Sally Oldfield
Encyclopedia
Sally Oldfield is a singer-songwriter
, and the sister
of the composer
s Mike Oldfield
and Terry Oldfield
.
, Oldfield studied ballet
from the age of four and won numerous competitions in all styles of dance, including ballet, tap and modern. At the age of eleven, she won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dancing, then located in Holland Park, London, and two years later was starred to move on to the Royal Ballet School
at White Lodge. However, she gave up ballet two years later, and achieved three A-Levels at Grade A. She also studied classical piano to Grade 7. All her school years were spent at St Joseph's Convent School
, Reading, where she became friends with Marianne Faithfull
.
Oldfield then went on to read English Literature and Philosophy at Bristol University. She had originally planned to move on to post-graduate studies. However, following a spontaneous near-death experience while walking on a beach in the spring of 1968, she began to write songs which she had never done before and from that moment she knew she wanted a life in music.
together with her brother Mike. The duo recorded their first and only album at the recommendation of Pentangle
band guitarist, John Renbourn
, whom Oldfield met at the Troubadour Folk Club in Bristol. The album Children of the Sun was recorded in August 1968. The songs on it are mainly written by Oldfield, and the album contained some of her brother's early guitar work. Guesting were Terry Cox
on drums and Ray Warleigh
on flute.
Oldfield's debut solo album, Water Bearer
, was released in 1978. Her track, "Mirrors", peaked at #19 in the UK Singles Chart
, spanning 1978 and 1979, and remained in that chart
for thirteen weeks. Since then, she has released twelve solo albums.
On the demise of her record label Bronze Records
in 1984, Oldfield relocated to Germany where her musical career was based from that time. Most of her albums from 1983 onwards were not released in the UK
. She worked with many German record producer
s and musician
s, including Gunther Mende
and Candy DeRouge
. Oldfield regularly appeared on national television and radio, and undertook several European concert tours, the last being in Germany in 2003.
in sections of brother Mike's albums Tubular Bells
and Ommadawn
. She reprised her role for the 2003 re-recording, Tubular Bells 2003
. In addition, she worked on her other brother Terry's recordings. She sang "Shadow of the Hierophant" on Steve Hackett
's 1975 album, Voyage of the Acolyte
.
With Steve Hackett
With Mike Oldfield
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
, and the sister
Sibling
Siblings are people who share at least one parent. A male sibling is called a brother; and a female sibling is called a sister. In most societies throughout the world, siblings usually grow up together and spend a good deal of their childhood socializing with one another...
of the composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
s Mike Oldfield
Mike Oldfield
Michael Gordon Oldfield is an English multi-instrumentalist musician and composer, working a style that blends progressive rock, folk, ethnic or world music, classical music, electronic music, New Age, and more recently, dance. His music is often elaborate and complex in nature...
and Terry Oldfield
Terry Oldfield
Terence "Terry" Oldfield is an English composer. He is brother to well-known music composers and performers Sally and Mike Oldfield.- Early life :...
.
Early life
Oldfield and her siblings were raised in the Roman Catholic faith of their mother, Maureen. Spending her childhood in Reading, BerkshireReading, Berkshire
Reading is a large town and unitary authority area in England. It is located in the Thames Valley at the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, and on both the Great Western Main Line railway and the M4 motorway, some west of London....
, Oldfield studied ballet
Ballet
Ballet is a type of performance dance, that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century, and which was further developed in France and Russia as a concert dance form. The early portions preceded the invention of the proscenium stage and were presented in large chambers with...
from the age of four and won numerous competitions in all styles of dance, including ballet, tap and modern. At the age of eleven, she won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dancing, then located in Holland Park, London, and two years later was starred to move on to the Royal Ballet School
Royal Ballet School
The Royal Ballet School is one of the most famous classical ballet schools in the world and is the associate school of the Royal Ballet, a leading international ballet company based at the Royal Opera House in London...
at White Lodge. However, she gave up ballet two years later, and achieved three A-Levels at Grade A. She also studied classical piano to Grade 7. All her school years were spent at St Joseph's Convent School
St Joseph's Convent School
St Joseph's College is an independent co-educational school in Reading, Berkshire, England. It is a Catholic day school for students aged 3 to 18. In September 2010, it changed its name to St Joseph's College to reflect the move into co-education.The school was founded by the Sisters of St Marie...
, Reading, where she became friends with Marianne Faithfull
Marianne Faithfull
Marianne Evelyn Faithfull is an award-winning English singer, songwriter and actress whose career has spanned five decades....
.
Oldfield then went on to read English Literature and Philosophy at Bristol University. She had originally planned to move on to post-graduate studies. However, following a spontaneous near-death experience while walking on a beach in the spring of 1968, she began to write songs which she had never done before and from that moment she knew she wanted a life in music.
Musical career
Oldfield's musical career started in 1968, when she founded the folk music duo The SallyangieThe Sallyangie
The Sallyangie were a 1960s folk duo consisting of siblings Mike and Sally Oldfield. In 1969 they released their first and only album Children of the Sun. The duo split in the fall of 1969 after limited success and a national tour...
together with her brother Mike. The duo recorded their first and only album at the recommendation of Pentangle
Pentangle (band)
Pentangle are a British folk rock band with some folk jazz influences. The original band were active in the late 1960s and early 1970s and a later version has been active since the early 1980s...
band guitarist, John Renbourn
John Renbourn
John Renbourn is an English guitarist and songwriter. He is possibly best known for his collaboration with guitarist Bert Jansch as well as his work with the folk group Pentangle, although he maintained a solo career before, during and after that band's existence .While most commonly labelled a...
