Heaven's Open
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| Heaven's Open | ||
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| Studio album by Mike Oldfield | ||
| Released | 1991 | |
| Recorded | ?,? | |
| Genre | Rock | |
| Length | 43:13 | |
| Label | Virgin | |
| Producer(s) | Tom Newman | |
| Professional reviews | ||
|---|---|---|
| Mike Oldfield chronology | ||
| Amarok (1990 |
Heaven's Open (1991) |
Tubular Bells II (1992) |
Heaven's Open is a record album written and mostly performed by Mike Oldfield, released in 1991. It was his 14th new album, and his last on Virgin.
By this time, Mike Oldfield was very happy to get out of Virgin, and not so happy to know Virgin boss Richard Branson. Several songs on this album bear hints about that. Also more abstract songs such as "Heaven's Open" can be seen as dealing with the theme of dependency relation or achieving freedom. In fact, parts of the lyrics of all the songs can be seen as a rude good-bye to Virgin and Richard Branson. The final goodbye to Virgin appears at the very end of "Music From The Balcony", where we can hear a very silent laughter and Oldfield's voice saying "Fuck off!".
This is the only album where Mike Oldfield does the main vocals himself. It has been claimed that this was because of monetary reasons. Oldfield took singing lessons before recording the album.
Probably because of his bad feelings towards Virgin, his name is spelled out in full - Michael Oldfield - on this album.
"Gimme Back" was released as a single.
[edit] Track listing
- "Make Make" – 4:18
- "No Dream" – 6:02
- "Mr. Shame" – 4:22
- "Gimme Back" – 4:12
- "Heaven's Open" – 4:31
- "Music From The Balcony" – 19:44
[edit] Personnel
- Mike Oldfield – vocals, guitars, keyboards
- Simon Phillips – drums
- Dave Levy – bass
- Mickey Simmonds – Hammond, piano
- Andy Longhurst – additional keyboards
- Courtney Pine – saxophones, bass clarinet
The "Sassy Choir": Vicki St. James, Sylvia Mason-James, Dolly James, Debi Doss, Shirlie Roden, Valeria Etienne
Additional vocal harmonies: Anita Hegerland, Nikki "B" Bentley, Tom Newman
