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dazzler Group: Members Posts: 103 Joined: June 2009 Posted: June 23 2009, 17:01 QE2 is one of Mikes underestimated albums. I wondered how an ultimate rerelease of that album would look like. Which bonus tracks should be on it? Should we include lyrics, liner notes and some nice photographs? TRACKLIST Taurus 1 Sheba Conflict Arrival Wonderful Land Mirage QE2 Celt Molly Polka (live) The Path I don't know if there should be more bonus material added. Their are live versions of Sheba and Mirage on The Complete compilation. I think acoustic approach of The Path might fit the album. But maybe Polka is enough ... its sounds like an excellent coda. Back to top

dazzler Group: Members Posts: 103 Joined: June 2009 Posted: June 27 2009, 17:33 I'm gonna burn me the QE2 album. This has always been a very strange Oldfield album to me. It's an obvious goodbye to the 70s style (Platinum already was), but it's also an introduction to Mikes 80s style. There's the famous guest drummer, the synthesizers, the shorter tracks and ofcourse the voice of Maggie Reilly. Unfortunately there are also the covers. We already knew North Star (Philip Glass) and I Got Rhythm (George Gershwin) on Platinum. This time Mike brings us a poor Abba revival on Arrival. Mikes version adds nothing to the original version. But Wonderful Land is a nice tribute to The Shadows. There's that weird drum sound on Conflict and Celt. When Celt has a haunting melody and good guitar solo, Conflict seems to reveal Mikes achilles heal. The conflict he's referring to might be his own search for a new direction. QE2 is a good piece of music, but fails to touch me. Mirage is one of the better tracks here. The almost jazzy mix of that guitar theme and brass really works. Molly is just a coda. For me the real winners on QE2 are Taurus 1 and Sheba. I also like to play them together, because I like the vocal chant on Sheba (reminding me of Mikes older work) following Taurus. It's like Maggies singing replaced the guitar melody on Sheba. Taurus 1 is my favourite one of the trilogy. I can't but think about the ship on the sleeve. It's like the soundtrack to the cruiseships adventure. There's a lot of "rocking on the waves" going on. There's even a bit where you get the idea to be on the deck of a ship at night, looking at the stars. That's where the starsign Taurus comes into picture for me. Polka is one of the best b-sides Mike ever did. This traditional is played in a brilliant hardrocking way. In the final part you could imagine to hear Big Country or ZZ Top play. I like to add The Path (b-side of Shine), a 1979 recording. The acoustic guitar (Molly) and the glockenspiel (like twinkling stars of a starsign (Taurus)) connects it with QE2. That's how I feel about it ofcourse. Back to top

Dirk Star Group: Members Posts: 1331 Joined: Sep. 2007 Posted: June 27 2009, 19:05 Yeah QE2 is a strange album,but when you run through all those tracks like that you`ve just reminded me how brilliant it actualy is.Taurus 1 is also my favourite of the trilogy,lots of goosebumps on that one.And Sheba as well is right up there for me,especialy when Phil Collins comes in the whole thing really lifts off.Conflict I can take or leave to be honest,(especialy the middle bit)But I`m actauly very fond of Mike`s cover of Arrival. Side Two again starts off very strong with the first two tracks for me.Wonderful Land is a great cover,and I`ve long thought Mirage is very under-rated.It`s pretty simplistic by Mike`s standards back then,but I love it when his guitar gets close to breaking point there...(I`m running out of frets,aaarrgghh!!!..QE2 itself is very joyous & exuburent,and has actauly brought me close to tears a few times.Celt has been lengthily debated here recently,but for me it`s just an average song that could`ve been recorded a whole lot better.The guitar solo is magnificent though.And Molly`s just a nice little piece to end it on I think,very heartfelt. Extra tracks..I think I would sooner lose Polka rather than The Path which I like a lot.But then being honest I think I also have a bit of a personal bias against Polkas in general.It`s possibly a Jim Reeves thing maybe??...I`d hate to think it was something more sinister. Back to top

dazzler Group: Members Posts: 103 Joined: June 2009 Posted: June 27 2009, 19:36 Well, I'm off to bed now, not without listening to QE2 though. Back to top

ex member 419 Group: Members Posts: 1177 Joined: April 2008 Posted: June 28 2009, 10:18 arrival and wonderful land were my favourites on qe2, didnt like this album as much as later releases, but  a cheerful album none the  less, deb Back to top

