Mike Oldfield - Tubular.net

Tubular Bells Ultimate Edition problems

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:08:28 -0600

We've been investigating ordering problems reported with signed copies of the Tubular Bells Ultimate Edition.

The main problems appear to be:

Items still not despatched, despite credit cards having been charged as far back as mid May.
Inadequate packaging leading to damage in transit, despite a premium having been charged for postage and packaging due to the item's value and weight.
Signed copies arriving without signed certificates, possibly linked to...
Signed copies being sold by Amazon, contradicting the claim that they would only be available through the official website.
A general lack of communication from Completely Independent Distribution Ltd, who are running the official online store.

We've decided to take this into our own hands, so we'd like to hear from you if you've had any of the problems listed above. Please send an email to contact@tubular.net, giving as much detail of the case as possible, including details of:

Your name and order number.
The problem(s) you've had (including, if you've not received your copy yet, when your credit card was charged).
The steps you've taken to report the problem and details of communication you've had about it.

Your details may be shared with Completely Independent Distribution Ltd and Universal Music Group as part of an effort to get these problems solved. General details of the case may be shared with the press, but your individual details (name, order number, email address) will remain private unless we ask your permission.

Update June 30th: We're now in communication with Completely Independent Distribution and Bravado in an effort to resolve the reported problems

Update July 6th: People who have reported damaged copies should all have been offered a replacement. People who have reported problems with late delivery should also have been contacted.
If you're having problems, please contact customerservices@bandstores.co.uk before contacting us (though by all means copy contact@tubular.net into the mail if you want).

The Collection Enters BBC Radio I Chart at No. 25

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 14:39:28 -0600

The Tubular Bells Collection has entered the BBC Radio 1's top 40 album chart at no 25. Check it out at BBC Radio 1.

Update 06/21: no. 11

Thanks, Chris Simmons!

Richer Sounds giveaway

Sat, 6 Jun 2009 19:54:12 -0600

The people at UK Hi-Fi store Richer Sounds tell us that by signing up to their 'VIP Club' mailing list in June, you can win one of several Tubular Bells-themed prizes.

Top prize is a �1000 Cambridge Audio/Mordaunt Short hifi system, a signed ultimate edition, a t-shirt and a canvas print. Second prize is a deluxe edition, t-shirt and a print, and there are also 15 Mike Oldfield Collection CDs to be won.

More details on their website.

International Bell Day at the O2

Mon, 25 May 2009 16:49:42 -0600

To celebrate the re-release of Tubular Bells, Mercury Records is holding a special event on June 6th at the British Music Experience at the O2 in London.

The event will feature the 29 piece Handbell Ringers of Great Britain and an Orbular Bells DJ set by The Orb.

There will also be bell ringing workshops, competitions and more!

The event will be from 2 until 6pm and admission is �15 for adults, �12 concessions and children go free (details in the press release).

Update (29th May): Download the press release

Signed TB Ultimate Edition on sale

Fri, 15 May 2009 17:08:50 -0600

A new online store has been launched, where you can order the limited edition version of the upcoming Tubular Bells Ultimate Edition, signed by Mike Oldfield.

There's also a selection of Tubular Bells t-shirts available to buy.

'Buy' link added to mikeoldfield.com

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 12:08:34 -0600

Universal has updated mikeoldfield.com / tubularbells2009.com to include a buy link for registering interest in the Tubular Bells Ultimate Edition.

Picture of the Tubular Bells Ultimate Edition

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 19:45:12 -0600

Spanish music news website Efe Eme has published a picture of the Tubular Bells Ultimate Edition.

Muchas gracias, mikeoldfieldblog.com

Mikeoldfield.com updated

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 07:43:10 -0600

Mikeoldfield.com has now been updated to redirect to tubularbells2009.com. The site includes some pictures and an area for uploading reminiscences related to tubular bells. It does not yet include anywhere for ordering the upcoming Tubular Bells Ultimate Edition.

Details of the new Tubular Bells releases

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:32:04 -0600

Universal has released details of the new versions of Tubular Bells due for release on June 8th on the Mercury label.

