Customer Reviews

Tubular Bells (25th Anniversary Edition)

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I picked up this 25-year anniversary edition of TB,on a recent trip to London. As it is my favorite piece of music, even after all these years, this digitally remastered version sounds remarkably and noticibly better than the existing CD. If you're a Tubular Bells fan, it's definitely worth every penny of the relatively high cost.

Mike Oldfield's prodigious work of genius is remastered in this 25th Anniversary Edition. The result is a significant justice to the original masterpiece.

When the seventeen-year old Oldfield recorded this complex album, it was cut to a heavy vinyl usually reserved for classical recordings in an attempt to preserve the dynamic range of the music. Unfortunately, also preserved were audible electrical clicks from the recording equipment. The technology now available has not only made it possible to erase these but has further enhanced the musical dynamics. Every nuance can now be heard which should delight long-time fans. For those who are new to this album, this remastered version is how it was always meant to sound.

This version of "Tubular Bells" is a real treat for fans on many levels. Not only has the disc been remastered but it is also a gold disc which theoretically should preserve the sound even better. The packaging is great as it's a hard-back 32-page booklet. As mentioned earlier, the sound quality is very high and this would be a worthy addition to any music-lover's collection. Music that defies definition and yet inspires many. One can hear the influences of this album in albums of Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" and even to some extent in "The Wall." Others who were influenced were Emerson, Lake and Palmer and even Yes. An album that stretched the boundaries of rock/pop music and one that is destined to remain a classic for many years to come.

Mike Oldfield's first solo album, leading to a string of distinctive works spanning a decade before he drifted towards commercial mediocrity, remains a masterpiece.
As progressive as instrumental progressive rock gets.
We've all heard the opening piano-and-bells sequence in The Exorcist, but surprisingly few have listened to the equally-remarkable remaining 20 minutes of Part 1, much less Part 2.
Oldfield specializes in complex, overlapping, syncopated melodies and polyrhythms, foreshadowing the nouveau-classical works of Vangelis, Jean Michel Jarre, Steve Reich and many others.

I'm not going to compare this to the other versions because I'm not an Oldfield aficionado but I really like the album. As a bonus, I decided that if you are looking to make a major audio equipment purchase this is an album you should bring along. Lots of tinkly high end coupled with bass so deep you feel it more than hear it will determine instantly if your speakers are blown. Definitely bring it along if you are shopping for a new stereo to see if what you're looking at can handle it. Within a week I was down at Circuit City getting my car speakers replaced (under warranty) as I had heard an occasional buzz and this album really demonstrated it. And kudos to Circuit City, they dropped new ones in no hassle and I was out in half an hour.

This is the first C.D. by Mike Oldfield that I have ever bought. I have already listened to it many times and think it is great! I intend to buy more Mike Oldfield C.D.s and would highly recommend him.