Mike Oldfield – “Tubular Bells”

Englishman Mike Oldfield released “Tubular Bells” in 1973 – the album was the first venture of Richard Branson’s new record label Virgin Records.

The instrumental achieved particular fame when it was used as the theme of the movie “The Exorcist”.

The album “Tubular Bells”, on which Mike Oldfield played over twenty different instruments, quickly entered the Top Ten of the UK album chart.

It’s follow-up, “Hergest Ridge” (of which I have a copy), went to No. 1 for three weeks, before it was displaced by “Tubular Bells”.

“Tubular Bells” was re-recorded by Oldfield, in 1992, 1998 and again in 2003.

Here is the shorter version of “Tubular Bells” used in “The Exorcist”:

And this is one of a number of live recordings of the longer version, here divided into three parts (you’ll need a bit of patience if you want to listen to these…):

“Tubular Bells” live, Part 1:

“Tubular Bells” live, Part 2:

“Tubular Bells” live, Part 3:

If you’ve listened to all of these you’ll now likely be very relaxed….. or asleep…

Paul

Tags: Different Instruments, Englishman, Exorcist, Fame, First Venture, Hergest Ridge, Mike Oldfield, Mike Oldfield Tubular Bells, Music of the Seventies, Patience, Record Label, Richard Branson, The Exorcist, Tubular Bells, Virgin Records

 Print This Post Posted in Seventies Male Soloists,Seventies Progressive Rock   Add a comment