"TB"'s follow-up (with tampering)

After "Tubular Bells", Mike Oldfield would be hard-pressed to come up with something to follow up such an effort. So that may be partly why "Hergest Ridge" seems to be rather unfocussed in places in comparison. Oldfield tries to stretch his compositional methods around a few more elements this time out, and sometimes this work, but also, sometimes it doesn't quite gel. Still, this has some wonderful moments, especially the whole of Part II with its dramatic developmental arc. You can also see here some nascent ideas that would get a lot more development later on, forming some of the seeds behind the superior follow-up, "Ommadawn". I do have to object, though, as this CD reissue is considerably remixed and altered from the original version. Whole instrumental parts are missing in some places, and Part II's overall mix has been changed...sometimes for the better, as it's not as muddy, but overall there seems to be something absent between the original and this version. Therefore, docked one star for tinkerage; Virgin really should remaster and rerelease the first version of this and do this sophomore effort of Oldfield's better justice.

Amazing ..

It dates back to 1974, and I still LOVE it. Listening to the whole of it leaves me breathless, marvelling at the beauty of the melodies and the so great sound.
It has been said that Herdgest Ridge came too soon after the first and well known release "Tubular Bells" (in 1973) and that Mike Oldfield, after the Tubular effort, hadn't regained all his strenght and inspiration when he started working on a new project. Does Herdgest Ridge, for that particular reason, sound somewhat unfinished, not to say scamped ? Well, it might - but I really don't care, as it is so beautiful and, to me, better than Tubular Bells anyway.

Mike's Master Work.

I thought "hmmm" after hearing this for the first time when it came out all those years ago, but suddenly found myself listening to it avidly. I liked it better than Tubular Bells, as it, well, satisfied my soul more. The reason is the wonderous guitar piece at the end of Part One. Its that slow incantation effect of music leading your somewhere - and what anticipation it created. I have differing recordings of this work, and whilst I appreciate the re-workings, the first recording is still my favourite. Part Two is OK but I always return to the original Side One of my cassettes. Now CD versions are available the recordings no doubt are digitally enhanced - still it is the music that counts and Hergest Ridge is a gem.