Crises
Encyclopedia
Crises is the eighth record album by Mike Oldfield
, released in 1983
. Oldfield's well known hit "Moonlight Shadow
" appears on the album.
.
The album also features the massive hit "Moonlight Shadow", sung by Maggie Reilly
, who also sang and co-wrote "Foreign Affair
". "In High Places
" has lyrics
by Mike Oldfield and Jon Anderson
. "Shadow on the Wall
" has vocals by Roger Chapman
. The album includes "Taurus 3", a short fast-paced guitar piece unlike the previous two long multi-themed "Taurus" tracks featured on QE2
and Five Miles Out
respectively.
The Crises Tour 1983
was in promotion of the album.
ATR 124 tape recorder, a Neve 8108 with Necam console, and Westlake Monitors, in Denham
, England. Oldfield used a Gibson SG Junior
for overdriven guitar sounds and a Fender Stratocaster
for clean sounds. Tama Drums were Simon Phillips
' brand of choice for drums on the album; Phillips also did some production work. Oldfield makes extensive use of Oberheim
and Fairlight
keyboards.
Asked how he recruited Chapman and Anderson in an interview, Oldfield answered "we just hang out in the same bar". The "Moonlight Shadow" single from this album includes the rare track "Rite of Man". The North America
n version of the album has a different running order and includes the single "Mistake
".
albums it was reissued in HDCD format, and it is due to be reissued again by Mercury Records
in the 2010s.
, peaking at #1 for two weeks, and is Oldfield's best selling album there. The album also peaked at #6 in the UK Album Chart.
took their cover of "Moonlight Shadow" to number 3 in the German charts. A 2009 cover version of "Foreign Affair
" by Belgian dance band Sylver
spent 8 weeks in the top 10 of the Belgian single charts
, peaking at #3.
American rapper Kanye West
samples Oldfield's song "In High Places". West incorporated the song's chorus into his song "Dark Fantasy
" from his 2010 album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.
Mike Oldfield
Michael Gordon Oldfield is an English multi-instrumentalist musician and composer, working a style that blends progressive rock, folk, ethnic or world music, classical music, electronic music, New Age, and more recently, dance. His music is often elaborate and complex in nature...
, released in 1983
1983 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1983.-January-April:*January – ZTT Records is founded.*January 8 – The UK singles chart is tabulated from this week forward by The Gallup Organization...
. Oldfield's well known hit "Moonlight Shadow
Moonlight Shadow
"Moonlight Shadow" is a pop song written and performed by English multi-instrumentalist Mike Oldfield, released as a single in May 1983 and included in the album Crises of the same year. The vocals were performed by Scottish vocalist Maggie Reilly, who had joined Mike Oldfield in 1980...
" appears on the album.
Album analysis
The title track of the album is a twenty minute long piece, featuring a small amount of vocals, sung by Oldfield. The beginning and end of the track are driven by a synthesised lead passage, stylistically similar to the opening theme to Oldfield's Tubular BellsTubular Bells
Tubular Bells is the debut record album of English musician Mike Oldfield, released in 1973. It was the first album released by Virgin Records and an early cornerstone of the company's success...
.
The album also features the massive hit "Moonlight Shadow", sung by Maggie Reilly
Maggie Reilly
Maggie Reilly is a Scottish singer best known for her collaborations with the composer and instrumentalist Mike Oldfield...
, who also sang and co-wrote "Foreign Affair
Foreign Affair (Mike Oldfield song)
"Foreign Affair" is a pop song written by Maggie Reilly and Mike Oldfield, which first appeared on Oldfield's 1983 album Crises.On "Foreign Affair" Oldfield plays a Fairlight CMI and Roland Strings. Maggie Reilly provides vocals, and the co-producer, Simon Phillips plays Tama Drums and a Shaker....
". "In High Places
In High Places (song)
"In High Places" is a single by musician Mike Oldfield, released in 1987 . "In High Places" is from the album Crises, "Poison Arrows" is from Discovery and "Jungle Gardenia" is a non-album track....
