Tubular Bells III

Infobox Album | Name = Tubular Bells III
Type = studio
Artist = Mike Oldfield


Released = start date|1998|9|22|df=yes
Recorded = Ibiza (December 1996ndashMarch 1998)
London (April 1998ndashJune 1998)
Genre = New Age, Progressive rock
Length = 46:38
Label = Warner
Producer = Mike Oldfield
Reviews =
* Allmusic Rating|3|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:7ko7gjlr16i9 link]
Last album = "Voyager"
(1996)
This album = "Tubular Bells III"
(1998)
Next album = "Guitars"
(1999)
Misc = Singles
Name = Tubular Bells III
Type = studio
Single 1 = Man in the Rain
Single 1 date = 1998
Single 2 = Far Above the Clouds
Single 2 date = 1998

"Tubular Bells III" is the 17th album by Mike Oldfield, released in 1998. A sequel to Oldfield's 1973 "Tubular Bells" and his 1992 "Tubular Bells II" albums, it was released on the 25th anniversary of the first "Tubular Bells" album.

It features vocalists in the following songs; "Man in the Rain" features Cara Dillon (credited as Cara from Polar Star) with additional vocals by Heather Burnett. "The Inner Child" features Rosa Cedrón (Luar Na Lubre). "The Source of Secrets", "Jewel In The Crown" and "Secrets" feature Amar and "Far Above the Clouds" features Clodagh Simonds and Francesca Robertson. Also, Mike Oldfield can be heard saying 'Out Demon' on "Outcast".

On September 4, 1998, 6 years to the day after the premiere of "Tubular Bells II" at Edinburgh Castle, Oldfield held a premiere concert for "Tubular Bells III" at Horse Guards Parade in London. The live version of the complete album from the premiere concert is available on the double DVD "Tubular Bells II/Tubular Bells III" (see "Tubular Bells II Live" and "Tubular Bells III Live").

At the time of creating "Tubular Bells III" Oldfield had been living in Ibiza, and thus certain elements of the album reflect the moods of the island.

Early versions

Oldfield has stated that he initially recorded over 70 minutes of music for "Tubular Bells III" but trimmed it down to the current 46 minutes and 38 seconds. An early version of "Man in the Rain" was written shortly after 1983's "Moonlight Shadow", and is similar in style to the song. An early version of "The Source of Secrets" appears on the compilation "".

Critical reaction

"Tubular Bells III" is the least successful of the three main "Tubular Bells" albums, only attaining #4 on the UK chart, unlike its two chart topping predecessors. Critical reaction was mixed, with many accusing Oldfield of pushing the "Tubular Bells" series too farfact|date=September 2007. The very distinct similarity of "Man in the Rain" to the hit "Moonlight Shadow" was sometimes interpreted as Oldfield trying retread old ground. Some fans thought that the introduction of dance-orientated tracks was not staying faithful to the "Tubular Bells" namefact|date=September 2007.

Track listing

# "The Source of Secrets" (Mike Oldfield) – 5:35
# "The Watchful Eye" (Oldfield) – 2:09
# "Jewel in the Crown" (Oldfield) – 5:45
# "Outcast" (Oldfield) – 3:49
# "Serpent Dream" (Oldfield) – 2:53
# "The Inner Child" (Oldfield) – 4:41
# "Man in the Rain" (Oldfield) – 4:03
# "The Top of the Morning" (Oldfield) – 4:26
# "Moonwatch" (Oldfield) – 4:25
# "Secrets" (Oldfield) – 3:20
# "Far Above the Clouds" (Oldfield) – 5:30

Instruments

Some of the instruments which appear on the album are a Roland D-550, JD-990, JV1080 Clavia Nord Lead and Korg Trinity synthesisers. The Roland VG8 Guitar synthesiser is used on tracks such "Man in the Rain".

Oldfield also used sampled drums from his "Crises" and "Ommadawn" album on certain tracks. "Man in the Rain" features sampled drums from "Moonlight Shadow", "Outcast" features sampled drums from "Shadow on the Wall" and "Far Above the Clouds" features sampled drums from the end of "Ommadawn part 1".

References

* [http://www.amadian.net/secrets.htm The Bag of Secrets] at Amadian.net

External links

* [http://tubular.net/discography/TubularBellsIII.shtml Mike Oldfield Discography - "Tubular Bells III"] at Tubular.net