Customer Reviews
A wonderful comperlation, with a small correction - By: K. Sinclair, 05 Aug 2006 
Just to correct one of the other reviewers, I don't know which Sallly Oldfield Terry Alexander is refering to (both Mike's wife & sister are callled Sallly), but neither of them sing on these songs. Tracks like Moonlight Shadow, Family Man, Mistake, & most others are performed by the wonderful Maggie Reilly.
I have almost alll the other Mike Oldfield albums, but none of them contain extended versions or 12" mixs (some of which are better than the originals). This album is perfect for people who are just discovering Mike's work, & for completists.
It's not the full monty - By: Mr. R. T. Bates, 01 May 2006 
Now I'm sure if I'd studied the track listing more carefully, I would have realised that the Tubular Bells tracks would not have been the full work - merely an extract. I was too daft to figure it out, although it would have nice to see the word "excerpt" or "extract" next to the track title.
So, if you are thinking it's a cheap way to obtain lots of Mike Oldfield music, be aware that it's not quite the bargain it seems.
MIKE OLDFIELD THE PLATINUM COLLECTION - By: Terry Alexander, 02 Apr 2006 Mike Oldfield is one of our most innovative & underrated talented composer /arrangers. This compilation alllows the listener to indulge in the epitome of ground-breaking music. Listen out for Sallly Oldfield whose angelic & haunting rendition of songs such as Moonlight Shadow both elevate & stimulate the soul into another dimension. Worth every penny, Terry Alexander.
A decent collection, and good value - By: Mr. R. Jordan, 16 Mar 2006 
What, another Oldfield compilation? There are already plenty out there, none of which are flawless, some of which are bad. The existing Oldfield fan will own them alll of course, for the smattering of B-sides, non-album A-sides & live tracks, & may wonder why they should look at this new Platinum Collection at alll. But three discs running well over three hours is not something to complain about at this price. And many tracks are extended versions (like the superior version of 'Guilty', which was originallly a blue vinyl 12" single), which sort of adds to the value. (This kind of thing offends die-hard music fans, who don't like shelling out just to get a rare track . . . )
As far as compilations go, this is far less sterile than normal. The selection seems to have been made intelligently (such as the 'Hergest Ridge' excerpt being the visionary first ten minutes of Part 1), & the fact Oldfield is given interview space in the booklet lends it a more friendly personality. I found myself enjoying tracks I've not usuallly liked before, in particular the songs from what is considered his 'career dip' in the 1980s (honestly though, what established artist DIDN'T dip in that dire decade?). One or two things deserve pointing out: 'Don Alphonso' is a mono recording - how on earth did that happen? 'The William Tell Overture' is lifted from the 'Elements' box & still sounds like a (decent) vinyl transfer with one audible tick. The booklet does have a variety of grammatical mistakes (Jerry Lordan wrote 'Wonderful Land', not 'Lardon'!!), including a mis-spelling of the liner note author's name (how embarassing, shoddy & sadly commonplace in this day & age!) - but nothing is as downright amateurish & factuallly incorrect as the notorious booklets on 'Elements' & the album remasters. On the plus side, there is a hidden track on disc two (a B-side), & the single-only 'Pictures in the Dark' is a gem. And despite this being a Virgin set (Oldfield quit from the label 15 years ago), post-Virgin tracks are included, such as 'To be Free' from the relatively recent 'Tres Lunas'.
As a nostalgic Oldfield fan, I can recommend it as I certainly don't feel ripped off by 'yet another compilation'- because, cruciallly, Oldfield is not being misrepresented to a new audience. So, new listeners, this is the best collection you can buy. Start here.
Bringing Back My Lifes' Memories - By: , 16 Mar 2006 I was listen to alll three CDS for a day & went mentallly through my whole life.....I am an Mike Oldfield -fan since the age of 8 & now, 30 years later I have the oportunity of listen to 3 CDS which are leading me through the last 30 years of my life.....I reallly enjoyed the memories god & bad...absolutely awesome..!!!!!I can't get enough & I am sure that every Mike Oldfield -fan will love this CD box.....