" has lyrics
Lyrics
Lyrics are a set of words that make up a song. The writer of lyrics is a lyricist or lyrist. The meaning of lyrics can either be explicit or implicit. Some lyrics are abstract, almost unintelligible, and, in such cases, their explication emphasizes form, articulation, meter, and symmetry of...
by Mike Oldfield and Jon Anderson
Jon Anderson
Jon Anderson is an English singer-songwriter and musician best known as the former lead vocalist in the progressive rock band Yes...
. "Shadow on the Wall
Shadow on the Wall
"Shadow on the Wall" is a single by musician Mike Oldfield, released in 1983. It is taken from Oldfield's album Crises. English rock singer Roger Chapman performs vocals on "Shadow on the Wall".- B-side :...
" has vocals by Roger Chapman
Roger Chapman
Roger Chapman , also known as Roger "Chappo" Chapman and Chappo, is an English rock vocalist. He is best known as a member of the Progressive rock band Family, which he joined along with Charlie Whitney, in 1967 and also the rock, R&B band Streetwalkers formed in 1974...
. The album includes "Taurus 3", a short fast-paced guitar piece unlike the previous two long multi-themed "Taurus" tracks featured on QE2
QE2 (album)
QE2 is the sixth record album by Mike Oldfield, released in 1980 on Virgin Records.The album contained both original Oldfield compositions as well as two cover version of pieces recorded by other bands .- Album analysis :The longest tracks on the album are "Taurus I" and the title track, "QE2",...
and Five Miles Out
Five Miles Out
Five Miles Out is the seventh record album by Mike Oldfield, released in 1982, at a time when his music was moving away from large-scale symphonic pieces towards a more accessible pop style. It is one of the very few albums on which Oldfield sings lead vocals, as he is noted for not having any...
respectively.
The Crises Tour 1983
Crises Tour 1983
The Crises Tour 1983 was a concert tour by the British multi-instrumentalist Mike Oldfield.- Tour dates :...
was in promotion of the album.
Recording details
The album was recorded between November 1982 and April 1983 using an AmpexAmpex
Ampex is an American electronics company founded in 1944 by Alexander M. Poniatoff. The name AMPEX is an acronym, created by its founder, which stands for Alexander M. Poniatoff Excellence...
ATR 124 tape recorder, a Neve 8108 with Necam console, and Westlake Monitors, in Denham
Denham, Buckinghamshire
Denham is a village and civil parish in the South Buckinghamshire district of Buckinghamshire, England. It is north west of Uxbridge and north of junction 1 of the M40 motorway. Denham contains the Buckinghamshire Golf Club.-Origin:...
, England. Oldfield used a Gibson SG Junior
Gibson SG Junior
The Gibson SG Junior was a solid-bodied electric guitar manufactured by Gibson from the early 1960s to the late 60s. Like its earlier sister, the Gibson Les Paul Junior, it had been created for sale to anyone who wanted Gibson quality for a cheap price. It is known for its single P-90 treble...
for overdriven guitar sounds and a Fender Stratocaster
Fender Stratocaster
The Fender Stratocaster, often referred to as "Strat", is a model of electric guitar designed by Leo Fender, George Fullerton, and Freddie Tavares in 1954, and manufactured continuously by the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation to the present. It is a double-cutaway guitar, with an extended top...
for clean sounds. Tama Drums were Simon Phillips
Simon Phillips
Simon Phillips is an English jazz, pop and rock drummer.-Career:Phillips began to play professionally at the age of twelve in his father's Dixieland band for four years. He was then offered the chance to play in the musical Jesus Christ Superstar...
' brand of choice for drums on the album; Phillips also did some production work. Oldfield makes extensive use of Oberheim
Oberheim
Oberheim Electronics is an American company, founded in 1969 by Tom Oberheim , which manufactured audio synthesizers and a variety of other electronic musical instruments.-Oberheim Electronics:...
and Fairlight
Fairlight
Fairlight is a digital audio company based in Sydney, Australia. In 1979 they created the Fairlight CMI, the first digital audio sampler, quickly used by artists such as Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush, and Jean Michel Jarre. They are now a manufacturer of media solutions tools such as digital audio...
keyboards.
