| Tubular Bells 2003 | |||||
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| Studio album by Mike Oldfield | |||||
| Released | 2003 | ||||
| Recorded | Roughwood, August 2002 - February 2003 | ||||
| Genre | Progressive rock | ||||
| Length | 48:38 | ||||
| Label | Warner | ||||
| Producer | Mike Oldfield | ||||
| Professional reviews | |||||
| Mike Oldfield chronology | |||||
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Tubular Bells 2003 is an album by Mike Oldfield, and is a re-recording of the classic album Tubular Bells that he recorded back in 1973. Oldfield had always been uncomfortable with the original recording because he had only a few weeks to record it and the technology at the time was unable to cope with all of his requirements. As a result mistakes could not be fixed and some instruments were out of tune on the final release. Due to contractual reasons no re-recordings were allowed for 25 years after the original release. The release of Tubular Bells 2003 took place in the year when Oldfield celebrated his 50th birthday and the 30th anniversary of the original release. Due to the extensive use of digital technology, Tubular Bells 2003 has a more synthesized and 'brighter' feel than the original. Because of the passing of Vivian Stanshall, who was the original master of ceremonies on the 1973-release, Oldfield had actor John Cleese introduce the instruments in the 'Finale' part. Some criticised this decision, claiming that Stanshall's voice could have simply been remastered and used once again. The album was released in three versions: a copy-controlled CD in Europe, a genuine CD in North America, and a DVD-Audio edition. The copy-controlled CDs caused many complaints about playback difficulties, including claims of damage to CD and DVD players. The complaints may be the cause of the album's quick disappearance from the charts, which was not the case with the previous Tubular Bells (I, II and III) albums. A video and Spanish promo single were produced for a remix version of the Tubular Bells Introduction theme, entitled Introduction 2003.
Contents |
Personnel
- Mike Oldfield - Acoustic & Electric guitars, Accordion, Piano, Organ, Keyboards, Synthesizer, Organ, Glockenspiel, Timpani, Cymbals, Tambourine, Triangle, Tubular Bells, Programming
- John Cleese - Narrator
- Sally Oldfield - Background Vocals
Track listing
CD
Part One
- "Introduction" – 5:52
- "Fast Guitars" – 1:04
- "Basses" – 0:46
- "Latin" – 2:18
- "A Minor Tune" – 1:21
- "Blues" – 2:40
- "Thrash" – 0:44
- "Jazz" – 0:48
- "Ghost Bells" – 0:30
- "Russian" – 0:44
- "Finale" – 8:32 (featuring John Cleese)
Part Two
- "Harmonics" – 5:12
- "Peace" – 3:30
- "Bagpipe Guitars" – 3:08
- "Caveman" – 4:33
- "Ambient Guitars" – 5:10
- "The Sailor's Hornpipe" – 1:46 (Traditional arrangement)
Bonus DVD
- Disk 2 - Total Time 11:22
- "Introduction" – 5:51
- "Fast Guitars" – 1:04
- "Basses" – 0:46
- "Introduction 2003" 'The Video' – 3:41
DVD-Audio Bonus Material
The DVD-Audio edition includes the demos Oldfield recorded in his flat in 1971 and two excerpts from other Oldfield DVD releases.
- 1971 Demos
- "Tubular Bells Long" - 22:57
- "Caveman Lead-In" - 2:46
- "Caveman" - 5:05
- "Peace Demo A" - 7:00
- "Peace Demo B" - 4:18
- Live Excerpts
- "Sentinal" - From "Tubular Bells II - Live at Edinburgh Castle 1992" - 8:06
- "Far Above the Clouds" - From "Tubular Bells III - Live at Horseguards Parade, London 1998" - 4:40
Trivia
- There is a "warning" inside the cover of CD: "This stereo record can still not be played on old tin boxes no matter what they are fitted with. If you are in possession of such equipment please hand it into the nearest police station". This warning references an identical "warning" (minus the word "still") from the original album.
Release Details
- 2003, UK, WEA/Warner Brothers Records 2564602042, Release Date 26 May 2003, CD copy protected version
- 2003, UK, WEA/Warner Brothers Records 0927499212, Release Date 26 May 2003, CD copy protected version - with Bonus DVD
- 2003, UK, WEA/Warner Brothers Records 2564602052, Release Date 26 May 2003, CD - with TB II & TB II - with Bonus DVD - making it 4 disc box
- 2003, USA, Rhino Records ?, Release Date 5 August 2003, CD
- 2003, UK, WEA/Warner Brothers Records ?, Release Date 5 August 2003, CD
- 2004, UK, WEA/Warner Brothers Records 2564602045, Release Date 26 January 2004, DVD Audio
- 2004, USA, Rhino Records I454715, Release Date 24 February 2004, DVD Audio
