Mike Oldfield "Crises (2013 Reissue, Remastered, Stereo, UK, Mercury Records, 374 044-5)"

Crises is the eighth studio album by English musician and songwriter Mike Oldfield, released on 27 May 1983 on Virgin Records. Oldfield started recording the album towards the end of his 1982 tour supporting his previous record, Five Miles Out. It marked a continuation of Oldfield's experimentation with more accessible music which began in the late 1970s; side one contains the 20-minute "Crises" and side two contains a collection of shorter songs which feature vocalists Maggie Reilly, Jon Anderson, and Roger Chapman. Oldfield produced Crises with drummer Simon Phillips, who also plays on the album.

Crises reached No. 6 on the UK Albums Chart and became Oldfield's most successful record of the 1980s following the release of the single "Moonlight Shadow", which went to number one in nine countries and sold in excess of a million units. Oldfield supported the album with the Crises Tour across Europe in 1983 that featured most of the musicians that played on the album.

By the 1980s, Oldfield had shifted musical direction from the longform compositions that he had become known for throughout the previous decade, towards more commercial and straightforward rock and pop songs. By the time he had finished the 1982 world tour in support of his previous album Five Miles Out in December of that same year, Oldfield had already started work on a follow-up. Crises sees Oldfield explore heavy metal elements which he had been a fan of for some time and enjoyed playing.

Oldfield described side one as material that he had wanted to write and perform "for personal satisfaction", while side two is "very commercial, full of singles". He added: "It's a case of keeping everybody happy." The North American version of Crises featured a different running order to capitalize on the commercial songs by switching the order of the sides, adding the non-album single "Mistake" as the lead track, and moving "Moonlight Shadow" to the end of its side. This North American version has not been reissued since its initial pressing. The "Moonlight Shadow" single from this album includes the rare track "Rite of Man".

The album was recorded from November 1982 to April 1983 at Tilehouse Studios in Denham, Buckinghamshire, using an Ampex ATR 124 tape recorder, a Neve 8108 with Necam console and Westlake Monitors. Oldfield used a Gibson SG Junior for overdriven guitar sounds and a Fender Stratocaster for clean sounds. Tama drums were Simon Phillips' brand of choice for drums on the album; Phillips also did some production work. Oldfield makes extensive use of Oberheim and Fairlight keyboards. Asked how he recruited Chapman and Anderson in an interview, Oldfield answered "we just hang out in the same bar".

The title track of the album is a twenty-minute-long piece, featuring a small amount of vocals, sung by Oldfield. The beginning and end of the track are driven by a synthesised lead passage, stylistically similar to the opening theme to Oldfield's Tubular Bells. Oldfield rated "Crises" as one of the best tracks he had done since "Tubular Bells".

"Moonlight Shadow" features Oldfield's touring vocalist Maggie Reilly, who had also sung on his previous albums. Oldfield had singer Hazel O'Connor sing on an early version of the track, which was then titled "Moment of Passion", but it failed to produce sufficient results. He then booked Reilly for a studio session, for which he prepared by drinking wine and writing a set of lyrics using a rhyming dictionary. Reilly sang the lyrics in a rock style at first, which prompted Oldfield to suggest a softer tone and "in the manner of a lullaby". The idea worked, despite recording the song in small sections and using multiple drop-ins which took some time to finalise and piece together.

"In High Places" was written by Oldfield with lyrics by himself and Yes vocalist Jon Anderson, who sings on the track. The pair had worked on several occasions prior to recording Crises, and Oldfield had enjoyed Anderson's vocal style and how easy it was working with him. Anderson was living in Barbados at the time of writing, so Oldfield phoned him from England and sang the song's tune to him, after which Anderson went away and wrote lyrics to it. The two later met and finished the song in Oldfield's studio. The track features Pierre Moerlen, who had toured with Oldfield and played on his albums, on vibraphone. On the occasion of Virgin Records founder Richard Branson's launch of the then-largest hot-air balloon ever made, the song was released as a single in 1987, four years after the Crises LP.

"Foreign Affair" features Reilly on vocals, who co-wrote the lyrics with Oldfield.

"Taurus 3", a short fast-paced guitar piece unlike the previous two long multi-themed "Taurus" tracks featured on QE2 and Five Miles Out respectively.

"Shadow on the Wall" features vocals by Roger Chapman. Oldfield wrote the song with Chapman's voice in mind.

The album's cover art was by Terry Ilott and was originally created as an illustration for an edition of J. G. Ballard's The Drowned World. Oldfield makes reference to the artwork with the line, "the watcher and the tower, waiting hour, by hour" (printed in the back cover of the LP, and sung by Mike Oldfield on the title track). In the interview mentioned before, Oldfield stated that "I'm the man in the corner, and the tower is my music".