, whom Oldfield met at the Troubadour Folk Club in Bristol. The album Children of the Sun was recorded in August 1968. The songs on it are mainly written by Oldfield, and the album contained some of her brother's early guitar work. Guesting were Terry Cox
Terry Cox
Terence William Harvey 'Terry' Cox played drums in the British folk rock bands The Pentangle, Duffy's Nucleus and Humblebums....
on drums and Ray Warleigh
Ray Warleigh
Raymond 'Ray' Kenneth Warleigh , is a leading UK-based alto saxophonist and flautist...
on flute.
Oldfield's debut solo album, Water Bearer
Water Bearer
Water Bearer is the début studio album by British singer-songwriter Sally Oldfield, released in 1978.The song "Mirrors" was released as a single, and reached #19 in the UK charts.-Track listing:...
, was released in 1978. Her track, "Mirrors", peaked at #19 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, spanning 1978 and 1979, and remained in that chart
Record chart
A record chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, Hot 100 or Top 40....
for thirteen weeks. Since then, she has released twelve solo albums.
On the demise of her record label Bronze Records
Bronze Records
Bronze Records is an independent English record label set up in 1971 by record producer Gerry Bron, and based in Chalk Farm, London.Bron had been producing Uriah Heep for Vertigo Records, and he set up this new label for future Uriah Heep releases, along with Juicy Lucy, Richard Barnes and Colosseum...
in 1984, Oldfield relocated to Germany where her musical career was based from that time. Most of her albums from 1983 onwards were not released in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. She worked with many German record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
s and musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
s, including Gunther Mende
Gunther Mende
Gunther Mende is one of the most famous music producers of Europe.- Life :He was six years old when he got his first set of drums. From that point on he loved music...
and Candy DeRouge
Candy DeRouge
Candy de Rouge is a German producer and songwriter. His real name is Wolfgang Detmann.He has worked extensively with the likes of Jennifer Rush, Celine Dion, Bonnie Bianco, Sally Oldfield, Laura Branigan, Thomas Anders, Chris Norman, Falco, The Window Speaks, Helen Schneider and other...
. Oldfield regularly appeared on national television and radio, and undertook several European concert tours, the last being in Germany in 2003.
Guest appearances
Oldfield provided background vocalsBacking vocalist
A backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
in sections of brother Mike's albums Tubular Bells
Tubular Bells
Tubular Bells is the debut record album of English musician Mike Oldfield, released in 1973. It was the first album released by Virgin Records and an early cornerstone of the company's success...
and Ommadawn
Ommadawn
Ommadawn is the third record album by Mike Oldfield, released in 1975 on Virgin Records. The cover photograph was by David Bailey. It peaked at #4 on the UK Albums Chart. The album was reissued in June 2010 with additional content.- Album history :...
. She reprised her role for the 2003 re-recording, Tubular Bells 2003
Tubular Bells 2003
Tubular Bells 2003 is an album by Mike Oldfield, released in 2003. It is a complete re-recording of Oldfield's 1973 album debut Tubular Bells, which had been released 30 years earlier.- Background :...
. In addition, she worked on her other brother Terry's recordings. She sang "Shadow of the Hierophant" on Steve Hackett
Steve Hackett
Stephen Richard Hackett is a British singer-songwriter and guitarist. He gained prominence as a member of the British progressive rock group Genesis, which he joined in 1970 and left in 1977 to pursue a solo career...
's 1975 album, Voyage of the Acolyte
Voyage of the Acolyte
Voyage of the Acolyte is the debut solo album from then-Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett. It was released in 1975 on Chrysalis Records in the US and Charisma Records for the rest of the free world. Due to the heavy contributions of Phil Collins and Michael Rutherford it is often thought of as a...
.
Discography
Solo- Water BearerWater BearerWater Bearer is the début studio album by British singer-songwriter Sally Oldfield, released in 1978.The song "Mirrors" was released as a single, and reached #19 in the UK charts.-Track listing:...
(1978) - Easy (1979)
- Celebration (1980)
- Playing in the Flame (1981)
- In Concert (1982)
- Strange Day in Berlin (1983)
- Femme (1987)
- Instincts (1988)
- Night Riding (1990)
- Natasha (1990)
- The Flame (1992) as 'Natasha Oldfield'
- Three Rings (1994)
- Secret Songs (1996)
- Flaming Star (2001)
- Cantadora (2009)
With Steve Hackett
- Voyage Of The AcolyteVoyage of the AcolyteVoyage of the Acolyte is the debut solo album from then-Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett. It was released in 1975 on Chrysalis Records in the US and Charisma Records for the rest of the free world. Due to the heavy contributions of Phil Collins and Michael Rutherford it is often thought of as a...
(1975)
With Mike Oldfield
- Tubular BellsTubular BellsTubular Bells is the debut record album of English musician Mike Oldfield, released in 1973. It was the first album released by Virgin Records and an early cornerstone of the company's success...
(1973) - OmmadawnOmmadawnOmmadawn is the third record album by Mike Oldfield, released in 1975 on Virgin Records. The cover photograph was by David Bailey. It peaked at #4 on the UK Albums Chart. The album was reissued in June 2010 with additional content.- Album history :...
(1975) - Tubular Bells 2003Tubular Bells 2003Tubular Bells 2003 is an album by Mike Oldfield, released in 2003. It is a complete re-recording of Oldfield's 1973 album debut Tubular Bells, which had been released 30 years earlier.- Background :...
(2003)