Mike Oldfield: Tubular Beats
Mike Oldfield
Tubular Beats
(Eagle Rock/Eagle Records)
Multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer and guitarist extraordinaire Mike Oldfield and producer Torsten âYorkâ Stenzel offer up some new beat-tastic takes on 11 songs from Oldfieldâs immense oeuvre on Tubular Beats.
“Let There Be Lightâ is a lilting little remix but âFar Above the Cloudsâ sounds much grander in scope with its tribal beat undertones. The remix of âOmmadawnâ sees both Oldfield and York on-hand (they sing together on most songs) and though a decidedly heady piece to tackle, the chunky spacey keys and flapping back echo vocals go nowhere fast in its 10-minutes-plus span.
The famous opening of âTubular Bellsâ lilts around a reverb guitar at the beginning of this version of what is arguably Oldfieldâs most famous composition. Again, we get Yorkâs go-to, distorted vocals crackling under the sounds, a rather tiny drum loop and oscillating keys. This is probably the first most realized piece here and the fantastic piano is the best part of the nearly 11-minute song.
âTo France,â a spritey keyboard workout, is a York and Steve Brian radio mix. I love the disco-ness of âNorthstar,â where we finally, thankfully get real guitar playing from Oldfield. And âGuilty,â a York and Mike “electrofunkmix,” sounds quite like Hot Butterâs âPopcornâ; it’s one of the best tunes here.
The last tune, âNever Too Far,â is a brand new one. Opening with a pretty and sweet echo piano and Tarja Turunenâs high “ahâs,” we are soon into a great arpeggiated guitar line and the ex-Nightwish singer into some great melodic singing mixed with Oldfieldâs perfect, clean guitar lines.