Earth Moving
Encyclopedia
Earth Moving is the 12th record album by Mike Oldfield
, released in 1989
.
. The album's music was performed mainly with synthesizers. It was the first time Oldfield recorded an album without an instrumental piece; each track being vocal-based pop
and rock
songs.
The final track, despite appearing to be a lengthier piece, consists of two short, apparently unconnected songs, combined into one track, with a noticeable pause in between. According to Oldfield, the album was made with the full understanding of his recording company, Virgin Records
, which demanded he create more commercially-oriented material than his previous albums. After recording Earth Moving Oldfield wanted to move away from 'computerised music' and return to real musicians and instruments; this is evident in his next album, Amarok
.
, the song "Innocent
" was inspired by their young daughter Greta, who appears in the song's music video. In the programme, Oldfield and Hegerland performed an acoustic version of the song, Hegerland singing and Oldfield playing the guitar
.
, having previously used Gibson guitars. Synthesizers on the album include a Fairlight
Series III and various instruments made by Roland
and Korg
(including an M1
). The album was recorded using an Atari 1040ST
with C-Lab Notator software, a Harrison Series X console, a Studer
A8800 tape deck with Dolby SR noise reduction, a Ampex
Grand Master tape and ATC SCM200 monitors.
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 1989
1989 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1989.-Events:*January 14 – Paul McCartney releases Снова в СССР exclusively in the USSR...
.
Album analysis
Oldfield used several vocalists on the album, including his then girlfriend, Anita HegerlandAnita Hegerland
Anita Hegerland , is a Norwegian singer famous for her childhood career in the Scandinavian and German markets and subsequent vocal contributions to amongst others Mike Oldfield's work.- Biography :...
. The album's music was performed mainly with synthesizers. It was the first time Oldfield recorded an album without an instrumental piece; each track being vocal-based pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
and rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
songs.
The final track, despite appearing to be a lengthier piece, consists of two short, apparently unconnected songs, combined into one track, with a noticeable pause in between. According to Oldfield, the album was made with the full understanding of his recording company, Virgin Records
Virgin 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...
, which demanded he create more commercially-oriented material than his previous albums. After recording Earth Moving Oldfield wanted to move away from 'computerised music' and return to real musicians and instruments; this is evident in his next album, Amarok
Amarok (album)
Amarok is the 13th record album by Mike Oldfield, released in 1990. It is considered by fans to be his most distinctive work: a single sixty-minute track of continuous, uninterrupted but constantly-changing music....
.
Promotion
According to an interview Mike Oldfield and Anita Hegerland gave on the television programme Good Morning BritainGood Morning Britain
Good Morning Britain was TV-am's flagship breakfast television show throughout TV-am's time on air, broadcasting five days a week, initially from 7am until 9am. By 1985 the programme started at the earlier time of 6.15am and by 1988 the programme started at 6am. It had many different presenters...
, the song "Innocent
Innocent (Mike Oldfield song)
"Innocent" is a single by musician Mike Oldfield, released in 1989 . It is from the album Earth Moving. "Innocent" features vocals from Anita Hegerland.- Inspiration :...
" was inspired by their young daughter Greta, who appears in the song's music video. In the programme, Oldfield and Hegerland performed an acoustic version of the song, Hegerland singing and Oldfield playing the guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
.
Equipment
Earth Moving is the first album on which Oldfield used PRS guitarsPRS Guitars
PRS Guitars is an American guitar manufacturer headquartered in Stevensville, Maryland. PRS Guitars was founded by guitarist and luthier Paul Reed Smith in 1985. The company is one of the leading manufacturers of high-end electric guitars.-Materials:...
, having previously used Gibson guitars. Synthesizers on the album include a 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...
Series III and various instruments made by Roland
Roland Corporation
is 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,...
and Korg
Korg
is a Japanese multinational corporation that manufactures electronic musical instruments, audio processors and guitar pedals, recording equipment, and electronic tuners...
(including an M1
Korg M1
The Korg M1 is the world's first widely-known music workstation. Its onboard MIDI sequencer and palette of sounds allowed musicians to produce complete professional arrangements...