HRFanUSA Group: Members Posts: 128 Joined: May 2009 Posted: July 15 2009, 18:44 I agree that QE2 is one of Oldfield's understated albums. I purchased the LP when it was released and immediately started playing it, hoping for another TB or HR sensation. Of course that didn't happen, lol, but I did eventually start enjoying many of the tracks - and then - QE2 goes into the stack of LPs I listen to only occasionally. Same feelings when I purchased the CD release though I did enjoy not hearing the vinyl artifacts. I've always thought QE2 sounds compressed and lacks dynamics, if not a bit congested in several places. I still get that impression today regardless of the volume I play it at. On a very positive note, I LOVE the track QE2!!!! From it's humble beginning to the vibrant and joyful climax, I think this is one of Oldfield's finest moments, musically. I feel his energy, confidence, joy and elation in this track, and as someone else pointed out on this thread - the track has brought a few tears through the years, and still does. I'm going out on a limb here but as far as an Ultimate QE2 Edition - BRING ON THE REMIXES! I'd love to hear Mike rework every track (as bonuses, of course, in addition to the originals,) giving them the "2009" treatment he did with TB... I'd also like the actual CDs to have the original LP record label art printed on them... Where can I place my order? Back to top

The Caveman Group: Members Posts: 2178 Joined: Jan. 2008 Posted: July 16 2009, 10:00 It's certainly a strange one.In format it's a bit like he was thinking "Ok i've done long instrumentals,I've done side long instrumentals and a few shorter bits and songs so what's left?Ah lots of short instrumentals!".I do enjoy it though but i have to be in the mood.I classify it as one of the 3 early 80's albums (along with FMO and Crises)that marked a high point after which he started (IMO of course)to lose his way (possibley Discovery was the last one i guess)untill Amarok.   It is a great one for sitting down with a guitar and trying to figure it out.  Regarding the production it does suffer a bit from being a bit of compressed and some of the distorted guitar sounds sound a bit fizzy and synthetic in comparison to the sounds on Platinum and then FMO.I don't know what it is.It's not the guitars (Either the SG,Les Paul Junior or the L6S and the Tele for the clean bits.It sounds like a strat but i don't think he got one till the sunburst one on Moonlight Shadow)or the amps (Twin,Mesa Boogie)as he used all these on Platinum and at least the Tele,SG and the LP and certainly the Boogie on FMO.I sounds more fuzzy than overdriven and not all that convincing. -------------- THE COMING OF THE GREAT WHITE HANDKERCHEIF IS NIGH. Back to top

Incantations Group: Members Posts: 157 Joined: May 2010 Posted: July 12 2010, 03:14 I know this is kinda the wrong time and place to say this buuuuut... Dazzler, your posts look like long poems -------------- Hmm... Back to top

captainjjb Group: Members Posts: 310 Joined: Feb. 2006 Posted: July 12 2010, 08:59 Quote (Incantations @ July 12 2010, 03:14) I know this is kinda the wrong time and place to say this buuuuut... Dazzler, your posts look like long poems yes you're right, try singing along to Hiawatha and reading the post out loud - it nearly works! Back to top

IrvingProg Group: Members Posts: 13 Joined: May 2012 Posted: June 14 2012, 06:16 Overnight, Amazon UK have added listings, indicating a release date of 23rd July.   Formats include 1-Disc CD, 2- Disc DeLuxe Edition and Vinyl for both Platinum and QE2.   They haven't as yet posted any track details for either title. Back to top

dazzler Group: Members Posts: 103 Joined: June 2009 Posted: June 15 2012, 03:26 An official link. QE2 deluxe I wonder if Polka (the Arrival b-side and a live version) is the same recording als Polka in the live set on CD2 of Platinum deluxe? Shiva seems to be a lost track, but it could be another version of Sheba. There wasn't much bonus material from the QE2 sessions, so I believe this is the best deal we could get, also including the Wonderful Land single version edit. Looks complete. Another live setlist on the second bonus disc and no dvd.<a href="http://">My Webpage</a> Back to top

pilotfish Group: Members Posts: 32 Joined: Jan. 2012 Posted: July 25 2012, 21:18 such a shame to have no 5.1 with incantations, and now qe2 and platinum are the same... I wish they will find the multitrack tapes for Five Miles Out,Crises and Discovery !!!! edit : come on Richard ! give Mercury records the tapes back ! second edit : from amazon.fr > the bonus disc on the deluxe edition that will be published on 30 july will consist of highlights from Essen 1981 show (someone know if it was recorded by rockpalast tv show?) Back to top

