TUBULAR BELLS 2003

Fawlty bells

Unlike the previous sequels to "Tubular Bells", such as "Tubular Bells 2" and "The Millennium Bell", this is a straight re-recording of the original album.

Mike Oldfield has apparently always been conscious of what he considered to be the shortcomings performance and production wise of the original album. He therefore returned to the studio in 2003 and recreated the album in its entirety. The result is what sounds like a tribute to "Tubular Bells".

The original album may well have had its flaws, but they were entirely transparent to the average listener. In many ways, those nuances which Oldfield considered to be in need of repair were part of the appeal of the album.

Listening to "TB 2003", it is difficult to avoid constantly comparing this new recording with the one you are already familiar with. Yes, the performance is now impeccable, the sound is crystal clear, and the music of course is excellent. That perversely may be the reason why it loses some of the appeal of the original, it is just a bit too clinical.

I think I will be sticking with the recording I already know and love, warts and all. (John Cleese is an excellent master of ceremonies for the introductions of the various instruments.)

Pointless rerecording of this classic album.Please..but why? The original still stands up and retains an essential earthy quality.This version removes the soul and leaves you with the shell.For Oldfield nuts only.

In theory a good idea. Why not bring the production quality up to scratch. In practice, it does not work. Part of the attraction of the original was its almost amateurish and niaeve feel. As has been pointed out this version lacks the soul and spirir of the original, and altrhough it is good that it is broken down ionto suites, I would have prefered that he did that to the original. Oh, and by the way, John Cleese is an atrocious MC< and takes away the mystery and forboding from the original in a way that is unnesessary and and disrespectfull. Stick wit the original, or at least the remastered versions.

When was the last time you heard Mike OLFIELD'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-A 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.

i think that its very well done. the sound is clear, and takes you away on a musicial journey. while i think that its more relaxing than the original, it lacks a certain eerieness that the original album had. i don't believe that it would work for the exorcist

I had conflicting thoughts before this re-recording of the original TB came out. It was exciting because Mike had at his disposal so much more technology that he had in 1970- 73. He'd said that the original TB wasn't perfect (out of tune guitars et al) and was rushed. Now he could apply 21st century wizardry to his magnificent compositon. On the other hand - what if TB 2003 was actually disappointing! The original for all its so-called technical flaws was groundbreaking at the time and became a living musical legend - a lot to live up to! But I needn't have been worried - Mike has done a masterful job in presenting a well love old friend in newer fresher clothes with a few welcome tweaks. Sure, it doesn't match the original for sheer atmosphere and emotion and feeling but it is cleaner, fresher and more mature. And I just love the new treatment of Mr Piltdown man introducing (presumably) Mrs Pitdown. John Cleese got a bit of getting used to but I think he's a great MC - the way he says 'mandolin' is my favourite bit! So I'm very happy to - depending on my mood - t pop either one or other CD into my computer or discman (Ah - that's the one bone I have to pick with TB 2003 - it's copy protected - not itself a problem - but each track kicks in individually rather than runs seamlessly when it's in the computer!)

5 and no doubt.

Original Tubular Bells is an undoubtful masterpiece. At least for me and those millions fans across the world. And this is a classic Tubular Bells from good old '73 re-recorded with modern technologies and thirty years of experience.

The problem is it's hard to listen even everlasting classics of thirty years ago. A lack of quality in recording and producing of original album is obvious. Some purists can disagree. Really, there is some charm in mellow analogue sound, some hiss, some noise, some fault notes.

Purists can listen to old version. But here we got crystal clear (hm...) flawless sounding album for those with expensive audio systems and so on. Not a Tubular Bells II which explored further and created some, call it, different version. Almost note-to-note original album, only better quality.

(Tracks mean nothing, as they were added only because of indutry and public demand. Tracks flow into each other as before, and you can navigate the CD more easily.)

Minus is: nothing new. But hey, it's not new album, it's re-recording.

Highly recommended for newbies (instead of '73 album), not recommended for listeners who remember original albums in charts and on radio.

Tubular Bells 2003 is a re-recording of 1973's Tubular Bells, released just after the binding 30 year contract had ended. Oldfield started this project in effort to make a polished version of the original,losing all of the out of tune instruments, buzzing guitar, and generally greatly improving the fidelity.