Asked how he recruited Chapman and Anderson in an interview, Oldfield answered "we just hang out in the same bar". The "Moonlight Shadow" single from this album includes the rare track "Rite of Man". The North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
n version of the album has a different running order and includes the single "Mistake
Mistake (Mike Oldfield song)
"Mistake" is a single by musician Mike Oldfield, released in 1982 .- Release :It was not included on any Oldfield album in Europe until the compilation The Complete Mike Oldfield in 1985; however, it was included as an extra track on the North American release of the album Crises in 1983. Maggie...
".
Re-release
In 2000 along with Oldfield's other Virgin RecordsVirgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
albums it was reissued in HDCD format, and it is due to be reissued again by Mercury Records
Mercury Records
Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
in the 2010s.
Artwork
The album's cover art was by Terry Ilott. Oldfield makes reference to the artwork with the line, "the watcher and the tower, waiting hour, by hour" (printed in the back cover of the LP, and sung by Mike Oldfield on the title track). In the interview mentioned before, Oldfield stated that "he is the man in the corner and the tower is his music".Charts
It spent 19 weeks on Norway's album chartVG-lista
VG-listen is a Norwegian record chart. It is weekly presented in the newspaper VG and the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation program Topp 20. It is considered the primary Norwegian record chart, charting albums and singles from countries and continent around the world. The data is collected by...
, peaking at #1 for two weeks, and is Oldfield's best selling album there. The album also peaked at #6 in the UK Album Chart.
| Chart (1983) |
Position |
|---|---|
| UK Album Chart | 6 |
| Norwegian Album Chart VG-lista VG-listen is a Norwegian record chart. It is weekly presented in the newspaper VG and the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation program Topp 20. It is considered the primary Norwegian record chart, charting albums and singles from countries and continent around the world. The data is collected by... |
1 |
Side two
- "Moonlight ShadowMoonlight Shadow"Moonlight Shadow" is a pop song written and performed by English multi-instrumentalist Mike Oldfield, released as a single in May 1983 and included in the album Crises of the same year. The vocals were performed by Scottish vocalist Maggie Reilly, who had joined Mike Oldfield in 1980...
" (Oldfield) – 3:34 (vocals by Maggie ReillyMaggie ReillyMaggie Reilly is a Scottish singer best known for her collaborations with the composer and instrumentalist Mike Oldfield...
) - "In High PlacesIn High Places (song)"In High Places" is a single by musician Mike Oldfield, released in 1987 . "In High Places" is from the album Crises, "Poison Arrows" is from Discovery and "Jungle Gardenia" is a non-album track....
" (Oldfield, Jon Anderson) – 3:33 (vocals by Jon AndersonJon AndersonJon Anderson is an English singer-songwriter and musician best known as the former lead vocalist in the progressive rock band Yes...
) - "Foreign AffairForeign Affair (Mike Oldfield song)"Foreign Affair" is a pop song written by Maggie Reilly and Mike Oldfield, which first appeared on Oldfield's 1983 album Crises.On "Foreign Affair" Oldfield plays a Fairlight CMI and Roland Strings. Maggie Reilly provides vocals, and the co-producer, Simon Phillips plays Tama Drums and a Shaker....
" (Oldfield, Maggie Reilly) – 3:53 (vocals by Maggie Reilly) - "Taurus 3" (Oldfield) – 2:25 (instrumental)
- "Shadow on the WallShadow on the Wall"Shadow on the Wall" is a single by musician Mike Oldfield, released in 1983. It is taken from Oldfield's album Crises. English rock singer Roger Chapman performs vocals on "Shadow on the Wall".- B-side :...
" (Oldfield) – 3:09 (vocals by Roger ChapmanRoger ChapmanRoger Chapman , also known as Roger "Chappo" Chapman and Chappo, is an English rock vocalist. He is best known as a member of the Progressive rock band Family, which he joined along with Charlie Whitney, in 1967 and also the rock, R&B band Streetwalkers formed in 1974...
