Mike Oldfield
Tubular Bells 2003

Review By Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
Click here to e-mail reviewer

  When was the last time you heard Mike Oldfield's classic progressive-rock masterpiece Tubular Bells? It is quite possible you never heard it before if you are twenty or thirty something. Regardless of what generation you are from this is the kind of album that is worth taking out on a regular basis to give a spin to relive its magic. With the advent of this DVD-Audio release from Rhino Records, it is time to acknowledge the brilliance of Oldfield and his work one more time.

This album has always sounded wonderful. Now we can enjoy every detail of the original recording with bright and clear sonics, including the many nuances of each instrument. He certainly used many different types of instruments, and I think that is why this album sounds so unique and why it holds up to this day as something original and special without equal.

In addition to the original album, you get to see Oldfield in the before and after scenario with excerpts from Tubular Bells II - Live at Edinburgh Castle and Tubular Bells 3 - Live at Horseguards Parade, London. The sound on this format is simply astounding; there is no other way to explain it.

This is one of those albums that set a precedence and made a career for one person, now 30 years later the legacy grows and continues to gain advances into the consciousness of music listeners around the world. Yes, this is one of the most important rock albums of all time, just look at the countless bands that have recorded similar music after this was released. Oldfield's influence is everywhere, and to think he accomplished all of this with one album; it is truly an amazing feat that deserves another look.

Enjoyment:

Sound Quality: