Rivals 'Water Bearer'
Mark D. Prouse | Riverdale (Bronx), NY | 05/18/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Amid pulsing, close-miked mandolins, the extraordinary voice of Sally Oldfield weaves its magic spell. One of the most intense vocal albums by any woman (or man, for that matter), and certainly one of the most beautiful. Want to hear the music that must have inspired Enya? This is easily as good or better... think Loreena McKennitt meets Happy Rhodes ... yet Ms. Oldfield was layering overdubs and playing multiple instruments way back in the mid-to-late seventies, the period in which 'Easy' was created ... uncompromising, unadulterated artistry; every song is great, but especially "Sons Of The Free," "Boulevard Song," "First Born Of The Earth" and "You Set My Gypsy Blood Free." This music may be too sticky-sweet for some listeners, but it can't be faulted, technically; the sound on my import copy is crisp and ambient at the same time. This is a sparkling folk/rock masterpiece by a great singer and composer who should be much better known."