As such, much of the charm from the original is lost. There's something about listening to the niave Mike in the original version, giving it his all, raw production included, that makes it such a magical and mystical experience. Here that is all lost.

Reserved for fans that are farmiliar with the rest of the discography, or those Tubular Bell nuts. Get the original first!

First assumption: this could easily have been for me one of the finest albums ever, had I not been hearing the original for decades. As far as re-recordings go, this is among the best. Oldfield managed to do something different using the same composition just by updating the means and the production to the digital era.

So what's new in 2003? Well, first off, both parts have been subdivided in several smaller pieces - no point, really, seeing that they can't actually hold on their own. The general feeling is that the mellower parts are more crystal, while the heavier parts are heavier and trashier. And the finale is now voiced by John Clease - a fine choice and a fine work, but I'm afraid the original is just too imprinted on our minds to fully appreciate this new feature.

Tubular Bells 2003 has however brought a new light to Part 2. The crescendo leading to Cavemen is much more dramatic and flowing. Cavemen itself has been turned into "Caveman and Cavewoman", seeing that are now two voices (I must confess I rather preferred the original by miles). The Sailor's Hornpipe ends the album pretty much in the same manner as the original recording.

All in all, a nice effort that had to wait 30 years to break from the shackles of Virgin to see the light. We, outside, great it with kindness, although our fondness will always remain with its ruder, sharper-edged, older brother.

From the very start, Mike has never been satisfied with Tubular Bells. From the first knock off, the orchestral version, he was trying to fix what he thought was absolutely messy, broken, and sloppy. True, most will agree with me when I say that the original Oldfield album was a very hurried out the door and sloppy affair. However, that was always part of the intrigue of the album - the organic honesty. Now, he has reproduced it with Tubular Bells 2003. He has done other knock-off albums before, but all were renditions of it. This is a straight re-recording of the original. All playing is precise, all editing on cue.

In some regards, this remake is better than the original. All the varied sounds are still here, though perhaps a bit more electronic-sounding and geometric. To hear the fantastic album with perfect delivery, and top-notch sound quality is very fulfilling. However, I (and most others) would still prefer to listen to the original. Something of the magic, the atmosphere, the aura, the unrepeatable nostalgic beauty of Tubular Bells is lost in this nearly-robotic recreation.

Cutting up the album into several smaller songs was a strange artistic choice of Mike's, and I personally would have preferred it all to remain as a two part song. But, that doesn't at all affect the music. The compositions are, as I said, completely the same as the original. A wise choice, if you ask me, because the disastrous Tubular Bells II was plagued by the expectancy of the original melodies, and when something similar was pronounced, we had that frustrating feeling of almost...but not quite. Here, everything is the same, down the detail, and if you're looking for an enhanced version of the original, then this is the best. But if you're not looking for that, then this is not only superfluous, but comes short of the original, which makes it generally useless.

Let's do some recap work, will you ?

1973 : the original "Tubular Bells" is released.

1975 : the Orchestral version saw the light.

1976 : both parts appear on "Exposed", Mike's only live album (which was released on DVD in 2005)

1976 : a great compilation work which features his first three albums, in a different version

1992 : Tubular Bells II

1998 : Tubular Bells III

1999 : The Millenium Bell

2001 : The Best Of Tubular Bells (edits from different versions)

2003 : The Complete Tubular Bells

2003 : Tubular Bells 2003

Ten albums dedicated to this great song! Maybe a bit too much, I'm afraid. Just imagine the credibility of such approach. But, still : it works!

This is my preferred version (on par with the original one). Simply because it is the closer one. Almost a clone finally; but recorded with new techniques and coming out of Mike's mind, in search of getting closer to perfection.

This album is meant for Oldfield fans of course, but new (or younger) ones might be appealed by this 2003 Bells. I certainly enjoyed it very much. Probably not as much as his debut one (the surprise effect is somehow gone, would you believe?) but I can't rate it with less than four stars (as the original one actually).

An interesting and pleasant way to re-discover this great album.

There must have been a good reason for Mike Oldfield to re-visit his career-making 1973 hit after thirty years, only to record a note-perfect copy of the original album. It's still the same, compelling, self- indulgent exercise in studio one-man bandmanship, still opening with that instantly familiar theme famously used in the film "The Exorcist" (director William Friedkin later claimed he'd have used the music of TANGERINE DREAM instead, if only he had known of them at the time).

