The Terry Oldfield Classic Collection
Over the last year New Earth Records has released eight titles from Terry Oldfield’s back catalogue, published under the Terry Oldfield Classic Collection name.
There is no doubt in my mind; these titles are some of the finest new age music ever released, and Terry is most probably the best flutist in the business.
In connection with the Classic Collection New Earth has a small biography and interview with Terry.
New Earth: You talk quite openly on your website about yourself and your life and you seem very clear about what is important to you. Do you think that music has helped you to find this clarity and a connection to spirit? Or has it been the other way round?
Terry: My own personal dissatisfaction with the more acceptable viewpoints of reality has enabled me to write music that other people in like position can relate to. By going into this malaise I discover a longing that expresses itself beautifully through music because it cuts through the very thing that creates the problem – the process of thinking.
And, as always, when talking about either Terry or Sally their little brother Mike has to be mentioned. Here from Terry’s biography:
Terry: There was a fun period when my brother Mike and myself started a band called Barefoot. I enjoyed the atmosphere of that a lot. We played quite heavy stuff in various clubs but I couldn’t play the guitar for toffee! Mike later went on to become a megastar.
Well, around here Terry and Sally are megastars too 
Read the biography and interview here – and here are the eight albums.
A Flaming Star
There are many great female voices in new age music, and it is hard to make a top list. But if I were to make such a list, I know for sure that Sally Oldfield would have been on it. Mike Oldfield’s older sister released her last album in 2001, entitled Flaming Star. It was sadly not a very successful album in terms of sales – which I think is a shame. It is in my opinion a superb album, wonderful in every way. The most interesting aspect is the original fusion between a new age state of mind and a more pop oriented sound. The album is a bit hard to get hold of (it is not on iTunes Music Store – but it is on thankfully Rhapsody). On the positive side, the title song has been included on the popular A Women’s Voice series.
The opening song with its mix of African voices and Sally’s voice must be considered a new age music classic. The production is spotless. But don’t take my word for it. Check out the video below.
Sally looks a bit sad on the picture, but the video is great!
Other incredible songs on the album are Samurai of the Sun, Shaman and One to the Power of One.
In connection with the release in 2001 Sally gave an interview with Music Reviewer. They asked her: What sparked the creation of Flaming Star?
She answered:
It was a combination of things, actually. I was stuck with major recording contracts for 15 years, since I recorded and released “Mirrors.” About 18 months ago they all ran out and I decided not to renew. I began to conceive the FLAMING STAR PROJECT and went to New WORLD Music with the project. They were wonderful about letting me do what I wanted to do. The only problem was that I didn’t have money for a high budget project. I accordingly went –literally– into the streets of London and worked with unknown musicians who were not getting their due.
In the light of this it is incredible that Flaming Star became such a great album.
On her relationship with Mike she notes:
My first project was with my brother Michael, and was called “SallyAngie” and was very traditional folk music, influenced by all of those people. Michael and I only did the one project together. We get along quite well but creatively had differences which I’m afraid, made it difficult for us to work together!
Read the whole interview here. There is no information about new music projects from Sally Oldfield. We can of course pray for a new SallyAngie album. Miracles do happen!
Sample the album on Rhapsody
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