Tubular Bells 2003

For Tubular Bells 2003, the ever-perfectionist Mike Oldfield (unhappy, apparently, at the odd bum note on the indubitably classic original) utilises the latest studio techniques and trickery 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--16 million sales, reverential status, important historical artefact and so on--has more than enough going for it?

Although the production here is fatter and brighter, playing "spot the musical difference" between this and the one that continues to pay for Richard Branson's hot air balloons may require levels of diligence and dedication bordering on pottiness, which in a way is kind of a relief. There are minor distinctions--louder bass guitar, better sounding bagpipes, Sally Oldfield (presumably) joining Mike for a grunt on the always-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")--but, by and large, the apple cart remains upstanding and no babies are thrown away with the bath water. --Kevin Maidment

Label: Unknown
Studio: Wea
Released: 2003-05-26
Format: Audio CD

Extras/Features:
Box set