Mike Oldfield – QE2

My copy has excellent mastering and sound is to even when comparing to the first UK or Japan pressings. Full recommendation.

Uninspiring sleeve artwork to say the least, and the compositions are like they were just thrown up in the air to be cut in to smaller pieces

An album Oldfield should revisits to make into a whole.

At the time of release this album was cited as being a bit bereft of new ideas, the inclusion of two covers obviously didn't help, but they're great cover that Mike makes his own. Arrival was an instrumental by Abba on their 1976 blockbuster of the same name, while Wonderful Land was a cut by The Shadows. Mike was a fan of Hank Marvin's guitar and here he pays tribute with his own inimitable style. Over the years QE2 has become a fan favourite with high praise by many. It's a fascinating album as it has drum machines and more electrons than on previous albums.

I have this picture disc version, I believe it's rom a three pack with Five Miles Out and Platinum, all picture discs. It's no different to CDV2181. This edition always sounded dry and a bit lacking in the bass department. The vinyl is much warmer.

The 2000 HDCD remaster is beefier and more compressed but the high end is still detailed and the bass benefits from the boost in dB.
There's a lot more going on here in the mix, you can hear more synths on Taurus 1, [possibly one of the most complex compositions in Mike has recorded] and it's much more entertaining.
Out of all the HDCD remasters this has the best artwork with a chopped up artful take on the cover inside but the photo of Mike is from the early 70s unfortunately telling us the compilers or project managers hadn't a clue about Oldfield's career!

The 2012 remaster fattens the low end up nicely although it does seem loud and compressed. The synths seem squelchy and elastic.
The acoustic drums big and menacing with the high frequencies of the percussion icing the top nicely. I do think this remaster is pretty satisfying as it adds warmth to the bottom end that was not present on the original CDV.

An unusual pressing of the classic MO album. I bought it for the cover as I collect everything from Mike. The sleeve notes are in German! This cover is also depicted in the 2012 Deluxe edition!

Another cool deluxe edition that is essential for fans of Mike Oldfield's inimitable music.
Shiva is terrible though!

Bought this second hand (NM+) several years ago (2012?) and it is really a nice pressing. Clean, low surface noise, minimal clicks, very dynamic. If you can find one cheap in good condition, you shouldn't be disappointed.

Beautiful album. Bought my first vinyl copy of this 42 year old album ( at time
of review) and its perfect. Hardly any background noise at all. Good bouncy bass and nice treble. I think Mike Oldfield may have become unpopular given the bargain price you can pick up perfect copies of his work for. I like the album cover and ‘porthole’. Clever touch. A great version to pick up .

Another noisy record from GZ. They shouldn't be anywhere near Mike Oldfield material.

Mike Oldfield's 6th album, and the first to break from long album length pieces to shorter pieces that are more commercial. Despite this, there is plenty to like about this album and there is still plenty of the old Mike Oldfield in this album. Although some of pieces are harder edged and more rock rather than folk there are still lots of whimsical pieces. This album also features the collaboration of Maggie Reilly which will bring more commercial success in the 1980s with his next album. Unlike some of his earlier albums, the recording quality is stellar.