)
Side one
- "MistakeMistake (Mike Oldfield song)"Mistake" is a single by musician Mike Oldfield, released in 1982 .- Release :It was not included on any Oldfield album in Europe until the compilation The Complete Mike Oldfield in 1985; however, it was included as an extra track on the North American release of the album Crises in 1983. Maggie...
" (lead vocals by Maggie Reilly) - "In High Places"
- "Foreign Affair"
- "Taurus 3"
- "Shadow on the Wall"
- "Moonlight Shadow"
Personnel
- Mike Oldfield – guitars on all tracks except "Foreign Affair" (including Ovation Adamus electroacoustic guitar, Ramirez Spanish guitar & Manson acoustic guitarAcoustic guitarAn acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
on "Taurus 3"); Fairlight CMIFairlight CMIThe Fairlight CMI is a digital sampling synthesizer. It was designed in 1979 by the founders of Fairlight, Peter Vogel and Kim Ryrie, and based on a dual-6800 microprocessor computer designed by Tony Furse in Sydney, Australia...
on all tracks except "Taurus 3"; Roland string synthesizerRoland Corporationis a Japanese manufacturer of electronic musical instruments, electronic equipment and software. It was founded by Ikutaro Kakehashi in Osaka on April 18, 1972, with ¥33 million in capital. In 2005 Roland's headquarters relocated to Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Prefecture. Today it has factories in Japan,...
(probably the RS-202) on "Crises", "In High Place", "Foreign Affair" & "Shadow on the Wall", Oberheim OB-XaOberheim OB-XaThe Oberheim OB-Xa was Oberheim's overhaul of their first compact synthesizer, the OB-X. The OB-Xa was released in 1980, a year after the OB-X was released. Instead of discrete circuits for oscillators and filters, the OB-Xa switched to Curtis integrated circuits...
synthesizer on "Crises" & "In High Places"; FarfisaFarfisaFarfisa is a manufacturer of electronics based in Osimo, Italy.The Farfisa brand name is commonly associated with a series of compact electronic organs, and later, a series of multi-timbral synthesizers. At the height of its production, Farfisa operated three factories to produce instruments, in...
organ & pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
& Prophet 5 synthesizer on "Crises"; bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
on "Crises" & "Shadow on the Wall"; acoustic bass guitarAcoustic bass guitarThe acoustic bass guitar is a bass instrument with a hollow wooden body similar to, though usually somewhat larger than a steel-string acoustic guitar...
on "Taurus 3"; harpHarpThe harp is a multi-stringed instrument which has the plane of its strings positioned perpendicularly to the soundboard. Organologically, it is in the general category of chordophones and has its own sub category . All harps have a neck, resonator and strings...
on "Crises"; mandolinMandolinA mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single...
on "Crises" & "Taurus 3"; banjoBanjoIn the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...
on "Taurus 3" & "Shadow on the Wall"; Simmons electronic drumsSimmons (electronic drum company)Simmons was a pioneering British manufacturer of electronic drums that supplied electronic kits from 1980 to 1994. The drums' distinctive, electronic sound can be found on countless albums from the 1980s....
on "Crises"; bells & tambourine & shaker on "Taurus 3"; Oberheim DMXOberheim DMXThe DMX is a programmable digital drum machine introduced in 1981 by Oberheim Electronics.The Oberheim DMX was the second digital drum computer ever to be sold to the public as a product, following the Linn LM-1 in 1980...
drum machine & Oberheim DSXOberheimOberheim Electronics is an American company, founded in 1969 by Tom Oberheim , which manufactured audio synthesizers and a variety of other electronic musical instruments.-Oberheim Electronics:...
digital polyphonic sequencer & Quantec Room Simulator reverb unitWolfgang BuchleitnerWolfgang Buchleitner is a multifaceted German artist, equipment designer and inventor. Buchleitner is the head and catalyst of the Quantec ProAudio enterprise.-Personal life:...
on "Crises"; vocals on "Crises".
