DAVID BEDFORD - THE ODYSSEY - 1976

Primarily an avant garde composer before entering the world of Rock, his basic training started with classical music and was educated at The Royal Academy of Music, London. His avant garde work began in the mid 60's before working alongside Kevin Ayers of The Soft Machine. It is here he joined Kevin Ayers and The Whole World Band playing keyboards. A certain bassist in the band at the time was none other than Mike Oldfield with whom he struck up a close friendship.

Bedford then began recording solo work in the early 70's at the same time working with the likes of Kevin Ayers, Robert Wyatt,John Lord, Mike Oldfield and Roy Harper. His composing skills came to the fore after Tubular Bells was released and he was the key motivator behind The Orchestral Tubular Bells played by The London Philharmonic Orchestra. David Bedford also recorded with Mike Oldfield on the Collaboration project off The Boxed album release. This is a highly underrated work, other notable solo works included Nurses Song With Elephants, Rime Of The Ancient Mariner and Odyssey.

Bedford continued recording well into the 90's although saw a huge drop off in popularity after the Odyssey project in 1976.He turned 70 in 2007 and currently resides in Bristol,UK.
Along with Star's End, Odyssey from 1976 marks David Bedford providing arguably his strongest album releases. Much more accessible than Rime Of The Ancient Mariner, which if guilty of anything was being too avante garde at times ( which is no crime anyway) but this album provides the best all round sound IMO. Mike Oldfield and Andy Summers both guest on guitars. This is agreat concept album with some beautiful choral arrangements from The Queens College Choir. Highlights would have to be ' Sirens', the hugely orchestral ' Phaecian Games' ( This song can also be found on Mike Oldfield's Boxed set) and ' Scylla and Charibdes. Overall a very strong release from David Bedford, some excellent wine glass effect accompaniment from the backing singers too. I would recommend listeners perhaps starting with this album or the debut ' Nurses...' Three and a half stars.
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