Review byJames Russell @ Prog Archives:

Mike’s first foray of the 1980s was a great one and showed few if any signs of some of the unfortunate albums that were coming down the road. It has a feel not unlike some of his classic 70s work but with better sound quality and the addition of Maggie Reilly’s sublime vocals.

The music on QE2 is exactly what you’d expect from the best Oldfield albums: incredibly proficient and tasty electric guitar leads, top notch percussions of many styles, great synth flavors, and occasional use of good vocals. The songs are very uplifting, full of spirit and pizzazz, and really without a dull moment to be found. Good melody is everywhere and of the catchy variety that will stick with you. Oldfield is a master of never losing melody even though his playing and arrangement are often of decent complexity. Some have complained about the shortness of the tracks here but I like the change of pace-while I also like Mike’s long pieces I see nothing wrong him changing things up here and using a more succinct approach. This is a great album, one of Mike’s very best and essential to Oldfield fans. Highly recommended to any symphonic fan. Don’t let the horrible album cover fool you!



Tracklisting:
1. Taurus 1 (10:16)
2. Sheba (3:34)
3. Conflict (2:53)
4. Arrival (2:49)
5. Wonderful land (3:38)
6. Mirage (4:41)
7. Q.E. 2 (7:39)
8. Celt (3:06)
9. Molly (1:15)

Total Time: 39:52

Line-Up:
- Mike Oldfield / acoustic, classical & electric guitars, mandoline, bass, celtic harp, banjo, pedals, synths, piano, drum machine, tympani, African drums, rhythm sticks, marimbas, vibraphone, bass drum, gong, Northumbrian bagpipes, vocals, vocoder, tambourine
- Guy Barker / trumpet (6-7)
- David Bedford / string & chorus arrangements (4-5)
- Phil Collins / drums (1-2)
- Tim Cross / keyboards (3-8)
- Raul d'Oliveira / trumpet (6-7)
- Mike Frye / drums, tympani (1-3-6 to 8)
- David Hentschel / keyboards, drums, vocals (1-4-5-7), horn arrangements (6-7)
- Paul Nieman / trombone (6-7)
- Morris Pert / drums (3)
- Maggie Reilly / vocals (1-2-4-8)
- Philip Todd / Tenor sax (6-7)