Mike Oldfield - Platinum

Japanese digitally remastered limited edition issue of the album classic in a deluxe, miniaturized LP sleeve replica of the original vinyl album artwork. Album Description

Mike Olfield- Platinum CD

I had the vinyl record when it originally came out. It was damaged over the years so I got it again on CD. If you like Mike Oldfield, and I have liked most his stuff since the 1970's and the Exorcist soundtrack, it's worth adding to the collection. To me some tracks are better than others but overall a good idea of the range of Mike Oldfield in the 1980's. July 11, 2008

Oldfield's third masterpiece

More outgoing and upbeat than Oldfield's previous works, more electric. Fairlight synthesizers add a rich glow to his signature, layered music. September 30, 2005

Light At The End of The Beginning

After my initiation into the Mike Oldfield Fan Convergence with the original release of both TUBULAR BELLS and HERGEST RIDGE, I became ravenous for all things Olfield. OMMADAWN only slaked my thirst temporarily, but it was finally quenched at last with the songs featured here, only as a "different animal." This was previously released here in a "special edition" vinyl LP (which I still own, thank G*d!) which was called AIRBORN. This album included the title track, plus "Platinum," "Charleston," "North Star/Finale," (co-written with Philip Glass,) "Into Wonderland," "Punkadiddle" and "I Got Rhythm." "Sally" and "Woodhenge" are the replacements for "Wonderland," I take it, which was a kind of lilting, silly, Mike-channeling-McCartney-at-his-loopiest sorta thing.

AIRBORN was a two-album set, (anybody remember those?) which also offered some 'preview' cuts of EXPOSED, with live-edit versions of "Incantations," "Tubular Bells" and "Guilty."

The editing on the U.S. version was so well-done, I now consider the first four songs as a suite (or sweet, just as apropos), that chronicles Mike's wonderful journey out of the weightier themes and concepts of his first three albums, into something a little more accessible for the casual listener as well as the die-hard Oldfield fans. A little more commercial than some would probably like, but the indelible Oldfield stamp is there, with enough razor-sharp guitar hooks and fills to keep it substantial.

I haven't heard this version yet, but I look forward to see how it compares to the "other" version. April 26, 2005

Platinum is justly named

Mike Oldfield started out very young...full of ideas and complex musical manipulations. Tublar bells is a seminal work at best...in fact if you listen close enough...he seems to try to hard...overlapping layers of sound and ideas. Platinum is a return to his more basic approaches...and yes...he pulls it off in spades.

The first side is rich with guitar riffs nice synths and percussion...it almost reminds me of Ommadawn gone rock. That it is now on cd now is a life saver to the vinyl copy I have had from Europe all these years....I can't remember how many times I fried some speakers during certain parts of this. Yeah...it's that good.

Side two is a little more subtle...until you hear Punkadiddle...it's somewhat a bit tongue in cheek at the music industry at the time. Nice thrashing chords on guitar but seemingly hidden only to those in the know.

In all this is a perfect gem from a man who can and does create music in his on way...very recommended hearing. November 2, 2003

Mike evolves - Less complicated and more catchier music...

There is nothing left after Bombastic Instrumental works such as "Incantations" or "Ommadawn".Mike did his first short rock album without long suites and many complicated changes.It is much more catchier but some of emotions that were in his previous albums had gone with the change of style...but it doesn't mean that the music is bad...oh no - the music here is fresh and just wonderfull....

The main track is "Platinum" - about 20 miuntes long suite, but divided into 4 songs..."Platinum suite" sounds a bit mechanic but is a really impressive work - especially "Charleston" part with crazy trumpets,some ghost choir and great bass line - the other parts are interesting also and Mike proves here that almost everything that he tries to play turns into gold...And also we can hear him on backing vocals here...

"Sally" is a nice love song, typical seventies pop style,nothing special but listenable and fun - the interesting story is that "sally"...is not the original song - Real "sally" was kind of a joke and was too silly that right after the premiere of this album Virgin records forced mike to put something more representative for the album - so he did and recorded the song "Into wonderland" that became second "sally" -The new remastered edition" contains "Into wonderland" instead of amusing original mix...

"I got rhythm" (Cover of gershwin's track) is another nice and romantic pop ballad, but features very expressive guitar solo and more interesting lyrics about how MIke is happy after finding new way and being in peace with himself...

The most outstanding tracks "Woodhenge" and "Punkadiddle" - first one is very dark and has a bit nervous atmosphere.strange sounds,creepy guitar and scary loud sound of Tubular bells at the end...everytime when i listen to it i have visions of some old abandoned house in a dark forest,witches and stuff like that...creeeepppyyy. While "Woodhenge" has intensive atmosphere, "Punkadiddle" is fun and fast rocker with "OI!!!" screams and catchy guitars.Also some fake audience in some moments...nice fast rocker tune...it is kind of a joke from Punk music that went high on charts and eliminated more progressive and ambitious artists like Mike off the top...

"Platinum" is definitly not as full of emotions and sadness as previous albums - it's much more catchier,lighter and fun to listen - very impresive music, full of positive vibrations...it sounds different too - while before in almost every moment 7 instruments and more were playing, here sometimes it is only Bass,guitar,keyboard and drums - simple but effective rock instruments...Another impressive work from Mike Oldfield.... August 7, 2003

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