CD: Flaming Star by Sally Oldfield

By Louise Green View Profile
If I could describe this album in terms of fabric, it would be a flowing silk. The colours would be red, orange, shot through with spun gold. This is a sumptuous album; I found it unique in that I hadn't heard anything like it before. Sally Oldfield's voice is like a finely tuned instrument, she can reach high notes as well as the deeper. 'Flaming Star', the initial track sets the theme. Its chorus builds to a crescendo; it made me think of priests and priestesses in a temple, chanting to their chosen deity. I found it dramatic and I half expected Indiana Jones to put in an appearance. The next track is called 'Invocation' which leads seamlessly into 'Samurai of the Sun'. Guitars, drums, almost Japanese in style, beat out a powerful rhythm. 'Bird of Paradise' cools the heat of the album; it is more 'chilled out' in tone. A guitar features but it is played gently with Sally's voice showing a softer style as she sings about this lovely bird, which I think from the lyrics, might be a phoenix. 'Shaman' is almost trancelike and the lyrics ask for healing. You could be lulled into meditation with this track. 'Ascension' leads into 'Mirrors' which has sounds of the sea in the background. This made me think of a hot, summer's night on the beach, Sally's voice ebbs and flows; it too is a more relaxed track than the opening ones. Guitars, drums, saxophone combined with a superb voice and spiritual lyrics have resulted in an amazing collection. The instruments are played skilfully, the lyrics are magical and mysterious and as for Sally Oldfield's vocals, they are enchanting. I think a lot of work went into the making of it, but more so, a......more