The new version likewise still employs the same grade-school music primer in the now oddly named "Finale" (on vinyl it closed the first side of the LP; now it's in the middle of a single CD suite). Here the repeating motif is played more for comic relief, with each additional instrument (all of them presumably played by Oldfield himself) named by ex-Monty Python John Cleese, acting as 'master of ceremonies'. And the album still concludes with an unexpected but lively rendition of the "Sailor's Hornpipe": thus completing a strange musical journey from the rotating head of Linda Blair to the bulging biceps of Popeye the Sailor.

The remake of course sounds far superior to the original, with smoother transitions, stronger performances (after 30 years of practice, let's hope so), and a much cleaner production. But any flaws in the first edition, technical or otherwise, were strictly in the mind of the composer. Please note how Oldfield didn't alter the form or content of the music itself by so much as a single note.

I enjoyed the unique experience of hearing both the 1973 and 2003 versions (and both for the first time) together in one sitting. Never mind, by the way, how I could have missed it back in the '70s: maybe the saturation airplay of the opening "Exorcist" theme on every AM radio in the known universe turned me off at the time. Listening to the two albums back to back was certainly instructive, providing a not unpleasant sensation of déjà vu. If the original was a textbook product of its era, then the re- make is a weird time-capsule hybrid: a glossy new 5.1 surround-sound product of the same earlier age.

Think of it like the chassis of a classic sports car with a supercharged digital engine under the hood. It may offer a smoother, more fuel-efficient ride, but you won't arrive at your destination any quicker.

Tubular Bells - how it was supposed to be

Mike Oldfield was never happy with the mistakes and production quality of Tubular Bells due to having a very limited amount of time to make it and the pressure he was under. So on its 30th anniversary he decided to remake it; extremely faithful and accurate to the first. But this time with no mistakes or poor sound quality.

Being that I'm young and haven't been exposed to Mike Oldfield for a long time, I have the original Tubular Bells and Tubular Bells 2003 at my disposal. I've listened to them both a number of times and heavily favor the remake. It sounds pretty much exactly the same, only enhanced in quality. Compared to the original the only differences apart from quality are: the music is split into separate songs, John Cleese is the new Master of Ceremonies, there's an extended intro to Latin, and the caveman part is now a duet between Mike and his sister Sally; sounding more coherent than before.

Now the music. We've all heard it so I don't think I have to go into detail about what it entails. All I have to say is that I love almost all of it, except for the start of Finale which goes for to long.

So being that I never grew up with the original, I never grew to love it for what it was despite its flaws in quality. Therefore I think Mike did the right thing by making Tubular Bells 2003 for the younger people like me. 4.5 stars

My 5 stars go to the DVD-Audio version of this remake and then to the high-definition surround version. If you're into surround sound, adventurous surround, that is, this is a must have! I know many listeners don't like this aggresive approach of mixing ("making my head spin...") but for me it's "if you make it surround than really use those 5 (5.1 actually) channels". And that's what they've really done here. For example, the sailor's hornpipe start scircling around you faster and faster as the melody accelerates. The whole album is packed with such effects. If you're a straight stereohead, you'll surely hate those guitar solos starting on the front left speaker and then zigging away to the back right...

As for the music, it's basically the gold old Tubular Bells, which Mike wanted to re-record without those mistakes in the old rushed recording (which I never noticed anyway, but I really tend to listen with the heart and belly and not so much with an analytic mind...). So, whenever he could remember how he did something, he reproduced it faithfully (without those wrong notes, of course).

When you can't get a grib on the - as it seems - long-cancelled DVD-Audio (which is getting more and more expensive as a second-hand item) look out for the "Mike Oldfield DVD Collection" which includes the DVD-Audio. And thus you might get it much cheaper with two bonus DVDs (that aren't that good, but we fans don't mind having them, do we?) than only the DVD-Audio.

