance is all that I need.
What I was searching for, I've found it.

Can you believe it, I'm walking on water
And I'm high off the ground.
Must be some mystique that weaves it.
I'd never have thought of this power I've found.

One glance is all that I need.
What I was searching for, I've found it.
One look, and now I believe
I could just wrap my whole self around it.

[ Chorus ]

Holy, to me, just one glance is holy.
One touch of your heart, to me, that's holy.
Holy, to me, just one glance is holy.
One touch of your heart, to me, that's holy.

You've seen it, walking on water.
Miracles like you never seen before.

You've seen it, walking on water.
Miracles like you never seen before.

[ Repeat Chorus ]

[ Repeat Chorus ]

[ Repeat Chorus ]


HOSTAGE

You can't speak, you can't sleep.
You daren't move, you're confused.
You never talk, you can't walk.
You can't feel, you're not real.

If I open my eyes, just far enough,
I can see what you're doing.
Go on, fight to the end, it's tough enough
When you're on the road to ruin. Yeah!

[ Chorus ]

You're a hostage of the heart,
Twisted 'round the smallest finger.
Two burning eyes are tearing you apart,
Turn your soul into a cinder.

There's no rest, you're possessed.
You can't leave, you can't breathe.
The door slams, your head hangs.
You blank stare, you don't care.

If you open your eyes just far enough,
You see the street lamps flicker.
Go on, fight to the end, it's tough enough
When you know the end is bitter.

[ Repeat Chorus ]

You're number's up, you're eyes shut.
You're on the brink, you can't think.
You wanna run, but you're stunned.
You can't lie, you don't try.

If I open my eyes, look hard enough,
I see the blue light flashes.
Go on, fight to the end, it's tough enough,
Riding on the road to ashes.

[ Repeat Chorus ]

[ Repeat Chorus ]

I'm a hostage of your heart,
You can twist me 'round your finger.
Your burning eyes are tearing me apart.
Turn my soul into a cinder.
Boy, boy, hostage of your heart.
Can you twist me 'round your finger?


FAR COUNTRY

She takes the rain,
And turns it to sun,
And my soul, she fills it.
Where once was a desert,
Rivers now run
And my storm, she stills it.
She takes the rain.

[ Chorus ]

She breathes the air
From a far country.
This bond survives
Like a tall, tall tree.
I close my eyes
And how far I see....
She takes the rain.

She gives me hope
When there's nothing but pain.
I can't explain it.
Two different leaves,
But the branch is the same.
Forever, let it be....
She takes the rain.

[ Repeat Chorus ]

She takes the rain.

[ Repeat Chorus ]


INNOCENT

I know you'll never stay the same.
In time, most of us lose it.
But I'm hoping, just the same,
You'll shine and learn how to use it.

Speak to me, like the very first speak.
You are magnificent when you're innocent.
Laugh to me, like the very first laugh.
You are from heaven sent when you're innocent.

My hands hold you and you adore,
Blue eyes turn my direction.
Surprise in everything and your
Body moves in perfection.

Smile to me, like the very first smile.
You are magnificent when you're innocent.
Walk to me, like the very first walk.
You are from heaven sent when you're innocent.

Sunrise, here comes another day.
Cow jumps over the moon, now.
Sometime, you will look back and say,
"Today, I'll sing my own tune."

Sing to me, like the very first sing.
You are magnificent when you're innocent.
Laugh to me, like the very first laugh.
You are omnipotent when you're innocent.

Speak to me, like the very first speak.
You are magnificent when you're innocent.
Smile to me, like the very first smile.
You are from heaven sent when you're innocent.

Sing to me, like the very first sing.
You are magnificent when you're innocent.
Laugh to me, like the very first laugh.
You are omnipotent when you're innocent.


RUNAWAY SON

Good sister, won't you let me in?
I'm in need of some warmth and shelter.
It's a hard luck story, don't know where to begin.
I've been riding on life's helter-skelter.

Save me, Holy Mother, please, save me!
I got a heart of gold.

[ Chorus 1 ]

And for your love I'd go hungry and thirsty.
I need a saviour and you're the one.
I throw myself into the arms of mercy.
There's still hope for the runaway son.

My good father, he say to me:
"Better come back to your senses.
There's an empty bottle lying on the floor
And it's undermined your defences."

Save me, Holy Mother, please, save me!
I got a heart of gold.

[ Repeat Chorus 1 ]

[ Repeat Chorus 1 ]

Good brother, show me how to get home.
I've been walking in the backyard of Satan.
I'm so stubborn that I'll never give in,
But now my heart's cold and aching.

Save me, Holy Mother, please, save me!
I got a heart of gold.

[ Chorus 2 ]

And for your love I'd go hungry and thirsty.
I need a saviour and you're the one.
I throw myself into the arms of mercy.
Salvation for the runaway son.

Save me, Holy Mother, please, save me!
I got a heart of gold.

[ Repeat Chorus 1 ]

[ Repeat Chorus 2 ]


SEE THE LIGHT

I been waiting at this frontier
And it seems like a hundred years,
But I couldn't see past the gate.
I couldn't see past the hate.
Now I'm coming back to my senses.
I can see a light past the fences,
Standing at the borderline.
I've come to the end of the line.

Will-power, give me some to survive.
One more hour and I'm coming alive.
I can see the light.

