Collection cover

Collection

Mike Oldfield · 2002

93 min · 21 tracks · classical · pop rock · progressive rock

A rich tapestry of melodic progressions blending rock, new age, and folk influences with ethereal instrumentation.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • dynamic journey with emotional peaks
  • for reflective evening listening
  • captivating melodic progressions throughout
  • gentle waves of sound exploration

Maybe skip if you want

  • seeking instant gratification tracks
  • prefer straightforward single experiences

Where this album fits

Themes
Celtic landscapes· personal resilience· nostalgic melodies
Career context
By the time 'Collection' was released in 2002, Mike Oldfield was an established artist known for his pioneering work in progressive rock. This album arrived after a period of fluctuating commercial success and marked a return to revisiting his earlier iconic material while also showcasing newer compositions.
Stylistic neighbors
Vangelis· Jean-Michel Jarre· Enya
Sounds like this from elsewhere
Watermark by Enya — Shares an ethereal soundscape with lush instrumentation and themes of nature and introspection.
Magical Ring by Clannad — Combines Celtic melodies with ambient textures, evoking similar landscapes and emotional depth.
Blade Runner by Vangelis — Features rich synths and atmospheric sounds that create a reflective, immersive listening experience.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 Moonlight Shadow 3:35
  • 2 To France 4:42
  • 3 Five Miles Out 4:14
  • 4 Shadow On The Wall 5:07
  • 5 Foreign Affair 3:53
  • 6 Sentinel 3:56
  • 7 Family Man 3:45
  • 8 Heaven's Open 4:27
  • 9 Pictures In The Dark 4:15
  • 10 Innocent 3:30
  • 11 Islands 4:17
  • 12 Incantations (Part Four Excerpt) 4:38

Disc 2

  • 1 Tubular Bells (Opening Theme) 4:16
  • 2 Etude 3:06
  • 3 Ommadawn (Excerpt) 3:38
  • 4 In Dulci Jubilo 2:49
  • 5 Good News 1:42
  • 6 Pran's Theme 1 & 2 2:24
  • 7 Pran's Departure 2:04
  • 8 Hergest Ridge (Part One) 21:29
  • 9 Portsmouth 2:00

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata