In looking around one of the CD websites, I came across TB III, which I didn’t know even existed. Any of you Society members interested in giving us a review? I especially am interested in how III relates to the original, if it does.
Thanks
Q
It is debateable whether TB2 and TB3 really bear any relation to the original 1973 magnum opus, beyond a title and a marketing strategy. Both TB2 and TB3 have opening riffs which are obviously (and intentionaly) variations on the opening riff from TB1, but beyond that there is arguably less correlation or thematic extension than Mike Oldfield’s publicists might suggest.
The three albums obviously have nothing in common technically - the original was done on tissue paper and string for five cents, largely without sequencers and with no sampling (so if he wanted a riff repeated 128 times, he damn well sat there and played it 128 times). Nowadays, of course, Mr Oldfield has every studio toy in the book at his disposal, and can overdub anything on to anything ad infinitum. Indeed, he freely confesses he is often tempted to do precisely that. For TB2 he got Trevor Horn in as a producer, largely because Trev would occasionally say, “No, that’s enough overdubs, leave it as it is”.
Do they have anything in common thematically? I’d say very little. Clearly, some sections of TB2 involve ‘re-visiting’ melodies and ideas from TB, but these points of
recognisable contact are very few and far between. The same goes for TB3, only more so.
Personally, as a long-time follower of Mr. Oldfield’s career, I’d suggest that TB3 has nothing whatsoever to do with Tubular Bells except for the trite observations that it has that tinkly, minimalist opening riff and is mainly instrumental rock music by MO. I say ‘mainly’ instrumental because it features a song, ‘Man in the Rain’ which is simply a re-hash of ‘Moonlight Shadow’ with a glorious lead guitar break.
Incidentally, there’s also effectively a TB4, except he chose to call it ‘The Millenium Bell’.
For my money, if you’ve heard the first 3 albums (TB, Hergest Ridge, Ommadawn) you’ve heard most everything of value the guy has to offer. Everything after was either a re-tread, a re-hash or a genuine disaster (i.e. “QE2”). That sounds a bit harsh, so I’ll admit that both “Five Miles Out” and “Amarok” had their moments.
Thanks for your thoughts on TB III! I found your “review” worthy of a magazine like Stereo Review! Very concise and to the point.
You a real good word-writer, man!
Quasi
Thank you for your kind words, Quasi.