Mike Oldfield: Tubular Bells (50th Anniversary Edition) (2LP)

In 1973, a young, largely unknown 20-year-old released his debut album, the first release on a brand new label. The artist was Mike Oldfield, the album "Tubular Bells" and the label Virgin Records. The album became a phenomenon, reaching the top of the British charts, winning a Grammy and launching his career. The popularity and fame of the album was ensured by the fact that the main theme was used in the movie "The Exorcist", which became a worldwide sensation. This 50th anniversary edition of "Tubular Bells", supervised by Mike Oldfield, includes a brand new Abbey Road master of the original album at half speed, plus a second album that brings together for the first time several beguiling versions of Oldfield's masterpiece. "Tubular X," which Mike recorded for an X-Files album* in 1998, Mike's remix collaboration with York, the original Mike Oldfield's single (Theme From Tubular Bells)* and, for the first time since a very limited run in 2012, Mike's stunning "Tubular Bells / In Dulci Jubilo (Music for the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games)" are available on vinyl for the first time. Of particular interest is the brand new eight-minute track "Tubular Bells 4 Intro," which may be the last piece Oldfield ever recorded. Mike Oldfield retired from releasing music in 2018 after giving up touring many years earlier. In the months following his last album, 2017's "Return To Ommadawn," Oldfield toyed with the idea of recording a fourth and final installment of "Tubular Bells" in time for its 50th anniversary. Work began in earnest, and Mike felt he had finally cracked the secret of how to successfully return to and rework the opening motif. A fascinating eight-minute sample was sent to his A&R team. And then: nothing. Mike decided not to continue. Five years later, this final segment of the "Tubular Bells" story is being released as part of the 50th anniversary celebration.