It spent 19 weeks on Norway's album chart, peaking at No. 1 for two weeks, and is Oldfield's best selling album there. The album also topped the charts in Germany and Sweden.

Tracklist:

1. Crises   Mike Oldfield  20:57
2. Moonlight Shadow    Mike Oldfield  3:38
3. In High Places  L:Jon Anderson, Mike Oldfield, M: Mike Oldfield  3:33
4. Foreign Affair  L: Maggie Reilly, M: Mike Oldfield  3:53
5. Taurus 3  Mike Oldfield   2:25
6. Shadow On The Wall   Mike Oldfield  3:10
7. Moonlight Shadow (Unplugged Mix)   Mike Oldfield    3:35
8. Shadow On The Wall (Unplugged Mix)   Mike Oldfield   3:21
9. Mistake   Mike Oldfield   2:56
10. Crime Of Passion (Extended Version)   Mike Oldfield  4:10
11. Jungle Gardenia   Mike Oldfield   2:46
12. Moonlight Shadow (12 Inch Single Version)   Mike Oldfield   5:15
13. Shadow On The Wall (12 Inch Single Version)  Mike Oldfield   5:09

Recording information:

Mike Oldfield – producer

Nigel Luby – engineer

Simon Phillips – co-producer, engineer (uncredited)

Crises 30th anniversary.

Packaged in a jewel case with clear tray and 4-page booklet.

Various Artists "Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: St. Elmo's Fire"

It was the first soundtrack written by Canadian composer/producer David Foster. "When I was writing the score to St. Elmo's Fire, I loved it," he said. "But for that month and a half or so that I had to write the songs, it just felt like doing my regular job."

The theme song "St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)" was written by Foster and English musician John Parr, and also performed by Parr. Foster had been impressed by Parr's song "Naughty Naughty" and invited him to perform the title track. Originally another song was chosen which Parr disliked. "That song sounded like `Fame II' or "Flashdance II," said Parr later. "I thought the movie was supposed to have more class than that. It was a regurgitated song and I didn't really want to sing it."

Parr urged Foster to try another song. They wrote it together, "very fast, between 2 and 4 on Friday afternoon," Parr recalled. "We wrote it together, with David sitting at the piano." Schumacher had given Parr rough guidelines for the lyrics. "He wanted a song about determination," Parr recalled. "He wanted a song about kids who are growing up and have to make decisions about what to do with their lives. That's what the movie is about." Schumacher told them not to use "St Elmo's Fire" in the lyrics but Parr did it regardless. "I thought it fit in the song," he said. "In the movie, St. Elmo's is a bar. But to me St. Elmo's Fire is a magical thing glowing in the sky that holds destiny to someone. It's mystical and sacred. It's where paradise lies, like the end of the rainbow."

Parr was inspired to write the lyrics not by the movie (which he had not seen) but by the Canadian athlete Rick Hansen who, at the time, was traveling around the world via his wheelchair to raise awareness for spinal cord injuries, a trip called the "Man in Motion Tour." The song did not appear on any Parr album until Letter to America was released in July 2011.

The song "Give Her a Little Drop More", which plays during the movie when the characters enter St. Elmo's Bar & Restaurant, was written by British jazz trumpeter John Chilton.

"St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)" hit No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart for two weeks in September 1985, and "Love Theme from St. Elmo's Fire" (the instrumental theme to the movie by David Foster) reached No. 15. Another version of the "Love Theme from St. Elmo's Fire" with lyrics, titled "For Just a Moment", was performed by Amy Holland and Donny Gerrard, and was included as the final song on the soundtrack album.

Track list:

1. John Parr St. Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion) 4:08
2. Billy Squier Shake Down 4:07
3. Elefante Young And Innocent 4:34
4. Jon Anderson This Time It Was Really Right 4:39
5. Fee Waybill Saved My Life 3:45
6. David Foster Love Theme From St. Elmo's Fire (Instrumental) 3:27
7. Vikki Moss If I Turn You Away 4:38
8. Airplay Stressed Out (Close To The Edge) 4:14
9. David Foster Georgetown 1:34
10. David Foster Love Theme From St. Elmo's Fire (Just For A Moment) 3:48

Yes "Changes (Video)"

"Changes" is a song by English band Yes, from their 1983 album, 90125. It reached number 6 on the U.S. Mainstream Rock chart in 1984.

The basic musical and lyrical structure of "Changes" was written by Yes guitarist Trevor Rabin, prior to his joining the band. Once Rabin joined the band, additional music and lyrics were contributed by singer Jon Anderson and drummer Alan White for the version that would appear on 90125. White contributed the shifting minimalistic rhythmic figures and melodies used for the introduction, while Anderson adapted lyrics and parts of the melody (including the chorus and the addition of the "one word from you, one word from me" section of the bridge).

