- Vinyl
- Label: EPIC/VIRGIN
- ASIN: B000091WX2
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Audio Cassette | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 223,089 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
Jubilee Offer: Patriotic Classics for £2.50 |
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Released in 1973, Mike Oldfield's debut album--a single composition, loosely stringing together a sequence of musical motifs--managed to sell in excess of 16 million copies, effectively kick-starting the Virgin Records empire and bringing its creator, then just twenty years old, a level of critical and commercial success he would never achieve again. Little wonder that he should choose, years later, to revisit his most famous work--though inevitably, this time the stakes were much higher. Good thing, then, that he took so few risks. Like its predecessor, the album unveils a series of musical tableaux, though this time without the slightest pretence of actual thematic development: it's less a single, unified piece, than a medley of pretty folk-rock instrumentals. The mood sits somewhere between foggy Celtic mysticism and pastoral elegy, occasionally pausing for a moment of unexpected light relief (the bizarre whimsy of "Altered State"). Unlike the original, however, it sustains its pleasures more or less evenly across the entire composition. --Andrew McGuire
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is easily one of Oldfield's best albums and arguably his finest hour.I would rate this album ahead of my other two favourites 'Songs of Distant Earth' and 'Amorak' and definitely a huge step forward from TB1.Musically it's just pure magic with variation from relaxing tempo to just out and out rock.Definitely a vital addition to any Oldfield fan's music collection.The video of the live concert is also pure magic.Well done Mike!!!
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I have had this album for at least 3 years now. And i havn't ever thought, "hmm, this is starting to grow old" or "i have heard this way too much". every time i hear it, i want to hear more. Its like a drug or something, except without the addiction. This album never grows tiring. mike oldfield has created a true masterpiece.
Mike has been criticised before for making his music boring. Taking one section too far, or something. Never once does this happen here. eveyrthing about it is perfect. Ok, i'm gonna stop wrting this review because i want to listen to this album again.
Buy it. or else.
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
If you enjoyed TUBULAR BELLS, which in the 70's was best appreciated through stereophonic headphones and a fog of something slightly illegal (or so I am told!), then you will find this album positively orgasmic. But maybe that is just a sign of old age, or the need to get out more! In an attempt to rekindle the flames of a misspent youth, I finally got round to exchanging my ancient vinyl collection for those newfangled Circular Disc things!, adding albums that I had missed out on during the wilderness years of family life. Now that the wee'ans have all but flown the nest, it was time to plunge myself back into the sounds of the heady days of the seventies. In this album Mike has brought TUBULAR BELLS bang up to date. With the added advantage of modern musical techniques and sound production, and presumably more money to spend, he has managed this with out losing any of the original breathtaking effect. In some eyes it may be sacrilege to say, but this album is an improvement on the original, if that is possible? The haunting melody of SENTINEL soon has the hairs on the back of the neck sticking up, and kick-starts the flickering memories of bygone days, into life. There are some nice little touches, and a few quirky parodies of TB1 thrown in for good measure. My favourite track has to be THE BELL, with its hypnotic rhythm, it has instruments from the original version, with some contemporary additions (vocal cords, digital sound processor!), and the dulcet tones of a well known British Thespian as Master of ceremonies, simply credited as 'A strolling player' plus, TUBULAR BELLS! TATTOO with the swirl of something Celtic is altogether different, and ALTERED STATE has to be heard to be believed, MAYA GOLD in parts is reminiscent of Jeff Wayne's WAR OF THE WORLDS! As for MOONSHINE, well, I will leave you make up your own mind! If you have not heard this album, then do so, soon.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
a golden oldie
This reminded me of my youth, my years at uni were spent with this going on in the background and I still find it soothing and relating.
Published 1 month ago by Fiesta1
Genius
So, you have probably listened to the original Tubular Bells. That in my opinion at the time absolutely shone.
Was there a better album during that decade?...... Read more
Was there a better album during that decade?...... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Slowblues
Tubular Bells
Cracked case, accompanying pictures and information all stuck together and totally unreadable, and each track jumps at the end into the next one. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Ian T
Relax to Tubular Bells
I have had this masterpiece in my collection for years and never tire of it. We all grew up (some of us) with the original Tubular Bells and I think Oldfield updated the tunes and... Read more
Published 12 months ago by WHITLAM
The Bells The Bells
To a lot of people this is just a remake of the original Tubular Bells. I don't know enough to make a comment on this aspect but I can say that I like this better than the... Read more
Published 13 months ago by David K. Thomson
A worthy edition to Tubular Bells - If slightly underrated.
In my opinion, this album is underrated beyond belief. Everyone hypes about Tubular Bells being some sort of Godsend... But what about the sequel, Tubular Bells 2? Read more
Published 15 months ago by Chad Bronson
I was disappointed
The world-wide success of Tubular Bells is nothing short of a musical phenomenon. When it was first released, Mike Oldfield was ploughing a lone furrow in his world of concept... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Lucioperca
Excellent service
The CD arrived on time and was packed very well. the details even included a personal note from the company. The condition of the CD was good
Published 19 months ago by Mrs. H. T. Wilson
Tubular Bells 2
A true Classic.I listen to it regularly, and watch the dvd of the live concert in Edinborough,with the Pipers,John Gordon Sinclair,etc, etc. Read more
Published on 1 July 2009 by alan christopher creaser
tubler bell 11
I have got several of his workes and find them very enjoyable and relaxing to listen to.
Published on 9 Mar 2009 by Mrs. A. Deer
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