Mike Oldfield
QE2

After exploring throughout the 1970s the possible paths of instrumental music with essentially good results, the shy and unfriendly genius Oldfield is preparing to change course with a small revolution that will accompany him throughout the decade. In fact, Mike's work undergoes a conceptual change as the instrumental Suite begins to hold a slightly lesser place in his interests, and pop desires start to creep in with initial results far from the freshness of his beginnings.

The previous "Platinum" had delivered a slightly tired and unmotivated Oldfield, QE2 (Queen Elizabeth 2) does not lead the listener to change their judgment much. Released in 1980 and produced by David Hentschel, already with Genesis for "Duke", it is not a fundamental work in the multi-instrumentalist's oeuvre, some aspects are very beautiful like "Sheba", the first song in which Riley appears on vocals, singing in an unclear idiom with a remarkable effect, excellent the part of the drums played by Phil Collins; others definitely less so. The Suite "Taurus" offers a suggestive melody of acoustic guitar on a mixture of programmed rhythm over which the typical choirs of the artist's recent production insert, despite the usual rhythm changes and sound evolutions, it doesn't hit the heart and remains of little impact. Also of little interest are the reinterpreted songs of Abba, "Arrival", and Shadows, "Wonderful Land", everything appears already heard, pleasant but not engaging. The most curious thing is the title track, a beautiful instrumental in which Oldfield revisits some themes of "Taurus", leading the melody's momentum with his guitar which reigns supreme supported by a buzz of keyboards and percussion that then explode into a typically Folk motif, which in turn leads the listener towards a sound of a naval siren that triggers the final guitar run by Mike.

The acoustic "Molly", dedicated to his daughter, closes a substantially routine work, which does not arouse great enthusiasm in the critics, Oldfield will already adjust his aim from the subsequent "Five Miles Out" delivering a more interesting work, the great commercial success, ten years after "Tubular Bells", is just around the corner, it will be enough to wait for the moonlight.