David Bedford

English composer, arranger and conductor who worked across classical, avant-garde and rock contexts; collaborated with Kevin Ayers and Mike Oldfield; released albums including Star's End, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and The Odyssey.

Born 1937, died 2011. Known for arranging and conducting (including orchestral work related to Mike Oldfield's material) and for bridging classical and rock idioms. Collaborated with Kevin Ayers, Mike Oldfield and others; released work on Virgin in the 1970s.

The available review recounts Bedford's move from avant-garde/classical circles into rock through collaborations with Kevin Ayers and Mike Oldfield. His early Virgin albums (Star's End, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner) were experimental and niche, while The Odyssey is described as a more accessible, melodic prog-rock record. The review praises The Odyssey as an elegant, overlooked gem affected by the late-1970s shift to punk.

For:Fans of progressive rock, listeners of classical/avant-garde crossover, followers of Mike Oldfield and 1970s experimental music