Album Description: 30 years on, a replayed and reproduced version of the groundbreaking classic Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield with the latest technology. Warner Music. 2003.
Amazon.com: Perfectionist Mike Oldfield (unhappy, apparently, at the odd bum note on the indubitably classic original) utilizes updated studio techniques to re-record his flagship classical/folk/rock instrumental masterwork in its bar-for-bar entirety. It may be true that the Bayeux Tapestry would look pretty good if someone re-embroidered all 230 feet of it on a modern sewing machine, but that's hardly the point. Surely, the original Tubular Bells, which recorded 16 million in sales, has more than enough going for it. Although the production here is fatter and brighter, playing "spot the difference" between this version and the one that continues to pay for Richard Branson's hot-air balloons may require levels of diligence and dedication bordering on pottiness. There are minor distinctions, including louder bass guitar, better sounding bagpipes, Sally Oldfield (presumably) joining Mike for a grunt on the amusing "Caveman" section, and John Cleese playing master of ceremonies on "Finale," saving his best "pining for the fjords" voice for the announcement of the arrival of the "double speed guitar.". --Kevin Maidment
picky picky picky I personally would like to have 1% of Mike Oldfield's talent,how many people realize how much time and effort go into the concerts and albums that Mike does.All you wannabees who like to tear apart Mike, could you do it any better? Mike Oldfield is one of the last remaining musicians that puts his heart into his music.He makes his music for the fans, and because he loves the music. I haven't listened to his new upcoming release Music of the Spheres,but based on all his other GREAT works i know it will be great. Why don't you just sit back and enjoy the music, you might find some real jewels if you wouldn't pick it apart.Mike Oldfield is the most talented musician, composer,engineer,you name it, on the face of the planet,bar none, and that's the truth.
Smoke and dust from supposed fans: Ignore them People read these reviews because they are not sure about an artist or one of their works, and are just getting interested. Let me assure anyone reading this (if you are recently interested in Mike Oldfield) that this is a beautiful CD.
The reviewers here leave a confusing picture: some haven't heard this but reviewed it anyway, others are getting it mixed up with Tubular Bells 3, which has different music on it.
I bought this CD after reading reviews here, and was not put off by the supposed fans, crying about remakes (how many times???) etc. I first got interested in MO from Tubular Bells 2, which has some striking, highly original and beautiful compositions. They ARE NOT the same as the Tubular Bells original. In fact, all of Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells works are enough different, that you could own all of them and enjoy each separately for what it is.
Except for TB 2003, which is the grownup modern version of Mike's ideas from 1973. If this CD had no predecessor, it would be an above-par ambient-rock fusion work that would attract some notice. If Mike Oldfield decides to redo it to make it better, more power to him. Don't believe any of the tripe here that it is without soul, etc. Electronic instruments are used by everybody nowadays, from the pure guys like Ulrich Schnauss, to the major players like Alan Parsons. (Well,except for Tingstadt and Rumbel, and the Chieftains, --both of whom I like a lot--and other acoustically-committed musicians.)
To belittle the guy for wanting to make a version fit for the generations unborn, is to quarrel over territory that doesn't belong to you. That's what I think, anyway.
This is a 4.5 stars effort, rounded to 5.
Good, but different from the original When I had bought this I had ordered the original version and received this version. When I saw that it was 2003 I thought about returning it, but decided to keep it. When I first put it on I immediately noticed a difference even though I had not heard this in years. I still have the vinyl LP from the '70s! I really like this version of Tubular Bells, but I am not sure if I like it as much as the original version. The original version was done with less instruments which lends to its uniqueness. The sound quality of this version is by far better than the original due to the limitations from the source tape of the original. All in all, I am glad I kept this version, but will buy the original version also.
I Prefer the Original I've been a fan of Mike Oldfield's work since the release of "Tubular Bells" in the 1970's. Unfortunately, I think this 2003 re-recording lacks much of the spontaneity and exhuberance that made the original recording so wonderful.
All the way from the excessively fuzzy sound of the rock guitars to John Clease using his best "Fawlty Towers" voice to call out the various instruments in the Part One Finale. This version of "Tubular Bells" is just too studied; too aware of itself; too cute; too over-produced.
I'm going to continue listening to the original recording - warts and all. It's alive in a way that "Tubular Bells 2003" is not.
Now this is where he's gone too far On this album, he is trying to re-record, as closely as possible, to the original 1973 release. Why the hell does he want to do that? If he had released this performance live, his efforts may have been more justified. I'd rather see him and his other performers try and reproduce the original album this tight instead of just hear it being redone as a CD only release.
Now, I know everybody who likes Mike Oldfield is criticizing him for re-recording and re-packaging Tubular Bells over and over, and over again these past 30 plus years. But, if it wasn't for the 1992 release of Tubular Bells II, I would have probably just let myself forget all about him. I really didn't follow Mike Oldfield's music much after Crises (1983) and The Killing Fields (1984). I didn't care for how Mike Oldfield was doing less long played projects and started to perform pop sounding ditties with other singers. Sometimes, you wouldn't know if you were listening to Mike Oldfield or ABBA. Simple pop songs like "Family Man", "To France", "Moonlight Shadow", etc. And when I saw "Discovery" (1984) and seen that it had more short pop songs with vocals, I just sort of gave up on Mike Oldfield, altogether. So I think, TB II was a smart move for Mike Oldfield to re-introduce himself to the music world. "Tubular Bells" (1973) was considered a Progressive Rock achievement back then, and so TB II of 1992 had to compete with the modern day New Age music market. I don't think TB III was a great disappointment, and I certainly I won't give it a miss either. To see it performed live now (on his very hard to find PAL region only DVD release of TB II and TB III live) actually makes me appreciate that album so much more.
And why shouldn't Mike Oldfield try and keep Tubular Bells alive? When we go to see any singer or band in concert, we are usually not too concerned about hearing some of their new material. We want to see and hear the hits, of course. Especially from bands who's past is much more glorified than where they are today.
However, If he tries to re-record this album just once more, he really should seek some therapy. I think by now, he's beat this horse enough. Please Mike, give it a rest!
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