[ Chorus ]

And there's blue sky breaking
Through the edge of the night.
I can see the light.
Ooh, I can feel the light.
Whoa-whoa! Whoa-whoa!

The most precious thing I possess
Is knowing the answer's yes,
And soon my liberty
Will be a reality.
I've been given a second chance.
I could open my arms and dance.
Open that barricade.
No longer I'm living afraid.

Will-power, give me some to survive.
One more hour and I'm coming alive.
I can see the light.

[ Repeat Chorus ]

Now I climb the steps to freedom.
The open gates, I can see them.
Hands that I once knew
Beckoning me through.
As the sunlight touch my face,
I can feel the warm embrace.
Arms surround me.
My life has found me.

Will-power, give me some to survive.
One more hour and I'm coming alive.
I can see the light.

[ Repeat Chorus ]

Whoa-whoa!
Ooh, I can see the light.

I can see the light
Coming in bright.
I can feel the light,
Freedom in sight.
Oh, I can see the light
Coming in bright.
I can feel the light.

I can see the light,
It's coming in bright.
I can feel the light,
Freedom in sight.
I can see the light.
Oh, I can feel the light.

I can see the light,
It's coming in bright.


EARTH MOVING

I hear a voice from paradise,
Looks like a new day dawning.
So clear, I just open my eyes.
Can't you hear the voice calling?

I feel a rush in the air tonight,
I can feel the Earth moving.
Love is a beacon, a guiding light.
Can't you feel the Earth moving?

[ Chorus ]

Feel the Earth move,
Now I'm wrapped in a sweet love's arms.
Reaching out for you.
There's something magic in the air tonight,
I can feel the Earth move.

And it moves me.
Can't you hear the voice calling?
Looks like a new day dawning.

Reach out - it's a leap in the dark,
But there's no danger of falling.
Give out, give it straight from the heart.
You feel like thunder rolling.

I feel a rush in the air tonight,
I can feel the Earth moving.
Love is a beacon, a guiding light.
Can't you feel the Earth moving?

[ Repeat Chorus ]

And it moves me.
Can't you hear the voice calling?
It feels like thunder rolling.

[ Repeat Chorus ]

[ Repeat Chorus ]

[ Repeat Chorus ]

[ Repeat Chorus ]


BLUE NIGHT

To the whole room, her eyes are numb
As she reads from a true love story.
From the pages of a book, her lover comes.
Her heart bleeds, it's a true love story.

Misty shape in the window by her bed,
Dreaming on what she's read.
Hero takes her hand and leads her through.
Who knows what this night will do?

[ Chorus ]

Only in the blue night, he comes to her
Only in the blue night.
That's when the whole night belongs to her,
Only in the blue night.

I see a dark face by the moon's glow
As she reads from a true love story.
Beckoning hand scratching at the window.
Her heart bleeds, it's a true love story.

Misty path and the night is endless.
She could be a queen or a desert princess.
Hero takes her hand and leads her through.
Who knows what this night will do?

[ Repeat Chorus ]

Only in the blue night,
Only in the blue night.
That's when the whole night belongs to her,
Only in the blue night.

She wants to break free
From the cold light of reality.
And as she drifts away,
I hear her voice say, "come away."

Dark skin glistening by the silver light.
This is the hero come tonight.
And taking her hand, he leads her through.
Who knows what this night will do?

[ Repeat Chorus ]

[ Repeat Chorus ]

Blue, blue night,
Only in the blue night.
Blue, blue night,
Only in the blue night.

Blue, blue night,
Only in the blue night.
Blue, blue night.


NOTHING BUT / BRIDGE TO PARADISE

Nothing But
You will have nothing but love,
Nothing but hope, blue sky above.
You will find nothing but peace,
Nothing but the sun shining on your face.

[ Chorus ]

When you open your eyes,
When you open your eyes.

You will feel nothing but free,
Nothing but trust, that's how it should be.
And one who cares about nothing but you,
Watching close by the whole night through.

[ Repeat Chorus ]

You will feel nothing but warm,
Nothing but shelter from the storm.
You will have nothing but rest,
Deep in your heart, nothing but the best.

[ Repeat Chorus ]

Nothing but love when you open your eyes.
Nothing but love when you open your eyes.

[ Repeat Chorus ]

Nothing but love when you open your eyes.
Nothing but love when you open your eyes.

[ Repeat Chorus ]

Nothing but love, nothing but love.
Nothing but love when you open your eyes.
Nothing but love when you open your eyes.
Ooh, nothing but love when you open your eyes.
Ooh, nothing but love when you open your eyes.


BRIDGE TO PARADISE

This town is just a fake,
A place where you can't tell the devil from your brother.
Poisoned every breath you take,
It's just like one nightmare after the other.

You know, it's not too late to leave tomorrow,
'Cause I know where I'm going.

[ Chorus ]

I am building a bridge to Paradise.
I am building a bridge to Paradise.

This town you can't control,
A place that fascinates, hits you with the drama.
Don't worry now for my soul
'Cause I'm heading for a higher panorama.

You know, it's not too late for you to follow,
'Cause I know where I'm going.

[ Repeat Chorus ]

[ Repeat Chorus ]

You know, it's not too late for you to follow,
'Cause I know where I'm going.

[ Repeat Chorus ]

[ Repeat Chorus ]

 M P 3   S a m p l e s


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