A lot of sources inform that the artist Mike Oldfield was deeply dissatisfied with his first solo effort Tubular Bells since its release date. On the other hand, this album was internationally recognized as Oldfield's very best. And this contradiction is unsolvable. Perhaps that's why Oldfield returned to the 'tubular bells' subject again and again throughout his creative life. Orchestral Tubular Bells, Tubular Bells II, Tubular Bells III, The Millenium Bell... The musician circled above the subject like a kite, widening or narrowing his circles from time to time. And while he fantasized over the 'tubular' theme offering one derivative product after another to the public, the 1973 prototype wasn't getting better. (And I must agree with the author, the album is full or even overfilled with gorgeous musical ideas but was done very sloppy, untidy I'd say...) Of course this story had to end up with something sooner or later. And it came to end in 2003 when Oldfield stopped producing 'variations upon the tubular theme' and re-arranged, re-performed and re-recorded the original album as it should be done 30 years before to be done well. Who knows, maybe the 1973 original version was conceived too profound and wise for a young artist, maybe he created a stone which he could not lift up himself in those days, and that's the reason for his continuous dissatisfaction? Anyway, the 2003 version is perfect in any respect. At the same time it probably even has no independent value, it cannot assert itself in its own right if you like. It exists only as the evidence that the 1973 album is (or at least should be) a real masterpiece.

A true pleasure for the ears!

After the flawed Orchestral Tubular Bells and tons of remasters, reeditions and sequels, Mike Oldfield finally remade his most emblematic (but not his best) album, a desire he had since the original release with the support of Richard Branson back in 1973.

And for this occasion, he used part of the instruments of the old recording sessions along with some new incorporations and the album sounds just fantastic, plethoric and incredibly beautiful. Maybe some new elements like the female vocals in the caveman section are debatable, but the result is a tremendous gift for Oldfield's fans.

Best tracks: I always considered that the first part is far superior than the second one.

Conclusion: Tubular Bells 2003 is not a substitute for the legendary album of 1972. I rather see this re-recording as a complement of this classic piece of music, improving its sound and adding the experience and skills that Mike learned in more than 30 years of career.

So, I consider this new version maybe not superior than the original, but equally interesting and containing an incredibly well- made production very worthy to be heard and studied to learn the evolution of this talented, restless and always interesting musician.

My rating: ****

Four facts to kick this off: 1. Mike Oldfield always felt that Tubular Bells were imperfect; 2. Technology of the era couldn't produce all the sounds he imagined in 1973; 3. As a twenty year old, he wasn't as proficient with instruments as later on; 4. Fortunately, he found the strength to re-record the album in 2003, just in time for his 50th birthday and 30th anniversary of the first release.

This pretty much wraps it up.

If I come off as cynical or indifferent, please excuse me. It's just, well, quite uncommon to revisit the album after decades and remake it from A to Z. Tangerine Dream, Exodus (thrash metal) and, more recently, Transylvanian Negura Bunget have done something similar... but "Tubular Bells 2003" went a step further - it's not reimagining, it's almost note-for-note, beat-by-beat duplicate, with crystal clear production and impeccable technique this time around.

Everything I said about the original applies here as well. Fantastic, dream-like, multi-faceted musical experience led by prodigious guitarist of Berkshire and Celtic descent. It's hard to find a flaw in his vision, and Tubular Bells never ceased to amaze me. This album is worth any attention it gets, so I can't really complain about the re-recording. I'm a fan.

Obviously there is a good number of moments that sound even more powerful and convincing here. "Introduction" itself is so reinvigorating, especially its culmination! "Basses" section is maybe twice as heavy, Mike applied HUGE palm-muted distortion giving it more oomph... same effect is achieved in "Thrash" and "Bagpipe Guitars". The list could go on. Vibratos are fuller, overdrives more compressed, basses more prominent, and so on. The differences are apparent once you listen to both albums side by side.

TB2003 is hypermodern. Does it mean it's better though? I, for one, don't mind the 70s production or timing missteps at all. It's part of the experience really, that's the way I heard it for the first n- times and how I grew to appreciate its content. Original version may even be superior for its earthy feel and more human approach! Another advantage of 1973 release is Vivian Stanshall as Master of Ceremonies (announcing instruments in Part I coda). I feel his delivery is much more interesting and fitting than John Cleese's clowning.

All in all, once I acquired "Tubular Bells 2003", it's become a core part of Mike Oldfield's catalogue. I don't listen to Tubular Bells that often, but when I do, the 2003 version is played 1/3 of the time (one for every three listens, roughly). The busiest, hectic parts clearly benefit from modern technology and meticulous approach. It also shows how important Tubular Bells are for Mike Oldfield himself. I hope he finds this version satisfactory and feels it couldn't be done any better, not without rearrangements.

I recommend it to all Oldfield and progressive rock fans alike. It's the same mythical land, but revisited on a much brighter day.