Music : Tubular Bells

Rating: - Epic pop poetry...
This too often gets tagged with the description "the music from The Exorcist", and that's a shame, because the whole album (especially the first half) is phenomenal. Oldfield played almost all the instruments himself, and the whole suite (it's one long song clocking in at just under 50 minutes) is amazing to listen to. I've always loved this album, and despite having other Oldfield albums (which are great as well), this is really the most exceptional of his work. There are many, many memorable themes played within the 50 minutes, culiminating in a wonderful, intense, and joyous ending. Oldfield doesn't get lumped as progressive rock, but his work is very similar to it, especially here. Remember to get the original version of this. There are many other versions (including a sequel, an orchestral version, and another version with narration by John Cleese(!)), so make sure you know what you're purchasing.

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Rating: - Thirty four years later and still Stunning to listen to
A true master piece from the early seventies though I wonder if people would have known about if if it hadn't been the theme song to the Exorcist.

When you listen to the CD you realize the musicianship is incredible and then you realize that Mike Oldfield was only nineteen when he created this. There are only two very long songs on this CD. Beyond the AM version to this song thee is so much there. When people bought this album in the seventies they where buying it for the AM version of Tubular bells (The Exorcist theme) so they bought the forty five rpm didn't realize they where missing the best part of the song buy not buying the album. Oldfield set the bar high for himself with this release but amazingly enough though he continues to clear that bar with his new releases. Sit back relax end enjoy this CD. Let it take you on it's musical journey.

A master piece indeed.

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Rating: - Long but good
This is the perfect cd for long trips. Though there's only two tracks, they go for a long time. This is the complete theme to The Exorcist and is worth listening to.

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Rating: - unique
this album is for anyone wanting to explore a different realm of consciousness and wanting a taste for experimental textures, tones, and sounds. great album. very interesting.

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Rating: - The original, nothing more or less
I first heard this in its entirity via a scratchy record from a used record store. Scratches and all, I loved it (well most of it - I found the "Piltdown Man" annoying). Now I can hear everything clearly.

Since I ordered the CD used, I'm not sure whither I got the "remastered" or simply "transferred to CD" version. My CD sounds like the record (without the scratches). There's no dramatic increase in dynamic range.

It would have been nice to have separate tracks for each "movement", not just part 1 / part 2. It would be nice to, say, jump to the start of the "introducing the instruments" section (which has a definite beginning) and to skip the "Piltdown man" (which has a definite beginning and end).