AlexS Group: Members Posts: 194 Joined: Nov. 2005 Posted: Aug. 06 2012, 08:43 I bought the deluxe version last Monday and have been playing it pretty much non-stop since. My old CD was probably one of the early CD pressings, and the sound quality was pretty low, so it's been great to rediscover this album in superb quality. Some great guitar playing and catchy melodies on this album, Taurus, Conflict and Mirage being my favourite tracks. -------------- http://www.thelightdream.net http://thelightdreams.bandcamp.com/ Back to top

pilotfish Group: Members Posts: 32 Joined: Jan. 2012 Posted: Aug. 06 2012, 14:43 Quote (AlexS @ Aug. 06 2012, 08:43) I bought the deluxe version last Monday and have been playing it pretty much non-stop since. My old CD was probably one of the early CD pressings, and the sound quality was pretty low, so it's been great to rediscover this album in superb quality. Some great guitar playing and catchy melodies on this album, Taurus, Conflict and Mirage being my favourite tracks. now the main question is (same as platinum thread) : (drum rolling) (crash cymbal) is there any glitches?!?! Back to top

AUTOMATIC 18 Group: Members Posts: 30 Joined: Aug. 2012 Posted: Aug. 07 2012, 12:33 I would like to say hello to all on the forum and post my first post! QE2 isn't the best Oldfield LP but it's better than Islands and Earth Moving by a long shot. It's a pity the new box set version does not offer the Deluxe Edition CD disc artwork! This album always sounded a bit thin but the remastered version beefs up the low end and the high frequencies are much more pronounced and you can here more detail in the mix. The white LP edition looks very tempting! Back to top

mitch65 Group: Members Posts: 33 Joined: Aug. 2012 Posted: Aug. 07 2012, 12:47 Quote (AUTOMATIC 18 @ Aug. 07 2012, 12:33) I would like to say hello to all on the forum and post my first post! I was just wondering if anyone knew that there was a Mike Oldfield compilation from 1980 on Tellydisc Records titled 'Impressions'. This double LP was mail order only. It contains a different version of 'I Got Rhythm' unique to the release. It's not much different but it seems to have a different vocal take! You can view this LP on Discogs. Tracks are:- Side A Tubular Bells - Live (1979 Tour) Side B Ommadawn : Part 1 (Studio) Side C 1 Airborne 2 Platinum 3 Charleston 4 Punkadiddle 5 I Got Rhythm (Different to version on Platinum) Side D 1 Guilty 2 Pipe Tune 3 In Dulci Jubilo 4 Wreckorder Wrondo 5 Cuckoo Song 6 On Horseback 7 Portsmouth 8 Sailor's Hornpipe Yes, I have a copy hidden away somewhere. I actually bought it new in a record shop which was a bit strange considering it was mail order. Back to top

olracUK Group: Members Posts: 1683 Joined: June 2003 Posted: Aug. 13 2012, 16:17 Strange how these has been so little discussion about this reissue, QE2 had a top single on it, some famous collaborators and some nifty tunes. Plus the deluxe edition has my name in the credits (very very small though)     -------------- The answer is 42 - but what is the question? Back to top

dazzler Group: Members Posts: 103 Joined: June 2009 Posted: Oct. 06 2012, 19:16 I Just bought my copy today. I was surprised to spot a white hole in the sleeve design on the right corner. Copies I know don't have that white oval shaped hole. Can anybody shine a light on this? Was the cover reworked or do vinyl copies of QE2 with both sleeve designs exist? Back to top

manintherain Group: Members. Posts: 546 Joined: Mar. 2004 Posted: Oct. 08 2012, 04:09 The first pressing had a porthole cut out in the sleeve. Back to top

Scatterplot Group: Members Posts: 1981 Joined: Dec. 2007 Posted: Oct. 08 2012, 05:16 I really like this "reissue". There's not a lot of remix in it but it is the most HD copy I've heard. The bonus material is very much worth a listen. -------------- We raise our voices in the night Crying to heaven And will our voices be heard Or will they break Like the wind Back to top

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