Several live version of "Changes" have been released by the band: the 9012Live concert video, its companion album 9012Live: The Solos, and the 1991 box set Yesyears each include a live version of the song.

In 2003, Trevor Rabin released a pair of albums, each of which featured a different version of "Changes": Live in LA features a 1989 live performance of the song, and 90124 features an early demo of the song before Anderson and White's contributions were added.

"Changes" was first played live on the tour supporting 90125 and also played on the Big Generator, Union and Talk tours. After Rabin's departure from the band, the song was permanently dropped from their setlist.

It would not be played live again until 2016 when Rabin joined vocalist Jon Anderson and keyboardist Rick Wakeman in forming Yes Featuring Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman.

Yes "Hold On (Single & Video)"

Hold On" is a song by the progressive rock band Yes, from their 1983 album, 90125. It reached number 43 on the U.S. Mainstream Rock chart in 1984. Later, the live version from 9012Live: The Solos reached number 27 in 1985. 

The core of "Hold On" was written by Yes guitarist Trevor Rabin, prior to his joining the band, as two separate songs: "Hold On" and "Moving In". Once Rabin joined the band, the two songs were combined, with band members Chris Squire and Jon Anderson contributing additional music and lyrics. All three are credited as writers.

Unlike the other songs on 90125, which are credited as "Produced by Trevor Horn" exclusively, Yes shares a production credit with Horn for "Hold On".

"Hold On" has also appeared on several of Yes' later compilations, including the Yesyears and In a Word: Yes (1969–) box sets.

Yes' 1985 follow-up album, 9012Live: The Solos, features a live version of "Hold On". A live version is also included on 2005's The Word Is Live, and a live performance of "Hold On" is included on the 1991 Greatest Video Hits DVD.

Demos of Rabin's early versions of "Hold On" and "Moving In" were released in 2003 on Rabin's solo album 90124.

Yes "It Can Happen (Single & Video)"

"It Can Happen" is a song by the progressive rock band Yes, from their 1983 album 90125. It was released as the third single from that album, reaching number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1984. It also reached number 5 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.

Following the 1981 breakup of the band, bassist Chris Squire and drummer Alan White joined with South African guitarist Trevor Rabin to form a new band called Cinema. An early version of song "It Can Happen", sung by Squire, was written and recorded during this time.

Squire, White and Rabin eventually joined forces with former Yes members Jon Anderson, Tony Kaye and Trevor Horn, changing the name of their new band Cinema to "Yes" in the process. Anderson rewrote the lyrics of "It Can Happen" and it was included in 90125, with Anderson singing the verses.

The Cinema version of the song was released on 1991's Yesyears box set, and later on the remastered version of 90125. The version sung by Anderson was released as a single in 1984, and was included in several later Yes compilations, including the In a Word: Yes (1969–) box set and The Ultimate Yes: 35th Anniversary Collection.

A video for the song is included in the Greatest Video Hits DVD, and a live performance appears in the 9012Live concert video.

The dialogue that can be heard under the guitar solo - about 3 minutes and 17 seconds in - on the 90125 version, is taken from The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde. The lines, "...Come, old boy, you had much better have the thing out at once...." and "...that is exactly what dentists always do. Now, go on! Tell me the whole thing" are spoken by the character Algernon Moncrieff in the play.

Yes "Rhythm Of Love (Single & Video)"

"Rhythm of Love" is a song by Yes. It appeared on the 1987 Big Generator album. It was released repeatedly as a single, alternating as the A-side or B-side of "Love Will Find a Way". It was also remixed many times, though, thus far, only two have seen a legal issue on CD; both appeared on the 1987 CD single, and have not seen an official release elsewhere. Paulinho Da Costa was brought in for percussion overdubs. The song eventually became one of the band's most popular songs and appeared on a number of tours since 1987, eventually becoming the 18th most played song at Yes concerts, appearing 384 times as of 2009.

A music video of the song, directed by Alex Proyas, also exists.

The song was played on the Big Generator, Union, Talk, Open Your Eyes, 35th Anniversary and Royal Affair concert tours.

Throughout the 1987-1988 Big Generator tour, Yes experimented with its introduction, playing it different ways: Early in November 1987, they started the show with the "Almost Like Love" intro, segueing into the "Heart Of The Sunrise" riff, before transitioning into "Rhythm of Love". Other times, they started the song the same way they did on the record, with the flute sample.

Few live versions have been officially issued. One can be found on the box set The Word Is Live.

A version was also performed by Yes Featuring Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman, with slightly altered lyrics, on both of their tours and was also released on the bands "Live At The Apollo" album and video in 2018, along with a video on the Mercury Records YouTube Channel.

