Tubular Bells is nearly 50!

Subject: Tubular Bells is nearly 50!
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 13 May 21 - 11:25 AM

Just spent a lovely 50 or so minutes listening to Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells parts 1 and 2. I had forgotten just how good it is :-) Released in 1973, it's hard to credit that it will soon be 50 years old.

For those asking why this is mentioned on a folk forum...

Well, Oldfield played folk clubs in his early teens and finished off Tubular Bells playing a splendid version of the Sailor's Hornpipe on mandolin :-)

Subject: RE: Tubular Bells is nearly 50!
From: Allan Conn
Date: 13 May 21 - 11:34 AM

I love the album and some really fantastic sections in it. To tell you the truth as a straight through listen to the whole album though I listen to Ommadawn more which for me is more consistent throughout - though admittedly it doesn't have the two really iconic parts that TB has. That is the theme at the start which the Exorcist used and the countdown to the bells. And Ommadawn has the folkie touches especially the section with Paddy Moloney on the Uilleann Pipes.

Subject: RE: Tubular Bells is nearly 50!
From: robomatic
Date: 13 May 21 - 12:16 PM

I 'member when you could hear it everywhere and it qualified as New Sound. Something unusual and not heard before. Saw a pretty good documentary on it, linking Oldfield and a young Branson. Somehow never saw The Exorcist but of course that was everywhere, too and the music linkage was as tight as Psycho shower scene and Herrmann's shrieking strings.

I'll look into Ommadawn. Thanks!

Subject: RE: Tubular Bells is nearly 50!
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 13 May 21 - 07:38 PM

Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells Full Album for those of us who don't have the album (LP or CD) but remember it!

1,429,388 views since it was posted on Jan 8, 2018. It has 1991 comments (must be a popular album!)

Subject: RE: Tubular Bells is nearly 50!
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 15 May 21 - 11:38 AM

I heard Ommadawn many years ago and remember not rating it then. Just listened again now and love it. Funny how tastes change init!

Subject: RE: Tubular Bells is nearly 50!
From: Joe G
Date: 15 May 21 - 11:53 AM

Hergest Ridge is my favourite even though it is not as popular as TB or Ommadawn - I remember putting my head between a pair of speakers listening to Ommadawn as I didn't have any headphones! The way side one builds up is tremendous. I enjoyed Inacantations too though not as much as the first three. After that MO went a bit too poppy for me but I understand he was just working through his appalling contract with RB so wasn't as bothered about what he produced!

Subject: RE: Tubular Bells is nearly 50!
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 18 May 21 - 11:54 PM

Tubular Belles


Tubercular Balls

Subject: RE: Tubular Bells is nearly 50!
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 19 May 21 - 12:03 AM

30+ Synths play Tubular Bells



Mike Oldfield 'Tubular Bells' Live at the BBC 1973