Additional personnel
- Maggie ReillyMaggie ReillyMaggie Reilly is a Scottish singer best known for her collaborations with the composer and instrumentalist Mike Oldfield...
– vocals on "Moonlight Shadow" & "Foreign Affair" - Jon AndersonJon AndersonJon Anderson is an English singer-songwriter and musician best known as the former lead vocalist in the progressive rock band Yes...
– vocals on "In High Places" - Roger ChapmanRoger ChapmanRoger Chapman , also known as Roger "Chappo" Chapman and Chappo, is an English rock vocalist. He is best known as a member of the Progressive rock band Family, which he joined along with Charlie Whitney, in 1967 and also the rock, R&B band Streetwalkers formed in 1974...
– vocals on "Shadow on the Wall" - Simon PhillipsSimon PhillipsSimon Phillips is an English jazz, pop and rock drummer.-Career:Phillips began to play professionally at the age of twelve in his father's Dixieland band for four years. He was then offered the chance to play in the musical Jesus Christ Superstar...
– acoustic Tama drums, co-production, special effects, shaker on "Foreign Affair" & "Taurus 3", finger-snaps & bells & tambourine & boots on "Taurus 3" - Ant (Anthony Glynne) – guitars on "Crises" & "Shadow on the Wall"
- Rick FennRick FennRichard 'Rick' Fenn is an English rock guitarist. He is best known for being a member of the band 10cc since 1976. He has also collaborated with Mike Oldfield, Rick Wakeman, Hollies singer Peter Howarth and Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason....
– guitar on "Crises" - Phil SpaldingPhil SpaldingPhilip Spalding also known as Phil Spalding, is an English bass player. He is best known as a session musician and player of Fender Precision Bass guitars...
– bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
on "Crises" & "Moonlight Shadow" - Pierre MoerlenPierre MoerlenPierre Moerlen was a French drummer and percussionist, best known for his work with Gong and Mike Oldfield.-Biography:...
- vibraphoneVibraphoneThe vibraphone, sometimes called the vibraharp or simply the vibes, is a musical instrument in the struck idiophone subfamily of the percussion family....
on "In High Places"
Cover versions
A number of songs from Crises have been covered by numerous acts, with "Moonlight Shadow" being the most popular. Dance act Groove CoverageGroove Coverage
Groove Coverage is a German Euro-dance band. The Groove Coverage project consists of Axel Konrad, DJ Novus, Melanie Munch, better known as Mell , and Verena Rehm . The band has had hits around the world, especially in Germany, and have had radio play in North America, notably with the song, "Poison"...
took their cover of "Moonlight Shadow" to number 3 in the German charts. A 2009 cover version of "Foreign Affair
Foreign Affair (Mike Oldfield song)
"Foreign Affair" is a pop song written by Maggie Reilly and Mike Oldfield, which first appeared on Oldfield's 1983 album Crises.On "Foreign Affair" Oldfield plays a Fairlight CMI and Roland Strings. Maggie Reilly provides vocals, and the co-producer, Simon Phillips plays Tama Drums and a Shaker....
" by Belgian dance band Sylver
Sylver
Sylver is a Belgian vocal Trance group best known for the song "Turn the Tide". The group's vocalist is Silvy De Bie and keyboardist/songwriter is Wout Van Dessel . Regi Penxten is the producer and co-songwriter...
spent 8 weeks in the top 10 of the Belgian single charts
Ultratop
Ultratop is an organization which generates and publishes the official record charts in Belgium, and it is also the name of most of those charts...
, peaking at #3.
American rapper Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
samples Oldfield's song "In High Places". West incorporated the song's chorus into his song "Dark Fantasy
Dark Fantasy (song)
"Dark Fantasy" is a song by American hip hop artist Kanye West, from his fifth studio album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. The song serves as the opening track of the album, and was written by Kanye West, Ernest Wilson, Jeff Bhasker, Mike Dean and the RZA...
" from his 2010 album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.
External links
- Mike Oldfield Discography - Crises at Tubular.net
- Terry Ilott's web site (cover art)