 |
Mike Oldfield
Tubular Bells
(Virgin, 1973)
Tubular Bells is a blessing and a curse for Mike Oldfield, a debut that defined his career and made a follow-up virtually impossible. But this albatross can touch incredible heights, and the inclusion of its famous opening passage in the soundtrack to The Exorcist has added a sinister frisson (read Oldfield’s own take on that in the current issue of MOJO magazine). But Tubular Bells is more than just a slightly creepy piece of music. It’s arguably the ultimate expression of progressive rock intent, straddling genres with remarkable abandon and inhabiting a space all of its own. Oldfield has remained obsessed with the work, producing numerous variations on its theme, but the original remains the most satisfying. After all, 17 million Tubular Bells fans can’t be wrong. PA
| |
