Tubular Bells 2003

Tubular Bells 2003
Studio album by Mike Oldfield
Released 27 May 2003 (2003-05-27)
Recorded Roughwood, August 2002 – February 2003
Genre Progressive rock
Length 48:38
Label Warner
Producer Mike Oldfield
Mike Oldfield chronology
Tr3s Lunas
(2002)		 Tubular Bells 2003
(2003)		 Light + Shade
(2005)
Tubular Bells series chronology
The Complete Tubular Bells
(2003)		 Tubular Bells 2003
(2003)
Singles from Tubular Bells 2003
  1. "Introduction 2003"
    Released: 24 April 2003
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]

Tubular Bells 2003 is an album by Mike Oldfield, released in 2003 by Warner Music. It is a complete re-recording of Oldfield's 1973 album debut Tubular Bells, which had been released 30 years earlier.

Background

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 1973 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 version.

To remain faithful to the original album, Oldfield obtained a copy of the original 16 track tape, from Richard Barrie of Air Studios; this multitrack was then recorded into Digidesign Pro Tools. There were a few parts of the multitrack recording missing however; this included parts of the "Finale", "Caveman" and "The Sailors Hornpipe" sections. These original tracks were then moved into Emagic Logic, where Oldfield used MIDI to create a tempo and time signature map; some sections of the original album had not been in time. A guide MIDI keyboard was laid on top, for which Oldfield usually used some Roland Strings. The first instrument to be recorded was the Glockenspiel at the beginning of Part One's "Introduction", and the final part to be recorded was the "Caveman" vocal track.[2]

The album was released in three versions: a CD in Europe, a CD in North America, and a DVD-Audio edition. The copy protection[3] on the CDs caused many complaints about playback difficulties, including claims of damage to CD and DVD players.

Due to the extensive use of digital technology, Tubular Bells 2003 has a more synthesised and brighter sound than the original. Because of the death 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.[4]

There is a facetious 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 a similar note, without the word "still", from the original album.

A video and Spanish promo single were produced for a remix version of the Tubular Bells "Introduction" theme, entitled "Introduction 2003".[5] The second publicly released MusicVR game, Maestro, used various extracts from Tubular Bells 2003.[6]

Personnel

Performers
Non-performers

Track listing

CD

Part one
  1. "Introduction" – 5:52
  2. "Fast Guitars" – 1:04
  3. "Basses" – 0:46
  4. "Latin" – 2:18
  5. "A Minor Tune" – 1:21
  6. "Blues" – 2:40
  7. "Thrash" – 0:44
  8. "Jazz" – 0:48
  9. "Ghost Bells" – 0:30
  10. "Russian" – 0:44
  11. "Finale" – 8:32 (featuring John Cleese)
Part two
  1. "Harmonics" – 5:12
  2. "Peace" – 3:30
  3. "Bagpipe Guitars" – 3:08
  4. "Caveman" – 4:33
  5. "Ambient Guitars" – 5:10
  6. "The Sailor's Hornpipe" – 1:46 (Traditional arrangement)

Bonus DVD

  1. "Introduction" – 5:51
  2. "Fast Guitars" – 1:04
  3. "Basses" – 0:46
  4. "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
  1. "Tubular Bells Long" – 22:57
  2. "Caveman Lead-In" – 2:46
  3. "Caveman" – 5:05
  4. "Peace Demo A" – 7:00
  5. "Peace Demo B" – 4:18
Live Excerpts
  1. "Sentinel" – from Tubular Bells II – Live at Edinburgh Castle 1992 – 8:06
  2. "Far Above the Clouds" – from Tubular Bells III – Live at Horseguards Parade, London 1998 – 4:40

Equipment

Hardware

Mixing desk
  • AMS Neve Capricorn (V2.85.003 & V2.91.007)
Computers
  • Apple Macintosh computers
    • G4 466Mhz OS9.1, 1Gb Ram – Logic Audio Platinum 4.8.1 and Pro Tools
    • G4 1000Mhz OS9.2 – Logic 5.3.0 and Pro Tools 5.3.1
    • Powerbook 5300
  • Pro Tools Mix Plus card X2
  • 4 Pro Tools 24-bit 888s
  • Motu 828
Plug-ins
Outboard effects
  • TC Electronic M5000
  • Eventide DSP 4000
  • Lexicon 300
  • Yamaha SPX 1000
  • UREI 1176 & 1178
  • Belcaman C-102
  • 5 NEVE 1073 Mic Amps and EQ
  • Manor Module (Mic Amp, EQ and Compressor from the original Manor console)
Microphones
  • Brüel & Kjær 4011
  • Brüel & Kjær 4040 (Serial no. 001)
  • AKG C12
  • Shure SM57
  • Neuman U67
  • Neuman M249
  • Beyer Dynamic M160
  • BSS DI Box

Instruments

Electric Guitars
Acoustic Guitars
  • Ramirez Class 1A Flamenco 1974
  • Ramirez Class 1A Flamenco 1975
  • Martin Steel String Acoustic
  • Taylor K22 Acoustic Guitar 1985
  • Ovation Adamas
  • MJV Mandolin
Pianos and Organs
  • Steinway 8 ft 1920s, frame rebuilt
  • Steinway 6 ft 1920s Model L
  • Lowery Organ
  • Farfisa Organ
  • Accordion
Keyboards
Soft synths
  • Emagic EXS24
  • Emagic ES1
  • Emagic EVP88
  • Native Instruments Pro-52
Percussion

Release details

Year Country Label Catalogue number Release date Format Copy protected Other discs
2003 UK WEA/Warner Brothers Records 2564602042 26 May 2003 CD Yes
2003 UK WEA/Warner Brothers Records 0927499212 26 May 2003 CD Yes Bonus DVD
2003 UK WEA/Warner Brothers Records 2564602052 26 May 2003 CD Yes, TB2003 only TB II, TB III and a Bonus DVD (4 disc box)
2003 USA Rhino Records ? 5 August 2003 CD No
2003 UK WEA/Warner Brothers Records ? 5 August 2003 CD No
2004 UK WEA/Warner Brothers Records 2564602045 26 January 2004 DVD Audio N/A
2004 USA Rhino Records I454715 24 February 2004 DVD Audio N/A

References

  1. ↑ Tubular Bells 2003 at AllMusic
  2. ↑ Tubular Bells 2003 DVD Audio booklet
  3. ↑ "Discography". Amadian. Retrieved 2009-02-27.
  4. ↑ "John Cleese". UKTV Gold. Retrieved 2009-02-27.
  5. ↑ "Rarities". Amadian. Retrieved 2009-02-27.
  6. ↑ "Maestro". MikeOldfield.com. Retrieved 2009-02-27.
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