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| | DVD-Audio Review: Mike Oldfield - ‘Tubular Bells 2003’ |
 | | ‘Tubular Bells 2003’ is a re-recording of the original 1973 composition and not to be confused with a new work based on the theme, as was the case with ‘Tubular Bells II’, ‘Tubular Bells III’ and to a lesser extent ‘The Millennium Bell’. |
 | | The 2003 performance is superior, it’s a fuller, more rounded recording, but there are countless times when today’s surround presentation tries to be a bigger star than the music it is intended to convey, and that, to my mind at least, should never be the case. |
 | | Of the three, ‘Tubular Bells II’ is the king, the music is beautifully performed and the footage directed in a measured and engrossing way — watch out for the comic contribution of John Gordon Sinclair (of ‘Gregory’s Girl’, ‘Local Hero’ and ‘Fraggle Rock’ fame) during the ‘Altered State’ sequence, the 1992 incarnation of ‘Caveman’. |
| www.highfidelityreview.com /reviews/review.asp?reviewnumber=14485140 (2911 words) |
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