Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells - 180g w/ download

Mike Oldfield
Tubular Bells
Mercury - re-issue LP 

Tubular Bells is the debut studio album by the British musician Mike Oldfield, released on 25 May 1973 as the first album on Virgin Records. It comprises two mostly instrumental tracks. Oldfield, who was 19 years old when it was recorded, played almost all the instruments.

Tubular Bells initially sold slowly, but gained worldwide attention in December 1973 when its opening theme was used for the soundtrack to the horror film The Exorcist. This led to a surge in sales which increased Oldfield's profile and played an important part in the growth of the Virgin Group. It stayed in the top ten of the UK Album Chart for one year from March 1974, during which it reached number one for one week. It reached number three on the US Billboard 200, and number one in Canada and Australia. It has sold more than 2.7 million copies in the UK and an estimated 15 million copies worldwide. 

Funny note; after all these years, I just now noticed the partially obscured note on the back cover. It reads; "This stereo record cannot be played on old tin boxes no matter what they are fitted with. If you are in possession of such equipment please hand it into the nearest police station." As '73 was the height of the stereo revolution, and fidelity was EVERYTHING, I believe the "sound" of this record had quite alot to do with its appeal. This hilariously cryptic note feeds into that narrative.

     Track Listings:
Side 1 
Side 2

NEW SEALED re-issue LP