). The album was recorded using an Atari 1040ST
Atari ST
The Atari ST is a home/personal computer that was released by Atari Corporation in 1985 and commercially available from that summer into the early 1990s. The "ST" officially stands for "Sixteen/Thirty-two", which referred to the Motorola 68000's 16-bit external bus and 32-bit internals...
with C-Lab Notator software, a Harrison Series X console, a Studer
Studer
Studer is a Swiss manufacturer of professional audio equipment, founded in Zurich in 1948 by Willi Studer. It is known primarily for the design and manufacture of analog tape recorders and mixing consoles. Studer also produce other technology solutions, such as telephony management systems and...
A8800 tape deck with Dolby SR noise reduction, a Ampex
Ampex
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...
Grand Master tape and ATC SCM200 monitors.
Side one
- "Holy(One Glance Is) Holy" Holy" is a single by musician Mike Oldfield, released in 1989 . It is from the album Earth Moving. Lead vocals are by Adrian Belew of King Crimson...
" – 4:37 - "Hostage" – 4:09
- "Far Country" – 4:25
- "InnocentInnocent (Mike Oldfield song)"Innocent" is a single by musician Mike Oldfield, released in 1989 . It is from the album Earth Moving. "Innocent" features vocals from Anita Hegerland.- Inspiration :...
" – 3:30 - "Runaway Son" – 4:05
Side two
- "See the Light" – 3:59
- "Earth MovingEarth Moving (song)"Earth Moving" is a single by musician Mike Oldfield, released in 1989 . It is from the album of the same name. "Earth Moving" features Nikki "B" Bentley on vocals.- Music video :...
" – 4:03 - "Blue Night" – 3:47
- "Nothing But" / "Bridge to Paradise" – 8:40
Personnel
- Mike Oldfield – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s and keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments... - Max BaconMax BaconMax Bacon is the former lead singer for 1980s arena rock supergroup GTR as well as the frontman for lesser known bands like Moby Dick, Nightwing, Phenomena, and Bronz....
– vocals ("Hostage", "Bridge to Paradise") - Adrian BelewAdrian BelewAdrian Belew is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and record producer...
– vocals ("Holy"), guitar - Nikki 'B' Bentley – vocals ("Earth Moving")
- Anita HegerlandAnita HegerlandAnita Hegerland , is a Norwegian singer famous for her childhood career in the Scandinavian and German markets and subsequent vocal contributions to amongst others Mike Oldfield's work.- Biography :...
– vocals ("Innocent") - Carol KenyonCarol KenyonCarol Kenyon , is a British singer. She was born c. 1959.Although primarily known as a session vocalist on many albums and singles by a variety of prominent artists, as well as in many concerts, Kenyon has also released several singles as a solo artist...
– vocals ("Nothing But") - Raf RavenscroftRaphael RavenscroftRaphael Ravenscroft is a Scottish saxophonist and author on saxophone play. He now resides in Exeter, Devon, England.He is best known for his work with Gerry Rafferty, performing the saxophone solo on "Baker Street". Ravenscroft was paid £27 for the session, with a cheque that bounced...
– saxophoneSaxophoneThe saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846... - Maggie ReillyMaggie ReillyMaggie Reilly is a Scottish singer best known for her collaborations with the composer and instrumentalist Mike Oldfield...
– vocals ("Blue Night") - 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....
, vocals ("Bridge to Paradise", See the Light", "Holy") - Chris Thompson – vocals ("Runaway Son", "See the Light")
- Carl WayneCarl WayneCarl Wayne was a British singer and actor. He is best remembered as the lead vocalist of Birmingham rock group The Move during the 1960s.-Early days:...
– vocals ("Earth Moving") - Mark WilliamsonMark WilliamsonProfessor Mark H. Williamson OBE is professor emeritus of biology at the University of York. He is an expert on biological invasions.Williamson gained a BA from the Oxford in 1950 and received a D.Phil. eight years later, having been a demonstrator of at Oxford since 1952...
– vocals ("Far Country")
External links
- Mike Oldfield Discography - Earth Moving at Tubular.net
- Earth Moving lyrics at Tubular.net