Tubular Bells (Amazon.com Exclusive) [Box set]

Mike Oldfield | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 30, 2009)
• Original Release Date: June 30, 2009
• Number of Discs: 5
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Mercury
• ASIN: B0026RCAIA
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #198,040 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. TUBULAR BELLS PART ONE (new stereo mix by Mike Oldfield, Bahamas, March 2009)

2. TUBULAR BELLS PART TWO (new stereo mix by Mike Oldfield, Bahamas, March 2009)

3. MIKE OLDFIELD'S SINGLE

4. SAILOR'S HORNPIPE (Vivian Stanshall version)

Disc: 2

1. TUBULAR BELLS PART ONE (original stereo mix May 1973)

2. TUBULAR BELLS PART TWO (original stereo mix May 1973)

Disc: 3

1. TUBULAR BELLS PART ONE (5.1 Surround mix by Mike Oldfield Bahamas 2009)

2. TUBULAR BELLS PART TWO (5.1 Surround Mix by Mike Oldfield Bahamas 2009)

3. MIKE OLDFIELD'S SINGLE (5.1 Surround Mix by Mike Oldfield Bahamas 2009)

4. BBC TV 2ND HOUSE - 3RD DECEMBER 1973

Disc: 4

1. TUBULAR BELLS PART ONE (original stereo mix May 1973)

2. TUBULAR BELLS PART TWO (original stereo mix May 1973)

Disc: 5

1. TUBULAR BELLS (1971 demos)

2. TUBULAR BELLS (Scrapped first mix Spring 1973)

Editorial Reviews

MIKE OLDFIELD Tubular Bells (2009 issue UK Ultimate Edition 5 FORMAT [3CD/1DVD/1LP] set comprising the original 1973 mix, alongside a new 2009 stereo mix of the album [remastered by Mike at his home in the Bahamas]; a Bonus CD including previously unheard demos and rough mixes of this epochal recording; a Bonus DVD containing a 5.1 mix; plus the vinyl LP featuring the classic original 1973 stereo mix. Presented in a deluxe 12" x 13" hard card picture slipcase complete with a 60-page hardback book, plectrums, poster, facsimile of Manor Studios recording brochure, gig ticket, postcard and recording information!)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars totally tubular, June 30, 2009

By 

David J. Stash (MCKEESPORT, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tubular Bells (Amazon.com Exclusive) (Audio CD)

While this heavyweight set is for the fan-atic, it must be praised as the all-inclusive (as far as we know) documentation of Oldfield's initial masterpiece. It is beautifully assembled and hernia inducing in heft, with a fantastic hard bound book and other pleasant surprises. The 5.1 mix is much better than the surround SACD issue of some years ago. A well done collectible, to be sure.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Top Notch, July 3, 2009

By 

Ellis Swearangin - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tubular Bells (Amazon.com Exclusive) (Audio CD)

This is a review about the sound quality only, not the music. I assume you are already a fan and know Tubular Bells.

The mixing and mastering are near perfect. The new mix on disk one is a real improvement, imo, over the original. Things are clearer and there is a better blending of music. It is my preferred mix. The other mixes sound great too, the remastering was done extremely well. There is no clipping, and any compression that occurs is subtle and does not damage anything. There are tons of dynamics in these disks. Kudos Mike.

As an aside, the record label owned Tubular Bells for 35 years and that ownership ended in 2008, which is why we are getting this awesome set now as Mike gets to own his creation again. So if you buy this set, it is a good way of thanking Mike with your money.

For more information on what good mastering and good sound quality is about you can check out wikipedia's entry on the 'loudness war'.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Masterpiece, September 8, 2009

By 

G. Simms "Ireadlots" (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tubular Bells (Amazon.com Exclusive) (Audio CD)

Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells was a fabulous concept album. Although the second version of the album was lusher, the original remains the yardstick for clarity, energy, and excitement. I've worn out LP's, tapes, and CD's of this album, and it remains among my favorites. Along with his much later "Crisis" it remains a hallmark of an incredible career.