January 1976 - Mike Oldfield records the following at Througham Slad, Gloucestershire, England. “Argiers” – The traditional folk tune, with Les Penning on recorder. “Portsmouth” – The traditional folk tune, also with Penning on recorder. “Argiers” 3:59 Written by: Unknown (Trad. Arr. Oldfield) Appears on: Boxed, European Portsmouth 7” single; William Tell Overture 7” single; Elements boxed set; Ommadawn (2011 Deluxe Edition) Mike arranges this traditional folk tune by transposing the notes down a key, whereby the previously upbeat melody (in a major key) becomes mysterious and haunting, almost lonely (in a minor key). The process is called diatonic transposition and it should come as no surprise to Oldfield fans that he’d play around with a quaint melody and turn it into something unexpectedly riveting. For comparison, if you’re not familiar with the traditional arrangement of “Argiers,” it tends to normally sounds something like “Portsmouth.” Neat, huh? THE MIKE OLDFIELD CHRONOLOGY book is NOW available! Lulu: lulu/shop/patrick-lemieux/the-mike-oldfield-chronology/paperback/product-21568182.html Amazon: amazon/Mike-Oldfield-Chronology-Patrick-Lemieux/dp/0991984064/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403183154&sr=8-1&keywords=mike+oldfield+chronology Barnes & Noble: barnesandnoble/w/the-mike-oldfield-chronology-patrick-lemieux/1119282767?ean=9780991984060
Posted on: Mon, 12 Jan 2015 17:43:06 +0000