Search - Terry Oldfield :: Across the Universe

From Solo Piano Publications

Kathy Parsons | Florence, OR United States | 06/28/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Terry Oldfield's newest release is a combination of various musical instruments, vocals, and natural sounds. The music ranges from melodic to ambient with a soothing and calming message. The shortest of the five pieces is more than 7 1/2 minutes long, so the moods are sustained, and the listener can be transported into an extended, gentle fantasy. Known mostly as a flutist (flautist), Oldfield also plays piano and keyboards, percussion, whistles, pipes, and bells. The three vocal pieces are lovely, but I really prefer Oldfield's soaring instrumental work. "From the Heart" is the soundtrack to a dream of the listener's choosing. Oldfield plays all of the parts on this one, and it meanders like a lazy stream. Actually, water sounds run through this work, making it easy to imagine Oldfield sitting on the bank of a quiet river, bringing his musical vision to life. "When" opens with a haunting, slightly ominous prelude. Reverb and the use of echo cause this piece to evoke images of wide-open, and perhaps very dark, space. When the vocals come in, the instruments become a much more subtle backdrop, but Oldfield supplies several passionate instrumental solos between the verses. "Down to Earth" is a darkly spiritual piece, showing clearly what Oldfield does best - emotional soundtracks to be experienced with or without visual accompaniment. This is my favorite piece on this album. "Across the Universe" holds a consistent mood throughout, and travels at a very peaceful tempo. In the liner notes, Oldfield is quoted: "This album is about the yearning to be free that becomes so much a part of Human Condition as we travel the pathways to liberation." Very nicely done!"