12" ATCO Records – 0-96722

1) "Rhythm Of Love" (Dance To The Rhythm Mix)

2) "Rhythm Of Love" (Move To The Rhythm Mix)

3) "Rhythm Of Love" (The Rhythm Of Dub)

4) "City Of Love" (Live Edit)

Promo CD ATCO Records – PR 2089-2

1) "Rhythm Of Love" (Edit)

2) "Rhythm Of Love" (Move To The Rhythm Mix)

3) "Rhythm Of Love" (Dance To The Rhythm Mix)

Yes "Love Will Find A Way (Single & Video)"

"Love Will Find a Way" is a song by the progressive rock band Yes, from their 1987 album Big Generator. It was released as the first single from that album, reaching number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in late 1987. It also topped the U.S. Mainstream Rock chart, holding onto the number one spot for three weeks.

Yes guitarist and singer Trevor Rabin originally wrote the song for singer Stevie Nicks to perform; however, Yes drummer Alan White encouraged Rabin to let Yes record the song instead.

"Love Will Find a Way" was the fifth of six Yes singles to crack the U.S. Top 40; it has been featured on several of Yes' later compilations, including the box sets Yesyears and In a Word: Yes (1969–). A video for the song is also included on Yes' Greatest Video Hits.

The song was played at every concert during the 1987-88 tour supporting Big Generator. During the first half of the tour it was played as the first encore, and during the second half of the tour it was played early in the set list after "Shoot High Aim Low" was dropped. After this tour the song would not be played again live until the summer 1994 tour for Talk, where it was on the set list for approximately 8 shows. The song has not been played since.

In 2003, Trevor Rabin released a pair of albums, each of which featured a different version of "Love Will Find a Way": Live in LA features a 1989 live performance of the song, and 90124 features an early demo of the song in which Rabin sings all the vocals and plays all of the instruments.

UK 12" ATCO Records – A 9449(T)[5]

1) "Love Will Find A Way" (Extended Version)

2) "Love Will Find A Way" (The Rise And Fall Mix)

3) "Holy Lamb (Song For Harmonic Convergence)"

Track 1 remixed by Freddy Bastone. Track 2 remixed by Chris (Jelly Fish) Squire.

Yes "YesYears (DVD)"

YesYears is a 1991 video retrospective of the progressive rock group Yes covering the band's entire history from their 1969 debut album through their 1991 release Union. The video features interviews with the entire band, which, at the time of filming, featured eight members (Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, Trevor Rabin, Tony Kaye, Rick Wakeman, Chris Squire, Bill Bruford, and Alan White).

It was released in conjunction with an audio set also entitled Yesyears featuring songs spanning the band's career until 1991. Oddly enough, no song from Yes' debut album appears in this rockumentary. The video was originally released on VHS, and reissued on DVD in 2003.

Track Listing :

1. I've Seen All Good People
2. Roundabout
3. Yours Is No Disgrace
4. Close To The Edge
5. Going For The One
6. Owner Of A Lonely Heart
7. Heart Of The Sunrise
8. Leave It
9. Tempus Fugit
10. Siberian Khatru

Vangelis "Portraits (So Long Ago, So Clear)"

Portraits (So Long Ago, So Clear) is a 1996 compilation album of works by Greek electronic composer and artist Vangelis.

The album features some of the most-renowned Vangelis' solo work, as well as songs from Jon & Vangelis, his collaboration with Yes vocalist Jon Anderson.

Track listing

All songs were written by Vangelis, except where noted.

1. "To the Unknown Man" – 6:33
2. "Italian Song" (Vangelis, Jon Anderson) – 2:49
3. "Pulstar" – 5:37
4. "La Petite Fille de la Mer" – 5:48
5. "Alpha" – 5:32
6. "I Hear You Now" (Vangelis, Anderson) – 5:05
7. "I'll Find My Way Home" (Vangelis, Anderson) – 4:26
8. "State of Independence" (Vangelis, Anderson) – 6:07
9. "Himalaya" – 6:50
10. "Conquest of Paradise" – 5:30
11. "Hymn" – 5:05 (unreleased new mix)
12. "Antarctica" – 3:43
13. "Sauvage et Beau" – 3:17 (unreleased track)
14. "Chariots of Fire" – 3:22
15. "So Long Ago, So Clear" (Vangelis, Anderson) – 4:56

Toto "Stop Loving You (Single & Video)"

"Stop Loving You" is a song from the rock band Toto from their album The Seventh One. It features Jon Anderson on backing vocals. As a single, it peaked at no. 2 on the Dutch charts.

A music video was produced for this song showing Joseph Williams kicking furniture and pushing away other objects in a building, displaying his disgust at the loss of a girlfriend. At the end, a female calls and says, "Joseph, are you there?"

Steve Howe "Light Walls"

Light Walls is a compilation album by Steve Howe, released in 2003.