It will be available in four different physical versions and two different digital download versions, including:

A 2 CD compilation, with a new stereo remix of Tubular Bells, plus a hits collection, aimed at introducing new listeners to Mike's music.

A deluxe edition, with 2 CDs and a DVD, featuring the stereo remix, the original mix, a new 5.1 remix and video of the BBC Second House performance of Tubular Bells Part One.

A vinyl release of the original mix.

An ultimate edition, including the new stereo remix, Mike Oldfield's Single, the original mix, the vinyl edition, the 5.1 remix, a 5.1 remix of Mike Oldfield's Single, the video of the Second House performance, the 1971 demos and a never heard before scrapped first mix of Tubular Bells from Spring 1973.
If that wasn't already enough, the ultimate edition will also include a 60 page hardback book, plectrums, a poster, a facsimile of the Manor Studios brochure, a facsimile concert ticket, a postcard and recording information.
This will be a limited edition of 500, each one signed and numbered by Mike Oldfield, available from mikeoldfield.com, which is due to be relaunched next week.

Mercury/Universal will be promoting the release with a special event on June 6th at 6pm, where bells will be rung in locations throughout the world, footage of which will then be available on mikeoldfield.com

The complete press release with all the details can be read on the forum.

Mike moving to the Bahamas

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 11:29:40 -0600

According to an article in UK newspaper the Daily Telegraph, Mike is selling his home in Mallorca in order to move to the Bahamas.

The asking price is a cool 3.95 million euros.

Thanks, Gill Aberdein

Summer of the bell

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 14:53:50 -0600

It's looking set to be a tubular summer: following the transfer of Mike's Virgin back catalogue to Universal/Mercury as part of Mike's 2005 deal, Mercury is preparing to begin re-releasing Mike's Virgin albums this year, starting with Tubular Bells.

A full press release will be made on ~~April 1st~~, but as revealed exclusively to tubular.net, they're not fooling around when it comes to content - this looks set to be one serious release. Not content to just release a repackaged version of the existing Tubular Bells CD, they've been digging deep into the archives and, with the help of Mike himself, are working on some very special things. They're making sure there will be something for everyone, from newcomers to Mike's music to the most hardcore of fans.

Release is scheduled for June 8th and Mercury is intent on making this the summer of the bell!

Update April 10th: We expect the press release to be available next week.

Mike nominated for Classical BRIT Awards 2009

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 14:18:49 -0600

Music of the Spheres has been nominated for the Classical BRIT best album of 2009. You can vote here.

Thanks, hairy old hippy.

Happy 2009!

Wed, 7 Jan 2009 07:10:43 -0600

Better late than never, we wish you all the best for 2009! It might be the year where some learn to consume more reasonably - not speaking of Mike Oldfield's music

Many thanks again for all the contributions: photos of instruments, tickets, and of course the forums. One could point out that several topics are quite Oldfieldesque, quoting other topics and being repetitive in a non boring way.
Of course, thanks to Mike for Music of the Spheres and to Universal for inviting us to the premiere in Bilbao.

A big technical project for tubular.net, which might se the light in 2009, is to organize all the content in a database, this would mean that we'll be able for example to easily cross link sections, like seeing which album used which guitar, or to let you know which section has been updated since you last visited the site. The other advantage would be to allow the database to be called from something else than the tubular.net website, such as a 'Mike Oldfield Reference' iPhone app for example, a non English website, etc.

BBC4 to Broadcast Performance of Tubular Bells

Thu, 1 Jan 2009 23:21:22 -0600

BBC Four will broadcast a 1974 live studio performance of Tubular Bells on Tuesday, 6 January at 20:30-21:00/8:30-9:00 PM (GMT). Click here for further information.

Thanks, Jonathan!

BBC4 Prog Rock Brittania

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 02:04:39 -0600

Mike Oldfield is one of the artists contributing to BBC Four Prog Rock Brittania on Jan 2 at 22:00, along with Robert Wyatt, Pete Sinfield, Rick Wakeman, Phil Collins, Arthur Brown, Carl Palmer and Ian Anderson. The documentary explores the life and decline of progressive music, the bands involved, and their musical style.